Lawn to Green?

[level5s]

Has anybody attempted to convert there lawn to a putting green?

I have recently moved to a new house with a newish lawn in the back garden, wondering if I would be able to make it a half decent putting surface.

I would probably have to purchase a better mower and a roller for a start

What do you reckon far too much effort required to make it worth while?

 

[drawboy]

No but by practising I've turned my lawn into the Somme

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Way too much effort and you've probably got the wrong type of grass growing anyway. If you were that desperate you could always get an artificial one installed

 

[level5s]

Way too much effort and you've probably got the wrong type of grass growing anyway. If you were that desperate you could always get an artificial one installed

Not desperate but thought it could be a little project

 

[JustOne]

Way too much effort and you've probably got the wrong type of grass growing anyway. If you were that desperate you could always get an artificial one installed

Not desperate but thought it could be a little project

No chance, you COULD do it but it wouldn't be a 'little project'. You'd have to dig it all up and effectively build and entire green from 4ft down, including drainage (probably through your neighbours garden) and irrigation, just the chemicals required every year would set you back hundreds if not 1000's, you'd have to cut it every day, water it when it doesn't rain..... the list goes on. i reckon $40K might cover it if you've got a small garden and a LOT of spare hours every year to maintain it.... and no-one would ever be allowed to do anything else than putt on it... no football, BBQ's etc...in fact no footprints at all would be nice

Artificial ones would be an option if you were desperate
http://www.linksgreens.com

...but I'd rather go up to my club and get away from the kids for a couple of hours.

 

[alwaysunderpar]

Look in the yellow pages for "Green Thumb" great company and they are not expensive either. They always send somebody round and for a few hundread will get going, other option is an artificial outside green, much better and more cost effective in the long run..

I tried growing my own green over here but then realised the cost of a greens mower (ebay around 3k)+ feeding etc, couldn't be bothered so use next doors (golf club) lol

 

[lewy]

i think it is possible. my course has natural greens just cut and fed. don't see why you cant have a go. just feed and water it and get a lawn mower which will cut it that fine.

 

[CliveW]

I know someone who has done this. The cost was over £5,000 to build a small green and it lasted for less than a year as he wasn't prepared to put the effort in to maintain it by daily cutting, hollow tining, top dressing, feeding etc.

 

[alwaysunderpar]

I know someone who has done this. The cost was over £5,000 to build a small green and it lasted for less than a year as he wasn't prepared to put the effort in to maintain it by daily cutting, hollow tining, top dressing, feeding etc.

Quite correct, real ballache keeping it just right, get an artificial one, no hassles then, unless you have a dog that is, the stains are pain to remove!

 

[link80]

It's absolutely possible to do and at a reasonable price too but it depends on the type of person you are and how big your ambitions are. It really does take near daily care to upkeep but if you are the type to stick to something and have the time then go for it. I know some old boys who've got lawns most greenkeepers would be proud of and their not even trying to get something you could putt on, they just like gardening.

 

[level5s]

So a bit of cash investment and a lot of time investment and I might have something close to a municipal green (handy as I play most my golf on a municipal course).

I wonder if GM would be interested in a multipart magazine article?

Maybe give a lawn care company a chance to advertise, I am sure my wife will allow a 6 foot long banner on the back fence.............