How Much Does It Cost to Install a Backyard Putting Green in 2025?
Installing a backyard putting green costs an average of $4,300
On average, a backyard putting green costs range from $3,500 to $9,000, with an average price of $4,300.
Most homeowners spend between $15 and $40 per square foot for a complete installation.
Factors like green size, turf type, labor, and design influence the overall cost.
Popular turf options include natural grass, synthetic turf, nylon, and polypropylene.
Hiring a professional ensures proper installation with the expertise and equipment needed.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
A backyard putting green offers golfers of all skill levels the convenience of practicing at home. The average backyard putting green costs between $3,500 and $9,000, with most projects averaging $4,300. Factors like size, materials, and professional labor can raise or lower that price. Expect to pay $15 to $40 per square foot. Hiring a professional helps ensure the green rolls true and can prevent costly rework later.
Backyard Putting Green Cost Factors
How much you’ll spend on installing a putting green in your yard depends on a variety of factors. Here’s a closer look at how your costs break down.
Size
The size of the putting green not only influences the cost of the overall project, but also the price per square foot.
| Size (Sq. Ft.) | Cost Range per Sq. Ft. | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 400) | $25–$40 | $33 |
| Medium (400–2,000) | $20–$30 | $25 |
| Large (2,000+) | $15–$25 | $20 |
Turf Material
Natural grass is less expensive upfront, but can be tricky to install and demands regular maintenance to stay in top shape. By comparison, artificial grass installation costs $5 to $25 per square foot, depending on the type of synthetic grass, while natural sod installation costs $1 to $2 per square foot. It’s quicker to install and nearly maintenance-free.
| Artificial Putting Green | Natural Putting Green |
|---|---|
| Higher up-front costs | Lower up-front costs |
| Lower ongoing costs | Higher maintenance costs |
| Easy to maintain | Requires daily care |
| Difficult to move putting holes | Easy to move putting holes |
Alternatively, you could opt for synthetic putting mats ranging from $460 to $1,360, depending on size, or install a DIY putting green kit for $4 to $20 per square foot. However, these mats and kits offer limited choices in design, hole placement, and customization.
Labor and Site Preparation
Labor costs can vary quite a bit based on the size of your putting green and the work involved. If your lawn isn't smooth or properly sloped, you may need to pay for lawn leveling costs.
Alongside sodding and regrading, site accessibility can significantly drive up the labor cost. The distance between the parking area and the job site, for example, can increase the time it takes to do the job.
Similarly, if the access is severely limited so that the contractor cannot easily access large equipment, the installation team will have to use shovels and wheelbarrows, which can double labor costs.
Number of Cuts
If you want to practice more than just your putting, you'll likely want additional turf cuts. This increases installation time and, in the case of real turf, ongoing maintenance costs. Multiple cuts of fringe and fairway turf can increase labor costs by up to 10%, but allow you to practice all shot types, rather than just putting.
Backyard Putting Green Costs by Square Foot
Installing a backyard putting green costs between $15 and $40 per square foot. The bigger your green, the less you could pay per square foot—some contractors offer discounts for larger projects.
For example, a 2,000-square-foot green can cost $15 per square foot, while a 400-square-foot putting area could cost closer to $30 per square foot. Smaller projects can have higher rates because contractors need to cover their time and material costs.
Additional Features
Adding features such as hills, bunkers, water hazards, dry creeks, and tee boxes can help your backyard green mimic a professional course. But this drives the price upward.
You'll incur extra hours billed at $50 to $100 per hour for these additions to the putting green. With these additional course features, plus landscaping, adding outdoor lighting, water features, a storage shed, outdoor seating, and a patio area, you can easily double the price of the putting green.
Take a look at some common landscaping and upgrade projects for a backyard putting green:
| Feature | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Outdoor lighting | $2,000–$4,500 |
| Landscaping | $1,300–$5,840 |
| Water feature | $850–$4,500 |
| Storage shed | $2,500 |
Budgeting for Installing a Backyard Putting Green
Consider these cost-saving tips to make your putting green installation project more budget-friendly:
Keep it simple and small. If you’re just looking to practice your putting, you can avoid costly additions like bunkers and hills.
DIY features and accessories. Having a pro install the putting green and tackling your own flagstick or lighting installation can save on labor costs.
Get multiple quotes from local artificial turf installers and landscapers in your area to ensure competitive pricing.
DIY Putting Green vs. Hiring a Professional
Installing turf and shaping it into a perfect putting green isn't a simple DIY project. It requires specialized knowledge to ensure your golf space looks great and functions properly. If your yard needs land grading, a professional with the right equipment is essential.
For passionate golfers, the details make all the difference. An improperly installed green could hinder your game more than help it. Consider hiring a local landscape design professional to bring your backyard putting green to life.
Connect with a local pro if you want professional-level results.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
A 500-square-foot backyard putting green strikes a practical balance between variety and simple upkeep. If space is limited, a 100-square-foot green still lets you roll a few putts, while a 2,000-square-foot layout leaves room for long putts, extra holes, or mini-golf elements. Choose a size that fits your goals, yard, and budget.
Artificial turf crafted with long, durable fibers enables you to chip the ball with consistent accuracy. This design ensures that the surface immediately supports controlled chip and pitch shots, emulating the feel of a natural green.
Dedicated chipping mats further enhance shot precision, and the engineered quality of the turf guarantees that your practice sessions yield improved accuracy and enhanced confidence.
A backyard putting green uses either natural bentgrass or high-quality synthetic fibers such as nylon or polypropylene. Natural greens deliver a traditional roll but need frequent mowing, watering, and fertilizing.
Synthetic turf mimics real grass while keeping maintenance to a minimum and holding its speed more consistently. The best choice depends on how much time you want to devote to upkeep and how consistent you need the surface to be.
An outdoor putting green lasts five to 15 years, depending on materials and upkeep. Regular cleaning, occasional brushing, and prompt repairs keep artificial turf in game-ready shape, while natural greens need routine mowing, watering, and fertilizing. Staying on top of maintenance helps the surface stay smooth and playable for the long term.
