How to Build a Backyard Golf Course
By Jim Hagerty
Building a backyard golf course can require hiring a landscaper, planting bent grass, and excavating and installing rolling undulations just like professional courses have. It, however, does not need to be that extensive. A simple golf course can be added to any property. All you need is a basic plan and some lawn equipment to start enjoying challenging and fun golf without leaving your yard.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Decide on a layout for your course. Examine your yard to determine the best location for tee boxes, fairways, bunkers and greens. Depending on the size of your land, fairways can be as long or as short as you wish. Draw the plan out on paper, paying attention to how far (in yards) the center of each green will be from tee boxes.
Remove property obstructions. If necessary, remove trees and other debris to make room for fairways, greens and tee boxes. If your yard is clear of overgrown vegetation, simply remove rocks, sticks and other objects from the area of your course.
Groom your tee boxes. Cut each tee box to as low as your mower will allow. Grass should not be longer than the the top of an implanted golf tee. Add markers to indicate where golfers will tee off.
Mow fairway areas. If necessary, make a first cut of your fairway grass. Begin at each tee box and cut each fairway to desired width and length, ending at the front of each green. A household lawnmower can be used. Make Subsequent cuts to ensure fairways are smooth and free of uneven grass. Cuts of rough can be made along each side of your fairways by raising your lawnmower blades.
Build your sand traps. If your course design calls for sand traps, dig holes to desired width and remove rocks and debris. Line the bottom of each hole with landscape netting or mesh. Fill the holes with fine beach sand. At least 5 to10 inches of sand is recommended.
Build your greens. Each putting surface must be flat enough for putts to role true. Make the first cut as you did with your first cut on each fairway. Gradually cut greens until grass is as low as your mower will cut, without gouging the soil. A grass roller can be used to smooth your greens so putts will roll as desired.
Install cups and flagsticks. Cups and flag sticks can be purchased at any golf course supply outlet. If they can't be obtained, cups can be made by carefully inserting tin cans into each putting surface. Find cans with openings close to regulation size for a golf hole, which is 4.25 inches. Cut a hole in the bottom of each can as a rest for each flagstick. If you are unable to obtain professional flagsticks, makeshift units can be made from wooden or plastic dowels. Standard flagstick height is approximately 7 feet from the opening of the cup .
Tips & Warnings
Water your greens often.
Mow as needed.
Avoid placing tee boxes in the direction of buildings, roads or areas of high traffic.
Always replace divots.
Avoid placing tee boxes in the direction of buildings, roads or areas of high traffic.
About The Author
Jim Hagerty is a freelance writer and journalist. In addition to the hundreds of Web-based articles to his credit, he's a staff writer for "The Rock River Times," where he covers arts and entertainment, outdoors and human interest news events. Hagerty holds a Bachelor of Science in public relations and journalism from Northern Michigan University in Marquette.
