How Fast Should It Roll, How to Adjust It, and How to Keep It Perfect for Years to Come
At Synthetic Turf Northwest, we specialize in helping golf lovers bring the game home with custom-designed synthetic turf and artificial grass golf greens. One of the biggest questions new owners ask is: “How fast should my green roll when it’s first installed?”
Understanding the speed of your artificial grass golf green — and how it evolves over time — is key to getting maximum performance and enjoyment out of your investment. Let’s walk you through what to expect, how to fine-tune it, and a few simple maintenance tips to keep it dialed in for years to come.
What Speed Should a New Artificial Grass Golf Green Roll At?
When your green is freshly installed, it’s normal for the ball speed (also called “stimp speed”) to be a little slower than what you might find at your local golf course.
That’s because:
- The turf fibers are brand new and standing tall.
- The infill materials are still settling into place.
- Minor firmness develops over the first few months with use and weather.
Typical new green speeds range between 7.5–8 on the stimp meter (the industry-standard tool for measuring ball roll speed).
Over time, as the fibers relax and the surface compacts naturally, you’ll see a natural speed-up, often landing between 9–11 stimp after a few months, depending on your installation and climate.
Why Realistic Green Speeds Matter in Western Washington
Here in Western Washington, golfers experience some of the most variable playing conditions in the country, especially during our long, wet fall, winter, and early spring seasons. Because of this:
- Green speeds at local courses tend to run slower and softer for much of the year compared to courses in drier climates.
- The Washington State Golf Association (WSGA), following USGA/GIN guidelines, disables handicap postings during winter months due to seasonal condition variability.
This is important to keep in mind when designing and maintaining your home synthetic turf golf green.
Trying to make your green too fast, especially early on, may feel exciting at first, but it can create unrealistic practice conditions that don’t match what you’ll encounter at local golf courses.
Instead, we recommend targeting a true, medium-fast green speed that mirrors Western Washington course conditions most of the year. By keeping your synthetic turf or artificial grass golf green slower to start, you’ll protect it from getting too fast and unplayable, and you’ll better match the green speeds found at golf courses throughout the Puget Sound region.
How to Speed Up Your Synthetic Turf Golf Green
If you’re looking to pick up a little extra roll sooner, here are a few techniques:
- Rolling: Lightly rolling the green with a water-filled roller can help flatten the fibers faster, creating a faster putting surface.
- Adding Infill: Adding a touch more sand infill can firm up the base, helping the ball roll truer and faster.
- Heavy Play: The more you putt and chip on the surface, the quicker it breaks in naturally!
Pro Tip: Always follow our installation team’s care recommendations to avoid damaging the turf or infill.
How to Slow Down Your Artificial Grass Golf Green
If you’re finding your green is rolling a little too fast and you’d like to add more softness and control:
- Brush Out Some Infill: Use a stiff bristle broom or a power broom to lightly brush some of the sand infill out of the turf. This allows the fibers to stand up taller and flex more, naturally slowing the ball speed.
- Brush Against the Grain: Brushing the turf against your primary putting direction can encourage fibers to stay more upright, adding a little more resistance to the ball roll.
Important: Avoid adding new sand to slow your green — the correct method is to remove a small amount of infill, allowing the turf fibers to perform the way they were designed.
With these simple adjustments, you’ll find it easy to fine-tune the speed and feel of your artificial grass golf green to match your playing style.
How to Maintain Your Synthetic Turf and Artificial Grass Golf Green for Long-Term Performance
Your Synthetic Turf Northwest putting green is built to last, but just like a real golf course, a little regular attention goes a long way:
- Regular Brushing: Brush once every few weeks with a stiff bristle broom to keep the fibers upright and consistent.
- Blower and Broom Cleaning: Use a high-powered leaf blower and a stiff bristle broom to clean the surface.
TIP: One person using a push broom while another follows with a blower is an excellent technique for removing pine needles and other debris trapped in the fibers. - Surface Smoothing: During the winter months, fibers can get cold and feel bumpier, just like natural greens. Once temperatures warm up, use a residential drum roller to lightly smooth out the green.
Caution: Roll lightly. Excessive rolling can over-compact the surface and make the green too fast. - Base Repairs: If you notice minor irregularities or breaks in the base, use a hand tamper or a 2×4 and hammer to gently work out the imperfections.
- Moss Treatment: Apply a moss treatment at least twice a year to keep your green clean and free of growth.
- Debris Management: Place covers or tarps over your green during heavy windstorms or winter if you have a lot of surrounding trees.
- Cup Protection: Always place cup covers over your golf holes when not in use to prevent debris buildup inside the cups.
- Weight Caution: Avoid placing heavy objects (like patio furniture, planters, or equipment) on your putting green for extended periods, as they can flatten the fibers or damage the base.
By understanding your green’s natural evolution and performing these simple maintenance steps, you’ll be able to enjoy a premium putting experience right in your own backyard for many years to come.
Ready to Build Your Dream Synthetic Turf or Artificial Grass Golf Green?
Synthetic Turf Northwest is Washington’s largest and most trusted synthetic turf company. Whether you’re looking for a backyard putting green, a full golf practice complex, or just a place to sharpen your short game, our team of experts will help design and install the perfect surface for your needs.
