how to build a backyard golf course

1. Think about how much time and space you have. It will be more work than you think to design the course, maintain it, and depending on how complex it ...
2. Start with the equipment. Make sure you have a pitching wedge/sand wedge and a putter. ...
3. Decide what kind of ground you will have the course on. ...
4. Mow the fairway. It would be neat to mow every other row, so it's striped like a real fairway. You should mow the fairway every 3-4 days.
5. Mow the green. To mow the green, set your mower blades to the lowest setting so the grass is extra short.
6. Create 2-3 sand traps/hazards. Buy 2-3 large sandbags at a hardware store. You shouldn't need any more than three sand traps throughout your course.
7. Finally, maintain your course! At real courses, they have crews come out every day to maintain the courses.

Full Answer

What do I need to set up a backyard golf course?

Make sure you have a pitching wedge/sand wedge and a putter. These are the only clubs you will really need if you're just golfing in your backyard. Make sure to have multiple balls, since you may lose some. Also make sure you have a good grass mower that can cut the grass nice and short. Decide what kind of ground you will have the course on.

Can I build a golf green in my backyard?

Learn more... Many golf enthusiasts build golf greens in their back yards so they can practice putting without traveling to a golf course and paying fees.

How to build a golf course for kids?

You want to build your course around existing structures without altering or demolishing them. Moreover, you should add obstacles, such as improvised castles (ask your kids for materials and building expertise) or windmills. You can even select a theme for the entire golf course.

Is your backyard too small to house a golf course?

If you are thinking right now that your backyard is way too small to house a golf course, don’t stop reading just yet! The size of the yard is secondary to its design, so building a single-hole mini-golf course is a viable option.

How do I make a golf hole in my backyard?

Here's how YOU can build an epic backyard golf hole — with stuff you already own!Pick the perfect cup size. ... Get a second cup that'll fit in the first cup. ... Pick out a flagstick. ... Cut a hole in the smaller cup. ... Dig your hole. ... Assemble your cup. ... Pick a flag. ... Play away!

How many acres do you need to build a golf hole?

According to “Building a Practical Golf Facility” by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, ASGCA Fellow, “For example, a typical par 4 hole of 400 yards will take up to 10.4 acres (420 yards long with buffers x 120 yards minimum width).

How do I turn my yard into a golf green?

How to make your own backyard putting green in just 8 stepsSelect a Site. No surprise here. ... Start Digging. You don't need to go extremely deep. ... Add Some Contour. You're not trying to replicate the greens at Augusta. ... Install Proper Drainage. ... Cap it with Sand. ... Seed it or Sod It. ... The Final Touches. ... The Long Haul.

How much does it cost to build one hole on a golf course?

The cost per hole can vary from $50,000 to more than $175,000 for some upscale courses.

Are golf courses profitable?

Profitable golf courses are generally selling for six to eight times EBITDA, while courses that aren't profitable tend to sell at 0.8 to 1.4 times revenue.

How much area is required for a golf course?

Basically, a driving range is a rectangular piece of land {(50-100 m) Width X (200-300 m) Length} set away to practice the game by hitting Golf Balls to targets of various distances.

What kind of grass is on golf greens?

Grasses are specifically selected for use on putting greens. Bermudagrass, creeping bentgrass and Poa annua are the most commonly managed turfgrasses on putting greens in the United States. A putting green can have more than 10,000 individual plants per square foot.

What kind of grass do they use on golf courses?

Bentgrass is one of the most popular types of grass planted on golf courses. It's available in many varieties, commonly found in cool summer and coastal regions. It's short, even, and flat, making it the perfect match for putting greens and courses.

How much does it cost to put a putting green in your backyard?

between $11 and $25 per square footPutting Green Installation Expect to pay between $11 and $25 per square foot to have a backyard putting green installed. This pricing could change based on size. The larger your golf green, the less you'll pay per square foot; most contractors lower their rates for bigger projects.

How many acres is a typical golf course?

150 acresAt the individual level, an average 18-hole golf course covers 150 acres, approximately 100 (67 percent) of which is maintained turfgrass. This area is predominantly comprised of rough (51 acres) and fairways (30 acres).

How many acres is a par 3 hole?

If you are thinking about building a par 3 golf course, here are some frequently asked questions on the subject? HOW MUCH LAND IS NEEDED FOR A PAR 3 COURSE? At least 30 acres (12 hectares) is required for nine holes of similar length to the par 3 holes on most courses with a par of 70 to 72.

