| Diehard golf fans are a breed all their own. Many | | | | construct, driving ranges won't disturb the |
| travel hundreds of miles and spend thousands of | | | | neighbors too much, assuming you have enough |
| dollars to play in new, exciting locales. Others pay | | | | space and the proper safety netting. Or perhaps |
| outrageous membership fees every year just to | | | | you need a space to practice chipping? Chipping |
| have a place to practice their swing. However, | | | | areas are another fairly small, easily landscaped |
| any avid golfer can create a private golf | | | | choice. Design your chipping area with plenty of |
| sanctuary right in his or her own back yard. All | | | | rough grass, mounds, or water or sand traps. |
| you need is some space, a few resources, | | | | Chipping areas don't need to be immaculately |
| creativity, and the correct landscaping techniques. | | | | manicured, either. Letting the area get a little |
| Below, you'll find ideas and useful tips that can help | | | | overgrown will probably help your game even |
| turn your plain old yard into the envy of every | | | | more. |
| golfer on the block. | | | | Putting greens do require a bit more planning than |
| The first step in creating a backyard golf course | | | | other features, but they can be designed to fit |
| is to understand your yard's terrain. Figure out the | | | | nearly any space. Make sure your putting area is |
| size, shape, natural elevations, and the amount of | | | | flat. Design and install a drainage system, and |
| sun and rain in the area you wish to turn into a | | | | dedicate time to properly cultivating the turf. A |
| backyard course. Check your city's zoning laws to | | | | grass green is a fairly long-term project, so if you |
| make sure your landscaping ideas won't be in | | | | are looking for more immediate results, opt for |
| violation of any code. This may seem like a lot to | | | | artificial turf. Artificial grass is quick to install and |
| consider, but doing so will only make your project | | | | requires a lot less maintenance. |
| that much easier to complete | | | | If you are restricted by size but still want a full |
| Next, decide which aspects of a traditional course | | | | course, try designing a mini-golf course. Mini |
| will fit on your property. Chances are, you won't | | | | courses can be a lot of fun, but they also a lot of |
| be able to fit eighteen holes. However, if you do | | | | work, especially if you want each hole to be |
| have a few spare acres, you can easily create a | | | | different and challenging. Hiring a professional |
| one- or two-hole course. Choose the course | | | | designer is probably your best bet when building a |
| features for your course. These may include: a | | | | mini-golf course; however, that doesn't mean you |
| tee-off area, a chipping area, a sand or a small | | | | can't be in on the design process. |
| water trap, a rough, and a putting green. | | | | Yes, golf fanatics around the world have started |
| If your budget and space is limited, just include | | | | to build their own courses, holes or practice areas. |
| your favorite aspects of golf. Are you a fan of | | | | And if you have the means and have done the |
| teeing off? If so, why not add a driving range to | | | | research, there is no reason why you can't have |
| your property? Relatively simple to design and | | | | your own personal course as well. |