Backyard putting greens
A practice green is a specialty install. The base work and the shaping decide how true the ball rolls.
Washington County has a lot of golfers, and a backyard green is one of the more popular turf projects here. A putting green uses a different product from lawn turf: short, dense fibers designed to roll a ball at a consistent speed. Getting it right takes more precise base work than a regular yard.
What goes into a good green?
- A finely graded base. Breaks and slopes are shaped into the base itself, then compacted. Any low spot will show up in your putts.
- Cup placement. Cups are set into the base before the turf goes down. Think about where you'll stand and how many different putts you want.
- Fringe and transitions. Many greens have a collar of longer turf around the putting surface, and some add a chipping area.
- Infill. The infill on a green affects ball speed and how it holds a chip. Ask how the installer adjusts it.
- Drainage. The green has to shed water from monsoon storms without washing out the base.
How big should it be?
That depends on your yard and how you practice. A small green with two or three cups fits many St. George backyards; larger yards can take multiple tiers or a chipping area. Leave room around it for your stance and a walkway. If the green replaces lawn and you want the water district's incentive, the turf still won't be paid for, and the area must meet the district's plant-cover and drip rules, which is easier when the green is one part of a bigger design.
Heat and shade
Putting turf in full sun gets hot in the afternoon. Many people practice in the morning or evening anyway; a shade tree at the edge of the yard or a covered patio nearby makes it more usable in summer.
Questions to ask
- Have you built putting greens before, and can I see one?
- What green-speed are you aiming for, and how is it adjusted?
- How are cups and flags installed, and can more be added later?
The installer prices the job after measuring the area and seeing the site: how much grass or rock has to come out, how much base is needed, access for equipment, and the turf and infill you pick. We don't quote prices, and any number given over the phone is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can a putting green go on a slope?
Often, yes. Gentle slopes can be worked into the breaks. Steeper ground may need terracing or a wall first.
Can I chip onto a synthetic green?
Many greens are built for it. Ask about infill and product choice if chipping matters to you.
Related services
- Artificial grass for front and back yards
- Lawn-to-turf conversions
- Pet turf and dog runs
- Play areas and backyard sports
More background: Washington County artificial turf guide.
Tired of watering a lawn nobody walks on?
Call and a local turf installer will talk through your yard, your water-district options and what the job involves.