Things You'll Need:
- Artificial turf
- Plate compactor
- Shovel
- Metal rake
- Water
- Landscape fabric
- Crushed stone
- Medium-grade sand
- Drop spreader
- Edging border or stone border material
- Quick-drying cement
- 3 cups
- Push broom
- Outdoor adhesive
- Landscape tape
- Scissors
- Utility knife
- Water-filled roller
-
Step 1
Select a large area and map out the size and shape of the putting green. Choose a spot that is not too near a building (to avoid broken windows) and does not collect water.
-
Step 2
Remove any grass or debris, loosen soil and shape the green.
-
Step 3
Gently wet the dirt and compress, using a plate compactor. Dirt surface should be smooth and firm. Roll out landscape fabric over compacted dirt area.
-
Step 4
Edge green with an edging border, block border or retaining wall.
-
Step 5
Put base material--such as crushed stones--over landscape fabric and distribute evenly using a metal rake. The green should be sloped to ensure proper drainage and may be sloped at a rate of 1 inch every 12 feet.
-
Step 6
Dampen the base material and compact with a plate compactor. During this process, contours or hills may be added by putting additional base material in the area that the contour or hill is desired and then compacting.
-
Step 7
Install 2 to 3 cups in the base material by digging holes at least 2 inches wider than the cup and 6 inches deep. Set the cup in the middle and pour quick-drying concrete around the cup, leaving 1 inch of the cup exposed. Follow instructions on concrete bag, then cover with more base material and compact.
-
Step 8
Look for ridges in the base material after using the plate compactor. These may be smoothed by using the bottom of shovel. Spread sand over the base material with a drop spreader. Sweep sand across the base.
-
Step 9
Lay turf roll at the edge of the green and roll out over green, smoothing out creases. If the green is wider than the turf roll (usually available in 12-foot rolls), seams must be joined using tape and outdoor adhesive. Tuck edges of artificial turf at border.
-
Step 10
Spread infill sand over the green using a drop spreader. Once the infill is spread, brush the green well so the infill is properly spread. Repeat process until green is completely full of infill. At this point, infill should be at the tips of the turf.
-
Step 11
Sweep the infill off the green, going across the grain. Sweep at least two times to remove any excess. About 1/32 inch of turf should be exposed after the final sweep.
-
Step 12
Locate cup holes under the turf and cut the turf around inside of the hole with utility knife. Trim the edges with scissors.
-
Step 13
Roll the green several times with a water-filled roller. The amount of rolling will determine the speed of the green.
