How to Design a Putting Green
By Patrick Foley
Designing a putting green can be a difficult process, due to the factors involved with growing and maintaining such lushly manicured grass. But if you're serious about golf, the benefits that you may receive from practicing on your own putting green may outweigh the work. What's more, you can gain a sense of satisfaction from accomplishing such a unique project.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Develop a plan detailing the shape and dimensions of the green. There is no right or wrong layout, but larger greens have higher maintenance and costs. You should also take water drainage into account when designing the contours of the green. Do not put the green in an area where water collects.
Clear the area where the green will be created of all shrubbery and excess material. Make sure that bare ground is all that is left.
Prepare for the grass. This is probably the key part of the entire process. A green can flourish only with a proper base. First mark the boundaries of the green with spray paint. Then wet down the area and use the compactor to help remove holes and depressions. Next put down about a quarter-inch layer of dirt, then go over the surface with the compactor once more.
Use a seeder to drop grass seed all along the surface area of your green. Bent grass is the best type of grass for a backyard green, and it is fairly inexpensive. The seeding rate for bent grass is half a pound of seed for every 1,000 square feet. Once the seed is down, water it thoroughly and allow it to begin to grow.
Water the grass every morning between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.
Apply pesticides to your putting green once the grass has grown and filled in to prevent damage and disease. You can pick up pesticides at your neighborhood home improvement store.
Mow the grass to a quarter inch or even less three to four times a week. Make sure to buy a mower that can cut to that low of a length. This short grass allows the ball to roll truly and smoothly.
Maintain the grass to keep it healthy. In early May or September, top-dress the greens, which involves spreading and brooming a one-eighth-inch layer of soil on top of the green. This will help the green receive nutrients.
About The Author
Patrick Foley is a writer from Phoenix, AZ. He is a sports fanatic and loves football, golf, and track. He has been writing for Golf Link for almost a year. He is a college football player at the University of Pennsylvania. He is enrolled in the Wharton Business School.He has have a wide set of skills in writing and marketing.
