Golf in the garden

This is a continuation of a discussion that started on my blog....

Garden Practice Green
25-Feb-2007
Andy KenyonComments(11)I am currently in the process of remodelling our rear garden and adding a conservatory. My weekends from now till the summer will be split between the golfcourse and the back garden. I had the bright idea of installing a practice green instead of grass.I ran it past the wife. She laughed - not sure if this is a good sign or bad :0I shall have to look into the practicalities I don't think it would be too difficult to install it - keeping the foxes/cats/kids off it may be a bigger problem!!Anybody done anything like this before?

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Comments

Richard Eadsforth - 2007-02-26 09:18:10

Very nice Andy. Im very interested to see how you progress. Im buying a new house which has a big back garden. Im thinking of making a chipping area (its a long thin garden) and will be looking into installing a green at the end. Im thinking that a artificial putting surface will take less looking after and will be an all year round surface. What companys have you looked at for your green?? Any prices yet?

+ The layout of your 'NEW' backgarden looks sweet!!! Im supporting you all the way! How can your wife refuse!!

Darren Ramowski - 2007-02-26 10:17:58

Could you get some bunkers in somewhere ?  You could double these up so the kids can play in them   will obviously need covers for the Cats and Foxes though.
Andy Kenyon - 2007-02-26 13:06:11

<PRE>I wonder if I called it a croquet lawn whether that might smooth its approval.</PRE><BR><BR><PRE>I guess artificial is the simplest and easiest to maintain.  I looked at <A href="http://www.southwestgreens.co.uk/index.html">http://www.southwestgreens.co.uk/index.html</A> and may ask for a quote (for research purposes of course)</PRE>C0lin Astbury - 2007-02-26 20:07:18

I have tried this myself (thought only i was this sad :-) ) but as my garden is north facing the winters play havoc with the turf and it only just about recovers before the following winter. How do you upload pictures to this so you can see my handywork?C0lin Astbury - 2007-02-26 20:18:14

C0lin Astbury - 2007-02-26 20:25:46

C0lin Astbury - 2007-02-26 20:48:17

You can see the three Tiered greens (please excuse the sportscar on the 2nd green Terrace is not complete and the clubhouse is clearly visible in the back right hand corner behind the outdoor kitchen area.No bunkers or water hazards as yet and im have trouble getting the grass short enough im considering artificial but not sure where to look. Let me know how you get on Andy!

Richard Eadsforth - 2007-02-27 08:59:04

I can see theres some millage in the "Golfscoretracker Gardens" club.Andy Kenyon - 2007-02-27 10:45:25

I think the sportscar should be obligatory on all greens but not sure about having sleepers between tiers on a green?I'm currently thinking artificial to cut down on maintenance and child damage. Andy Kenyon - 2007-02-27 10:56:18

I was thinking of a sloping green with flat plateau to give varing possibilities for putting up/down/across slope and o the flat. What sort of gradient would an average sloping green be at - 100mm in 1000mm (1:10)? 

Sent an equiry to Southwest Greens. Their reply follows. This was for an 16m2 oval (5mx4m.Hi Mr Kenyon Thank you for your enquiry. Our Putting and Putting & Chipping System greens are ideal for the smaller project.  Self installation - �3.99+VAT so around  �850 + VAT for that size. Installed - approx. �2200+VAT for that size (depending on site specific factors e.g. access, slope) We recommend a synthetic light rough border around the green - costs a bit more (same rate psf) but really adds to the aesthetics plus you can chip off it. Regards Matt Leslie SOUTHWEST GREENS UK
Tel: 0845 230 4794
www.southwestgreens.co.uk 

Colin,Are your garden greens to USGA standards? Are ladies allowed in the clubhouse?

Colin,Are your garden greens to USGA standards? Are ladies allowed in the clubhouse?

whoops - curse of the refresh button again!

Southwest greens are going to send me a sample of the surface and technical/construction details. I will report back in due course 

The perfect arrangement for a dogleg par 3 from lobby to sitting room.

You could build a raised green on a handy double bed...Or one that lowers down from the ceiling like a train set..