Standard Installed Putting Greens
Per-square-foot pricing reflects typical residential builds. Smaller greens cost more per square foot; larger greens generally average lower. Professionally installed putting greens using our standard turf system. Designed for consistent roll, clean aesthetics, and reliable performance in residential settings.
- Standard putting green turf system
- Sand-filled surface for smooth, consistent roll
- Moderate fringe areas and shaping
- Functional, straightforward undulations
- Professionally installed by verified installers
Premium / Master-Built Putting Greens
Pricing reflects design complexity, turf system selection, and execution requirements — not square footage alone High-performance putting greens built using premium or master turf systems and advanced design techniques. These projects are design-driven and priced based on performance goals, layout complexity, and the level of specialist involvement required — not simple square-foot calculations.
- Premium or Master turf system selection
- Advanced shaping (slopes, tiers, transitions, bunkers)
- Higher infill rates and refined finishing
- Full-shot reception and performance tuning
- Design-driven builds requiring advanced execution
- There is no maximum price for a true master-built putting green.
DIY Putting Green Kits
Professional-grade kits for experienced builders who want to handle base prep, grading, and installation themselves. Results depend heavily on execution and site conditions.
- Putting turf roll goods (kit-allocated)
- Cups + PuttingGreen.com flag included
- Seaming materials included where applicable
- Installation guidance provided after purchase
- Freight shipping (delivery coordination required)
Important to Know:
- •Requires proper base prep/compaction — most homeowners choose pro install after reviewing the full process.
Understanding the Tradeoffs
Compare the three build paths below. “Standard Install” is a professionally installed putting green using our standard turf system. “Premium Install” refers to premium or master-built systems with higher performance goals and more complex shaping. DIY Kits include materials + guidance only and require proper base prep and installation execution. Cost ranges are typical starting ranges and vary with size, access, drainage, and design—larger greens often have a lower $/sq ft than small builds.
| Feature | DIY Kit (Materials Only) | Standard Install (Pro) | Premium Install (Pro) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outcome Consistency | Varies by skill and site | High | Very High |
| Price | Budget Level | Medium | Highest |
| Cost Range | Starting at $3,999 | $25–$40/sq ft | $40–$50+/sq ft |
| Skill Required | Medium to High | None | None |
| Custom Mounding | Limited | Yes | Advanced |
| Build Time | Varies widely | 1–3 days | 3–14 days |
| Warranty | Product Only | Installer Warranty (Varies) | Installer Warranty (Varies) |
Outcome Consistency
Price
Cost Range
Skill Required
Custom Mounding
Build Time
Warranty
What Affects the Cost of a Putting Green?
Putting green pricing isn’t a simple “price per square foot.” Two greens with the same square footage can land in very different ranges depending on design, turf system, site conditions, build logistics — and the experience level of the installer or crew executing the build.
1. Layout & Design Complexity
Square footage is only part of the cost. Layout detail and shaping drive labor and finish work.
Greens with multiple playing areas, fringe cuts, slopes, tiers, bunkers, or integrated chipping zones require additional shaping, finishing, and precision — even when the total size remains the same.
Additional cups are often added to increase variety and practice value. While adding a cup alone is not a major cost driver, each hole typically represents additional shaping and layout considerations, particularly when it introduces new playable sections of the green.
2. Turf System & Performance Goals
Putting greens are built using different turf systems based on how the green is meant to play.
Standard Turf Systems
Standard turf systems are designed primarily for putting-focused play. These installations use a low-profile putting surface paired with a thin foam pad and lower infill rates, resulting in a compact, stable surface with minimal ongoing maintenance.
They are well suited for residential, commercial, and municipal putting greens where long approach shots are not part of play. The turf can accept light chip shots from short distances (generally up to about 10 yards) and does not require aggressive power brooming or heavy compression during installation.
Secondary turf areas — such as first cut, second cut, fringe, or rough — can still be incorporated. These surrounding surfaces are selected to remain low-profile and visually distinct, with subtle height differences relative to the putting surface.
Premium Turf Systems
Premium turf systems are designed to replicate the performance and feel of a high-end country club putting green.
These systems use taller, denser putting surfaces with significantly higher infill rates. Installation requires advanced experience and precise execution to achieve consistent speed, appearance, and ball response.
Premium turf installations typically involve:
- High-density putting surfaces designed to receive longer chip shots and full approach shots
- Substantially higher infill volumes that must be carefully worked into delicate fibers
- Additional finishing steps, including controlled brooming and rolling, to achieve uniform performance
Because the putting surface is taller, all surrounding turf zones — including fringe, secondary cuts, rough, or bunker turf — must be built in proper proportion to maintain correct transitions and playability.
When installed correctly, premium systems allow full shots to land and check without divoting, closely mimicking the play characteristics of a natural green.
Due to the precision required, premium turf systems are typically installed by master-level builders. Premium turf systems may require light ongoing maintenance to maintain peak performance.
3. Base Preparation & Site Conditions
Base preparation varies by site conditions, material availability, and access. While common base systems may include crushed stone, decomposed granite, or concrete, total cost is often influenced by logistics rather than materials alone.
Key factors include:
- Local material availability
- Site access (open access vs. restricted or protected areas)
- Working clearance around the green for equipment and staging
- Protection of existing features such as patios, pools, fencing, or landscaping
Final site restoration outside the green footprint (such as sod, planting, or landscape repair) is often handled separately by the homeowner or a local landscape contractor.
4. Specialty Features & Project Logistics
Optional features such as bunkers, drainage systems, lighting, and integrated practice areas can increase overall project scope. Larger or higher-profile builds may also involve travel, mobilization, or coordination across multiple crews.
5. Installer Skill & Involvement
Installer experience plays a significant role in both the quality and complexity of a putting green project.
While many professional installers can successfully build standard residential greens, high-profile and large-scale projects require a different level of expertise. In most regions, only a small number of builders have the experience needed to execute complex designs at a high level.
Master-level installations often involve teams with backgrounds in golf course shaping, advanced grading, and short-game design. These builders understand not only how to install turf correctly, but how to shape slopes, transitions, fringe areas, and bunkers so the green plays naturally from multiple angles and distances.
On larger or showcase projects, this type of work requires a broader design perspective — closer to golf course construction than typical residential landscaping. As a result, master installers may travel or collaborate across regions to ensure the right expertise is applied to the project.
Important Note
Two putting greens of the same size can vary widely in cost depending on design complexity, turf systems, site conditions, and installer expertise.
Real Project Examples
Real-world ranges to set expectations — not fixed pricing. Larger greens often price lower per sq ft as mobilization and other fixed costs are spread over more square footage.
Standard Installed Backyard Greens
Small Backyard Green (500 sq ft)
Standard turf system, clean roll, straightforward layout
Medium Backyard Green (750 sq ft)
Professionally installed residential putting green using a standard turf system, with expanded putting space and more flexibility for shaping and cup placement.
Premium & Master-Built Greens
Premium Residential Green (1,200–1,800 sq ft)
Premium turf systems, advanced shaping, specialty features, and master-level installation.
Estate / Golf Complex (3,000+ sq ft)
Premium turf systems, advanced shaping, specialty features, and master-level installation.