Whether you’re an avid golfer looking to perfect your putt at home or a beginner wanting to enjoy some fun in your backyard, installing artificial putting grass is a great choice. It brings the game to your doorstep, requires little maintenance, and provides a consistent surface for practice and play. This guide will explore Smart Turf’s various putting grass options, detailing which turf is best suited for different users, and offering insights into ideal applications.
Benefits of Artificial Putting Grass
Artificial putting grass is popular among golf enthusiasts and landscapers due to its versatility, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Here are some of the main advantages:
- Consistent Performance: Unlike natural grass, artificial turf maintains a consistent ball roll, making it ideal for practicing your game.
- Low Maintenance: No watering, mowing, or fertilizing is needed, saving both time and money.
- Weather Resistant: Artificial putting greens can be used in any weather, ensuring playability all year round.
- Versatile Installation: Suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces like backyards, patios, balconies, and more.
Choosing the Right Putting Turf
Smart Turf offers a variety of putting grass products, each designed to cater to different skill levels and applications. Below, we explore each option in detail, helping you determine which one fits your needs.
- Description: Eagle Putt is an 0.875-inch high turf with a 44 oz. weight, featuring a Summer Blend color that gives a natural look.
- Ideal For: Beginners and casual players who want a realistic putting experience at home. It’s perfect for backyards and community sports centers, providing the truest surface for practicing the basics of the game.
- Best Applications: Great for residential settings, sports clubs, and smaller outdoor spaces. It’s easy to install and offers a comfortable surface for everyday play.
- Description: Pure Putt features a 0.5-inch pile height and a 42 oz. weight with a vibrant Sport Green color, designed to mimic professional putting greens.
- Ideal For: Intermediate players looking for a high-quality putting surface that offers a more challenging play. This turf’s multi-directional surface provides a consistent ball roll, which helps improve your game.
- Best Applications: Perfect for serious golfers, home practice setups, and professional training environments. It’s also great for installing indoors or on rooftops.
- Description: Stimp has a 0.5-inch pile height and a weight of 50 oz. It features Tru e Putt technology and has an embossed rubber stabilizing pad which stabilizes it and keeps it flat wrinkle free.
- Ideal For: Advanced golfers who want to replicate the true feel of a golf course. It has a controllable putting speed where it can be adjusted to reach Stimpmeter speeds up to 12. This turf is tailored for those looking to refine their skills with a professional-level putting experience.
- Best Applications: Best suited for advanced of putting greens in private residences, high-end sports facilities, and golf training academies.
- Description: Tee Shot is a premium turf used for chipping and has a 1-inch pile height and a weight of 100 oz. It offers a realistic feel and excellent performance.
- Ideal For: Advanced golfers who want to replicate the true feel of a golf course. Only a 4 x 4’ area is required for this chipping surface turf.
- Best Applications: Best suited for chipping surfaces as part of putting greens in private residences, high-end sports facilities, and golf training academies.
- Description: Tour Putt is our top-tier option with a 1-inch height and 40 oz. weight, designed specifically for players aiming to perfect their game.
- Ideal For: Pro-level golfers and enthusiasts who demand the highest quality turf for their practice routines. This turf is designed to deliver the ultimate putting experience with unparalleled ball roll accuracy.
- Best Applications: Ideal for private golf greens, commercial practice areas, and luxury home installations.
Other putting turf options include:
- Description: With a 0.5-inch pile height and a 40 oz. weight, this turf comes in a versatile Olive/Field Green color. It’s designed for various athletic uses, including putting greens.
- Ideal For: Those who need a multi-purpose turf that supports not just golf but also other sports. It’s suitable for recreational areas where various sports are played, making it a versatile addition to your space.
- Best Applications: Ideal for use in sports complexes, schools, and public parks where the turf can be used for multiple activities.
- Description: It’s our Multi Sport Turf with an attached 5 mm padding. Similar to Multi Sport, it has a 0.5-inch pile height and 40 oz weight. Soon to be available in a range of 6 colors, Xtreme Play Turf offers a dynamic and attractive playing surface. Its 40 oz. weight ensures durability and versatility.
- Ideal For: Those who need a versatile turf that can handle various activities, including putting, bocce ball, and other recreational sports.
- Best Applications: Best used in multi-sport environments, campgrounds, and community centers, this turf stands out for its vibrant look and multi-functional design.
Fringe Turf Options for Putting Area
Fringe is the surrounding area of artificial putting greens that mimics the look and feel of the rough on a traditional golf course. It’s typically made from a different type of turf, usually with longer and more natural-looking fibers, to create a visual and functional boundary around the putting surface. Fringe is essential because it enhances the realism of the putting green, improves aesthetics, and provides a transitional space that adds an extra challenge, allowing for various short-game shots and improving overall playability.
Smart Turf fringe turf options include Smart Pet, Merion, Play Zone Plus, and Sawgrass. Each has its own distinct features, and based on your preference, any one of these are a great choice.
Installation Tips
Installing putting artificial grass can be a DIY project or handled by professionals, depending on the complexity of the space. Here are some steps to guide you:
- Prepare the Base: Start by clearing the area of debris and leveling the ground. Install a compacted base of crushed stone to ensure a smooth, solid surface.
- Grade the course: Since putting artificial grass does not have drainage holes, courses should be designed at a slope to avoid puddling.
- Lay the Turf: Roll out the turf and let it acclimate for a few hours. Cut it to fit the space, making precise trims around obstacles like curves and corners. Putting area turf and fringe turf will likely be two different lengths for contrast.
- Secure the Turf: Use adhesive or nails to secure the edges of the turf. Make sure seams are invisible by carefully joining the edges with seam tape or glue.
- Add Infill: To enhance the turf’s performance, add infill (such as sand or rubber) to help maintain the structure and improve the ball roll.
- Brush and Finish: Use a broom to brush the turf fibers, making them stand upright. This step gives the turf a natural appearance and ensures the best playability.
Maintenance of Artificial Putting Greens
Maintaining artificial putting grass is straightforward, requiring minimal effort compared to natural grass. Here are some maintenance tips:
- Regular Brushing: Brush the turf occasionally to keep the fibers standing upright and to remove debris.
- Clean Spills Promptly: Use mild cleaner and water for any stains or spills to maintain the surface’s pristine condition.
- Check for Wear: Regularly inspect your putting green for signs of wear, especially along seams and edges. Quick repairs can extend the turf’s lifespan.
Wrap Up
Installing putting artificial grass is a fantastic way to bring the golf course experience to your home or facility. With a variety of options available from Smart Turf, there’s a perfect match for every golfer, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro. Not only does artificial turf enhance your practice environment, but it also adds a touch of elegance to your space, ensuring you have a lush, green surface all year round without the hassle of traditional lawn maintenance.