Your handbook to appreciating the value of bounce on artificial turf.
Natural Bounce — Why It Matters
Imagine this. You are perfecting your chip shot, and the artificial putting green you are using will just not receive the ball properly. It doesn’t matter how perfect the shot is, the ball bounces and flies off the green. As an avid golfer, you need a putting green that plays like natural.
Quality synthetic golf green characteristics should consist of these priority reactions:
- Realistic golf ball bounce
- Accurate reaction to aim
- True directional roll
- Predictable playability
The fundamental fact here is to have the artificial turf perform as normally as real grass does. From the second your ball strikes the green, you can witness if you’re playing on first-class turf or not. If you’re hitting a chip shot, you should be able to expect it will be taken in by the grass accurately, bounce appropriately, and roll as designed.
If these key elements aren’t present, how could you possibly improve your putting or chipping uniformity?
The Science Behind Turf Bounce
Southwest Greens has been able to evaluate key performance indicators. By acknowledging what variables affect performance we are able to replicate natural greens.
Test methods were created to understand what variables genuinely impact performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were assessed using a merger of GSGA and proprietary testing processes. These tests imitate common shot and surface interactions.
Bounce Test-
- Tru Firm Measures, the displacement of the surface to see how surface affects energy transfer.
- Bounce. Proprietary device that replicates natural pitch shot approach angle and spin. This will standardize and quantify the surface interaction to understand how the surface will accept a pitch shot.
- Spin. Proprietary device that replicates natural spin. Standardise and evaluate the surface interaction to comprehend how the friction of the surface alters ball spin will translate to performance.
The Southwest Greens Difference
At Southwest Greens of New Mexico, we have honed the art of installation to give you the best playing surface possible. Here’s an example of how we develop our turfs:
Subgrade
Depending upon the place where you live, the landscape may change from sand to clay and rock. Properly installed synthetic turf accounts for this, with a base developed to facilitate proper drainage.
Aggregate Base
Stone is applied on top of the subgrade (ground) to assist in drainage and provide a perfectly constructed surface. It is essential that the aggregate be created and compacted to the correct depths. For golf applications, a second shaping aggregate is added to create undulations and breaks.
Backing
Artificial turf is developed by sewing the fiber through two layers of backing. The backing, in turn, is coated with high-grade polyurethane to protect the stitches.
Infill
Essential to the turf system, infill is made up of rounded washed silica. Infill provides ballast, aids drainage, and immediately impacts the key bounce indicators.
Turf Fiber
Extruded, PP/PE/ Nylon come in a variety of constructions, colors, and lengths. Materials and product construction directly impact the surface interaction with the golf ball.
Watch this installation video to learn how we decide on the appropriate infill layers and synthetic green surface for your situation.
Trying to find a product where a chip shot will land, bounce, roll, stop, and react as close to a real golf green as possible?
Residential putting greens differ quite a bit from traditional lawn turf. Base work, cup placement, undulations, and turf selections are all crucial features of an artificial golf green that adds value to your game, your family, and your home, all while downsizing maintenance costs.
Consider one of our fan-favorites: Golden Bear Turf
Golden Bear is our premium-grade synthetic turf with the look, feel, and bite of natural grass. It’s the turf chosen by amateurs as well as PGA Tour players for their homes. In other words — it’s the most accurate playing surface for sale on the market today. Our artificial turf is an ideal choice for more regularity, predictability and even helps to prevent accidents generated by uneven playing surfaces. Although constructed with golf in mind, this long-lasting, high-quality turf can also be installed at heavy-traffic locations like playgrounds and recreational areas.
The alliance with Southwest Greens and Nicklaus Design started in 2004 and has evolved greatly over the years in both design and turf technology. All customers can benefit from custom-designed golf greens installed by certified Southwest Greens dealers. Now everyone can experience best-in-class consolidating professional design, installation, and Golden Bear exclusive turf products.
Golden Bear Turf is the ultimate in quality, look, and performance for synthetic turf products. This top-level artificial turf bounces, rolls, and receives just like a pro course. Shot after shot, Golden Bear has the most authentic aim of any putting surface. Playability that is so real, you will think you’re playing golf on an official course. It’s simply the best turf on the planet, and you can even find it at Southwest Greens of New Mexico.