NATURAL BOUNCE - WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT IT

Think of it this way. You are practicing your chip shot, and the artificial turf you are playing on will just not receive the ball correctly. No matter how accurate the shot is, the ball bounces and slides 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 artificial golf green features should include these priority reactions:

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

The main purpose here is to have the artificial turf respond as naturally as traditional turf. From the moment your ball lands on the green, you can tell if you are playing on top-notch grass or not. If you’re hitting a chip shot, you should be able to predict it will be received by the grass correctly, bounce naturaly, and roll as planned.

If these key features are lacking, how could you expect to improve your putt consistency or chipping accuracy?

THE SCIENCE OF TURF BOUNCE

The discrepancy in the bounce between natural and synthetic turf comes from the properties of the turf and how it absorbs the kinetic energy of the bounce.

Let’s explore the science.

Bounce, Aim, Roll
The Golden Bear system mimics natural greens by utilizing base, pad, sand, and fibers to achieve similar performance metrics. By researching natural green absorption, spin, and friction, Southwest Greens has been able to use a mix of these materials to absorb shots, spin on impact, and customize speed.

HOW WE TEST GRASS AT SOUTHWEST GREENS

To ensure you’re obtaining an optimal reaction from our synthetic grass, we carry out many experiments, but here are the big ones you should be aware of.

BOUNCE TEST

Tru Firm: Evaluate the shift of the surface to see 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 to understand how the surface will accept a pitch shot.

Spin: Proprietary device that recreates natural spin. Standardize and collect data of the surface interaction to check how the friction of the ground varies ball spin will translate to performance.

HOW IS SOUTHWEST GREEN DIFFERENT

We have been successful in quantifying key performance signals to offer you the best golf experience. By studying what variables affect performance, we can copy natural greens.

We developed testing methods to learn what variables actually effect performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were evaluated employing a mixture of GSGA testing protocols and proprietary testing methods. These evaluations tries to recreate normal shot and surface interactions.

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

SUBGRADE

Depending on where you live, the dirt may differ in properties all the way from sand to clay to rock. A professional who is installing the artificial grass takes this into account, with a foundation created to encourage proper drainage.

AGGREGATE BASE

Stone is employed on top of the subgrade (ground) to support in drainage and provide a permit to a properly constructed surface. It is imperative that the aggregate be constructed and compacted to valid depths. 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-grade polyurethane to protect the stitches.

INFILL

Essential to the turf system, the infill is made from rounded washed silica. Infill yields ballast, aids with drainage, and has direct impacts on the key bounce indicators.

TURF FIBER

Extruded, PP/PE/ Nylon come in a large number of constructions, colors, and lengths. Materials and product composition creates an impact on the surface interaction with the golf ball and surface aesthetics.

Check out this installation video to understand how we determine the correct infill layers and artificial grass surfaces for your situation.

FIND YOUR TURF

Are you on the hunt 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 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 synthetic grass with the look, touch, and texture of regular grass. It’s the green favored by novices and professional golfers for their homes. In simple terms — it’s the most accurate playing surface accessible on the market today. Golden Bear is the perfect pick for more consistency and improved predictability. Although installed with golf in mind, this long-lasting, high-quality grass is also pretty and can provide garden serenity.

The collaboration with Southwest Greens and Nicklaus Design started in 2004 and has improved appreciably over the years in both design and turf engineering. All consumers can take advantage of custom-designed golf greens installed by endorsed Southwest Greens dealers. Now everyone can participate in top-rated integration of professional design, installation, and Golden Bear exclusive turf products.

Golden Bear Turf is the ultimate in quality, look, and performance for synthetic grass products. This high-quality 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. Playability is so authentic you will feel like you’re playing out on a local Kennewick course.

Our Golden Bear Turf offers you championship-level bounce right in your own lawn. Scientifically researched and examined to have 20-25% more ball retention than other leading synthetic turf for real playability. Get in touch with Southwest Greens of Eastern Washington if you want to know more regarding the science.

LET’S FIND YOUR BACKYARD PUTTING GREEN

We’re ready to help you find the best 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.