How to Build a Putting Green

There is a right way to build backyard putting greens. It does not have to be an expensive process. Preparation is the key to a durable putting green. Proper planning saves money and help to produce a beautiful backyard green. www.puttingathome.com

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bobcat or hand digging tools, probe, planers, plastic pipe and irrigation tubes, sand, peat, sod, seed and ammendments.

1. See Chapter V "How to Assess the Land."
   A durable grass putting green is dependent upon several elements, including climate, terrain, types of grass and types of mowers. KNOW the nature of each element. Then build the green.
2. Choose the highest elevated area of the lawn, careful to Avoid proximity to trees and shrubbery. Do not choose a location close to buildings or elevated body of water. Avoid trail pathways leading to the backyard. Avoid paths used to take out trash. Avoid children's play area. Avoid areas maintaining water deposits, or use grandulars to repair it.
3. Dig it out! Dig out the area you have selected. Use a bobcat or other small tractor, or dig it out by hand with a shovel.
   This is a tedious process, but necessary. Remove all foreign denizens (glass, cans, rock) by hand. Order a soil sample.
4. Let's add amendments to offset soil deficiencies and ask yourself, when are you usually available? Mornings? Afternoons? It is important to create a consistent maintenance schedule and keep it. Grass, like people, is a creatur of habit.
5. Plant your irrigation channels, strategically. Be sure the water will run down hill and away from your green.
   
   Walk off the green, step-by-step. Know where the shadows are located. Know where the undulations are. Feel the soil. Know the cooler and warmer areas of the soil. This will help determine when and how you treat the green. Keep a box of Arm & Hammer Baking soda and use the homemade mixtures and amendments in Chapter V of How to Build a Putting Green.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow vegetables to decompose in a small container filled with soil. Stir daily. After two weeks, add water and apply it to the entire surface of the green during the early morning dew during the Spring, only.
• S. Barry Hamdani is the author of the International award winning book, How to Build a Putting Green (c)hamdani 2007 WWW.PUTTINGATHOME.COM
• DO NOT use chemical employed by Golf Course Personnel. You may run the danger of poisoning pets, birds or small children.
• A USGA green and a backyard green are two different animals.
• Use fertilizers as instructed. This is not the place to become creative and fancy. Use gloves when applying amendments by hand.