Owning a home putting green sounds high-maintenance, but the truth is, with a quality artificial putting green turf, maintenance is surprisingly easy.
Unlike natural grass that needs constant mowing, watering (University of California Master Gardeners), and TLC, a synthetic green practically takes care of itself.
In fact, when comparing artificial grass vs. natural turf for golf, the minimal upkeep of a synthetic green is a game-changer.
Natural grass that needs constant mowing, watering, and TLC, a synthetic green practically takes care of itself. No weekly lawn cutting or panicking over brown patches, just a few simple tasks to keep it clean, green and mean. And if you’re using an infill-free putting turf (like AGL Grass’s design), it’s even easier since there’s no sand or rubber infill to brush in or refill constantly.
In this guide, we’ll cover backyard putting green care season by season. You’ll get practical artificial golf green maintenance tips, from routine cleaning to winter prep, so you know how to clean an artificial putting green and handle minor issues year-round. Follow these steps to keep your green ready for play, freeing you up to sink putts instead of doing yard work.
Essential Maintenance Tasks for Your Artificial Putting Green
Even though synthetic greens are low-maintenance, a little artificial putting green maintenance keeps your putting surface performing its best. Here are the key tasks to keep on your list:
Weekly Debris Removal
If you’re a daily player, make it a habit each week to clear away leaves, twigs, and other debris from your green. A quick pass with a leaf blower (on a gentle setting) or a broom will do the job. Removing debris not only keeps your green tidy but also prevents issues like trapped moisture or weed growth. This simple step ensures proper backyard putting green care and that nothing blocks the turf’s drainage or interferes with a smooth putt.
Brushing the Turf Fibers
Every couple of weeks, brush your green’s surface to keep the artificial grass blades standing upright. Use a stiff-bristle broom or turf brush, and work against the grain of the fibers (opposite the direction they lean).
This fluffs them back up and maintains a smooth, true roll. Artificial putting green maintenance is especially important if your putting green has a sand infill, since it redistributes the infill evenly. If you have an infill-free turf, you still benefit from brushing to perk up any matted spots. It’s a quick task that keeps your green looking and playing like new.
Cleaning Spills and Pet Waste
- Liquid spills: If you’re wondering how to clean an artificial putting green after heavy use, a quick rinse with the garden hose will keep it in top shape.
- Stubborn stains: For things like mud or food, use a mild soap with warm water to gently scrub the spot, then rinse clean. Avoid harsh chemicals or bleach that could damage the turf.
- Pet waste: Pick up solid waste with a scoop or bag, then hose down that area. For lingering odor, spray a half-and-half mix of vinegar and water, then rinse thoroughly.
By tackling spills and pet business promptly, you prevent stains and odors from setting in. Thanks to efficient drainage, your green will be clean and ready for play again in no time.
Seasonal Care Tips
Each season brings its own challenges for your backyard putting green, but none that a bit of routine care can’t handle. By staying on top of artificial putting green maintenance, you can keep your green in top shape year-round, preventing issues before they arise. Follow these tips each season to keep your turf in great shape:
Spring Maintenance
In spring, give your green a post-winter backyard putting green care checkup. Walk the surface and inspect for any low spots or bumps that might have formed during the freeze-thaw cycle. If you find one, note it to fix later (we’ll cover leveling in the troubleshooting section).
Next, brush the turf to revive any flattened blades, especially if snow or ice sat on it. Check edges and seams, too, to ensure no section has lifted or come apart. Finally, rinse the whole green with a hose to wash away winter dust and pollen. After this quick spring tune-up, your putting surface will be ready for heavy use as the weather warms up.
Summer Care
Summer is when your green likely sees the most action. Stick to your routine of clearing debris and brushing the turf regularly, perhaps a bit more often with all the extra play.
