Planning a garden putting green: base, drainage and daily use
Plan an outdoor putting green around drainage, levels, access and maintenance before choosing the turf.
A garden putting green is a groundworks project as well as a golf purchase. Start with water, levels and access. The colour or claimed speed of the surface matters only after you know the finished area can drain and remain usable.
Draw the site in layers
| Layer | Question to resolve |
|---|---|
| Existing ground | Where does rain collect now, and where are services, roots and boundaries? |
| Base | What preparation, depth and compaction does the chosen system require? |
| Putting surface | How wide are the rolls, where would seams fall and how will edges finish? |
| Surrounds | Can people reach the green without walking through beds or carrying mud onto it? |
PuttingGreen.com's installation guidance treats grading, base preparation, compaction, seams and infill as connected parts of its system. Use the instructions supplied for your turf and local ground conditions rather than copying a generic layer depth.
Plan where water goes
Do not solve a wet patch by directing water towards a neighbour, building or public path. Planning Portal says artificial grass usually does not need planning permission, but protected settings and changes to garden level can alter the position. Its drainage guidance for front gardens also shows why permeable surfaces and runoff routes deserve attention.
Design a green you can look after
Include room to clear debris, brush or maintain the surface as its maker directs, remove leaves from edges and reach every cup. Decide whether the green is golf-only or part of a shared garden. Keep cups and level changes out of ordinary walking routes.
Before ordering, ask for the exact installation, drainage, seam, infill, warranty and care documents. A quoted roll speed is not a promise that the finished garden will play identically: base shape, installation and maintenance all affect the result.
Sources
Checked 10 November 2026. Recheck the current manual before buying.