Difference between revisions of "Make a Putting Green"

Having your own putting green in your backyard makes it easy to practice putting in your spare time. A real putting green will require money, extensive labor, and constant attention. Even with diligence, a real green in your backyard may pale in comparison with the ones you are familiar with on the links.<ref name="rf1">https://www.uaex.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-6143.pdf</ref> You'll need to choose the right location before anything else, then you can start designing the area and using the right nutrients. With the proper tools and materials, you can incorporate a putting green into your backyard's overall landscape and enjoy the recreational benefits.

#Choose your green location. You'll want your green to be located in an open area in your backyard that gets plenty of sunlight. Your future green should receive plenty of airflow, without any blockage of wind from buildings, bushes, or trees. Low spots in your backyard or areas that drain poorly should also be avoided, but after you've found the ideal place for your green, you should:<ref name="rf1" />

#Evaluate your soil. For the turf of your green to flourish, its roots will need the right kind of soil. Most soils are suitable for the roots of your grass, though the ideal soil composition will be sandy loam soil. If your soil has a high concentration of clay, your turf will suffer greatly, and may not be able to grow well enough for you to putt.<ref name="rf1" />

#*Holes that drain in over 24 hours are unsuitable for most plants.<ref name="rf2">http://www.bachmans.com/Garden-Care/divHomePage.html?cnb=GardenCare&categoryCode=02&pageIndex=_pageIndexToken_workingWithClaySoil</ref>

#Appraise your surface drainage. The contours of your green-to-be should allow water to drain quickly and easily, otherwise your green could fail. Low areas where water can collect will also bad for your green. Try to provide multiple drainage routes to keep the grass from becoming waterlogged.<ref name="rf3">https://turf.purdue.edu/pubs/agry-98-01.pdf</ref>

#*You can improve drainage conditions by installing drainage tiles below the surface of your green. It is advised that you place these close together, at a maximum spacing distance of no more than {{convert|10|ft|m|sigfig=1}}.<ref name="rf1" />

#Research grass seed by region. There are two dominant types of grass used to build putting greens, Creeping Bentgrass and Bermuda. Depending on region, you may want to use one over the other, or you in certain areas, a hybrid might flourish. To check the distribution of Creeping Bentgrass and Bermuda according to state, visit:<ref name="rf4">http://www.putting-greens.com/types.html</ref>

#Ready the soil. You'll need to tear up any original sod where you plan to make your green. After sod removal, you should rake rocks and other debris to create optimal drainage, aeration, and seeding conditions.<ref name="rf1" />

#*Refill the remainder of your trench with soil.<ref name="rf5">http://homeguides.sfgate.com/install-drain-tiles-back-yard-53521.html</ref>

#Smooth the soil. For your first attempt at making your own putting green, the easiest kind to make are mostly level. Low spots can ruin the quality of your grass, so you should spread soil evenly with your rake.<ref name="rf3" />

#*Keep about a yard of sand off to the side to fill in low spots, animal tracks, or any other unplanned changes to your green.<ref name="rf6">http://news.cybergolf.com/golf_news/so_you_want_to_build_a_putting_green</ref>

#Sow your grass seed. Mix some of your seed with your sand to offer it additional cover when you scatter it. This can be helpful if you have a bird problem, though if you notice birds feeding heavily on your seed, you may want to scatter extra. In principle, a pound of seed should cover about 2,000 square feet, though there will be some variance depending on the kind of grass on which you decide.<ref name="rf6" />

#Fertilize your seed. Depending on the kind of grass you have chosen to use for your green, there will be many different options of fertilizer you can use. You should research the fertilizer best suited for your seed by searching online.<ref name="rf7">http://www.walterreeves.com/lawn-care/bermuda-fertilizing/</ref>

#Water your seed heavily. Newly sown grass is very thirsty, so you'll need to water your putting green heavily, twice daily. Many putting green designers also recommend syringing your green, especially in hot weather.<ref name="rf8">http://buckeyeturf.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=607:syringing-the-key-to-successful-seed-&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=170</ref>

#*If no complications arise, your turf should germinate in 10 days.<ref name="rf6" />

#*Mow the putting green often. By cutting your grass 3 or 4 times per week, it will maintain a height of around ¼" - a perfect putting height.<ref name="rf3" />

#Continue to fertilize. For every 1,000 square feet of yard space apply at least ½ pound of nitrogen to the soil between early May and early June. From mid-September to mid-November, use at least 1 pound of nitrogen.<ref name="rf3" />

#*Generally, you should administer fungicide once every month.<ref name="rf9">http://www.putting-greens.com/time.html</ref>