Installing a putting green in our backyard

Part of our remodeling project included installing an artificial putting green in the backyard. I researched all the different options available. In fact, 7 years ago I actually tried to grow a real putting green. I talked with several people who maintain the greens at the golf course. All of them tried to talk me out it. I ignored their advice and tried it anyway. I followed all of the steps and used the exact bent grass that the courses use around my home. It grew very well and looked great in no time. However, it required a lot of attention. It needed to be mowed with a special greens mower on a daily basis. I tried to find a used mower, but the lowest I could find was around $6,500. I didn't want to pay that much so I bought a reel mower and managed to lower it to about a half an inch. It looked like a putting green, but it didn't roll like one. I added more sand to it and that helped, but it still wasn't rolling very well. I played with it so much that I actually killed it.

I would highly dissuade anyone from trying to grow a real green. The newest nylon putting green requires no sand on top and look and feel like a real green. My family and I love to play on it and we are truly getting better. My five-year old son has beaten me several times now. I can only imagine how good he can be if he continues to practice. I just like investing in our home for our own enjoyment. I mentioned earlier that we built an indoor basketball/racquetball court in our home. We have enjoyed that so much and have benefited in many ways because of it. I think these things keep our family active and we will know where our kids will be, and their friends, when they are teenagers.

Send me an email at jaren@jthomes.com if you have any questions about artificial putting greens, or designing a home plan with an indoor basketball court.

Happy home plan Hunting

Comments:

anonymous says: I need help with instructions on building a chipping/putting green i am a +18 handicap and i would like to hopfully lower that to a +10 by the end of the summer. Posted:8/12/2004
anonymous says: If you live in the San fran Bay Area? Bay Area Leisure Lawns will do it right for you. They installed my putting green and charged only half of any other putt green dealer charged. In fact they ended up adding more turf than originally paid for and did a great job I highly recommend them. BayAreaLeisureLawns.com Posted:8/12/2004
anonymous says: installing your own is very possible and rewarding. I'm about 2/3 done right now with a 15'x25' green raised 12"-18's" above the rest of my yard. If I had them install it I would have only been able to afford a 12'x15' green....I opted for a green 2x that size. Happy to answer questions & provide pics once it's fully complete. Paul paulb@shuttersup.com Posted:8/12/2004
anonymous says: If you want to see how a backyard putting green is put together check out this website. www.kinipela.ca Posted:8/12/2004
anonymous says: Just getting started in the "gathering information" stage regarding putting a putting green in our backyard. Any information would be helpful. Posted:8/12/2004
anonymous says: Very interested in your answers to above questions. Also would like your input on attemping to start a synthetic putting green business. I have a good landscaper who will join me. Appreciate any help Posted:8/12/2004
anonymous says: I have just read both of the questions that have been put to you following your installtion and I would like to see your answers. Many thanks Posted:8/12/2004
anonymous says: We would like to have a putting green installed in our backyard and have begun the research/evaluation. Which is better...sand-filled or not. We will be primarily putting, with some pitching/chipping. Any company recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks. Posted:8/12/2004
anonymous says: I've been told by many that for me to install a synthetic putting green correctly as an untrained homeowner is almost impossible. Even beyond the sales pitch(we want your install$$) the companies have voiced concern about angles;undulations?? and creating the base. I've done alot of landscaping (ie.sod removal/install, tree and stump removal.retaining walls.sprinklers landscape design and shaping...)I can't afford to pay for the install. They want to charge me to watch/observe an install. Will I be wasting my time and money if I attempt this myself? Posted:8/12/2004

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