Putting Green Cost: How Much Does An Artificial Turf Backyard Putting Green Installation Cost?

How much does an artificial turf backyard putting green installation cost? Learn this & more in our comprehensive breakdown of putting green costs from the Turf Network.
Backyard Putting Green Cost

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For golf enthusiasts, having a putting green in the comfort of your backyard can be a dream come true. Whether you’re honing your short game or simply enjoying a leisurely round with friends and family, an artificial turf backyard putting green offers convenience and endless enjoyment. Perhaps you want to transform your backyard into a golfer’s paradise or enhance a commercial property? Whatever your motivation, understanding the costs involved in installing an artificial turf backyard putting green is essential.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the cost of artificial grass golf green installations. We’ll look at the average costs, factors affecting installation costs, financing options, maintenance considerations, and practical tips to help you make an informed decision. By the end of this guide, you should know exactly what to expect in terms of cost for your backyard putting green installation.

Average Cost of Backyard Putting Green

Average Putting Green Cost

The vast differences between individual putting greens makes it impossible to provide a single metric as the “average” cost. That said, I can make an educated guess based on the average size of a backyard putting green, which is between 10 and 15 feet wide and 20 to 30 feet long. Using those dimensions and the average cost per square foot for different putting green sizes in the table below, I came up with the following:

  • 10’ x 20’ = 200 sq. ft. = $5K to $8K
  • 15’ x 30’ = 450 sq. ft. = $9K to $13.5K

To embark on the journey of installing a backyard putting green, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the overall cost. The average cost of a home golf green installation can vary widely. This cost includes materials, labor, and basic accessories. However, it’s important to note that the final price tag depends on several key factors, including the size of the project, site preparation requirements, design complexity, materials chosen, location, and more.

When considering the cost of your putting green, it’s crucial to think of it as a long-term investment. High-quality installations can last for decades, providing endless hours of enjoyment and potentially adding value to your property. If you know what size putting green you’d like installed, you can use our putting green cost calculator to determine the approximate cost.

Putting Green Cost Per Square Foot

Backyard Putting Green Cost Per Square Foot

One of the primary ways to estimate the cost of your putting green is by considering the cost per square foot. The cost per square foot includes materials, labor, and basic accessories, providing a clear and straightforward way to budget for your project. 

On average, you can expect to pay between $15 and $40 per square foot for a professionally installed artificial turf home golf green. This cost can vary based on several factors, including the quality of materials chosen, the complexity of the design, site accessibility, prep work required, and location.

Putting Green SizeAverage Cost Per Square Foot (Installed)Average Total Project Cost
Small (100 – 400 sq. ft.)$25 – $40$2,500 – $16,000
Medium (401 – 2,000 sq. ft.)$20 – $30$8,000 – $60,000
Large (2,000+ sq. ft.)$15 – $25$30,000 – $75,000+

Because it’s priced per square foot, in order to estimate the cost of a putting green installation you first need to measure the space and calculate the square footage. Measure the length (L) and width (W) of your space and multiply the two. L x W = Square Feet. Spaces with unusual shapes are a bit more difficult to determine the square footage. We have a guide that shows how to measure the square footage of spaces with a variety of shapes.

Putting Green Cost Factors

Several key factors significantly influence the cost of installing a backyard putting green. Understanding these factors and their impact on the overall expense will help you make informed decisions during your project planning phase. To gain a more accurate understanding of the cost, let’s break down the key factors that influence the overall expense of installing a home golf green.

Backyard Putting Green Installation Costs by Size

Project Size

The size of your putting green plays a pivotal role in determining the overall cost. Larger greens require more materials and labor, leading to higher expenses. This includes not only the turf itself but also the base materials, infill, and any weed barriers or underlayment. Larger greens take more time to install, which also increases labor costs. This is particularly true for intricate designs or greens with multiple holes or features. The total cost of a home golf green will increase in relation to its complexity.

Larger putting greens require more extensive site preparation, such as leveling, landscaping, or addressing drainage issues. This groundwork is often charged by the square foot, so a larger green incurs higher costs. While bigger putting greens cost more overall, larger projects benefit from economies of scale, where the cost per square foot decreases as the size increases. This is because certain fixed costs (like equipment rental or initial site assessment) are spread over a larger area. 

