Backyard putting greens are the perfect home addition for every golf lover. They allow you to practice your putting, be used for other outdoor activities such as croquet and bocce ball, and more. But what’s the average cost of a backyard putting green? Well, it varies depending on size, type, materials, and if you prefer having it professionally installed, or do you plan on tackling it yourself?
There are three main factors for the price of backyard putting greens:
- Type
- Size
- Materials
We are gonna cover each of these topics in more detail to give you some more information on the options available and average price points.
Different Types of Putting Greens
When you’re looking into prices, it’s important to consider all of your options. The type of putting experience you looking for relies solely on the type of green you choose. There are three main types of green to choose from and they are all solid options depending on the look and feel you’re searching for.
- Natural Grass Putting Greens
- Sand-filled Putting Greens
- Artificial Grass Putting Greens
Let’s dive into each of these options to examine their advantages and overall feel for golfing.
Natural Grass Putting Greens
As the header suggests these greens are made up of all-natural grass. The type of grass used for golf courses and putting greens differ depending on where you are located. The weather has a big impact on how the grass will hold up over time.
- Bermuda grass – One of the most popular types of golf course grass and is used in warmer regions.
- Bentgrass – Is most prominently used in coastal or cool summer locations.
- Perennial Ryegrass – A long-standing favorite and is used in almost every cool summer location.
- Zoysia – Can be used in almost every climate excluding harsh cold or very dry locations.
While natural grass has a pleasant look and the most natural feel available, it requires a lot of maintenance. It needs to be watered often, cut, edged, fertilized, and the list goes on. Golf courses have employees whose entire job is to maintain the grounds. If you are short on time or tend to avoid yard work like the rest of us, natural grass is probably not the way to go.
Polypropylene Sand-filled Putting Greens
The first type of artificial green we will be talking about today is sand-filled polypropylene. This type of green provides the smoothest experience allowing a truer game. It also holds its shape very well and is durable even after years of use. It does require a bit of maintenance due to rain washing the sand away over time and just general use. It requires regular brushing and adding additional sand to maintain the performance good look.
Nylon Artificial Grass
The final type of putting green on the list is nylon artificial grass. This type of turf requires almost zero maintenance and is super easy to keep clean year-round. The fake blades of grass stand up on their own which means there is no need for infill such as sand.
It creates a very fast and smooth surface perfect for those trying to perfect their golf game. Nylon grass also has a pretty long lifespan on average depending on sun exposure. The only maintenance it does require is hitting it with a blower to remove dust and dirt, or spraying it down with the hose if it is looking a bit dirty. The main downside of nylon grass is that the stiffness of the blades may not hold a ball very well.
Putting Green Sizes
Sizing all comes down to personal preference and the amount of space you have. An average backyard putting green could be anywhere from 100 to 500 square feet depending on the amount of land you have. For this size, they usually cost anywhere from $15 to $25 dollars per square foot depending on the type of putting green materials you use. If you prefer to do the installation your self the price will decrease by about 50%.
Here are 5 key factors to pricing when installing a backyard putting green
- Putting Green Size
- Type of Green
- Design choices
- Additional Features
- Installation Fees
Conclusions
There are a ton of different options to choose from when installing a backyard putting green. From green types to sizing, design options, etc, it takes a lot of forethought and planning. While DIY installation might seem like the way to go due to the cheaper entry fee, we recommend professional installation as the cost of any potential errors could cause the price to skyrocket.
