Get Your Free Estimate
Fill out the form below. We reply within 24 hours.
ON THIS PAGE
- Artificial Grass
Putting Green Turf in Your Backyard: Design and Installation for Long Beach Golf Enthusiasts
For the Long Beach golf enthusiast, the dream is simple: practicing a short game with tour-quality consistency without leaving home. While many homeowners initially consider planting a natural grass green, agronomic experts and GAGA US Construction strongly advise against it.
As university extension research confirms, maintaining a natural putting green is a massive undertaking. It requires specialized reel mowers, strict chemical regimens, and cutting 4–6 times per week.
You desire professional-grade performance but cannot provide the full-time maintenance required for bentgrass. A synthetic putting green is the only solution. It is engineered to provide the true ball roll, consistency, and customizable speed of a professional green without the impossible upkeep.
The Turf Decision: Nylon vs. Polyethylene (PE)
The single most important material choice for your green is the turf fiber. This decision affects ball roll, durability, and cost.
Nylon: The Performance Choice
Nylon is a stiffer, more resilient material. It has a higher melt temperature, making it extremely durable for high traffic and the intense heat of a Long Beach backyard. It is known for offering the most realistic, consistent ball roll.
Polyethylene (PE): The "Feel" Choice
Modern Polyethylene (PE) has largely replaced older Polypropylene budget options. These fibers are softer and more cost-effective but are slightly less durable than nylon over decades of use.
| Feature | Nylon Turf | Polyethylene (PE) |
|---|---|---|
| Best Application | Pro-level putting & chipping | Recreational use & aesthetics |
| Ball Roll | Consistent & Fast (True Roll) | Good (Requires Maintenance) |
| Heat Resistance | Excellent (High Melt Temp) | Moderate |
| Cost Tier | Premium $$$ | Standard $$ |
Expert Insight: Pile Height & Density
A common mistake is to focus only on the material name. At GAGA US Construction, we find that pile height and density are more important. A high-performance green should have a short ~1/2” pile height and a high stitch count (density).
When checking samples, push the fibers apart. If you can easily see the black backing or gaps between fibers, it’s probably not dense enough for a good putting surface. A dense, high-quality PE turf will outperform a sparse, low-quality Nylon turf every time.
Controlling the Game: Customizing Stimp Speed
A key feature of a synthetic putting green is the ability to customize the ball speed (Stimp rating). There is often confusion about how this is controlled. It is a 3-step process:
- Phase 1: Design (Turf Selection) This sets the potential speed range. A dense, short-pile nylon is inherently fast and designed for high Stimp ratings.
- Phase 2: Installation (Infill Amount) This fine-tunes the speed. More infill—or a heavier, rounded silica sand—adds friction and slows the green down.
- Phase 3: Maintenance (Grooming) Rolling the green flattens fibers to speed up the roll. Brushing against the grain stands fibers up to slow the roll down.
The Putting Green Turf Installation Cost
A professional green requires a significantly more robust base than a lawn: a gravel base of 2 to 4 inches topped with a 6 to 8-inch compacted aggregate layer. This extensive base allows true ball roll and custom contours.
| Project Size | Price Estimate | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (400-2,000 sq. ft.) | $20 – $35 / sq. ft. | Full base prep, turf, & infill |
| Small (< 400 sq. ft.) | $30 – $35 / sq. ft. | Higher cost due to scale |
| Large (2,000+ sq. ft.) | $20 – $25 / sq. ft. | Volume discount applicable |
Common Questions & Investment Details
Let's Build Something Lasting
Stop searching and start building. If you are ready to secure your home and boost your curb appeal, let’s talk. We are currently booking for the 2026 season.
