Fancy yourself or your kid as the next Tony Finau?
Utah has a proud tradition of golf and many homeowners dream of bringing the course home to the backyard. However, putting greens are so difficult to maintain and keep playable in our arid, desert climate, that it has remained a dream for most people.
Not anymore. Homeowners in Salt Lake City and beyond are seeing their visions take shape with artificial grass putting greens. Premium, low-maintenance, zero-water turf that perfectly replicates the roll you’re after means that backyard golf is no longer an unaffordable luxury.
You can improve your short game and enjoy a few holes at home, even in the depths of a Utah winter, whether you’re an experienced golfer or just getting to love the sport!
So, let’s look at a few backyard putting green ideas for Utah’s unpredictable climate and at the main considerations before you design your green.
Why Install a Backyard Putting Green in Utah?
What golf enthusiast wouldn’t want to be able to practice their short game at home in the evenings or on weekends, or to show off their skills to guests?
Designing and installing a backyard putting green using the benefits of artificial grass means you get to conveniently practice putting and even chip shots at home, depending on the available landscaping space. Alternatively, you can train the next Tiger Woods without having to drive to the course if you have a child who shows golfing promise.
GET A FREE ARTIFICIAL GRASS ESTIMATE IN UTAH
If you’re in Salt Lake City or the surrounding areas, the experienced team at Rocky Mountain Turf will break down the costs for you in a free estimate. Contact us here.
The Rocky Mountain Turf team installs custom backyard putting greens that:
- Use only premium turf designed for durability as well as beauty.
- Replicate the natural bounce and roll of a professional putting green.
- Handle Utah’s unique drainage requirements.
- Withstand the huge temperature shifts in Utah.
- Require very little maintenance other than debris removal and cross-brushing.
- Require no cutting, watering, fertilizing or re-seeding!
Your putting green will add year-round greenery to your yard with virtually no effort, while also providing a water-wise, drought-resistant grass alternative that is perfect for the frequent drought conditions we experience across Utah. Compared to a real grass lawn, artificial grass is a sustainable landscaping solution that saves hundreds of dollars in water usage (many thousands of gallons) every year.
7 Backyard Putting Green Ideas in Utah
Backyard putting green ideas can range from simple, one-hole greens to elaborate setups with multiple features, such as sand traps, water hazards, and chipping zones.
If you’re thinking about a backyard putting green for your Utah yard, the following ideas should help kickstart your plan…
1. Multi-Hole Setups for Practice Variety
When you think of a backyard putting green, you might think of a roll of turf with a hole at the end with a flag.
However, you can get a lot more creative than that with premium artificial turf. Many installations feature multiple holes, with undulating greens that extend to almost PGA length, depending on the space available.
With multiple holes, you get the benefit of being able to practice more angles and distances, keeping practice more varied and interesting. Also, several family members can play at the same time.
2. Add Fringes and Flags
Even the most basic backyard putting greens look more appealing with fringes and flags over the holes.
Here’s another example where these simple additions add authenticity to an artificial turf putting green in Utah:
3. Add Some Luxury Features: Sand Traps, Chipping Areas, and Lighting
Luxury features such as sand traps, water hazards, chipping areas, tee boxes, and lighting also add variety, beauty, and practicality to your backyard putting green in Utah.
Pro-level features such as these allow you to add the types of challenges faced by golfers on professional courses.
These types of greens are perfect for golfers not simply looking to practice their putting stroke but to simulate course play and improve all aspects of their short game.
4. Design a Multi-Sports Area
Let’s go big! If you have the space, why not design a backyard sports area that incorporates a putting green and other sports, such as volleyball or soccer?
This client had the available space to get creative with an expansive space that included a putting green with sand bunkers and a chipping area, as well as a kids’ playground and a mini backyard sports field (soccer pitch)—all using premium artificial grass!
If necessary, you can use boundary markers to separate different sports areas.
5. Install a Compact Green in a Small Yard
At the other end of the scale, perhaps you have a small yard with limited space. That doesn’t necessarily mean no putting green. It depends on your priorities.
This is a single-hole putting green with no chipping area that focuses simply on practicing your putting.
With professional planning and efficient layouts, tight, urban spaces can also feature a backyard putting green—even in condos or townhomes.
6. Make Your Green Kid-Friendly
You can make golf fun for the young ones with a few creative additions. Try adding more colour and an obstacle to the green, for instance.
If you’re trying to generate interest in golf or want to improve the short game of the next Tiger Woods, it helps to make the game interesting. Our design team can help you do that.
7. Integrate Your Green With Smart, Creative Landscaping Ideas
Depending on the size and shape of your backyard, you may want to incorporate other backyard landscaping features into your putting green design.
Blending your golf green with a patio, rock gardens, stone borders or decorative, flowery borders is a popular look, as in this example:
These ideas add curb appeal and can increase home value, while also providing a beautiful setting in which to practice your short game.
