Ivan Larsen 
Word on the street is that for average earners that enjoy playing golf, it’s only a matter of time before they become filthy rich. Now, while there’s really no way to prove this speculation, the thinking behind it might not be farfetched. After all, golf is one of the richest sports in the world and many affluent individuals have a shared love for the sport.
But hey! If you golf, it’s probably because you genuinely enjoy the game and not because you’re hatching a plan to someday run into Lloyd Blankfein and pitch him your startup idea. And if you’re anything like the other 20 million Americans who play the sport, you know that the turf is just as important as the golf club. Little wonder some standard golf courses spend as much as a million dollars annually to keep their course in perfect playing condition. Visit https://golf.com/ to learn more about CEOs who love the sport.
As with every other sport, there are some gears and equipment that no one should be thinking of cutting costs on. Take basketball, for example. A cheap basketball hoop might save you some money now but you’d probably spend more on several replacements over time than you would buying one of higher quality. In the stroke game, a lot of thought goes into the turf used on the course, and choosing between artificial and natural grass is often a challenge for many putting green owners and wannabes.
Artificial Grass vs Natural Grass on Golf Courses
Unlike batting cages, there’s a lot of traffic and wear and tear on putting greens. Golfers move around a lot more and from time to time accidentally hit the ground, taking out chunks of grass in the process. In no time, a once lush green course could look ragged and beat up. Of course, this can be minimized with proper maintenance but it’s not always cheap.
For a business, cutting costs when it makes sense can bring huge profit margins. Why spend a ton of money planting and then maintaining natural grass when there’s a more cost-efficient alternative? In the last few years, artificial grass has become the more popular option of the two. And this is not only true for putting greens but also for many other sports, including baseball and football.
However, artificial or synthetic grass may have expensive upfront costs depending on the type of quality you’re going for. Do you want to attract true golf players or do you just want to build something where people can have some weekend fun? Your target audience will most likely influence how much you’ll be willing to spend. All that said, you’ll find that once installed, artificial turf will keep its lush green look with minimal maintenance. Click here to learn more about how to maintain synthetic grass.
What to Consider When Shopping for Artificial Grass for Putting Greens
While artificial grasses are a lot less headache to deal with than their living counterparts, buying the wrong ones can quickly become a nightmare. You want to make sure you’re spending wisely because not all synthetic turfs are the same; some last a lot longer than others and are overall a better value for money, while some are more suited for specific applications. So, if you’re in the market, consider the following.
Build Material
Artificial turfs are made from several materials but the most popular ones are nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene. These three materials have their respective pros and cons. For instance, nylon is quite durable and can withstand high traction applications but it fades rather quickly with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Polypropylene and polyethylene do not fade in the sun and are softer than nylon, making them more appropriate for outdoor usage. The type of turf you settle for should be made from the material that’s most appropriate for the application.
Stimp Reading
Stimp reading shows you how fast the ball will roll on putting green. The higher the reading, the faster the ball will roll. Several factors can affect stimp reading on putting greens, including the material used and the infill. Infill helps to increase the speed of the ball.
The table below shows the recommended putting green speeds by the US Open and the USGA:
|
Slow |
Medium |
Fast |
|
|
US Open recommended speed |
6.5’ (2m) |
8.5’ (2.6m) |
10.5’ (2m) |
|
USGA recommended speed |
4.5’ (1.4m) |
6.5’ (2m) |
8.5’ (2.6m) |
Pile Height
Another important quality of artificial golf turf is its pile height. Pile height refers to the thickness of the turf. For putting greens, a low pile height is required for balls to roll properly. However, the opposite is recommended for lawns to make them more comfortable and lusher.
Final Thoughts
Getting the most suitable artificial turf for your putting green may require a lot of upfront effort in terms of research. However, you’ll find that once installed, maintenance will be a breeze. Whether you’re looking for a quick setup in your backyard or want to start a full-time golf course business, keep in mind that prioritizing quality is always rewarding in the long run.
