NATURAL BOUNCE - WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT IT

Picture this. You are practicing your chip shot, and the artificial turf you are playing on will just not receive the ball smoothly. Regardless of how perfect the shot is, the ball bounces and rolls off the back of the green—for the fifth time. As an passionate golfer, you can look and tell that this green is of subpar quality.

Superior Quality synthetic golf green attributes should consist of these priority reactions:

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

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

If these major features aren’t present, how could you hope to improve your putt consistency or chipping accuracy?

THE SCIENCE OF TURF BOUNCE

The difference in the bounce between natural and synthetic grass comes from the properties of the grass 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 employing base, pad, sand, and fibers to achieve similar 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 sure you’re provided with an excellent reaction from our artificial turf, we administer many tests, but here are the major ones you should be aware of.

BOUNCE TEST

Tru Firm: Calculate the displacement of the surface to check how the surface influences energy transfer.

Bounce: Proprietary device that re-creates natural pitch shot approach angle and spin. This will standardize and quantify the surface interaction so we can understand how the surface will accept a pitch shot.

Spin: Advanced machinery that replicates natural spin. Standardize and quantify the surface interaction to check how the friction of the ground varies ball spin will translate to performance.

WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT SOUTHWEST GREENS

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 identified test approaches to understand what variables actually impact performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were evaluated utilizing a mixture of GSGA testing protocols and proprietary testing methods. These tests replicate normal shot and surface interactions.

At Southwest Greens, we have honed the art of installation to provide the best playing surface available. This is how we make our grass:

SUBGRADE

Considering where you call home, the dirt may be distinct 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 utilized on top of the subgrade (ground) to assist in drainage and allow for 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

Synthetic grass is created by sewing the fiber through multi-layer backing. The backing, in turn, is covered with high-grade polyurethane to maintain the stitches.

INFILL

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

TURF FIBER

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

Check out this installation video to understand how we identify the correct infill layers and synthetic green surfaces for your condition.

FIND YOUR TURF

Are you searching for a product where a chip shot will land, bounce, roll, stop, and react as naturally to a real golf green as possible?

Residential putting greens differ quite a bit from regular yard turf. Base work, cup placement, undulations, and turf selections are all important characteristics 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 highest-grade synthetic grass with the look, touch, and consistency of regular grass. It’s the turf favored by novices and expert golfers for their homes. In simple terms — it’s the most accurate playing surface accessible on the market today. Golden Bear is the perfect pick for more regularity and better predictability. Although created 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 evolved appreciably over the years in both design and grass technology. All buyers can take advantage of custom-designed golf greens installed by endorsed Southwest Greens dealers. Now everyone can participate in superior incorporating of professional design, installation, and Golden Bear exclusive turf products.

Golden Bear Turf is the ultimate in quality, look, and performance for artificial turf products. This high-quality 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 real you will feel like you’re playing out on a local Metro New York course.

Our Golden Bear Turf brings you championship-level bounce available in your own backyard. Scientifically manufactured and tested to have 20-25% more ball retention than other leading artificial grass for real playability. Contact Southwest Greens of Metro New York if you want to know more regarding the science.

LET’S SEARCH FOR YOUR BACKYARD PUTTING GREEN

We’re prepared to help you find the right solution for your backyard putting green. Get in touch 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.