Creating a Home Putting Green in Your Own Backyard

We partnered with a golf company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Imagine waking up in the morning and you feel like playing golf, but you don't have to go out anymore because you have your own putting green at home. How cool is that? If you're a golf enthusiast, you'd love the idea of creating a putting green right in your backyard. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced golfer, having a home putting green can make you practice your golf skills regularly. Creating a home putting green may sound daunting at first, but with the right materials and tips, it can be easier than you think. In this post, we will show you some of the essential factors to consider when creating a home putting green, and explore resources like The Left Rough.

Choose the Right Location

The first step in creating a home putting green is to choose the right location. It would help if you had a flat and level area free from any obstacles or obstructions. It would be best to find an area with good drainage since you don't want your putting green to hold onto water. Also, consider the amount of sunlight that hits the location and the surrounding landscape.

Determine the Size of Your Putting Green

Once you have identified the site, determine the size of your putting green. Consider how many holes you want, and plan accordingly. Most home putting greens are between 300-500 sq. ft. You can also divide the green into sections like a practice green, chipping area, or bunkers. The size of your putting green will determine the cost and effort required to create the putting green.

Select the Right Materials

Deciding on the right materials for your home putting green is crucial. The most common materials used to create putting greens are artificial turf, natural grass, and synthetic turf. Each material has its pros and cons, so do your research before making a choice. Artificial turf is more expensive, but it's easy to maintain and lasts longer. Natural grass, on the other hand, is cheaper, and it's more natural-looking. Synthetic turf, also known as astro turf, has the look of natural grass, but it's made of plastic fibers that reduce maintenance.

Plan the Landscape

Do you want your home putting green to blend naturally into the landscape? Consider adding some trees, shrubs, and flowers. This will help improve the aesthetics of your putting green and also offer you some shade while practicing. You can also add some rocks, steps, and bridges to bring your putting green to life. A company like Amazing Scapes LLC can help you with this crucial step. 

Maintain Your Putting Green

Maintaining your home putting green is crucial in keeping it looking great. Regularly remove debris like leaves, sticks, and stones. You can use a leaf rake or a backpack blower to clean up the debris. Additionally, brush the fibers of the putting green with a stiff broom or rake. This will help to keep the fibers standing tall and reduce matting.

Creating a home putting green is not only fun but also a practical way of getting your golf game in shape. Before starting any project, consider the location, size, materials, planning, and maintenance. By doing so, you'll be sure to have an aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting putting green. Imagine having the convenience of practicing in the comfort of your own home. Why not try and create your dream home putting green today?

Set Up Indoor Driving Range: Turn Your Home Into Golf Course

We all know the importance of practice when it comes to mastering things.

This is never as true as when it comes to golf. If you want to become better at golf there really is only one way to go; practice your game as much as possible.

The importance of practice here cannot be understated!

When you play a round of golf it is all the little things that count so much towards a better score.

You can have a great drive on you. Hit it straight into the fairway followed by a perfect hit with a 6 iron placing the golf ball 30 yards from the green setting it up perfectly for a nice chip!

But the problem is that you have only focused on the long-game and your short-game suffers.

Instead of taking an easy chip and a put (or two) you take six extra shots instead of one or two.

If you want to become good at golf you have to practice all aspects of the game, not just one.

Practice takes time and effort and going daily to the driving range or the nearest golf course to practice every day is not ideal for most average that has work and family to attend to.

Not to mention the off-season where we make the promise year after year to practice and keep our end of season form going over the winter but we never do.

The solution to this is quite simple.

Set up your indoor driving range

Golf tools and equipment for setting up a professional practice facility at your home have become more affordable as the various producers compete for the most affordable and quality equipment on the market.

Our job at golflaserrangefinderhq.com is to find golf equipment and tell you how it performs.

What do you need for an indoor driving range?

• Space

Make sure you have the required space to swing a golf club; either in your house, garage, garden, or wherever you think will be suitable for setting up the training facility.

Generally speaking, to swing a golf club requires about 9 feet of ceiling space and about 20 feet’ hitting space or whatever distance you think is suitable for the golf ball to travel.

• Golf clubs and golf balls

You will of course need to have your golf clubs up and ready to use with your facility

• Golf nets

You will want to buy a great golf net to catch the ball and stop it from bouncing all around the place.