Main Considerations When Planning Your Utah Backyard Putting Green
The backyard putting green ideas for Utah outlined above should inspire your own putting green. However, the design and layout of your green will depend largely on the following factors, all of which should be considered before any firm decisions are made…
Available Space
The most basic consideration is how much space is available in your yard—and how much of that space the rest of the family allows you to use for your putting green! You might have to trim the PGA-style green if you also need a dog run or kids’ play area, for instance.
- Typically, a small putting green will measure 200–400 sq. ft., which should be enough for
one or two holes, and is perfect for small yards or side yards. - A green of 500–1,000 sq ft will allow 2–4 holes, with more variety in breaks and slopes. It will be big enough for the entire family to use and to incorporate short chip shots.
- A large putting green might measure 1,000–2,000+ sq. ft., with multiple holes, more complex contours, and room for short wedge practice. These are common in larger backyards or for serious golfers (PGA greens are usually about 5,000–6,000 sq. ft.)
Putting Green Location
The location of your putting green may be dictated by the size of your yard. There may only be one place for it. However, if your yard is large, you may be able to choose.
A yard with natural dips and rises is ideal for adding more authenticity and challenge to your putting green compared with a simple, flat green. A flat yard can still feature an undulating green but you’ll need to position it where the installation team can create dips and rises.
Keep your green away from windows, parking, and sitting areas to minimize the risk of injury or damage—and remember, reflections from windows can burn artificial grass!
Budget
Like with all backyard landscaping choices, the available budget is a factor in deciding the design. Though you shouldn’t try to cut corners on the selection or installation of premium artificial grass, you may need to scale back your design if funds are limited or are required elsewhere.
Putting/Chipping Requirements
Do you plan to use the space for putting alone or are you hoping to also practice chip shots? If so, a simple fringe around the green won’t do; you’ll need to design a chipping area with rough and ensure the bounce of the ball on the green is as realistic as possible.
Adding more features will keep things interesting for your present skill level and as you improve.
Ideal Shape
The shape of your green may be dictated by the shape of your yard or you may have the space and creative freedom to design a green of any shape: from a simple oval green to a more classic kidney-shaped green or something else.
With a professional installation team, artificial grass can be fitted to curves, straight edges, and corners, so you can choose any shape that fits the yard’s existing features.
Main Users of the Green?
Who will be using the putting green? You? The kids? The rest of the family? Guests? Is it for hardcore putting practice or more of a social space?
How skilled the users are at golf may influence the design of your green. You can adapt green design to suit the skill levels and preferences of the main target audience.
Sun and Shade Planning
Another location factor to consider for your putting green is sun and shade. You will likely be using your putting green in summer, so ensure you do not have to battle with the fierce Utah sun by positioning your green for ample shade.
Drainage Requirements
You don’t want puddles on your putting green, so you must also consider drainage during the planning and installation process. The installation team you hire will be able to advise about this, ensuring that the ground beneath the green is prepared correctly, while the use of premium turf ensures adequate drainage through its perforated backing.
The Right Turf for Putting Speed/performance
You need to select the right premium turf to match the putting performance you’re after. Your turf should provide the speed of roll you require from the ball (some artificial turf is faster than others and preferences vary from one golfer to another).
Installation Team
Professional installation should be a non-negotiable if you want a custom putting green that looks the part and performs how you expect for many years. Most homeowners are not equipped to prepare the ground and install the right turf correctly, so if you try to DIY, you’re asking for trouble!
FAQs
Does a Backyard Putting Green Increase Home Value?
It depends. A backyard putting green may increase curb appeal and value—but it depends on who you sell the home to. A sprawling PGA-style green that takes up the whole backyard will impress a golf lover more than a non-golf lover with a large dog who needs space in the yard.
How Much Does a Backyard Putting Green Cost?
In the Salt Lake City area, custom artificial grass putting green installations cost anywhere from $13-14 per square foot up to $25-$30 per square foot. The higher rates usually apply to smaller greens and more complex installations. A medium-sized green of 750 sq. ft. might cost around $10,500 to $12,000, depending on turf quality, extra features, and installation. You can check the standard costs of artificial turf in Utah here, though a premium may be added for a golf green because of the extra complexities involved during installation.
What Pile Height is Right for an Artificial Turf Putting Green?
Putting green surfaces usually have a pile height of between 0.375 inches and 0.625 inches. Shorter fibers create a smooth, fast roll, like a real golf course green. Fringe and chipping area turf might have a pile height of one to two inches, to mimic the rough around a golf green.
Get Started With Your Custom Putting Green in Utah
Whether you’re an experienced amateur golfer, just starting out in the sport, or want to add a dash of interest to your yard for guests, a customized artificial turf putting green is a convenient, eye-catching, water-wise addition to Utah backyards.
Remaining green all year round with almost no upkeep and no water, the golf green ideas outlined above should get you thinking along the right lines when designing your putting area…
For further assistance, discuss your Utah backyard putting green ideas with an artificial turf professional today.
