Putting Green

How to Install a Putting Green

1. 1 Diagram

   
   Diagram your putting green on graph paper, including cup locations. If you are ordering your kit from an Internet seller, they probably have a mapping and planning program on their site. Order panels and turf as necessary to create your putting green.
   

2. 2 Preshrink turf

   
   As soon as it arrives, unroll the turf and spray it with water to saturate. Set the turf aside and let it dry for at least 24 hours. This process preshrinks the turf. 
   

3. 3 Measure area

   
   Measure the installation area and mark the perimeter of the putting green, using a garden hose or rope. Lift the hose or rope and spray-paint the green’s outline onto the grass. Some putting green kits are precut to create specific shapes and sizes, while others offer a bit more design flexibility.
   

4. 4 Scalp grass

   
   Inside the outlined area, use a line trimmer to scalp the grass down to the dirt. Rake up and remove any debris.
   

5. 5 Create contour

   
   Add sand or remove dirt as necessary to create contours in the putting green. Kit manufacturers suggest that you create the contours that replicate the breaks you most want to practice. For example, if you have trouble hitting uphill and to the right, create a hill and place the cup at the top and to the right.
   

6. 6 Cover with landscape fabric

   
   Cover the scalped and contoured installation area with landscape fabric, overlapping seams by at least 2". Trim the fabric to fit inside the outline and secure it to the ground with landscape fabric staples.
   

7. 7 Start in center, begin to install panels

   
   Starting in the center of the installation area, push two panels together and hold them tightly in place as you insert the fasteners. Use a screwdriver to tighten the fasteners. Install the panels in locations indicated on your diagram. 
   

8. 8 Fill in panels according to plan, be accurate

   
   Continue to fill in panels, according to your plan. Take special notice of putting cup locations. In many kits, these require special panels with cups preinstalled. Locate them accurately.
   
   

9. 9 Mark excess with light crayon

   
   Where panels go beyond the outline, use a light-colored crayon or chalk to mark a cutting line. Avoid cutting extremely close to panel edges.
   
   

10. 10 Use jigsaw to cut panels

    
    One panel at a time, cut panels to shape, using a jigsaw with a blade that’s slightly longer than the panel thickness. Use panel scraps to fill in open areas in the layout wherever you can, and then mark and cut the scraps to fit.
    

11. 11 Dig trench

    
    Dig a 4"-wide by 4"-deep trench around the perimeter of the green shape, directly next to the edges of the panels.
    

12. 12 Unroll turf

    
    Unroll the artificial turf on top of the panels. Pay attention to the nap of the turf to make sure it all runs in the same direction. Use a utility knife to cut it to size, 4" larger than the panel assembly.
    
    
    

13. 13 Install cups

    
    Install the cups into the panels containing the cup bodies, and then cut holes in the turf with a utility knife.
    
    

14. 14 Fold edges, apply carpet tape

    

    Fold back the edges of the turf. Apply double-sided carpet tape to the perimeter of the panel assembly. Peel off the tape’s protective cover, then press the turf down onto the tape. Fold the excess turf over the edge of the panel assembly and down into the trench. If the turf bulges around a tight radius, make 3.5" slashes in the edge of the turf and ease it around the curve.

15. 15 Secure turf

    
    Drive carpet spikes or fabric spikes (provided by the kit manufacturer) through the edges of the turf and into the trench to secure the turf.
    

16. 16 Backfill trench, landscape, sweep & hose

    
    Backfill the trench with the soil you removed earlier. Add landscaping around the edges of the green, if desired. Sweep and hose down the green periodically and as needed.