Synthetic Putting Greens Gone Wrong
Synthetic Greens are wonderful but some simple maintenance or pre-construction preparation will prevent conditions see in these photos.
First, make sure that water does not pool on the surface. Greens should have proper drainage. Since synthetic greens do not have factory installed drainage holes, the water must be discharged off to a side. The green surface should have a 1% - 3% pitch to move all water and drain properly. All installed cups should be able to drain any water that may accumulate during heavy rain. TJB-INC drills down 24", removes the soil and fills the hole with clean 3/4" drainstone. This helps prevent water staying just under the cups and then freezing during the winter months which heaves the cups out of the hole.
Second, remove any organic material that lands on your synthetic green or it will degrade into compost that weeds will be able to use as a nutrient source. TJB-INC uses a Dyson vacuum once a month to suck up any debris on our display green. This is a must after White Pine's release their pollen or catkin seed pods from birches and cherry trees in the spring. In between vacuumings, we use a blower and/or our fingers to remove any animal waste, sticks, grass clippings, flower petals, etc.
Third, if you install a synthetic green in an area where moss is already growing without providing more air circulation and sunlight to the area, the moss will grow right on top of your prized green. TJB-INC uses (and sells) a peroxide based oxidizer that removes & prevents moss, mildew, mold, & bladder warts from growing on any synthetic putting green surface for customers who find this out too late.
Fourth, if you or your guests are smokers, stay away from synthetic greens when smoking. Nylon, Polypropylene & Polyethylene are types of plastic used to make the putting green fibers and will MELT if you drop hot ashes or place a lit cigar or cigarette down on the surface. If you use a gas backpack or hand blower to clean debris off the green surface, this is great as long as you do not put the blower unit directly on the green surface. The heat from the motor's exhaust will quickly melt the green's surface for which there is no easy repair.
First, make sure that water does not pool on the surface. Greens should have proper drainage. Since synthetic greens do not have factory installed drainage holes, the water must be discharged off to a side. The green surface should have a 1% - 3% pitch to move all water and drain properly. All installed cups should be able to drain any water that may accumulate during heavy rain. TJB-INC drills down 24", removes the soil and fills the hole with clean 3/4" drainstone. This helps prevent water staying just under the cups and then freezing during the winter months which heaves the cups out of the hole.
Second, remove any organic material that lands on your synthetic green or it will degrade into compost that weeds will be able to use as a nutrient source. TJB-INC uses a Dyson vacuum once a month to suck up any debris on our display green. This is a must after White Pine's release their pollen or catkin seed pods from birches and cherry trees in the spring. In between vacuumings, we use a blower and/or our fingers to remove any animal waste, sticks, grass clippings, flower petals, etc.
Third, if you install a synthetic green in an area where moss is already growing without providing more air circulation and sunlight to the area, the moss will grow right on top of your prized green. TJB-INC uses (and sells) a peroxide based oxidizer that removes & prevents moss, mildew, mold, & bladder warts from growing on any synthetic putting green surface for customers who find this out too late.
Fourth, if you or your guests are smokers, stay away from synthetic greens when smoking. Nylon, Polypropylene & Polyethylene are types of plastic used to make the putting green fibers and will MELT if you drop hot ashes or place a lit cigar or cigarette down on the surface. If you use a gas backpack or hand blower to clean debris off the green surface, this is great as long as you do not put the blower unit directly on the green surface. The heat from the motor's exhaust will quickly melt the green's surface for which there is no easy repair.
