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. But, 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 is 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 niggly bits you may not have considered when turning your garden into something truly special!
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 for putting greens. It basically refers to the fibre type used when assembling the grass. Depending on the fibre, you may get a bit more spring in your grass that you may not want when putting. A flat, diamond, or waffle yarn will cause too much resistance and this may 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 texturised yarn. This type of yarn goes through a different manufacturing process that curls the yarn to make sure it’s nice and compact. The result? A smooth surface that really resembles natural golf grass.
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 which we will go into further down.)
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 tend to recommend over 45,000 stitches per sqm – this means your grass will still let water pass through while being dense enough for that perfect put.
4. Pile Direction
We’re sure by now you’ve got the terms of these industry words. When choosing the perfect artificial grass putting green, pile direction is definitely something to consider! 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… hopefully it will have you swinging like Tiger Woods in no time (well, 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…
Handicap? Handy base! What goes under your putting green is critical!
You wouldn’t want your golf course to be uneven, so why would you let your dream garden putting green? You wouldn’t! Before you lay down that sweet sweet lawn, 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…
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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 no slopes so your ball doesn’t go any which way! This doesn’t mean the area you’re installing on has to be level. Tt 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.
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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 baseworks. 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. You’re welcome.
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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.
- 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.
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 who you’re going to trust when it comes to your putting green fantasies, it all comes down to two things.
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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.
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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 guarantee means that if anything does happen, you are able to get it resolved without spending any more money.
Your putting green garden dreams can be a 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?