There is a wide selection of golf nets available. What you are looking for is a golf net that has the quality material that matches how you are going to use it. You can read more about how to choose golf nets right here.

• Golf- and Putting Mats

Once you have set up your golf net and measured the required space you might want/need a platform to hit the golf ball from. 

The best way to do this is to get a golf mat with the golf net. Golf mats are not nor really expensive but add an extra dimension to your home golf facility.

• Swing Trainer

I will add this one as an extra that is not needed but might help those that are new to golf out.

Golf swing trainer is a small device that you hook on your arm and golf club that keeps your hand in the right pose. 

This makes sure your swing is correct and is very simple to use while being very effective.

• Golf Simulators

For those that want to take the extra distance, a golf simulator can transform a simple training ground into a full-blown golf simulator studio.

Golf simulators offer the benefit of playing in any weather condition since the setup is completely indoors. You can play to your heart’s desire even during the off-season. Unlike swinging through a net, golf simulators allow you to visualize your shot. You will be able to check if it’s a miss or not.

If you have a golf simulator studio at home, your games will run significantly shorter. You can move from one hole to the other with ease. Simulators also allow you to play in different courses like the one in PGA National or Pebble Beach.

Golf simulators come in various sizes and kinds but for a price of around 600$ you can get a golf simulator that will analyze your golf and give your accurate feedback on your game and tell you what you are doing wrong or right.

Golf simulators have now become smaller, better, and more affordable than ever.

They are a great way to practice your golf at home and you will get feedback on some aspects of your game, depending on the simulator.

They are also fun to have at home to enjoy with friends and family.

If you live somewhere cold with a long-closed season a golf simulator can really keep you in shape so when the season starts again you will be able to play and enjoy great golf right from the start.

Just keep in mind that using a golf simulator using real clubs requires space to do so.

There are so many people that buy a golf simulator, set it up in their home, and then realize that they can’t play because the ceiling height is insufficient.

Typically, the average person will need 9-feet/2, 6 meters or higher to swing a golf club but you should not rely on what the manual or a review says, you should try it for yourself.

Find the place you would set the simulator up and grab a golf club and swing it away.

If you feel comfortable setting up a golf simulator there and that you can swing without hitting the ceiling or walls then that indicates you can use that space.

You should also be aware that some golf simulators allow for the use of real golf balls which will also need space.

Golf net of some sort will be a need and the required space to set it up and a golf mat is also needed.  How much depends on the golf net type.

Conclusion

Having your home practice facility has therefore never been more important to your game than right now. It has also never been as easy as it is today.

But, big congratulations, finally you turned your home into a practice setup.

Now, you never need to worry about pandemic or hustle in traffic to enjoy your favorite game. However, do remember your project is not yet done.

You can improve it further, but this is one of the ongoing projects which doesn't have an end, and it won't be completed any time soon as long as you keep playing and spending more time in practice.

Guest Post - How To Store Your Golf Clubs At Home

How To Store Your Golf Clubs At Home: 3 Strategies To Reduce Clutter and Free Up Space

We all know space around the house is limited - and finding appropriate space to store golf clubs is no exception to this rule.

There are generally two issues that will occur: finding enough space and making sure the golf equipment is stored safely, so the golf clubs stay in mint condition. Overall, the general consensus is to store golf clubs in a dry room at moderate temperature.

Yet this is often easier said than done: we all know that it can be much more complicated than that, especially if you have a lot of clubs. In this article, we will share our top three tips on storing golf clubs, and how you can make the most of your home’s storage space.

Let us begin with the first one.

Only Store at Home an Optimized Amount of Golf Clubs

The first mindset you should have on golf club storage is that you are only allowed to bring 14 different clubs to a golf course. So, arguably the best way to optimize club storage at home is to first, only purchase and bring home the clubs you will actually need. Yes, some golfers might need different club sets for different courses, but doesn’t mean you need to have over 50 clubs stored at home.

With so much new equipment released virtually every day, it is understandable that the temptation to expand your collection is high. If you do have unlimited budget and unlimited storage spaces, that shouldn’t be a problem. Yet, we all know that’s not the case for the most of us.

