The match may be over but the trash-talking isn’t. It’s after
dinner, but the losing side continues to insist on a rematch. Why wait until
morning when you can grab your putters, head to the backyard putting green and
settle the match once and for all?
No golf home is complete without a backyard green. In addition to
settling matches, you can work on your stroke at any time and the green is a
great gathering place for friends and family. But unless you are an agronomist,
a green with real grass is impractical. A maintenance-free artificial surface is
a great alternative, especially considering how much synthetic-turf technology
has evolved since AstroTurf was invented in 1964.
One of the best choices for an artificial green comes from
Synthetic Turf International (synthetic-turf.com). The NP50 surface is a
cross-stitched, ½-inch nylon pile that looks—and rolls—like a bentgrass green.
With impressive Stimpmeter readings of 9 to 11 feet, the NP50 is about as close
as you can get to the real thing. Prices vary from $13 to $22 per square foot,
depending on accessibility to the site, base preparation and project size. STI
has installers worldwide, but also offers do-it-yourself packages that start at
$2,000.
If your green has enough tricky breaks, the local knowledge you’ll acquire
will give you an advantage for those post-prandial contests, so you can pay for
the green with your winnings.
