How Much Does It Cost to Install a Backyard Putting Green?
Installing a backyard putting green costs $4,300 on average though most homeowners pay between $3,500 and $9,000. The final price depends on the materials and size your pro installs.
Installing a backyard putting green costs between $15 and $40 per square foot, depending on size and materials.
Factors like green size, turf type, labor, and design influence the overall cost.
Popular turf options include natural grass, synthetic turf, nylon, and polypropylene.
A backyard putting green lets you practice your swing at home, boosts property value, and can save you on golf club fees.
Hiring a professional ensures proper installation with the expertise and equipment needed.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Installing a backyard putting green is a hole-in-one way to practice your golf skills without leaving home. The total cost ranges from as little as $2,500 to as much as $75,000, but on average, it runs about $4,300 for most homeowners. Factors like the size of your green, the type of turf, and labor costs can affect your total price. Hiring a professional ensures your putting green is installed correctly, saving you strokes (and dollars) in the long run.
Backyard Putting Green Costs by Square Foot
Installing a backyard putting green costs between $15 and $40 per square foot. Interestingly, the bigger your green, the less you could pay per square foot—some contractors offer discounts for larger projects.
For example, a sprawling 2,000-square-foot green can cost around $15 per square foot, while a cozy 400-square-foot putting area could cost closer to $30 per square foot. Smaller projects can have higher rates because contractors need to cover their time and material costs.
Putting Green Cost Factors
Size
The size of the putting green not only influences the cost of the overall project, but also the price per square foot.
| Size of Green | Cost Range per Square Foot | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 400 sq. ft.) | $25 – $40 | $32 |
| Medium (400 – 2,000 sq. ft.) | $20 – $30 | $25 |
| Large (2,000 sq. ft. or more) | $15 – $25 | $20 |
Turf Material
| Artificial Putting Green | Natural Putting Green |
|---|---|
| Higher up-front costs | Lower up-front costs |
| Lower ongoing costs | Higher maintenance costs |
| Easy to maintain | Requires daily care |
| Difficult to move putting holes | Easy to move putting holes |
Natural grass is less expensive upfront but can be tricky to install and demands regular maintenance to stay in top shape. On the other hand, synthetic turf can cost up to $40 per square foot but is quicker to install and nearly maintenance-free.
Alternatively, you could opt for synthetic putting mats ranging from $460 to $1,360, depending on size. However, these mats offer limited choices in design, hole placement, and customization.
Labor and Site Preparation
Labor costs can vary quite a bit based on the size of your putting green and the work involved. If your lawn isn't smooth or properly sloped, you may need to regrade it, which runs between $975 and $3,000.
Installing sod adds another $0.50 to $1 per square foot in labor, plus delivery fees of $65 to $230 per truckload. If you're adding unique features like unusual shapes, slopes, hills, bunkers, or curves, expect labor costs to increase by about 20%.
Hiring a landscaper costs around $50 to $100 per hour on average, though many offer fixed rates for specific projects.
Alongside sodding and regrading, site accessibility can significantly drive up the labor cost. The distance between the parking area and the job site, for example, can increase the time it takes to do the job.
Similarly, if the access is severely limited so that the contractor cannot easily access large equipment, the installation team will have to use shovels and wheelbarrows, which can double labor costs.
Design Time
Hiring a landscape designer costs $50 to $150 per hour. The number of hours you'll pay for depends on how long it takes you to agree on a putting green layout that you're happy with.
Hiring a local landscape designer lets you plan your project more effectively. You can discuss ideas, must-haves, nice-to-haves, and any extra features you'd like to incorporate into the green itself or the surrounding landscape.
Number of Cuts
If you want to practice more than just your putting, you'll likely want additional turf cuts. This increases installation time and, in the case of real turf, ongoing maintenance costs. Multiple cuts of fringe and fairway turf can increase labor costs by up to 10%, but lets you practice all shot types, rather than just putting.
Landscaping and Additional Features
Adding extra features like hills, bunkers, water hazards, dry creeks, and tee boxes can really make your backyard putting green feel like you're on a PGA course. But this drives the price upward.
You'll incur extra hours billed at $50 to $100 per hour for these additions to the putting green. With these additional course features, plus landscaping, adding outdoor lighting, water features, outdoor seating, and a patio area, you can easily double the price of the putting green.
Take a look at some common landscaping and upgrade projects for a backyard putting green:
Cost of outdoor lighting : $2,000–$4,500
Cost of landscaping : $1,300–$5,600
Cost to install a water feature : $850–$4,480
Cost to build a deck: $4,000–$11,400
Cost of outdoor seating : $350–$4,000
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Installing turf and shaping it into a perfect putting green isn't a simple DIY project. It requires specialized knowledge to ensure your golf space looks great and functions properly. If your yard needs land grading, a professional with the right equipment is essential.
For passionate golfers, the details make all the difference. An improperly installed green could hinder your game more than help it. Consider hiring a local landscape design professional to bring your backyard putting green to life.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. If you're passionate about golf and want to practice anytime without leaving home, installing a backyard putting green is worth it. While it's an investment, consider the cost of joining a golf club—elite clubs charge up to $500,000.
Plus, annual membership fees average $6,000, and that's before additional costs like per-round fees, caddies, carts, and other extras that can add $1,000 or more per year. Over time, having your own putting green could save you money and provide endless convenience.
A good size for a backyard putting green is around 500 square feet—it provides ample space for practice without overwhelming your yard. If space is limited, even a 100-square-foot green can be fun and functional. If you have room to spare, a larger green up to 2,000 square feet lets you add areas for long putts or mini-golf features. Ultimately, the best size is one that fits your space and meets your practice needs.
Artificial turf supports chipping because its longer, durable fibers are engineered to deliver precise chip and pitch shots. This surface allows dedicated chipping mats to effectively simulate a natural putting green, making your practice sessions both efficient and reliable. The design replicates true green conditions, boosting shot accuracy and confidence, and ensuring your backyard practice area performs as intended.
Putting greens are made from either natural grass or synthetic materials like nylon and polypropylene. Natural greens use specialized bentgrass for a smooth surface, while synthetic greens feature durable fibers designed to mimic real grass. Installation costs are about $18 to $25 per square foot for synthetic turf and $1 to $2 per square foot for natural sod.
It takes between one day and one week to install a backyard putting green. Professional teams complete a compact and straightforward installation in one day, whereas larger projects featuring design elements like hills and slopes require up to a week. The installation duration depends on the project’s overall complexity and scale, ensuring every area is expertly prepared and implemented for high-quality performance.
An outdoor putting green lasts 5 to 15 years when it is maintained with discipline and care. Regular cleaning, mowing, and proactive upkeep extend its durability, and professional maintenance further ensures that the green remains in peak condition. This longevity enhances your outdoor recreational space, providing a reliable setting that elevates your game over many seasons.
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