So, what’s the optimal club sets we should have (and store at home)? Here is how I will recommend it:

For Beginners/High-Handicappers

A very forgiving driver or a 3-wood, as most high-handicappers can’t hit a driver and they can replace it with an easier to hit 3-wood

7-, 8-, 9- irons

4-, 5-, 6- hybrids to replace the hard to hit long-irons

Putter, a mallet one with plenty of forgiveness

A pitching wedge

For Mid-Handicappers

A driver

A 3-wood

6- to 9- irons

4- and 5- hybrids to replace two long irons

Sand wedge & pitching wedge

Putter

For Low-Handicappers/Tour Players

A driver

A 3-wood, or you can replace it with a more versatile 2-hybrid

3- to 9- irons

Gap wedge

Pitching wedge, lob wedge, sand wedge

Putter

Store Your Clubs In Your Bedroom

The first places that come to mind to store your golf clubs might be your pantry, your garage, or other dedicated storage spaces. Yet, there are several disadvantages with this practice which make us actually strongly recommend other, more appropriate places around the house.

Our recommendation is to store your golf clubs in your bedroom, a study or other rooms with enough storage spaces you frequently use.

Why? There are three things you should definitely avoid with golf clubs: physical scratches, heat, and moisture.

If you store your clubs in a warehouse or even worse, your car trunk, the clubs can pick up physical dent or nicks from bumping with each other or with other things inside the warehouse.

Heat is also an issue if you are storing your clubs in your car trunk, especially if you park your car outside. Heat can cause the glue under your grip to break down. A garage, on the other hand, often has issues with build-up moistures.

If you have a  big collection of golf clubs (which we don’t recommend, see our first tip above), you might also forget some of the clubs stored in your garage or warehouse, since you don’t visit those rooms often.

So, storing your clubs in a room you frequent has two main benefits : first, you won’t forget about them and can check their condition frequently. Second, by having your clubs where you can see it, they can remind you to play more often.

Choose a Proper Golf Bag

No matter where you store your golf clubs, you will obviously need a golf bag to place your clubs (or several, if you have more than 14 clubs). Since we have agreed that storage spaces are limited and hence, valuable, the ideal golf bag is the one that allows you to store as many golf clubs as possible, yet has the least volume.

Here are some we will recommend:

Callaway Golf 2017 Org Cart Bag

A relatively compact golf bag with 12 x 10 x 35 inches dimension and only 5.8 pounds of weight (without your clubs), yet offers plenty of storage spaces and pockets with Callaway quality.

The most interesting quality of the Callaway 2017 Org Cart Bag is the 14-way organization system, complete with full-length club dividers. So, you wouldn’t have to worry about clubs banging with each other during transportation or storage.

Ogio Golf 2017 Press Cart Bag

A key highlight of the Ogio Golf 2017 Press Cart Bag is how it is very reasonably priced, so it is an excellent choice for those with limited budget. Yet, the bag offers plenty of storage with eight-way organization and full-length dividers.

Regarding compactness, it is only 8-ounces with 10.5 x 13 x 37 inches of dimension. There are also 9 additional pockets to store other golf equipment.

PING Golf Men’s Traverse II Cart Bag

PING is of course, one of the most prominent names in the world of golf equipment, so quality is definitely not a question with the PING Traverse II Cart Bag. As with Callaway Org Cart Bag above, it also offers 14-way organization system, and the full-length dividers are made from air-meshed and cushion polypropylene material able to withstand high impact.

It is still relatively compact at 36 x 10 x 14 inches, but is slightly heavier at 8 pounds. An excellent choice for those looking for a high-end golf bag.

Jordan Fuller is a golf enthusiast who loves to spend days on the green, interacting with other players. For the last 25 years, he's been a key member of the Nebraska golf community, helping and assisting players of all levels near his home course near Omaha. Recently, seeing that many golfers were facing the same challenges, he started his own golf website to help golfers become better players.

Guest Post - Golf Season

Golf Equipment: How to Reduce Clutter and Organize Effectively

As spring approaches, many of us look forward to playing golf as much as any outdoor hobby that warm weather allows us to indulge. But with the arrival of golf season comes the challenge of effectively storing and organizing golf equipment. Many struggle to keep their collection of golf gear modest in size and properly stored, creating a daily organizational headache - especially for family members that don't play. Here are three straightforward tips to organizing your golf clubs, balls and accessories in a manner that reduces clutter but still keeps you supplied and prepared for the links.

