How much does Putting green turf installation cost?

Tired of taking care of an expensive and demanding lawn? If you’re a golf enthusiast, installing a backyard putting green could be a perfect solution. It allows you to work on your short game from the comfort of home while upgrading your yard in a cost-efficient way. You’ll also cut down on time-consuming backyard maintenance. 

A synthetic-turf putting green can replace your lawn or be seamlessly incorporated into the existing features of your yard. Depending on usage and care, a quality putting green can last as long as 25 years.

On average, a professionally installed putting green will cost anywhere from $11–30 per square foot, depending on size, accessibility, special features, and location. You can often negotiate a lower price-per-square-foot for larger putting greens.

Most home putting greens range from 500–1,000 square feet, though landscapers who specialize in putting green installation can customize it to your specifications. 

Total cost with installation, by putting green size:

Materials typically make up around 40% of the total price, depending on type of artificial turf and infill selected. (Infill is an added substance that helps improve the look and feel of synthetic grass.) The remaining cost goes toward professional installation by a landscaping and golf specialist trained to re-create the precision and feel of a real golf course.           

There are two common types of synthetic turf used for home putting greens:

Nylon synthetic turf. A high-quality material, nylon doesn’t require sand infill to keep “grass” blades standing up for consistent ball speed. That makes it the best choice for smaller artificial putting greens requiring minimal upkeep. But nylon is more expensive, because of turf density and a special heat treatment needed to prevent matting. 

Polypropylene synthetic turf. Less dense than nylon turf, synthetic requires sand infill and maintenance with a putting green roller to keep its shape and uprightness. It’s more popular than nylon, because it can accommodate chipping and long putts without losing the soft, natural resistance and bounce that mimics a professional green. Polypropylene is also less expensive than nylon. 

An outdoor putting green cost depends on length, density, and thickness of turf blades you select. That’s determined by three main factors:

Face weight. This is how density is measured in artificial turf—it’s the amount of material used per square yard. A higher face weight means your home putting course will more closely mimic a professional golf green, but it’s also more expensive. Typical face weight for a synthetic putting green is 40–60 ounces per square yard.

Pile height (or turf height). Turf on a putting surface should be relatively short, so the ball will roll well. (Shorter also means it’s less expensive.) The optimal turf height for a putting green is ½– ¾  inch.

Stimp rating. This numbered system refers to how fast a golf ball will roll on the surface of your green—the higher the rating, the faster it moves. The average stimp rating on a home putting green is 9–11 feet; it can be adjusted by brushing the green with a putting green roller to lower the rating or adding more infill to raise it.

Infill. This composite material—typically silica sand or acrylic-coated sand—is applied to the turf during the installation process. Because turf fibers have no natural roots to keep them upright, infill is placed between the synthetic blades of grass to make them stand up. The amount of infill required for your putting green will depend on the face weight, pile height, and stimp rating of your synthetic turf. Most home putting greens use 1–2 pounds of infill per square foot.

Putting green installation is a complex process. The ground must be cleared and leveled, and a base added underneath the turf to ensure proper drainage. Then, turf must be laid and adequately stretched to avoid ripples or seams that can make the surface uneven, and prevent shrinkage or expansion due to temperature changes or other factors. 

Because custom design elements such as breaks, undulations, and inclines must be carefully molded into the surface of the putting green, they add more cost to the project. Additional elements such as fringe turf, bunkers, tee boxes, and dry creeks will increase also the cost of materials and installation. 

Total cost of installation can also vary depending on:

DIY putting green kits can save money on installation. Most average-size kits cost $1,000–5,000. Because of the precise and complex nature of the installation, DIY kits aren’t recommended unless you have significant landscaping knowhow and experience. 

Another way to save money: do the prep work yourself—clearing and removing landscape elements from the space, and leveling the ground for installation. Assuming you have the skills to tackle on your own, it could save an average $1–2 per square foot on installation, minus the cost of disposing of the removed materials. If you intend to do this, discuss it with the landscaper beforehand.

To learn more about landscaper costs, visit How to hire a landscaper.  

How much does it cost to install a backyard putting green?

A professionally installed putting green will cost an average of $11–30 per square foot. You’re likely to pay $5,500–15,000 for a 500-square-foot putting green, and $11,000–30,000 for a 1,000-square-foot putting green.

Does a putting green add value to a home?

A backyard putting green adds high year-round curb appeal, and is relatively inexpensive to maintain compared to real grass. Depending on your state, tax rebates may be available for having a waterless lawn. In 2019 and 2020, homes with putting greens sold for an average of 5% more per square foot than ones without, according to Realtor.com.  

What is a good size for a backyard putting green?

The average size for a golfer-friendly synthetic backyard putting green is 500–1,000 square feet.

How long does a putting green last?

If properly maintained, a quality synthetic putting green can last up to 25 years.

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