Just Tap It In: DIY vs. Professionally Installed Putting Greens

Just Tap It In: DIY vs. Professionally Installed Putting Greens

Have you ever wanted to practice your short game without heading to your local course? Well, it’s not a pipe dream. With the right plan, budget, and help from professionals, you can create your own putting green right in your backyard. 

These greens have become a popular trend as of late, and more and more companies offer installations. There is definitely a way to make this a DIY project, but if you want to get it right and have a beautiful, awe-inspiring green on your property—professional installation is your ideal solution. 

As you would probably expect, designing and creating an exceptional looking green that suits your own space takes a special touch. How you want your green to look, feel, and function really all depends on your imagination and budget. Additions like bunkers, water features, creeks or other types of exciting features are all possible for the right property and the right price. 

As we mentioned, you can certainly do some of these features yourself. We’ll go over both the pros and cons of each and how you can make your dreams come true with your own putting green right in your backyard. 

The DIY Putting Green Option

Ok, so maybe you’re a handy person with a solid grasp on how to make some pretty substantial landscaping marvels happen. If you’re not, this may not be the option for you. 

If you’re willing to take on the challenge, get ready for a wild ride. You’ll likely need a hand, so get ready to grab a few friends, rent some equipment, and start on some serious landscaping. 

When you pick out what area of your yard you want to place your green, you’re going to want to find a spot that’s fairly level so that you minimize the amount of extra work you’ll be doing. Map out how large you’re thinking about making your green—knowing that the larger the green, the more expensive the project will become. It’s also a good idea to map out any extra features during this process, especially if you’re thinking about adding a fringe, bunkers, or any other features. Once you get started, it will be difficult to make unforeseen additions later on. 

It’s also a good idea to figure out where exactly you want your cup (or cups) to be. Most backyard putting greens have multiple holes for a more diverse experience. So, during your preparations try and get a general idea of where you want your cups to be. 

Once you’ve gotten through your planning and preparation phase, it’s time for you and your friendly crew to move onto the actual work. Hopefully, you’ve bribed them with enough brews. 

  1. Dig out the area you’ve designated as your green, roughly 6-8 feet. The colder the climate you’re in, the deeper you’ll need to go.
  2. Make a base by filling in with heavy road gravel—this will help with drainage.
  3. Top your road gravel with some fine gravel or possibly road dust. 
  4. Use a plate compactor to level the surface as you go. 
  5. To prevent weeds or other pesky growth, cover this area with landscaping fabric. 
  6. Next, you’ll want to place your cups. You’ll need a post hole digger to create the holes first. 
  7. Lay out your turf and be sure to secure your edges and seams thoroughly with staples or pegs. 
  8. If you’re adding a fringe or rough, here’s where you’ll get that done. Try and make it flow seamlessly into the rest of your yard. 
  9. Cut out the holes in the turf where your cups lie. 
  10. To protect your green from weathering and wear, add infill. 

Some companies also offer solutions that make this process a lot easier. Instead of making an entire landscaping ordeal out of it, they have created pre-cut base layers with turf on top. These work a bit better for those that aren’t willing to go the extra mile. However, they won’t function as realistically as a genuine installation. 

The Professional Option

We may be a bit biased here, but we would recommend getting a professional or expert involved with your backyard putting green. It’s not that you can’t do it yourself, it’s just a tough task with so many unforeseen variables that pop up. 

Every yard is different and poses unique challenges for landscaping projects. Extreme grading and sodding can have a big effect on your ability to make this work. With something as complex and detail-oriented as a putting green, getting a professional involved isn’t a bad thing. If anything, it’s worth it in the long run because you’ll not only be able to have a longer lasting, better green—but you’ll also have peace of mind. This is especially true if you have a vision of a green that you’ve seen at your favorite course, where complicated design is inevitable and a robust understanding of landscaping, turf, and greens is required. 

If you’re looking for someone to help you get the job done, there are tons of companies offering this as a service. We personally have an unparalleled landscaping design process that aims to take your ideation to reality with complete transparency and success. 

Top reasons why you should hire a professional: 

  1. More options when it comes to features like water features, short game features, bunkers, etc. 
  2. More freedom for yards that have significant sloping that needs to be graded or leveled. 
  3. Higher quality installation methods and better equipment and machinery to get it done right with longer lasting results. 
  4. More advanced greens that can look and feel like the ones you see on tour. 
  5. A more realistic look and feel of natural greens that stand the test of time. 
  6. Low-maintenance down the road, saving you money in the long run. 

If you want longer lasting, better looking, authentic feeling greens, contact a professional to make your ideal putting green happen in your backyard. 

How Much Does This Cost 

There really isn’t a one size fits all cost for a project like this. However, there are some pretty fixed costs that can help you estimate certain factors. A general rule is that synthetic putting green materials usually cost between $15-$25 per square foot. 

So, obviously the size you want your green to be will have a pretty big impact on the cost. But other features you want to add or alterations to your current landscaping will also start to add up. 

Get Started 

Are you ready to pull the trigger on your own backyard putting green? If so, and you’re looking for a professional to help you make it happen we’ve got you covered. 

Contact us today for a quick quote to get a quote and start working on your short game.

Ready to Start on Your Next Project?

Call us at (763) 568-7251 or visit our quick quote page.
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