Putting Green

[IllMarty1]

Anyone undertake installing a putting green before? If so, how much work is it?

Thinking about putting one in on other side of my pond. If the first one went well, I could see making my place a low budget Par 3 course to give me something to earn income during retirement.

First pic shows location of geen in center of picture with trees to either side. Second pic shows tee box area. It would play as a short par 4.

Marty

 

[3RRL]

Best thing to do is look up the USGA on line and read about the construction of putting greens. In order to have a golf course quality green that will accept shots, roll true and have proper drainage, their is a lot involved in building them. Picking the right grass for your climate is key also.
That sounds like a good idea putting a few holes on your property. I wouldn't mind doing the same thing someday.

 

[Bird]

And in addition to what Rob (3RRL) said, after it's built, think about an irrigation system and maintenance. You may have a good idea, but I think you'll need a lot of money up front to get started.

 

[TC29-dude]

How about a driving range with a practice putting green or two? Maybe use one for chipping practice. Set the greens up in such a way as to allow expansion in the future if you still want to consider a course.

Heck, rent beer and balls and you got something!

 

[Tororider]

I am hoping to build a couple holes on my property sometime in the future as well.

Have you heard of of the .3 golf ball? It is supposed to have true flight characteristics but only travel a third as far as a real ball. So I figure I can build two holes play back and forth and alternate with the .3 ball so I really have 4 holes to play.

Good Luck! Hope to see some pictures.

 

[IllMarty1]

And in addition to what Rob (3RRL) said, after it's built, think about an irrigation system and maintenance. You may have a good idea, but I think you'll need a lot of money up front to get started.

One of my ideas banging around in my head would be to sponsor some kids at the very small local vocational school. They could do an independent study on golf course construction and maintenance and help build it. It would give them some vocational work training. In exchange I could also hold "hole -in-one " fundraisers for the school.

The land where the first green would be will be easy to water with a small pump and some hose coming from pond. A greens mower, human powered, can be had for $350. Ground on about 1/2 my property is sand, so that part is covered. Might need a boxblade for the tractor though.

It wont need to be championship caliber. Just something to play and experiment with, for now.

 

[lrunge]

There is some info on the web on installing a green. I looked at one several years ago but the upkeep time and maintenance was to much for me. I put an artificial green in from All Pro Greens. They have ones with longer fibers where you fill it with silica type sand and it will hold shots. Just requires sweeping it off. With mine I just marked off 9 different locations to hit from at 25 yards to about a 100 yards. You have to prep the ground and level with limestone dust (1/4 minus) and compact it down but not difficult. I also put a sand trap next to it.

 

[silverdollar6]

About five years ago the cost of installing a professional putting green was $25,000.

 

[RedRocker]

Do I see a TBN invitational on the horizon?

 

[3RRL]

Yeah,
The IllMarty1 Shootout.

I like the idea of using the vocational school kids and then having a fund raiser. Many years ago most golf holes were "push-up" greens with no special treatment. The just "pushed up" a dirt pile and leveled it off and planted grass on it. No irrigation and they were hand watered. Some of our 75 year old greens are still like that! The famous golf course architect George Thomas did that all the time. He designed our course (Red Hill Country Club) which is a sister course to Riviera and LA Country Club out here and many on the East Coast. Our newer greens cost as much as $50,000 to re do! For just a "mess around" golf hole, I'm sure that would be Ok. If you have some better building materials and drainage, it would be better of course. Sounds like a good idea.

Years ago I read about the limited flight golf ball (Cayman ball). Have not kept up with it's recent advances though. Back then I think Jack Nicklaus was considering design courses for the short ball.