NATURAL BOUNCE - DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

Imagine this. You are practicing your chip shot, and the artificial turf you are playing on will just not receive the ball correctly. However accurate the shot is, the ball bounces and rolls off the back of the green—for the fifth time. As an avid golfer, you can recognize that this green is of inferior quality.

High-Quality artificial golf green features should consist of these priority reactions:

• Lifelike golf ball bounce
• Accurate reaction to aim
• True directional roll
• Predictable playability

The key here is to have the artificial turf react as naturally as traditional turf. As soon as the ball lands, you can tell if you are playing on top-notch grass or not. If you are hitting a chip shot, you should be able to predict it will be received by the turf properly, bounce appropriately, and roll as planned.

If these important characteristics are missing, how could you expect to improve your putt consistency or chipping accuracy?

THE SCIENCE BEHIND TURF BOUNCE

The contrast in the bounce between natural and synthetic grass comes from the properties of the turf and how it absorbs the kinetic energy of the bounce.

Let’s take a look at the science.

Bounce, Aim, Roll
The Golden Bear system replicates natural greens by utilizing base, pad, sand, and fibers to achieve like performance metrics. By understanding natural green absorption, spin, and friction, Southwest Greens has been able to use a combination of these materials to absorb shots, spin on impact, and customize speed.

HOW WE TEST TURF AT SOUTHWEST GREENS

To make certain you’re provided with an excellent reaction from our artificial turf, we administer many experiments, but here are the most important ones you should be aware of.

BOUNCE TEST

Tru Firm: Calculate the shift of the surface to spot how the surface impact energy transfer.

Bounce: Proprietary device that simulates natural pitch shot approach angle and spin. This will standardize and quantify the surface interaction which allows us to understand how the surface will accept a pitch shot.

Spin: Proprietary device that recreates natural spin. Create a standard and quantify the surface interaction to take samples of how the friction of the ground changes ball spin will translate to performance.

THE SOUTHWEST GREENS DIFFERENCE

We have managed to quantify key performance signals to offer you the best golf experience. By studying what variables affect performance, we can replicate natural greens.

We created test methods to understand what variables actually effect performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were evaluated employing a combination of GSGA testing protocols and proprietary testing methods. These tests replicate normal shot and surface interactions.

At Southwest Greens, we professionals who are experienced in the art of installation to give you the finest playing surface available. This is how we make our turf:

SUBGRADE

Depending on where you live, the dirt may differ in properties all the way from sand to clay to rock. A professional who is installing the artificial grass takes this into account, with a base prepared to encourage proper drainage.

AGGREGATE BASE

Stone is used on top of the subgrade (ground) to support in drainage and enable a properly constructed surface. It is imperative that the aggregate be constructed and compacted to valid depths. Typically, for golf uses, a second shaping aggregate is added to build undulations and breaks.

BACKING

Synthetic turf is manufactured by sewing the fiber through multi-layer backing. The backing, in turn, is covered with high-quality polyurethane to maintain the stitches.

INFILL

Essential to the turf system, the infill is created from rounded washed silica. Infill yields ballast, helps with drainage, and directly impacts the the key bounce indicators.

TURF FIBER

Extruded, PP/PE/ Nylon come in a large number of structures, colors, and lengths. Fabrics and product build have direct impact on on the surface interaction with the golf ball and surface aesthetics.

Check out this installation video to understand how we determine the correct infill layers and artificial green surfaces for your circumstances.

FIND YOUR TURF

Are you on the hunt for a product where a chip shot will land, bounce, roll, stop, and react as realistically to a real golf green as possible?

Residential putting greens differ quite a bit from regular lawn turf. Base work, cup placement, undulations, and turf selections are all necessary traits of a synthetic golf green that adds value to your game, family, and home, all while lowering maintenance costs.

Consider one of our fan favorites: Golden Bear Turf

Golden Bear is our highest-grade artificial turf with the appearance, feel, and consistency of natural grass. It’s the turf favored by beginners and experienced golfers for their homes. In simple terms — it’s the most precise playing surface available on the market today. Golden Bear is an excellent pick for more consistency and better predictability. Although constructed with golf in mind, this long-lasting, high-quality turf is also beautiful and can offer backyard serenity.

The collaboration with Southwest Greens and Nicklaus Design started in 2004 and has improved significantly through the years in both design and turf engineering. All customers can take advantage of custom-designed golf greens installed by certified Southwest Greens vendors. Now everyone can take part in superior incorporating of professional design, installation, and Golden Bear exclusive turf products.

Golden Bear Turf is of the highest-quality, look, and performance for synthetic grass products. This high-level synthetic turf bounces, rolls, and receives just like a championship course. Shot after shot, Golden Bear has the most precise aim of any putting surface. Game-play experience is so authentic you will feel like you’re playing out on a local Las Vegas course.

Our Golden Bear Turf gives you championship-level bounce right in your own backyard. Scientifically developed and tested to have 20-25% more ball retention compared to other leading artificial turf for real playability. Get in touch with Southwest Greens of Nevada if you want to know more about the science.

LET’S FIND YOUR BACKYARD PUTTING GREEN

We’re prepared to help you find the perfect solution for your backyard putting green. Contact us when you are ready to initiate your project.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 2021 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.