putting green

/pine · Jul 22, 2009

I didn't see anything in a search query here...just wondering if anyone has built a putting green?

I've been thinking about for a couple of months and am just starting to do some research on how to go about it...I'm starting with Google but thought I would check here too...

have_blue · Jul 22, 2009

/pine said:
I didn't see anything in a search query here...just wondering if anyone has built a putting green?

I've been thinking about for a couple of months and am just starting to do some research on how to go about it...I'm starting with Google but thought I would check here too...

If your soil is heavy, work plenty of humus and coarse sand into it. For a good, inexpensive, low maintenance green, I recommend Pennington Princess 77 bermuda grass. It's a seed variety, but very close to the quality of vegetative bermuda such as Tif Green. Mow it with a reel mower every 3 days, around 1/2-5/8". Use a minimal MSMA solution to kill weeds and wild grasses. Use a mild liquid fertilizer solution with iron about every 2 weeks. Happy putting!

Still want to build a geen?

NSBound · Jul 23, 2009

/pine just reminded me I've always wanted my own putting green, so I started researching it. I've already given up on the idea!

At $15-$25 a square foot

And I thought $5.00 a square foot for an exposed aggregate driveway was expensive!

polo1665 · Jul 23, 2009

I agree, it would be costly and alot of work. I have seen one or two putting greens at private homes that were artificial grass. Wouldn't be my cup of tea, but it would be cheaper, and you wouldn't have to worry about the added expense of a greens mower.

Mark

mjarrels · Jul 23, 2009

I was thinking about building one a few years ago (started a thread) but decided it was easier just to walk across the road and use the one closest to me on the 36 hole course next door.

mark

/pine · Jul 23, 2009

Personally I think $25 SF is a very liberal figure...although I'm sure you could easily spend that much or more...read on...

What I have in mind and where/how I intend to build the green is as much of a tractor project as anything...I want an elevated undulating surface...

Since I currently only spend about 6 months a year at this location it will go unattended the other 6 months of the year so I do expect some recurring work/costs etc...

Assuming what has already been recommended will suffice as far as seed goes..."Pennington Princess 77"...5#'s @ $25 (Lowes) covers 1000 SF which will be plenty large enough..., considering the following...

I already have a manual push type reel mower...water is free (I have gravity spring water) or I can pump it out of the adjacent river (I will post some pics soon) and fertilizer is $15/50#'s (trivial)...So other than the manual labor (removing a few trees and stumps) and the seat time (mostly enjoyable) I don't see this project costing more than a few cents a square foot...

some additional one time costs may be a cup hole cutter and some flags but beyond that have I missed anything?

polo1665 · Jul 23, 2009

I guess you wouldn't necessarily have to make the green "golf course" quality. I've known a few course pros and have seen some of the effort that is put into the construction and maintenence of a golf course green. It seems pretty extensive, but comapring that to a back yard putting green is admittedly comparing apples to oranges. I found a link for you to look at, it may help.
Putting-Greens.com

Mark