Below are the different costs per square foot for different size putting greens:

  • Small (Under 400 sq. ft.) $25 — $30+
  • Medium (400 to 2,000 sq. ft.) $20 — $30
  • Large (over 2,000 sq. ft.) $15 — $20+
Design & Complexity

Design & Complexity of the Putting Green

The complexity of the design and the shape of your putting green can significantly impact the overall cost. A straightforward, rectangular green is less expensive to install than a more intricate design with curves, contours, and multiple putting holes. The more customization and features you desire, the higher the cost will be. Landscape designers charge between $50 and $150 per hour to craft a custom putting green layout tailored to your yard, reflecting their invaluable expertise.

Additional design elements such as undulations, bunkers, and fringe areas can add both complexity and expense to your project. Consider your golfing goals and budget when deciding on the level of customization for your green. We’ll explore the cost of the more common custom features found on backyard putting greens below.

Accessibility

Accessibility

Site accessibility plays a significant role in determining the cost of installing an artificial turf backyard putting green. Easy and unobstructed access to the installation site can streamline the entire process, resulting in lower labor costs and potentially reducing the overall project expenses. When professionals can easily transport materials, equipment, and tools to the site without hindrances, they can work more efficiently and complete the installation in less time. This means fewer labor hours and, consequently, lower labor costs.

On the other hand, if the installation site is challenging to access due to obstacles like narrow pathways, steep slopes, or tight corners, it can increase labor costs by $1 to $4 per square foot. Professionals may need to take extra precautions, use specialized equipment, or even manually transport materials to the site, all of which can contribute to higher installation expenses. 

Indoor vs. Outdoor

Indoor vs. Outdoor

The cost of installing an artificial turf putting green can vary significantly between indoor and outdoor settings due to distinct material and labor requirements. Outdoor putting greens typically require more extensive site preparation, including excavation and grading to ensure proper drainage and a level surface. Additionally, outdoor greens may need landscaping and irrigation adjustments. These factors can lead to higher labor and material costs. 

Indoor putting greens benefit from a controlled environment, reducing the need for extensive site preparation. Technically, you could just roll turf out on the floor and have an instant putting surface. Indoor putting greens get tricky when adding cups or undulations. Sinking a cup in the ground, requires building a sub-base thick enough to hold a golf cup.  With concrete floors, a hole can be cored into the ground to fit the golf cup. 

  • Indoor Putting Greens: $250 to $60K+
  • Outdoor Putting Greens: $2,500 to $100K+

A popular option for indoor putting greens is a product called “Tour Links”, which is a panel system that snaps together like puzzle pieces. Although it’s the mostly costly option, it provides the truest roll of the ball which is essential for high-level players. Like with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Site Preparation

Site Preparation

The extent of site preparation required has a substantial impact on the cost of installing an artificial turf backyard putting green. Land excavation costs about $50 to $200 per cubic yard. When a site is relatively flat and well-drained, requiring minimal grading and excavation, it reduces the labor and material costs associated with preparation. In such cases, the cost of site preparation may be on the lower end of the spectrum, allowing homeowners to allocate more of their budget to high-quality turf and accessories.

Conversely, if the installation site presents challenges like significant slopes, poor drainage, or the presence of obstacles, extensive site preparation becomes necessary. This can involve grading to create a level surface, implementing drainage solutions to prevent water accumulation, and addressing any obstructive elements like tree roots or rocks. 

Your installation crew will also need to clean up when they’re done. This includes disposing of excavated dirt, rocks, grass, etc. and the cost ranges from $8 and $25 per cubic yard. If the organic material can stay on your property, the cost decreases to an average of $1 to $15 per cubic yard.

Materials

The materials chosen for your putting green play a crucial role in the overall cost. There are several material components to consider:

Backyard Putting Green Turf

Putting Green Turf

The type of putting green turf chosen significantly influences the cost of installing an artificial turf backyard putting green. The market offers a wide range of turf options, varying in quality and price. Polypropylene and Nylon are two popular materials used in artificial turf backyard putting greens, each with its own set of characteristics and installation requirements. 

Polypropylene 

Polypropylene greens typically require a substantial amount of infill material to maintain their performance. A properly installed polypropylene green involves infilling with enough sand to lift the fibers, ensu