Why do golf courses have bunkers?

Sand bunkers provide a psychological landmark. They accentuate the hole and provide targets for directing the golfer to a defined landing area whether it is the fairway or green. Sand bunkers provide safety buffers for adjacent fairways, tees or greens, both physically and visually.

How many acres is an average 18 hole golf course?

150 acresAt the individual level, an average 18-hole golf course covers 150 acres, approximately 100 (67 percent) of which is maintained turfgrass. This area is predominantly comprised of rough (51 acres) and fairways (30 acres).

How many acres is the Augusta National golf course?

Augusta National was founded in 1932 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts on the 365-acre site of a former nursery/antebellum plantation called Fruitland (later Fruitlands).

How many acres is a par 3 hole?

A short par 3 course can be built on as little as 25 acres, while a full-length elite course can require up to 140 acres of land. But the land requirements vary based on your location, size of course, and the difficulty of the course.

How many acres is a disc golf course?

A simple 9-hole course can be built on as little as 2 acres for around $3000. Championship caliber courses typically require 1 to 2 acres per hole. Disc golf courses can be installed in phases and upgraded over time.

1. Pick the perfect cup size

I had no idea just how big actual golf holes were, when compared with various things in my kitchen. Salsa jar? Way too small. Skippy’s peanut butter? Still too small. A can of Planters Peanuts is close — four inches in diameter — but still too small. How do these guys miss so many putts with such a big target?!

3. Pick out a flagstick

Consider a few factors when selecting your flagstick. You want it tall enough that it feels legit, skinny enough that the ball will still fit in the hole and light enough that it will stay in place. I took the head off a mop and used the handle. Nice yellow color, too!

4. Cut a hole in the smaller cup

I chose an empty cashew container for my smaller cup, as described in No. 2. Then I traced a circle in the middle of that cup, exactly one mop-handle in diameter. Cut that out with some scissors, but be careful — don’t go too wide! Otherwise your flagstick won’t stay in place.

5. Dig your hole

Find a nice, relatively flat section in your yard (doesn’t have to be TOO flat, unless you keep your lawn stimping 12 ). Flip over your larger cup (from No. 1) and cut a hole around it using a butter knife.

6. Assemble your cup

First drop in the big cup (from No. 1) slightly below the surface of the ground — you don’t want any putts catching on that lip. Then put the small cup (No. 2) on top. Then insert the flagstick (No. 3) through the hole in the small cup. If you’ve sized it all correctly, it should stay in place!

7. Pick a flag

When it comes to choosing a flag, I’d go with something light and waterproof. You want that baby swaying in the breeze! I took one of those plastic bags newspapers come in (shoutout newspapers) and cut it in half. Nice color, perfectly waterproof and light as could be. Tape that to the mop handle and you’re officially in business!

8. Play away!

Get some fresh air, entertain the kids (read: yourself), take on a project and satisfy that golf itch — all without leaving home?! I can’t recommend this highly enough.

What are the obstacles to a golf course?

Include all the naturally-occurring obstacles such as hillocks, trees, stones, puddles, sandboxes, groves, etc. The same goes for artificial obstacles like the water sprout or the laundry pole.

Why is sand a good surface?

Sand is a great surface because it doesn’t require any maintenance, just replenishing. The lawn, on the other side, does come with demanding upkeep requirements. First, you need to mow the fairway and then you need to mow the green. The latter is mowed by cutting the blades to the lowest possible height.

Do you need sand for mini golf?

Sand patches are pretty much mandatory. Even if you opt for a mini-golf course entirely comprised of natural grass, you will have to add a few sand traps. If you already have a sandbox for children, then you can repurpose it or the new patch you created can be used by kids to play on.

Does size matter for a golf course?

Size doesn’t matter. If you are thinking right now that your backyard is way too small to house a golf course, don’t stop reading just yet! The size of the yard is secondary to its design, so building a single-hole mini-golf course is a viable option. In times of curfews and lookdowns, any physical activity is precious.

Can you put a golf course in a driveway?

For instance, putting in the driveway isn’t a good idea if you’re building a permanent golf course. On the other side, if you’re constructing a temporary mini-golf course, then it can be placed pretty much anywhere.

Can you combine grass with felt?

What you need to know, however, is that you can easily combine a verdant lawn with patches of felt.

Can you plant flowers on a mini golf course?

