If you want to create a PGA-quality putting green in Phoenix, AZ, this guide has all the information you need! Follow this step-by-step guide to DIY putting green installation to create a beautiful course tailored to your visual tastes and skill level.

Design the Optimal Layout

Every great backyard putting green starts with the perfect layout. Decide how much space you want your course to take up. A 15-foot-long course provides a professional and dynamic experience, but a 10 x 12-foot custom putting green offers enough space for varied practice shots. If you have less space, implement obstacles to adequately challenge ball control.

Choose an area with ample sunlight and minimal elevation changes to reduce excavation needs. You may need to grade the landscape to optimize drainage and avoid the consequences of a waterlogged course. Once you’ve found a spot, use spray paint or string and stakes to mark out a perimeter to guide construction.

Prepare the Foundation

Excavate the outlined area to a depth of 4-6 inches to guarantee ample space for compact materials and turf, ensuring your course will be flush with your lawn. Remove any debris, such as rocks, sticks, roots, or dead leaves, and check your foundation to ensure it’s level. Next, add the base material to a depth of 3-4 inches, using a rake to level it out. Compress this material with a tamper to create a firm foundation, and spray lightly with water to help it settle.

Install Putting Green Turf

Once you’ve created a firm and level base, it’s time to add the synthetic grass products. Roll out putting green turf and leave it to flatten out for a few hours, allowing creases or wrinkles to settle. Cut your artificial turf to the desired shape and size using a utility knife, leaving an extra inch to tuck the edges securely. Don’t forget to cut holes for the putting cups!

Next, use turf staples or stakes spaced 6 inches apart to secure the artificial grass to its base, hammering carefully to avoid causing indentations. If you need to join two pieces of putting green turf, use seam tape beneath where the edges meet, ensuring they’re correctly aligned. Then, add seam adhesive and press the two edges firmly, securing the seam as evenly as possible to preserve a smooth course.

Evenly Distribute Infill

Infill provides ballast to support your artificial turf putting green for years of satisfying gameplay. Silica sand is the most cost-effective choice for putting greens, weighing down artificial grass while providing a smooth surface for accurate ball roll. Distribute 1-2 pounds of turf infill per square foot, using a broadcast spreader to ensure an even distribution. Walk the course to inspect it for bumps, clumps, or uneven infill.

Add Putting Cups

Align putting cups around pre-cut holes, then gently push them in, ensuring they lie flush with the course. Backfill around cups with compacted materials to secure them. Lightly press the cup to see if it wobbles, adding more material if necessary. Once it’s in place, remove any debris or excess material to ensure a clean, professional look. Add a checkered flag for extra flair! These details make the difference between a beautiful and a sub-par custom putting green.

The Finishing Touches

The best way to test your course is by breaking out your clubs! Test the ball roll and green speed, paying attention to consistency and accuracy to catch elevation problems. You can make adjustments by brushing the synthetic turf or adding infill to even out its surface. Add fashion to function with pebble gardens or hardscape borders around your backyard putting green. Plants, flower beds, and trees offer visual texture and shade for a more serene playing experience.

SGW Phoenix is the trusted wholesale artificial turf provider for DIY homeowners and expert landscapers alike. We rigorously manufacture our synthetic grass putting green turf to meet professional standards, allowing customers to infuse their properties with country club luxury. Call SGW Phoenix today at 800.571.1018 or contact us online to learn more.