NATURAL BOUNCE - WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT IT

Imagine this. You are working on your chip shot, and the synthetic turf you are playing on will just not receive the ball correctly. However perfect the shot is, the ball bounces and slides off the back of the green—for the third time. As an avid golfer, you can recognize that this green is of subpar quality.

Quality artificial golf green characteristics should include these priority reactions:

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

The key here is to have the artificial grass react as naturally as real grass. As soon as your ball touches the green, you can tell if you are playing on superior-quality grass or not. If you are hitting a chip shot, you should be able to assume it will be received by the grass correctly, bounce naturaly, and roll as expected.

If these important elements are lacking, 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 understand the science.

Bounce, Aim, Roll
The Golden Bear system imitates natural greens by using base, pad, sand, and fibers to reach comparable performance metrics. By understanding 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 GRASS AT SOUTHWEST GREENS

To ensure you’re getting an excellent reaction from our artificial grass, we carry out many tests, but here are the major ones you should be aware of.

BOUNCE TEST

Tru Firm: Measure the shift of the surface to check how the surface impact energy transfer.

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

Spin: Proprietary device that recreates natural spin. Create a standard and collect data of the surface interaction to take samples of how the friction of the surface varies ball spin will translate to performance.

THE SOUTHWEST GREENS DIFFERENCE

We have been successful in quantifying key performance indicators to create a fantastic golf game experience. By understanding what variables affect performance, we can copy natural greens.

We developed test approaches to learn what variables actually impact performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were assessed using a blend of GSGA testing protocols and proprietary testing methods. These evaluations simulate normal shot and surface interactions.

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

SUBGRADE

Depending on the area you live in, the earth may vary from sand to clay to rock. Properly installed artificial turf takes this into account, with a base developed to support proper drainage.

AGGREGATE BASE

Stone is employed on top of the subgrade (ground) to assist in drainage and provide a permit to a properly constructed surface. It is essential that the aggregate be constructed and compacted to valid depths. Specifically for golf uses, a second shaping aggregate is added to build undulations and breaks.

BACKING

Artificial turf is manufactured by stitching the fiber through multi-layer backing. The backing, in turn, is covered with high-quality polyurethane to protect the stitches.

INFILL

Integral to the turf system, the infill is developed 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 structures, colors, and lengths. Fabrics and product build directly impacts on the surface interaction with the golf ball and surface aesthetics.

Check out this installation video to get a grasp how we decide the appropriate infill layers and artificial green surfaces for your situation.

FIND YOUR TURF

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

Residential putting greens vary quite a bit from ordinary lawn 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 artificial grass with the look, feel, and bite of natural grass. It’s the green preferred by novices and expert golfers for their homes. In simple terms — it’s the most precise 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 pretty and can provide garden serenity.

The collaboration with Southwest Greens and Nicklaus Design started in 2004 and has matured appreciably over the years in both design and turf technology. All buyers can take advantage of custom-designed golf greens installed by certified Southwest Greens vendors. Now everyone can take part in top-rated integration of professional design, installation, and Golden Bear exclusive turf products.

Golden Bear Turf is rated highest in quality, look, and performance for artificial turf products. This high-quality synthetic grass 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 Asheville course.

Our Golden Bear Turf brings you championship-level bounce available in your own lawn. Scientifically manufactured and examined to have 20-25% more ball retention than other leading synthetic turf for real playability. Contact Southwest Greens of Asheville if you want to know more about the science.

LET’S SEARCH FOR 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’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.