A blossomy mini-golf course. Decorating and maintaining a professional golf course is expansive but you can easily beautify your backyard course by planting flowers. You probably already have experience in nurturing flowerbeds; all you have to do now is reposition them across putting green.

How to mark the edges of a golf green?

Mark the edges of your green by sodding the perimeter with rougher grass. You may want to add a vapor barrier around your green before sodding to keep the surrounding area from sucking water away or adding water to your green. Buy your cups, pins and flags from a supplier of golf course equipment.

What is wikihow in golf?

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 175,356 times. Learn more... Many golf enthusiasts build golf greens in their back yards so they can practice putting ...

How to keep grass from drowning in rain?

Cover the area with a 4-inch (10 cm) layer of pea gravel. The gravel will hold water near the roots when you irrigate the green, but will allow water to pass through quickly during heavy rain so the grass doesn't drown. Compact the gravel layer. Add 2 inches (5 cm) of sand on top of the gravel and compact it.

Do golf courses have irrigation?

Golf course irrigation systems operate at higher pressures in order to spread the water over a wider area. However, since you only have one green to irrigate, a residential system will work well and is less expensive. ...

Can you build a golf green in your back yard?

Many golf enthusiasts build golf greens in their back yards so they can practice putting without traveling to a golf course and paying fees. While you can build a golf green by grooming the grass you have or by planting grass, if you want a green that meets the standards of the U.S. Golf Association (USGA), you must excavate the area, ...

Hitting nets

Don’t have an expansive yard to hit full-swing shots in? You probably need and want to find the best golf net for you.

Chipping nets

Learn from our pandemic experience -- chipping hard plastic balls at a water heater is not a good idea. Instead, a chipping net can serve as the center of your golf practice universe.

Training aids

No off-season swing conditioning program would be complete without the use of some training aid. And the privacy of your own yard or garage is an ideal spot to use these.

Portable Launch Monitors

Measuring your pertinent swing data used to involve a teaching pro, the private area of a driving range, a sophisticated launch monitor and a computer. But in these days of self-isolation and social distancing, you just need a small, lightweight wireless launch monitor - plus some space to hit shots - to accomplish the feat.

Putting mats

Putts from 10 feet and in account for the majority of your rolls. Practicing them on your flat carpet can suffice, but it’s far from ideal.

Golf Simulators

Want to one-up your neighbors for anytime, any-weather practice? If you have the space and money, a simulator may be a perfect solution for you.

What is a putting green in a backyard?

A golf backyard putting green is a great way to practice the sport from the comfort of your own home. A putting green can be constructed in your backyard that will provide hours of enjoyment as well as increase your house’s resale value. On this page you’ll find pictures of backyard putting green designs to give you inspiration for creating your ...

Can you use natural grass for golf?

The choices are natural grass or synthetic turf. Most experts don’t recommend natural grass for golfers due to the time commitment of maintenance and upkeep. However, natural sod can be much less expensive than synthetic turf. You can find sod that you install yourself for around .50 a ft.

Can Mediterranean houses be used for putting greens?

Mediterranean houses can also effortlessly sport backyard putting greens. Here we see the turf working its edges around the geometric patterns of the backyard’s landscaping, creating interesting putting pockets and a more challenging way to practice your short game in golf.

Can you use a double putting green as a practice?

The double putting greens in this backyard can cater to more than one user at a time and with its numerous practice holes, can function effectively as a practice area for golfers. Open putting green areas can sometimes be too open in a sense that there’s not much reprieve from the heat of the sun.

Is synthetic turf good for gold putting?

Not to mention you will be limited in the times of the year when you can use it for gold putting. On the other hand, synthetic turf is durable, long lasting and requires no daily maintenance. Synthetic turf offers you year round use by not being effected by extremes in hot or cold weather.

Do all putting greens have to be large?

Not all putting greens are made large and sprawling – little ones such as this one are simple but serve their purpose well. These types of backyard putting greens are ideal for small backyards or golfers that don’t want too much from their home putting greens. Click here – to buy this putting green.

How many putting greens are there in a par 68?

This 18-hole, par 68 course features 5 synthetic grass putting greens, 9 synthetic grass tee boxes and plays at 5,200 yards.

Does Lanmark have a chip and putt course?

Lanmark Designs can even outfit small spaces with chip and putt courses by placing a variety of hitting areas around a Tour Greens putting green. The synthetic grass greens require no water and very little maintenance so owners can spend their time practicing their golf game, not becoming groundskeepers.