Backyard Putting Green

22,727 Views | 71 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by Howdy Dammit
sanangeloAG
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AG
I really want one. I have seen all the DIY stuff online, and have almost convinced myself that I am capable. Has anyone installed their own? The costs are pretty high, so I don't want to screw it up if it is something that I should really contract out.
jj9000
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AG
Yes, and if he sees this thread I hope he posts some recent pics of the green.
Icecream_Ag
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S
this may work, stick93's backyard

stick93
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AG
It's really not THAT tough to build. Granted, I turned my entire backyard into a putting surface by killing and scraping away st Augustine, throwing down a thin layer of sandy loam, and then seeding it with paspalum. I got lucky in that I didn't realize how much contour I had until it was complete. But I basically have what used to be known as a "push-up" green. ie, they used to just push up a bunch of native soil and called it a green.

To do it right:
1. Make friends with a local golf course superintendent(their advice can be had for a 12 pack).
2. Ask him when he is core aerating next and if you can help out that day and get paid in greens plugs.
3. Figure out where you want the green and make every thing that is currently alive dead.
4. Get enough sand and peat moss/organic material to blend and put down a 6" layer. Google "usga greens mix" to come up with the ratio.
5. Develop the contour but don't get crazy as it can lead to headaches later. You can fine tune it with sand as it grows in.
6. Add the layer of grass plugs, sand them in really good, and start watering, rolling and dusting with sand.

One major thing that I left out is to either incorporate your green in between the existing irrigation or move the heads around to accommodate.

Also, the mower is the most expensive part of the whole deal. Find and procure that before you ever start. It can be used as a poor man's roller before and for a few weeks after you put the plugs down.

Also, be sure to consider the timing so that winter doesn't get ya. Give yourself at least 8-10 weeks before the first frost for the health of the turf and so that you can get it grown in and enjoy the damn thing during the winter.

Hope this helps and I'll be happy to answer any questions. But you might want to wait for a couple of the resident superintendents to chime in.
Ag pride
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AG
What kind of mower do you use ?
Funky Winkerbean
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AG
Go synthetic if you have the money.
Old School Brother
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what is the cost for the smallest/cheapest synthetic green? how small is that option?
tommeehawk7
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stick93 , that is incredible , great job.
booradley
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AG
I did the synthetic... synlawns or synscape.
I don't have a picture hosting service.
but could email some pics to someone to host if you want to see it...
Jrod05
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AG
stick i have to take you up on seeing that in person. Looks great.
bagger05
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AG
boo, it's really easy to post images on imgur. If you don't want to do that, email them to me at texags.bagger05@gmail.com and I'll post them.
sanangeloAG
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AG
I'm thinking synthetic. I have seen some really nice kidney shaped, multi-tiered greens with lots of chipping areas, but I think I am going to keep it rectangular for simplicity's sake. I want it to look nice, and realize that if I try and get fancy with it that I will mostly likely make it worse.

One of the videos I watched had a guy lay down aggregate, then filler then throw on Quickcrete before giving it the hose. That may be my best bet.
CapCityAg89
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AG
I didn't do green turf, but put in a synthetic grass area about 12x15. It was already a sandy (good draining) area, so I put down aggregate, leveled and tamped. Then the turf. Was really nice. I paid about $3 a square foot at Lowes. They have putting green turf, but is more expensive.
92TXAG
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AG
I had Southwest Greens install a ridiculously large, two tier green with significant fringe and a few chipping decks. Did this about 10 years ago after having our first child; it wasn't cheap, but allowed me to "play" and still be within ear-shot distance when priorities changed...also was an easy tool to get the kids involved...
Yesterday
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AG
Pics people! We need pics!
booradley
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AG
bagger - sent you 2 emails with pics of my putting green.

thanks for hosting them...
sanangeloAG
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AG
CapCityAg89, did you use a hand tamper or mechanical? I've heard you can rent them from hardware stores, but didn't know if a hand tamp would do the job.
texas2006aggie
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AG
http://www.hillhorticulture.com/other-services/easyturf.aspx

They quoted me $4.50/square foot installed for the putting surface.

Hill Horticulture out of San Antonio
booradley
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AG
here's a few pics of mine...





jj9000
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AG
Dear Lord!
hot dog
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92TXAG
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AG
Boo FTW! Nice brotha!
Chipotlemonger
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AG
Holy ****! It's like a playground.
BreNayPop
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AG
wood.

wow that's nice!!!
Jrod05
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AG
Nice!

[This message has been edited by jrod05 (edited 7/26/2014 7:37a).]
sanangeloAG
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watty
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AG
Boo- is that the same product that Dave Pelz has in his back yard? Same company?
Ragoo
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AG
I would never leave my house. Wow that is beautiful!
booradley
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AG
watty - yes. dave actually designed it and his son eddie built it...
watty
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AG
What speed does it roll?
booradley
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AG
dunno. I would guess around 10. its very close to my course
watty
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AG
Cool. Remind me what your home course is? Cimarron?
booradley
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AG
Cimarron hills in Georgetown
Aggie1391
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Holy s**** that's awesome!
stick93
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AG
That is awesome boo. How big is the total area?
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