How to build a putting green using modified techniques

Part 3 - Finishing the drainage and adding the rootzone.

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Go to Part 2 of building a modified putting green - The subsurface drainage

The next step to build a putting green is to backfill your trenches. Usually you can simply use clean drainage sand. Any coarse sand will likely work, try to run water through it to make sure it has a high infiltration rate. When backfilling, make sure you are standing on the pipe, if not, the sand will have a tendency to make the pipe want to float up as the sand moves underneath. Remember, any unevenness in the slope of the pipe might lead to the water not draining properly. Once the trench is filled, pack it down well, you can compact it quite well by stomping on the backfill with your foot.

Now that your drainage is in place, you can finish the rootzone layer. If you are not changing the existing material, you can simply shape the material to the final green shape. Remember, because you added backfill to the trenches, you should have material leftover. Your option here is to just raise the green level a bit or using the excess to create some mounding around the green.

If you are adding greensmix material to build a putting green, you should clean the bottom of the green so that it mirrors what the final shape will be. Any mounds of heavy soil along the trenches will prevent water from getting to the drain pipes leaving soft areas under your green. Now hammer a wooden stake (each at least 24 inches long) every 10 feet or so in to create a grid of 10x10 foot squares. On each stake place a black mark with a permanent ink marker at 12 and 14 inches above the bottom (or less if you are not adding a full 12 inch rootzone). This mark will be your final grade or elevation of your green. Now begin bringing in the new material. Start on one side and add enough material to make a ramp down into the green, and then keep pushing further into the green. Remember to make sure that whatever you use to move material; whether it is a wheelbarrow or tractor and trailer, you need to keep the wheels clean. The new material you are adding has the infiltration rate you want; don’t ruin it by contaminating it with the surrounding native soil. Make sure you compact the green well, and use the stakes to make sure you have a uniformly thick layer everywhere. I would recommend getting a mechanical roller to properly compact the surface, don’t worry about the drainage pipe; it is deep enough that it will not be affected.

Now to build a putting green you have only to finish the surface. I recommend doing it in the same way as described in traditional building methods .

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For more information or specific questions on building your green, contact me!
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