how to make your own 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.

How do you build a simple golf course in your garage?

Dig around the garage for bricks, cinder blocks, wood boards, plywood sheets, buckets, strips of plastic siding — anything that can serve as a barrier, ramp or obstacle [source: Carlson ]. Lay down bricks, cinder blocks or lumber in a large rectangle to frame the outside of the course.

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.

Is it possible to build your own golf course?

We’re not saying it’s easy; but it’s within reach. Craig Werline, the superintendent at FireRock Country Club in Fountain Hill, Ariz., recently oversaw construction of the club’s new practice green and short game complex, a job he handled entirely in-house. So he knows the ins and outs of DIY golf projects.

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 much money does it take to build a golf course?

The median cost to build a golf course is $14 million, not including buying the land. The lowest-priced golf courses cost $7 million. Others cost as much as $25 million. Building greens is one of the most important tasks, and it can cost as much as $60 per square foot.

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.

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.

How much water do golf courses use?

In California, an average 18-hole golf course sprawls over 110 to 115 acres and conservatively uses almost 90 million gallons of water per year, enough to fill 136 Olympic-size swimming pools, said Mike Huck, a water management consultant who works with golf courses statewide.

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).

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 much does Jack Nicklaus charge for a golf course?

Taking Charge At that time, Nicklaus' basic design fee was worth $150,000 in the United States, $250,000 in English-speaking countries abroad and $300,000 elsewhere. If the course wanted to use Nicklaus' name and have him as endorser, clients would have to fork out an additional $1M to do so.

How much is it to build a backyard golf course?

If you want something a little larger, lets say 200m2, with a bunker and extra accessories, the cost will most likely fall into the $20,000 – $25,000 bracket. If your green size isn't as large the cost can come down to the $7500 – $8000 mark.

How much does it cost to build a minigolf?

When all of the factors listed below are addressed, designing and building a typical 18-hole concrete mini golf course can range from $150,000 to $500,000+.

How many acres is 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).

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.

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.

How to make a hole for a ball?

To make a hole for the ball, use a 3-inch (7.6-centimeter) hole-cutting attachment on a drill, then insert a small section of 3-inch PVC pipe and insert it into the hole as a "cup" [source: This Old House ]. Glue more balusters along the top edges to create walls.

When was mini golf invented?

History of Mini Golf. The world's first mini golf course was the Ladies' Putting Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, formed in 1867 and still going strong. At the time, it was taboo for a woman to raise a golf club above her shoulder, so the ladies founded their own private putt-putt society [source: Emory ].

Where is the mini golf course in Lake George?

And at the Around the World mini golf course in Lake George, N.Y., each hole depicts a different country, including giant pyramid obstacles for Egypt and a tricky "Iron Curtain" blocking the Russian hole. With all those variations, it's no wonder mini golf is a beloved summer pastime for families and couples the world over.

How to make a ramp?

Making a ramp is as easy as leaning a piece of plywood against a cinder block. You can set up two ramps face to face with a space in between, creating a jump. For added drama, place a shallow pan full of water in between them. Or attach a short run of PVC pipe to the top of each ramp and make a tunnel to safety.

Do you have to buy a putter for mini golf?

Unlike the Scottish course, you don't have to spend hours or hundreds of dollars constructing a professional-grade mini golf course for your kids. You don't even have to buy a putter. Simply provide some basic building materials and let your kids use their creativity and ingenuity to make their own obstacles and challenges.

Is mini golf a real pastime?

With all those variations, it's no wonder mini golf is a beloved summer pastime for families and couples the world over. Real golf requires years of practice, expensive equipment and questionable fashion choices. Mini golf, however, is the great equalizer.

Can you paint mini golf balls?

Last but not least, every respectable mini golf course needs brightly colored balls. To paint golf balls, you need to buy spray paint that is designed for plastic. For the best results, spray with a plastic paint primer first, then with your colors [source: Riker ].