One thing to watch is heat: artificial turf can get warm under direct sun. If the surface feels hot, a quick mist with the hose will cool it down immediately. (AGL’s infill-free turf also retains less heat than turf with black rubber infill, a nice plus on scorching days.) After any summer thunderstorms, clear away leaves or branches so they don’t block the turf’s drainage. With these simple steps, your green will stay in great shape through the hottest months.
Fall Maintenance
Falling leaves are the biggest artificial putting green maintenance task in autumn. Be vigilant about leaf removal on your putting green. A layer of damp leaves can trap moisture, encourage mold, or clog the turf’s drainage. Use a leaf blower or rake to clear leaves regularly (possibly a couple times a week if you have many trees).
Also keep an eye out for weeds around the green’s edges in fall. If any stray plants sprout along the border, pull them early before they take root. You can use a turf-safe weed preventer or a vinegar solution along edges if needed (avoid getting it on the turf).
Finally, before the first snowfall, give the green one last thorough brushing so the blades stand upright going into winter.
Winter Care
Winter won’t turn your artificial green brown, but you should protect it from harsh weather. If it snows, you can clear your green to keep practicing, just do it gently. Use a plastic shovel or a push broom to remove snow, and avoid metal tools that could tear the turf.
For ice, don’t chip at it and avoid using salt or harsh de-icers on your putting green. Let ice melt naturally or pour warm (not boiling) water to help it along. The main goal is to prevent damage: no hacking at ice or heavy equipment on the turf. With basic artificial putting green maintenance, your green will come through winter in great shape, ready for spring play.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with diligent care, you might encounter a minor issue now and then. Fortunately, most hiccups are easy to fix. One of the most common concerns is how to clean an artificial putting green effectively. Here’s how to handle a few common problems:
Dealing with Weeds or Moss
While weeds are unlikely to grow through a properly installed artificial green, you might occasionally see a stray weed or bit of moss along the edges or in surface debris. If you spot any unwelcome growth, pull it out promptly before it takes root. To discourage regrowth, do some backyard putting green care, and treat that spot with a turf-safe weed killer or a vinegar solution (a natural herbicide). Keeping the surface clear of leaves and dirt will also minimize weed seeds finding a home. One bonus of infill-free turf is that it offers fewer places for weeds to take hold (no sand infill for seeds to nest in). With basic cleanliness, weeds or moss will rarely be an issue on your green.
Fixing Minor Surface Unevenness
If you notice a slight dip or bump affecting your putts, it could be the base material settling or shifting underneath. For a small low spot, you can do a DIY fix: gently lift the turf in that area (pry it up carefully near a seam or edge).
Add some compacted sand or crushed gravel underneath to level that spot, then lay the turf back and brush the fibers to blend it in. For a minor hump, you’d remove a bit of the base material. If the unevenness is significant or you’re not comfortable fixing it, call your installer – professionals can re-level the base as needed. A well-installed green rarely has settling issues, so this is an uncommon fix.
Addressing Fading or Wear
High-quality artificial turf is UV-stabilized, so it will resist fading even after years of sun exposure. You likely won’t notice any color change for a decade or more. As for wear, the most you’ll usually see is some matting of the fibers in the spots you practice on the most.
Give those areas an extra brushing to fluff them up again. Also avoid leaving heavy objects (like patio furniture) on your putting green for too long, as they can crush the fibers. If after many years a section does get worn out (which is rare with home use), you can replace that patch of turf without redoing the whole green.
Artificial Putting Green Maintenance Is Simple
Keeping an artificial putting green in prime shape isn’t a full-time job and, with AGL, it takes very limited care and seasonal attention.
By following these artificial putting green maintenance tips, you’ll ensure your green stays as pristine as the day it was installed.
AGL Grass’s infill-free turf makes things even easier – no messy infill or special equipment needed – so you can spend less time on upkeep and more putting with the boys.
A simple backyard putting green care routine will protect your investment and keep your backyard golf green ready for play year-round. And if you ever have questions or decide you’d like professional help, the team at AGL Grass is ready to assist.