Your guide to understanding how roll works on artificial turf.
The Physics of Golf
Physics. It affects everything we do, including the popular game of golf.
Physics, is the nature and properties of matter and energy: how the ball is hit, the ball’s trajectory in flight, its initial bounce, and its roll out.
In a perfect world, the ground in the direction of the shot would be perfectly flat, perfectly uphill, or perfectly downhill would be perfectly flat, perfectly uphill, or perfectly downhill in the direction of the shot. This would make getting the ball into the hole a simple task by hitting it along a straight line.
That said, you will see that the ground is sloped. In this case, the ball trajectory can’t be a straight line to the hole, therefore it’s a more difficult task. In this case, the ball has to follow a specific curved path to get into the hole. The amount the ball has to curve is contingent on the grade of the putting green’s slope and undulation.
Whether or not artificial grass or natural turf is used to construct your perfect backyard putting green, the physical characteristics of the surface impact the performance. We use a blend of common golf course tests and proprietary playability testing.
A common test to test ball roll is the stimpmeter test. Stimp testing calculates the distance a ball rolls on artificial turf in meters when dropped from a height of one meter. The ball-to-surface interaction of the grass is directly related to the distance the ball rolls.
The proprietary playability testing for roll provides an analysis of the consistency of outputs from a standard putting stroke. This test analyzes the initial bounce of the club face and the spin to roll transition.
Now we’ll take a deeper look into the items that influence how a golf ball reacts and rolls on a turf.
Green Characteristics
Product Construction: Extruded, recycled plastics that offered in a variety of constructions, colors, and lengths. Proper construction is vital in enabling key putting green installation practices; construction will allow turf to be infilled and rolled. Properly rolled fibers appear and play like natural greens.
Pile Height: The thickness and height of the grass blades will provide varied frictions; having an effect on the speed and smoothness of the putt.
Fiber: Fiber composition has a notable effect on how a golf ball will roll throughout the putt. Friction and pile lay are affected by fiber composition. How the ball interacts with the surface is impacted by how the turf lays.
Infill: Intrinsic to the turf system, infill is made of rounded washed silica. Infill provides ballast and aids drainage. Infill shape is directly related to performance; sharp edges and angles impede roll.
Aggregate Base: Stone is compacted to create challenging slopes and undulations; the result performs and drains like a championship golf course.
The magic in creating a Backyard Putting Green that performs like a Championship Golf Green requires the ideal raw materials with elite-proven-tested installation techniques. Especially important when you are on the putting green seeking to gently get your ball into the hole.
The Southwest Greens Difference
Southwest Greens has quantified key performance indicators. By understanding what variables impact performance, we are able to mimic natural greens.
With Golden Bear Turf, you will experience smoother rolls comparable to playing on your favorite championship course. Scientifically tested and developed to mimic natural grass, from the initial bounce off the clubface... to the spin transition… to the smooth ball roll into the cup...
Golden Bear give you only the best! It’s the best backyard practice putting green that will offer the most realistic putting surfaces on the market.