NATURAL BOUNCE - DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

Picture this. You are working on your chip shot, and the synthetic turf you are playing on will just not receive the ball correctly. No matter how accurate the shot is, the ball bounces and rolls off the back of the green—for the third time. As an enthusiastic golfer, you can recognize that this green is of inferior quality.

Quality synthetic golf green characteristics should include these priority reactions:

• Realistic golf ball bounce
• Precise reaction to aim
• True directional roll
• Predictable playability

The primary objective here is to have the artificial grass behave as naturally as organic grass. As soon as your ball touches 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 predict it will be received by the grass properly, bounce appropriately, and roll as planned.

If these key features aren’t present, how could you realistically improve your putt consistency or chipping accuracy?

THE SCIENCE BEHIND TURF BOUNCE

The discrepancy in the bounce between natural and synthetic grass comes from the properties of the turf 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 employing base, pad, sand, and fibers to reach like performance metrics. By understanding natural green absorption, spin, and friction, Southwest Greens has been able to employ a mix of these materials to absorb shots, spin on impact, and customize speed.

HOW WE TEST GRASS AT SOUTHWEST GREENS

To make certain you’re getting an optimal reaction from our artificial turf, we carry out many tests, but here are the big ones you should be aware of.

BOUNCE TEST

Tru Firm: Evaluate the displacement 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 Create a baseline and quantify the surface interaction so we can understand how the surface will react to a pitch shot.

Spin: State of-the-art device that simulates natural spin. Standardize and collect data of the surface interaction to see how the friction of the surface varies ball spin will translate to performance.

WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT SOUTHWEST GREENS

We have managed to quantify key performance signals to give your golf game fantastic results. By understanding what variables affect performance, we can copy natural greens.

We developed test approaches to better understand what variables actually impact performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were judged utilizing a combination of GSGA testing protocols and proprietary testing methods. These evaluations replicate normal shot and surface interactions.

At Southwest Greens, we professionals who are experienced in the art of installation to provide the finest playing surface available. This is how we make our turf:

SUBGRADE

Taking into account the area you live in, the earth may vary from sand to clay to rock. A professional who is installing the synthetic grass takes this into account, with a foundation developed to support proper drainage.

AGGREGATE BASE

Stone is utilized on top of the subgrade (ground) to help drainage and enable 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 grass is manufactured by stitching the fiber through multi-layer backing. The backing, in turn, is covered with high-quality polyurethane to preserve the stitches.

INFILL

Essential to the turf system, the infill is created from rounded washed silica. Infill yields ballast, helps 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. Materials and product composition have direct impact on on the ground interaction with the golf ball and surface aesthetics.

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

FIND YOUR TURF

On the search 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 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 appearance, feel, and bite of regular grass. It’s the turf favored by novices and experienced golfers for their homes. In simple terms — it’s the most accurate playing surface available on the market today. Golden Bear is an excellent pick for more consistency and improved predictability. Although manufactured with golf in mind, this long-lasting, high-quality grass is also attractive and can offer lawn serenity.

The alliance with Southwest Greens and Nicklaus Design started in 2004 and has improved significantly over the years in both design and turf engineering. All buyers can take advantage of custom-designed golf greens installed by endorsed Southwest Greens vendors. Now everyone can take part in superior integration of professional design, installation, and Golden Bear exclusive turf products.

Golden Bear Turf is rated highest in quality, look, and results for synthetic turf products. This high-level synthetic grass bounces, rolls, and receives just like a championship course. Shot after shot, Golden Bear has the most accurate aim of any putting surface. Game-play experience is so real that you will think you’re playing out on a local Atlanta course.

Our Golden Bear Turf gives you championship-level bounce right in your own lawn. Scientifically developed and tested to have 20-25% more ball retention compared to other leading synthetic grass for real playability. Contact Southwest Greens of Atlanta if you want to know more regarding the science.

LET’S SEARCH FOR YOUR BACKYARD PUTTING GREEN

We’re available at all times to help you find 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.