Don’t Collect Golf Clubs

Many golfers develop a habit of holding on to clubs they’ve acquired over a lifetime of play. However, with rare exceptions, old clubs are worth close to nothing. Given the pace with which golf technology advances each year, old clubs quickly become obsolete and cannot be sold for any real value. It’s also somewhat impractical to keep clubs as potential replacements for the set you actively use; the chances of losing or breaking your clubs during play is extremely small. Saving old sets for your children can be problematic as well. Before they hit their teenage years, they’ll need clubs specifically designed for kids, and once they get older they will want clubs of their own that are technologically current. Stick to one set of your favorite, most reliable clubs (USGA rules allow a golfer to carry up to 14 during play).

Exceptions? You may have two putters that you alternate between, or perhaps an extra wedge or hybrid that rotates in and out of your bag. But unless you’re an excellent golfer that plays a wide range of courses, stay away from constantly rearranging your clubs. Keep the clubs that you know you use most on the course and discard everything else. The momentary pain of parting with a club you rarely use will soon give way to contentment about reducing household clutter and committing to a stable arrangement of clubs to play with.

When it comes to older clubs with sentimental value – your mother or father’s clubs, or the first driver you ever owned – you shouldn’t feel pressure to throw these away. But you should only keep those clubs that truly have an important emotional connection to your past. As for storage, they should be considered memorabilia and placed in an area that doesn’t eliminate room for more pressing household needs.

Categorize Your Golf Balls and Keep a Reasonable Amount

There are two categories of golf balls: balls you use on the course, and “shag balls.” Balls that you bring to play with are new, made by elite manufacturers like Titleist, come in slick packaging, cost real money, and provide you with an advantage on the course. They should be stored near your clubs and added to your bag, as needed, before each round. Try to keep around 10-15 of these balls at any given time, and include as many in your bag as you will likely use in a round.

Shag balls are not for real golfing; they’re old balls, or balls made by mediocre companies, or both. Their sole purpose is in practicing your short game – chipping and pitching – either at home or at a local practice facility that allows you to chip around in a designated area. However, as these accommodations are increasingly rare at public courses, you should own shag balls only if you have a yard large enough to practice your short game in. The balls should be stored in a plastic bag or a small duffel, and placed in a dry area near the yard where you practice. You should keep around 20-25 if you practice frequently; a useful guideline is not to keep more than one bag or container of shag balls.

(As for balls to bring to the putting green, you can use the nicer and newer balls that you play with for this purpose. You will only be bringing 3-5 balls to the putting green, there is no chance of losing them, and they will not incur significant wear and tear being used to hit putts.)

Keep Only One Golf Bag and Don’t Over-Accessorize

Golf equipment consists of much more than clubs and balls; golfers also own a bag, gloves, tees, ball markers, and devices that clean your spikes and repair ball marks on greens. Most of these items do not pose an organizational challenge, as they are small and can be stored in your bag. However, holding on to an excess of these items isn’t organizationally beneficial, and will make your bag uncomfortably heavy. Invest in the universally available item that magnetically attaches a ball marker to a small device that also repairs ball marks and cleans spikes. (These are available in any golf shop and frequently come styled with the logo of the course where they’re sold). Hold on to no more than two of these; in a pinch, any coin can be used as a ball marker, and a tee can both repair ball marks and clean your spikes.

The major exception in terms of organizational convenience is, of course, the golf bag itself. Golf bags are awkward objects that can essentially only be stored standing upright in a corner. They have a strange shape and, once filled with clubs and balls, can quickly become quite heavy. The golden rule: one golf bag per golfer in your household, and that bag should be the bag that each golfer actively uses. Keeping old bags can create a clutter challenge that justifies saving an unreasonable number of older clubs. If you’re holding on to a back-up bag in case your active bag breaks, that could mean you should look into replacing it. Golf bags are durable and long-lasting, and if you’re concerned that yours will break soon, it might be time for a new one. (Today’s golf bags are made with much lighter materials, so investing in a newer model may also do your back and shoulders a big favor.)

Golf is an expensive sport, which is why so many golfers are reluctant to throw away old or excessive equipment. But an unreasonable attachment to golf equipment does nothing to help your game and will quickly devour valuable storage space in your garage, basement, or attic. Golfing is, ideally, a release from stress – don’t make it a source of stress and tension by adding clutter to your home.

Andrew Harrison is an obsessive golfer and golf fan who comes from a like-minded family of golf nuts. He has over four years of experience as a professional organizer and has caddied for ten summers at the Country Club of Fairfield in Fairfield, CT.