NATURAL BOUNCE - WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT IT

Picture this. You are working on your chip shot, and the synthetic putting green you are playing on will just not receive the ball accurately. Regardless of how accurate the shot is, the ball bounces and slides off the back of the green—for the fifth time. As an enthusiastic golfer, you can see that this green is not high-quality.

High-Quality synthetic golf green features should include these priority reactions:

• Natural golf ball bounce
• Precise reaction to aim
• True directional roll
• Predictable playability

The main purpose here is to have the artificial turf react as naturally as traditional grass. As soon as the ball lands, you can tell if you’re playing on superior-quality turf or not. If you’re hitting a chip shot, you should be able to assume it will be received by the grass correctly, bounce appropriately, and roll as planned.

If these key elements are lacking, how could you possibly improve your putt consistency or chipping accuracy?

THE SCIENCE BEHIND TURF BOUNCE

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

Let’s understand the science.

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

HOW WE TEST TURF AT SOUTHWEST GREENS

To ensure you’re obtaining an optimal reaction from our artificial turf, we conduct many experiments, but here are the big ones you should be aware of.

BOUNCE TEST

Tru Firm: Evaluate the displacement of the surface to see how the surface influences energy transfer.

Bounce: Proprietary device that mimics natural pitch shot approach angle and spin. This will Create a baseline and quantify the surface interaction so we can understand how the surface will react to a pitch shot.

Spin: Advanced machinery that replicates natural spin. Standardize and quantify the surface interaction to see how the friction of the grass alters ball spin will translate to performance.

HOW IS SOUTHWEST GREEN DIFFERENT

We have been successful in quantifying key performance signals to give your golf game fantastic results. By studying what variables affect performance, we can replicate natural greens.

We created test methods to learn what variables actually effect performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were assessed using a mixture of GSGA testing protocols and proprietary testing methods. These evaluations tries to recreate normal shot and surface interactions.

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

SUBGRADE

Taking into account the area you live in, the ground may vary from sand to clay to rock. Properly installed synthetic turf takes this into account, with a base prepared to support proper drainage.

AGGREGATE BASE

Stone is utilized on top of the subgrade (ground) to assist in drainage and provide a permit to a properly constructed surface. It is important that the aggregate be constructed and compacted to valid depths. For golf uses, a second shaping aggregate is added to build undulations and breaks.

BACKING

Artificial grass is manufactured by stitching the fiber through multi-layer backing. The backing, in turn, is covered with high-grade polyurethane to maintain the stitches.

INFILL

Integral to the turf system, the infill is made from rounded washed silica. Infill yields ballast, helps with drainage, and has direct impacts on the key bounce indicators.

TURF FIBER

Extruded, PP/PE/ Nylon come in a large number of composition, colors, and lengths. Materials and product construction creates an impact on the surface interaction with the golf ball and surface aesthetics.

Check out this installation video to understand how we decide the most suitable infill layers and artificial green surfaces for your condition.

FIND YOUR TURF

On the search for a product where a chip shot will land, bounce, roll, stop, and react as comparably to a real golf green as possible?

Residential putting greens vary quite a bit from standard yard turf. Base work, cup placement, undulations, and turf selections are all necessary features of an artificial 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 premium-grade synthetic turf with the look, feel, and texture of natural grass. It’s the green favored by amateurs and experienced golfers for their homes. In simple terms — it’s the most precise playing surface obtainable on the market today. Golden Bear is an excellent pick for more consistency and better predictability. Although installed with golf in mind, this long-lasting, high-quality grass is also attractive and can provide lawn serenity.

The alliance with Southwest Greens and Nicklaus Design started in 2004 and has improved significantly through the years in both design and turf engineering. All buyers can take advantage of custom-designed golf greens installed by authorized Southwest Greens dealers. Now everyone can take part in top-rated integration of professional design, installation, and Golden Bear exclusive turf products.

Golden Bear Turf is rated highest in quality, look, and results for synthetic grass products. This high-quality artificial grass 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 real you will feel like you’re playing out on a local Flagstaff course.

Our Golden Bear Turf offers you championship-level bounce available in your own yard. Scientifically researched and examined to have 20-25% more ball retention compared to other leading artificial turf for real playability. Get in touch with Southwest Greens Flagstaff if you want to know more regarding the science.

LET’S SEARCH FOR YOUR BACKYARD PUTTING GREEN

We’re available at all times to assist you find the perfect solution for your backyard putting green. Connect with us when you’re ready to start your project.

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