Having a putting green in your backyard used to be a thing of dreams for golf enthusiasts…

Now, with the help of artificial grass and some creativity, it is more common than you may think! Deciding to turn your garden into an artificial grass putting green may only be for the few. However, if you are one of those few, then you have come to the right place! Here at Cheshire Artificial Grass, we thrive on your imagination! Putting greens are just one of our many areas of expertise. In this blog, we will help guide you on how to choose the right grass, what prep to expect, and any other things that you may not have considered. 

How to ensure the artificial grass you pick is a hole in one!

You can’t have the perfect putting green without the perfect grass. So, the first thing we need to know is how to find the best artificial grass for your putting green. Golfers will know how a change in the grass can lead to change in play. Artificial grass putting greens are a great way to go for consistency! Due to it never changing, you can work on your swing in perfect conditions, from the comfort of your garden. “But, which artificial grass is right for me?” we hear you call out! Don’t worry, we’re going to talk about some of the features you should be looking for when choosing artificial grass for a putting green…

1. Yarn Type

While this may sound like artificial grass jargon. Yarn type is a big player when it comes to which grass to use for putting greens. It refers to the type of material used to make the artificial grass. Depending on the fibre, you may get a bit more spring in your grass. A flat, diamond, or waffle yarn will cause too much resistance and this may negatively affect the way the ball moves along the green. In addition, the ball may bounce off the fibres and end up in a different direction – which just sounds like a headache if you ask us.

To solve this issue, the yarn type you would want for a putting green would be polyethylene which is less shiny and more durable than other yarn types on the market. Creating a longer lasting, and better looking putting green.

2. Pile Height

I.e. the height of the fake grass… If your grass is too long, the ball isn’t going to roll smoothly, and no one needs that. You want the pile to be nice and short on the main sections of the green. (That’s not to say you aren’t able to use a longer pile of grass for the fringe, but we will get into that later.)

3. Pile Density

Like pile height refers to the height, pile density refers to how many blades of grass there are. When it comes to your back garden putting green, the denser the better! A denser artificial grass will allow for a smoother glide with minimal friction. This gives the artificial golf grass a similar Stimp reading as natural golf grass. We also recommend at least 80,000 stitches per sqm – this means your grass will still let water pass through, while also being dense enough for that perfect put.

4. Pile Direction

We’re sure by now you’ve gotten to terms with some of the industry jargon. When choosing the perfect artificial grass putting green, pile direction is definitely something to consider (IE, direction of the grass)! Most artificial grasses have a pile direction which means that the fibres all lean in one direction. When choosing a putting green grass, you want little to no pile direction. The straighter the better as this will make putting in any direction the same, therefore the ball glides.

So, now you know the 4 things to consider when choosing your artificial grass for your back garden putting green. Check out our Golf Grass. It is perfect with its 10-12 Stimp rating, 84,000 stitches per sqm and un-noticeable pile direction… hopefully it will have you swinging like Tiger Woods in no time (we can’t promise that but the right grass will help!)

The next step in getting your dream garden golf course? Getting the right base…

You wouldn’t want your golf course to be uneven, so why would you let your garden putting green be? You wouldn’t! Before you lay down your grass, you want to make sure that you’ve done all the necessary due diligence for that perfect finish. What does that mean? Let us talk you through it…

• Level lawns make for better playing 
  Ensuring the area you want to use is level is essential. You want to install your personal golf course on flat ground with minimal slopes, so your ball doesn’t go any which way! This doesn’t mean the area you’re installing on has to be level. It just might mean that it will need to be levelled out first. Using the appropriate MOT stone and Grit sand allows for an even and level base to form. Some curves and bubs can be put in however to make the putting more of a challenge.

• Your course needs to be porous 
  We all know what the British weather can be like, some nice dry days but most of the time we are blessed with rainfall. To accommodate for the inescapable wet weather, you need to have a porous base. What this means is that the condition of your artificial grass putting green will stay intact. You won’t get any pesky puddles or stagnant water that leads to moss and weeds growing. As water can flow through the grass and the base works. MOT stone combined with Grit sand creates a strong and stable base. This combination allows water to flow through it easily. In addition, here at Cheshire Artificial Grass, we use a permeable, geotextile weed-proof membrane that prevents weeds from growing through, yet allows the water to pass through.

• Your putting green should be bespoke to your garden
  The characteristics of your garden will make for a tailored and bespoke course. Here are a few ways how…
  • Humps – Fancy yourself a challenge? With artificial grass putting green installations, the base work can allow for your own twists. Include humps and dips to create a more complex putting green. This will enhance your skills and make it more interesting.
  • Holes & flags – One, two, three, four, or more. This is a personal preference so you can pick or choose how many you would like. Just make sure it is right for the size of green you are creating. Otherwise half the challenge will be dodging the wrong holes.
  • Fringe – A fringe is what can go around the side of the golf grass to add a little more depth and give a similar aesthetic to that of a natural putting green. The pile height and fibres are different. This can help reduce the speed of the ball or direction making sure you don’t lose your ball.

You can use any grass for this. However, we love to use Natural 42 as it looks great from every angle with its multidirectional pile.

Who to pick to put down your artificial grass putting green?

It all sounds dreamy so far… but what’s in your head and what might get installed are two very different things. The final step in building your garden golf course is choosing who is going to install it. When choosing the right company to use it ultimately comes down to two things…

• Experience 
  Experience is crucial when it comes to choosing a company. Artificial grass putting greens take more attention to detail and are more difficult to get right. Choosing a company with many years of experience in artificial grass and installing putting greens will ensure that you get what you desire to the best quality. 
• Guarantee
   Always make sure you have a guarantee. This won’t be the cheapest of installations. So, choosing a company that provides you with a quality guarantee means that if anything were to happen, you are able to get it resolved without spending any more money. 

Lets make your putting green dreams reality! So, if this is something you are just thinking about, have been thinking about, or are now desperate for, why not get in touch with us for a chat about what we can do for you?