NATURAL BOUNCE - WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT IT

Think of it this way. You are practicing your chip shot, and the synthetic putting green you are playing on will just not receive the ball correctly. Regardless of how ideal the shot is, the ball bounces and slides off the back of the green—for the fifth time. As an passionate golfer, you can already tell that this green is of inferior quality.

High-Quality artificial golf green characteristics should include these priority reactions:

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

The primary objective here is to have the artificial turf behave as naturally as organic turf. As soon as the ball lands, you can tell if you are playing on high-quality grass or not. If you’re hitting a chip shot, you should be able to predict it will be received by the grass correctly, bounce appropriately, and roll as expected.

If these major characteristics are lacking, how could you realistically improve your putt consistency or chipping accuracy?

THE SCIENCE OF TURF BOUNCE

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

Let’s explore the science.

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

HOW WE ANALYZE GRASS AT SOUTHWEST GREENS

To make certain you’re provided with an optimal reaction from our synthetic turf, we carry out many experiments, but here are the big ones you should know about.

BOUNCE TEST

Tru Firm: Measure the displacement of the surface to spot how the surface effect energy transfer.

Bounce: Proprietary device that mimics natural pitch shot approach angle and spin. This will create a standard and quantify the surface interaction to understand how the surface will react to a pitch shot.

Spin: State of-the-art device that replicates natural spin. Standardize and collect data of the surface interaction to check how the friction of the ground alters ball spin will translate to performance.

THE SOUTHWEST GREENS DIFFERENCE

We have managed to quantify key performance signals to create a fantastic golf game experience. By understanding what variables affect performance, we can recreate natural greens.

We created test approaches to understand what variables actually impact performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were judged utilizing a blend 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 provide the greatest playing surface available. This is how we make our turf:

SUBGRADE

Taking into account where you live, the dirt may vary from sand to clay to rock. Properly installed synthetic turf takes this into account, with a foundation prepared to support proper drainage.

AGGREGATE BASE

Stone is employed on top of the subgrade (ground) to assist in drainage and enable 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 turf is developed by sewing the fiber through multi-layer backing. The backing, in turn, is protected with high-grade polyurethane to protect the stitches.

INFILL

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

TURF FIBER

Extruded, PP/PE/ Nylon come in a large number of constructions, colors, and lengths. Fabrics and product composition directly impacts on the surface interaction with the golf ball and surface aesthetics.

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

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 vary quite a bit from regular yard turf. Base work, cup placement, undulations, and turf selections are all necessary traits 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 artificial turf with the look, feel, and texture of regular grass. It’s the green preferred by amateurs and experienced golfers for their homes. In simple terms — it’s the most accurate playing surface obtainable on the market today. Golden Bear is a great pick for more regularity and better predictability. Although created with golf in mind, this long-lasting, high-quality turf is also pretty and can provide garden serenity.

The collaboration with Southwest Greens and Nicklaus Design started in 2004 and has improved appreciably through the years in both design and turf engineering. All buyers can take advantage of custom-designed golf greens installed by certified Southwest Greens vendors. Now everyone can take part in best-in-class 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 accurate aim of any putting surface. Game-play experience is so real that you will think you’re playing out on a local Austin course.

Our Golden Bear Turf offers you championship-level bounce right in your own lawn. Scientifically manufactured and tested to have 20-25% more ball retention than other leading artificial turf for real playability. Contact Southwest Greens of Austin if you have more questions about the science.

LET’S FIND YOUR BACKYARD PUTTING GREEN

We’re available at all times to help you discover the perfect solution for your backyard putting green. Contact us when you are ready to begin your project.

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