In today’s golf world, practice facilities are more than just warmup zones – they are critical assets that influence player development, golfer satisfaction and a facility’s overall image and business. As a USGA agronomist, I’ve had the opportunity to assess countless practice areas, and one topic that continues to surface is switching to synthetic turf for features such as target greens and practice bunker banks, where playability is less of a concern than presentation and durability.
While natural turf remains a hallmark of the game, certain parts of the practice area often suffer from excessive wear, inconsistent turf quality and escalating maintenance demands. Synthetic turf, once viewed as a novelty, has become a serious consideration for enhancing aesthetics, reducing maintenance costs and increasing functionality. Here are some key benefits and considerations that I discuss with courses when evaluating whether synthetic turf in key areas of the practice facility makes sense for them.
Consistent Appearance and Playability
One of the most immediate benefits of synthetic turf is its visual and functional consistency. Natural grass on target greens and practice bunker surrounds is prone to patchiness and is difficult to manage properly with the amount of use these areas get. In contrast, artificial turf provides a clean and well-defined look throughout the year regardless of weather or traffic.
Reduced Maintenance and Operating Costs
The operational demands of natural turf in practice areas are considerable. Mowing, irrigation, topdressing, fertilization and pest control are all part of the routine and costs can escalate quickly in high-use areas that tend to get worn down. It can also be difficult for the maintenance team to spend much time working on practice areas because golfers are often using them from dawn until dusk. Synthetic turf dramatically reduces inputs. Labor hours, fuel, water and chemical usage all decline, freeing up resources for other parts of the course.
While the initial capital investment required to convert some areas to artificial turf can be significant, many of the facilities I’ve worked with begin to see a return within five to seven years, depending on scale and usage. For public courses or clubs with limited staffing, this can be a game changer.
Improved Drainage and Year-Round Accessibility
Another significant advantage of modern synthetic turf systems is their engineered base design, which promotes rapid drainage. Natural turf can become soft, muddy or outright unusable following rain events. Synthetic surfaces not only drain efficiently but are ready for play shortly after storms, which is a considerable benefit for instructional programs, daily operations and golfer satisfaction. For courses with poor native soils or water access limitations, synthetic turf offers a dependable, low-maintenance solution for parts of the practice facility.
Better Durability in High-Traffic Zones
Practice facility features like practice bunker banks and range targets receive more concentrated traffic than most other parts of the course. These areas are rarely able to recover naturally, resulting in bare spots, erosion and overall decline. Synthetic turf excels in such high-abuse environments. It stands up to foot traffic, range ball pickers, mowers and sand splash with minimal degradation.
Design Flexibility and Customization
Today’s synthetic turf options go well beyond the "green carpet look" of years past. Manufacturers now offer a wide range of textures, colors and pile heights that can closely mimic everything from tightly mown fairways to bunker surrounds. With the help of skilled contractors and thoughtful design, superintendents can use synthetic turf to build contoured target greens, simulate different lie conditions near chipping areas, or even create realistic bunker faces that don’t require constant regrassing that usually comes with natural grass around practice bunkers. Synthetic options open up exciting possibilities for facilities seeking a more polished and playable practice environment.
Essential Considerations Before Making the Switch
Of course, not every site or budget is an ideal candidate for synthetic turf. Up-front costs can be substantial, and product life expectancy generally ranges from eight to 12 years. Additionally, it’s essential to work with vendors and installers who understand the unique demands of golf, not just synthetic turf for landscape or athletic field use. Subpar installation or the wrong product selection can lead to disappointment and unnecessary expenses. As with any capital improvement, I advise facilities to weigh the long-term maintenance savings, golfer expectations and the strategic goals of the course before moving forward.
Final Thoughts
In the proper setting, converting key practice facility features to synthetic turf can be a wise, forward-thinking decision. Most courses already have some artificial turf in use on their practice tees, but there are potential benefits to going further. The ability to maintain visual appeal, reduce maintenance inputs and deliver consistent playability – especially in high-use areas – makes synthetic turf a strong option in the modern practice facility toolkit. As a USGA regional agronomist, my role is to help courses balance tradition with innovation. Although synthetic turf may not be the right fit for every feature, it deserves a place in the conversation when planning for long-term practice facility performance.
Southeast Region Agronomists:
Jordan Booth, Ph.D., senior director, USGA Course Consulting Service – jbooth@usga.org
Chris Hartwiger, director, Agronomy – chartwiger@usga.org
Chris Neff, agronomist – cneff@usga.org
Mitch Leininger, agronomist - mleininger@usga.org