Artificial Grass Putting Green
An artificial putting green is a perfect addition to any home or commercial golf course. The benefits of artificial grass putting green are numerous due to the ease of maintenance and sleek appearance the material provides. Before discussing the benefits of artificial grass, it's important to understand what the material is and how it functions.
What is Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass is a manufactured ground cover that resembles natural turf. This material goes by many names: synthetic turf, artificial turf, and AstroTurf, to name a few. The bottom layer of artificial grass contains an infill material to provide cushioning and allow proper drainage; this layer may be composed of sand, rubber fillers, or another infill material. The upper layer of artificial grass consists of blades that are made to look like natural blades of grass using colors or yarns. One important thing to consider about artificial putting greens is the price, which depends on the type of turf, installation process, and supplier (material prices vary by region).
Anecdotal evidence suggests that artificial grass putting greens are becoming more popular for their benefits, which include:
1) Increased Course Revenue
The infill material of artificial turf allows the water to drain through the grass blades and base layer, so rain or irrigation won't leave puddles. This makes playing on an artificial putting green possible even after large quantities of rain. Additionally, the infill material allows water to permeate through, which can be helpful in areas that are under drought conditions. For this reason, golf course owners who install artificial grass putting greens often see increases in revenue from tee times and merchandise sold on their courses.
2) Minimal Irrigation Required
If you've ever stepped off a green onto the surrounding grass to find your socks covered in mud, you know how hard it can be to maintain lush, green grass. Because of this, artificial turf is used more and more on putting greens each year; this is because natural grass often requires daily or weekly irrigation, while most varieties of artificial grass require minimal irrigation (if any at all). For golf course owners, this means they don't need to invest in costly irrigation systems.
3) Reduced Water Usage
If you've ever been on a grass putting green, you know how long it can take for the greens to dry after a large amount of rain or water usage. In addition, excess water from watering the grass can run off into neighboring areas, so less water is actually used with artificial grass. For golf course owners, this means they can save money on their utility bills and invest in other aspects of their business without worrying about increasing costs.
4) Astronomically Low Maintenance Costs
Since most of the maintenance cost associated with putting greens comes from constantly mowing and watering the grass, you'll be happy to know that artificial grass putting greens requires very little water and zero mowing. This means your course's maintenance costs will automatically reduce when you add an artificial grass putting green.
5) Doesn't Require Harmful Chemicals for Watering or Applying Fertilizer
Many types of natural grass are typically watered with harmful chemicals, which irritate skin and eyes. Fortunately, you won't have to worry about applying these chemicals to artificial grass-putting greens. However, some artificial grass-putting greens are dyed using certain dyes that may harm pets or small children if ingested or touched by bare skin.
6) Eliminates Need for Expensive Irrigation Repairs
As we explained earlier, one of the most expensive types of maintenance on a grass putting green is irrigation. Not only does this cost add up during the course's weekly and monthly utility bills, but sometimes leaks and other problems can arise and require costly repairs. Since artificial turf doesn't require additional watering, you won't have to worry about repairing irrigation leaks.
7) No More Unsightly Dog Urine Spots
Although it's sometimes a necessity, walking your dog on a grass putting green can be quite dangerous if they ever relieve themselves and stain the grass. The urine kills the grass and leaves unsightly yellow spots that last for weeks or months until the grass fully recovers. Fortunately, these unsightly spots won't exist on artificial grass putting green.
8) Saves Money on Chemicals and Pesticides for End-of-Season Care
For golf course owners who must maintain a pristine appearance year-round, the end of the season is particularly important to keep your putting greens in excellent condition. Fortunately, one of the most significant benefits of artificial grass-putting greens is that they require zero chemicals to remain green and healthy year-round.
Final Thoughts
Artificial turf has been an excellent addition to many types of sports surfaces. In particular, artificial grass-putting greens have become a popular alternative to natural grass for golf course owners worldwide. If you're interested in installing an artificial turf putting green on your course, contact Artificial Grass Anaheim to learn about our materials and receive a free consultation.