As a homeowner in Philadelphia with an artificial putting green, you want the experience of putting on it to mimic a real grass green as closely as possible. The way the ball rolls and behaves on the artificial surface is crucial to achieving that realistic sensation. This ball roll is significantly impacted by the infill within the blades of grass on your putting green.
What Is Infill and Why It Matters
Infill is the material that supports the upright blades of grass in an artificial turf system. It is worked down into the backing of the turf during the manufacturing process. Common infill options for putting greens include silica sand, cryogenic rubber, acrylic-coated sand, and organic materials like cork or coconut husks.
No matter which type of infill your artificial putting green contains, it serves some key functions:
- Keeps blades upright for proper ball contact
- Provides cushioning for more natural feel
- Helps control ball speed
- Aids in guiding ball direction
Maintaining the proper fill level and regularly grooming the infill are critical to sustaining true ball roll over time. As you use your putting green, the infill can become compacted or migrate away from high traffic areas. If infill levels get too low, the turf lies down and ball roll is impacted.
Different Infills, Different Playing Characteristics
The type of infill used in your artificial grass putting green has a direct influence on ball roll speed and performance. Silica sand, for instance, provides excellent ball speed control and a smooth, consistent roll. Organic infills like cork tend to result in slightly slower speeds with more friction. Their natural properties also make them less prone to compaction.
Acrylic coated sands are growing in popularity for artificial putting greens because they maintain their flow characteristics extremely well in all weather conditions. The acrylic coating prevents the fine particles from sticking together. Hybrid infill systems are also available, blending materials like sand and rubber to optimize playing characteristics.
When our team installs a putting green, we carefully select an infill to match the homeowner’s preferences for speed and ball interaction. Your ideal ball roll is dictated largely by the infill in your artificial grass blades.
Proper Brushing Maximizes Infill Performance
To keep your artificial putting green maintaining optimal ball roll over months and years, regular maintenance of the infill through brushing and grooming is a must. In addition to keeping the surface clear of leaves and other debris. Mechanical brushing pulls the infill back up to the top. It loosens, levels it, and helps stand the grass blades back up.
We recommend brushing along two perpendicular axes to cover all angles. During your regular brushing regimen, it helps to gently break up any compacted areas that develop. Our artificial grass technicians serve the Philadelphia area and can provide tips for keeping your unique putting green infill at peak efficiency.
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By properly understanding fill materials and grooming needs, Philadelphia homeowners can keep their artificial putting greens rolling smoothly for years to come. With routine care, your family and friends can continue enjoying this fun backyard upgrade while developing their short-game skills.
For a free quote on installing a new artificial grass putting green or maintaining your existing one, contact the knowledgeable pros at Philly Artificial Grass Pros today. We offer all homeowners in Philadelphia tailored advice and practical solutions for maximizing their investment. Call 267-376-8932 or send us a message to get started.