A backyard putting green costs $4,300 for a 200-square-foot area
A backyard putting green costs an average of $4,300 for a 200-square-foot green. One of the biggest cost factors is size, and putting greens can range from $4 to over $40 per square foot depending on the type of turf and complexity of the design, among other factors.
Whether you love playing mini golf with the kids or you’re looking to up your short game to show off with friends on the golf course, a backyard putting green can add valuable recreational space to your property.
| Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $400 | $4,300 | $9,000 |
Backyard Putting Green Cost Breakdown
The cost of artificial putting greens for backyards is around $4,300 on average, but prices can range from $400 for a DIY putting green of about 100 square feet to over $9,000 for a professionally installed 500-square-foot or larger putting green. There are many factors that can influence the cost of a backyard putting green, like the size, the type of artificial grass or turf, and professional installation vs. DIY kits.
Size
Backyard putting greens cost about $4 to $40 per square foot, and size is one of the biggest cost factors for this project. Do you want a small, 100-square-foot green just to putt the ball around, or are you an athlete looking to improve your game on a larger green of 500 to 2,000 square feet? You may score a discount per square foot for larger greens.
Small green (under 400 square feet): $25–$40 per square foot
Medium green (400–2,000 square feet): $20–$30 per square foot
Large green (over 2,000 square feet): $15–$25 per square foot
Materials
Are you planning to putt-putt on natural green, or do you want artificial grass that won’t require mowing and trimming? Artificial grass costs around $5 to $20 per square foot, while natural sod installation costs $1 to $2 per square foot. While artificial putting greens cost more upfront, they tend to require less maintenance than natural greens.
You can also build less customized but more convenient putting greens with synthetic mats for around $460 to $1,360, or install a DIY putting green kit for $4 to $20 per square foot.
Labor
Hiring a landscape designer costs about $50 to $150 per hour and is helpful in creating a cohesive putting green design that will bring your family entertainment for many years to come. Then, you’ll pay about $3 to $9 per square foot for artificial grass installation, not including materials, or about $0.15 to $1.65 per square foot for sod installation. Designing for and installing a more challenging putting green with hills, curves, and slopes or working with difficult existing landscaping with hills and plants in the way can increase the project cost by up to 20%.
Prep
Land excavation costs about $50 to $200 per cubic yard. Before you can install the putting green, you may need to prep the yard to create a smooth, flat surface. Or, you may need the yard prepped with new hills and slopes to make your putting green more difficult to up your game.
Additional Features
A putting green is much more than just a large patch of artificial turf and a few rolling green hills. You’ll also need to budget for extras, like cuts and holes, that turn artificial turf into a recreational space for golfing.
Number of cuts: The more cuts of fringe and fairway, which allow you to practice different types of shots, can increase costs up to 10%.
Flagsticks and holes: Budget about $150 per flagstick and hole. The larger the course, the more holes you’ll need.
Additional Putting Green Costs to Consider
Once the putting green is installed, you’ll be itching to get out on the course and start practicing your strokes and swings. But make sure you budget for upkeep, whether you’ve installed a natural or artificial green.
Maintenance
Lawn maintenance costs between $50 and $220 per visit. You’ll need weekly or even daily services for a natural green, while artificial putting greens will cost less in maintenance. Artificial turf still needs to be cleaned, so you may want weekly or monthly visits to keep it in good condition.
Repairs
You may need to patch up the green or move a hole from time to time. Patching an artificial lawn costs about $2 to $8 per square foot, while overseeding or reseeding sod costs $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot to get rid of bare spots. Adding or moving a hole will cost about $150 per hole.
Cost to Build a Putting Green Yourself
Many DIY putting greens cost about $500 to $2,000. Installing a backyard putting green yourself can cost as little as $400 for a small green on a flat landscape. You can even find DIY putting green kits for about $4 to $20 per square foot, but you will also need to factor in costs to level or grade the landscape and ongoing maintenance, like watering and mowing.
Cost to DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor
There are multiple pros to consider hiring for a putting green, including landscape designers, excavation companies, and landscaping services. You can save about $11 to $20 per square foot by DIYing, but your golf game could suffer with improper installation (and your golf buddies might argue you’re cheating when they come over for an afternoon round of putt-putt). If you want to save money, consider taking on some parts of the project, like making flagsticks or taking on lawn maintenance, yourself and leaving the designing and installation to the pros.
Cost of Common Putting Green Add-Ons
Extra features cost about $50 to $100 per hour to install, plus the cost of the materials. But many of these bells and whistles can make your putting green more stimulating or will help improve your game. Hills, slopes, more cuts, and water features can all help your backyard putting green feel like a professional golf course. You may also want to add a storage shed to keep golf clubs and other game supplies safe from the weather.
Storage shed cost: $2,500 average
Outdoor lighting cost: $2,000–$4,500
Landscaping cost: $1,300–$5,840
Water feature cost: $850–$4,500
3 Ways You Can Save Money on a Backyard Putting Green
A backyard putting green can save you money on the cost of visiting a mini golf course or becoming a member at a professional golf course. But installation can come with a high upfront cost, so follow these tips to reduce the cost of your putting green.
Stick With Simplicity
If you’re not on a mission to improve your skills for your Saturday golf games on a professional course, you can save money by cutting back on extra hills and bunkers. Simpler greens with leveled surfaces and fewer curves will reduce the project cost.
Consider Size
The size plays a big factor in the project cost. Although a larger putting green will cost more total, you can get a deal per square foot. Think about how much space you’d benefit from and factor in the discounts you can get for going big.
Take a DIY Approach for Accessories
You could save hundreds by making some of the accessories, like the flagsticks that mark the holes, yourself. You could also save by tackling some of the work, like installing outdoor lighting, yourself while leaving the sod or artificial turf installation to the pros.
Frequently Asked Questions
An ideal size for a backyard putting green is about 500 square feet to keep boredom at bay. But if you’re just looking to put a few golf balls to start your day or take a break while working from home, even a small, 100-square-foot putting green will do the trick.
Many putting greens can be installed in one day to one week, but it depends on the size of the project and complexity of the design. A small, simple putting green may take only a day to install, while a 2,000-foot-green with hills, slopes, and other challenging site features may take over a week.
An outdoor putting green will last five to 15 years with proper maintenance. Keeping artificial turf clean or sod trimmed is essential for a long-lasting outdoor putting green. Although sunlight, rain, and snow can wear down the putting green, regular turf maintenance, like cleaning up debris and replacing worn-out sections, can extend the life of your green.
