If you want your ball to ‘hold' - artificial putting greens can do it. If you want the contours and speed of your favorite golf holes, then put together a custom design for your backyard golf green and make it a part of your exterior landscape. The advances in technology have taken year-round putting light years ahead of your local minigolf course. Now, you can have the real feel and the natural beauty - all in a synthetic grass surface.

Aside from the obvious convenience of having artificial putting greens in your backyard, the latest turf technology makes them more durable, longer-lasting, and playable year round. It is an all-weather surface that can be played on even when wet, but it doesn't need water at all - because it isn't real grass.

Sure, artificial putting greens are become more popular at golf courses across the country. In fact, the commercial opportunities for artificial putting greens are growing rapidly. It makes sense for clubs that can't operate year round on real grass, to offer their members the chance to practice their putting and chipping on 2,000 to 4,000 square foot synthetic greens.

This is especially true for practice greens and driving ranges that experience high traffic and use. Studies have shown after about five years, the total cost of maintenance and re-sodding natural grass equals or exceeds the total cost of an artificial turf green. On a cost-per-use basis, the benefits of synthetic turf look more compelling.

Natural turf greens require constant maintenance, overseeding, fertilizer, pesticides, aeration, weed treatment, and regular mowing and watering. There is also the investment in equipment, equipment maintenance and added labor costs to keep it all going. A synthetic grass tee line or putting green has little to no downtime so it is always available for use. When you add it all up, artificial turf putting greens and tee lines make a lot of sense.

Even though you can find artificial putting greens at your local golf club, it doesn't mean you can't take out the garden in the backyard to make way for your new artificial putting green. You too can enjoy the benefit of having the convenience and comfort of being able to walk out after a cup of coffee in the morning to practice your stroke for this weekend's match. Here's what you can expect from your artificial putting green: