NATURAL BOUNCE - WHY IT MATTERS

Imagine this. You are working on your chip shot, and the artificial putting green you are playing on will just not receive the ball smoothly. However perfect the shot is, the ball bounces and rolls off the back of the green—for the third time. As an avid golfer, you can recognize that this green is of subpar quality.

Superior Quality artificial golf green characteristics should consist of these priority reactions:

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

The main purpose here is to have the synthetic grass react as naturally as traditional turf. As soon as your ball touches the green, you can tell if you’re playing on top-notch turf or not. If you’re hitting a chip shot, you should be able to expect it will be received by the grass properly, bounce appropriately, and roll as expected.

If these major characteristics aren’t present, how could you expect to improve your putt consistency or chipping accuracy?

THE SCIENCE BEHIND TURF BOUNCE

The contrast in the bounce between natural and artificial grass comes from the properties of the grass and how it absorbs the kinetic energy of the bounce.

Let’s understand the science.

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

HOW WE EVALUATE GRASS AT SOUTHWEST GREENS

To ensure you’re getting an optimal reaction from our artificial turf, we carry out many experiments, but here are the big ones you should understand.

BOUNCE TEST

Tru Firm: Measure the displacement of the surface to see how the surface influences energy transfer.

Bounce: Proprietary device that mimics natural pitch shot approach angle and spin. This will create a standard and quantify the surface interaction which allows us to understand how the surface will react to a pitch shot.

Spin: Proprietary device that replicates natural spin. Create a standard and collect data of the surface interaction to see how the friction of the surface changes ball spin will translate to performance.

WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT SOUTHWEST GREENS

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

We developed testing approaches to understand what variables actually effect performance. Spin, firmness, and bounce were judged using a mixture of GSGA testing protocols and proprietary testing methods. These tests replicate normal shot and surface interactions.

At Southwest Greens, we are experts in the art of installation to provide the greatest playing surface available. This is how we manufacture our turf:

SUBGRADE

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

AGGREGATE BASE

Stone is utilized on top of the subgrade (ground) to help drainage and provide a permit to 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

Synthetic grass is created by stitching the fiber through multi-layer backing. The backing, in turn, is covered with high-grade polyurethane to preserve 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 directly impacts on the ground interaction with the golf ball and surface aesthetics.

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

FIND YOUR TURF

Are you searching for a product where a chip shot will land, bounce, roll, stop, and react as naturally to a real golf green as possible?

Residential putting greens differ quite a bit from standard lawn turf. Base work, cup placement, undulations, and turf selections are all necessary features 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 turf with the look, feel, and texture of natural grass. It’s the green preferred by amateurs and experienced golfers for their homes. In simple terms — it’s the most precise playing surface obtainable on the market today. Golden Bear is the perfect pick for more consistency and improved predictability. Although created with golf in mind, this long-lasting, high-quality turf is also attractive and can offer lawn serenity.

The collaboration with Southwest Greens and Nicklaus Design started in 2004 and has evolved appreciably over the years in both design and grass technology. All customers can benefit from custom-designed golf greens installed by endorsed Southwest Greens dealers. Now everyone can participate in best-in-class integration of professional design, installation, and Golden Bear exclusive turf products.

Golden Bear Turf is rated highest in quality, look, and results for artificial grass products. This high-level synthetic 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 authentic you will feel like you’re playing out on a local Jacksonville course.

Our Golden Bear Turf offers you championship-level bounce available in your own lawn. Scientifically researched and examined to have 20-25% more ball retention compared to other leading synthetic turf for real playability. Get in touch with Southwest Greens of Jacksonville 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 discover 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.