For golf lovers considering installing a putting green in their backyard or office space, there are two main choices: natural grass and synthetic grass. While natural grass such as bentgrass is often the default choice, synthetic grass is gaining rapid popularity due to its evergreen appearance with superior functional benefits. If you’re not sure which way to go for your outdoor putting green, here are a few of the key differences between synthetic turf and natural grass — and how to know which one’s right for you.

Synthetic Grass is Lower Maintenance

Maintenance is one of the most significant aspects of having a putting green on your property. To ensure consistent gameplay, you’ll need to rigorously mow, edge, and water natural grass to keep it level and suitable for use year-round.

With synthetic grass, on the other hand, you can enjoy your outdoor putting green 365 days a year without ever needing to mow, irrigate, or otherwise worry about maintenance. The synthetic blades stay at the perfect height for your putting green’s entire lifespan, and the evergreen hues stay green through any weather or level of foot traffic. With an artificial turf putting green, you can save time and money on maintenance and instead invest it into playing more of your favorite game.

Putting Green Turf Provides Greater Consistency

Even with consistent mowing and watering, natural grass putting greens can form an uneven surface over time due to factors like weather, soil erosion, and foot traffic. It can also experience frequent divots and ball marks that not only mitigate gameplay but also pose a tripping hazard for you and your guests.

Synthetic turf putting greens are beloved because they maintain a smooth and perfectly even surface even years after installation. Thanks to triple tuft-bind technology and ultra-durable backings, they also don’t experience divots and bald patches from play. This ensures an accurate ball roll and maximizes the efforts of your short-game practice. 

You Can Use Putting Green Turf Year-Round

With a natural grass putting green, your ability to use it can be severely impacted by weather conditions. Rainy days — which are all too common in the Bay Area — can swamp your green and lead to muddy, unplayable surfaces. On the other end of the scale, extreme heat can cause your putting green’s grass to wither and brown, creating an uneven and inconsistent playing surface.

Synthetic grass is specially designed to withstand a wide range of weather conditions while remaining functional, allowing you to enjoy your turf putting green year-round. Its synthetic fibers are manufactured with UV inhibitors, so your putting green will remain green and lush regardless of sun exposure. It’s also installed with efficient drainage grids that rapidly flush away rainwater and other liquids at rates of over 30 inches per hour per square yard, ensuring that your outdoor putting green is dry and ready for a round of golf as soon as the rain stops.

A Turf Putting Green Is More Eco-Friendly

If you’ve ever visited a golf course, then you know that sprinklers are an integral part of maintenance. Many golf courses run sprinklers daily, if not more than once a day, to ensure that their fairway stays green, pristine, and perfect for play. Unsurprisingly, this constant water usage can be a significant drain on local resources, wasting thousands of gallons of water a year.

While personal putting greens are smaller, natural grass varieties still need to be constantly watered to maintain them for proper gameplay, which can skyrocket your water bills and hinder your sustainability goals. With an artificial turf putting green, however, you can eliminate the need for sprinklers altogether. Although it can be beneficial to rinse down your turf lawn every once in a while, the synthetic fibers don’t require water to remain green, lush, and an even height. This enables you to save hundreds of dollars and thousands of gallons of water annually. You and your guests can also feel good about making a more eco-friendly choice and conserving local resources.

If you need further guidance in choosing which artificial turf products are right for your project’s needs, contact your local Synthetic Grass Warehouse location. At SGW Bay Area, we have dozens of wholesale turf products available, including putting green turf and installation accessories, so we can help you find the perfect synthetic grass products for any home or business. SGW Bay Area has been an industry leader for more than 20 years, helping distributors, installers, and homeowners alike with all their artificial grass installation needs. To find out more about our wholesale turf products or to receive guidance with your next artificial grass installation, contact your local SGW Bay Area facility today.