NATURAL BOUNCE - WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT IT
Imagine this. You are trying to improve your chip shot, and the synthetic putting green you are playing on will just not receive the ball smoothly. However ideal the shot is, the ball bounces and slides off the back of the green—again. As an passionate golfer, you can see that this green is of inferior quality.
Superior Quality synthetic golf green attributes should include these priority reactions:
- Natural golf ball bounce
- Accurate reaction to aim
- True directional roll
- Predictable playability
The main purpose here is to have the artificial turf respond as naturally as organic grass. As soon as your ball touches the green, you can tell if you’re playing on superior-quality turf or not. If you’re hitting a chip shot, you should be able to assume it will be received by the grass properly, bounce appropriately, and roll as planned.
If these important features aren’t present, how could you realistically improve your putt consistency or chipping accuracy?
THE SCIENCE BEHIND TURF BOUNCE
The difference in the bounce between natural and synthetic 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 mimics natural greens by utilizing base, pad, sand, and fibers to achieve like performance metrics. By researching natural green absorption, spin, and friction, Southwest Greens has been able to use 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 getting an optimal reaction from our artificial turf, we conduct many tests, but here are the major ones you should understand.
BOUNCE TEST
Tru Firm: Calculate the shift of the surface to check how the surface effect energy transfer.
Bounce: Proprietary device that simulates natural pitch shot approach angle and spin. This will standardize and quantify the surface interaction so we can understand how the surface will react to a pitch shot.
Spin: Proprietary device that replicates natural spin. Create a standard and quantify the surface interaction to see how the friction of the grass varies ball spin will translate to performance.
HOW IS SOUTHWEST GREEN DIFFERENT
We have been able to quantify key performance indicators to create a fantastic golf game experience. By understanding what variables affect performance, we can replicate natural greens.
We created test approaches to better understand what variables actually effect performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were judged utilizing a blend of GSGA testing protocols and proprietary testing methods. These tests tries to recreate normal shot and surface interactions.
At Southwest Greens, we have honed the art of installation to offer the greatest playing surface available. This is how we manufacture our turf:
SUBGRADE
Taking into account where you live, the ground may be distinct from sand to clay to rock. Properly installed synthetic turf takes this into account, with a foundation created to support 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. Specifically for golf uses, a second shaping aggregate is added to build undulations and breaks.
BACKING
Artificial turf is created by sewing the fiber through multi-layer backing. The backing, in turn, is coated with high-quality polyurethane to preserve the stitches.
INFILL
Integral to the turf system, the infill is developed from rounded washed silica. Infill yields ballast, aids with drainage, and directly impacts the 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 understand how we decide the most suitable infill layers and artificial green surfaces for your condition.
FIND YOUR TURF
Are you searching for a product where a chip shot will land, bounce, roll, stop, and react as comparably to a real golf green as possible?
Residential putting greens differ quite a bit from standard yard turf. Base work, cup placement, undulations, and turf selections are all essential 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, touch, and consistency of regular grass. It’s the green favored by amateurs and professional golfers for their homes. In simple terms — it’s the most precise playing surface obtainable on the market today. Golden Bear is a great pick for more consistency and better predictability. Although installed with golf in mind, this long-lasting, high-quality grass is also beautiful and can offer lawn serenity.
The alliance with Southwest Greens and Nicklaus Design started in 2004 and has matured significantly over the years in both design and turf engineering. All consumers can benefit from custom-designed golf greens installed by authorized Southwest Greens vendors. Now everyone can take part in superior incorporating 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-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 real that you will think you’re playing out on a local San Francisco course.
Our Golden Bear Turf gives you championship-level bounce available in your own yard. Scientifically developed and tested to have 20-25% more ball retention compared to other leading artificial grass for real playability. Contact Southwest Greens Northern CA West if you want to know more regarding the science.
LET’S FIND YOUR BACKYARD PUTTING GREEN
We’re ready to assist you find the best solution for your backyard putting green. Get in touch with 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.