NATURAL BOUNCE - WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT IT

Picture this. You are trying to improve your chip shot, and the artificial putting green you are playing on will just not receive the ball smoothly. No matter how ideal 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.

Quality synthetic golf green characteristics should include these priority reactions:

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

The primary objective here is to have the synthetic grass behave as naturally as organic grass. From the moment your ball lands on the green, you can tell if you’re playing on high-quality turf or not. If you’re hitting a chip shot, you should be able to assume it will be received by the turf correctly, bounce naturaly, and roll as expected.

If these key features aren’t present, 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 check out some of the science.

Bounce, Aim, Roll
The Golden Bear system imitates natural greens by using base, pad, sand, and fibers to attain like performance metrics. By studying 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 EVALUATE TURF AT SOUTHWEST GREENS

To make certain you’re obtaining an optimal reaction from our artificial grass, we carry out many experiments, but here are the most important ones you should understand.

BOUNCE TEST

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

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

Spin: Advanced machinery that recreates natural spin. Create a standard and quantify the surface interaction to see how the friction of the surface changes ball spin will translate to performance.

THE SOUTHWEST GREENS DIFFERENCE

We have been able to quantify key performance signals to create a fantastic golf game experience. By studying what variables affect performance, we can replicate natural greens.

We identified testing methods to learn what variables actually impact performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were assessed employing a blend of GSGA testing protocols and proprietary testing methods. These tests simulate normal shot and surface interactions.

At Southwest Greens, we have honed the art of installation to give you the finest playing surface available. This is how we create our turf:

SUBGRADE

Considering where you live, the dirt may be distinct from sand to clay to rock. Properly installed artificial grass takes this into account, with a base developed to promote proper drainage.

AGGREGATE BASE

Stone is used on top of the subgrade (ground) to help 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

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

INFILL

Essential 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 constructions, colors, and lengths. Materials and product composition creates an impact on the surface interaction with the golf ball and surface aesthetics.

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

FIND YOUR TURF

On the search 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 standard lawn grass. Base work, cup placement, undulations, and turf selections are all important features 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 grass with the look, feel, and bite of regular grass. It’s the turf preferred by novices and professional golfers for their homes. In simple terms — it’s the most accurate playing surface accessible 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 attractive and can provide lawn serenity.

The collaboration with Southwest Greens and Nicklaus Design started in 2004 and has matured appreciably through the years in both design and grass science. All buyers can benefit from custom-designed golf greens installed by certified Southwest Greens dealers. Now everyone can participate in best-in-class integration of professional design, installation, and Golden Bear exclusive turf products.

Golden Bear Turf is the ultimate in quality, look, and performance for synthetic turf products. This high-level artificial turf bounces, rolls, and receives just like a championship course. Shot after shot, Golden Bear has the most precise aim of any putting surface. Playability is so authentic that you will think you’re playing out on a local Pittsburgh course.

Our Golden Bear Turf brings you championship-level bounce right in your own yard. Scientifically developed and examined to have 20-25% more ball retention compared to other leading artificial turf for real playability. Connect with Southwest Greens Pittsburgh if you have more questions about the science.

LET’S SEARCH FOR YOUR BACKYARD PUTTING GREEN

We’re prepared to assist you discover the best solution for your backyard putting green. Contact us when you are ready to start your project.

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