Do artificial greens hold true breaks and slopes?

How artificial greens create true breaks

On a putting green, the ball follows gravity across the surface. That path is set by the base grade, not the turf face. When the subbase is shaped with clean transitions and compacted to hold that shape, the turf conforms and stays there, so your putts read and roll like you planned.

Base dictates ball path

• Contour comes from the shaped aggregate base.
• Consistency comes from uniform compaction and smooth micrograding.
• Durability comes from stable materials, edging, and drainage that prevent movement over time.

Turf mirrors the grade

• Short, dense putting turf lays into the shaped base.
• Proper infill and grooming eliminate ripples and create a tight, uniform surface.
• Seam quality and fiber direction are tuned so the ball is influenced by slope, not irregularities.

What controls speed and break feel

• Turf type: Texturized nylon (0.5 to 0.75 in) delivers fast, true roll with minimal infill. Polyethylene slit-film (0.9 to 1.25 in) uses heavy sand infill and can accept chips while still rolling true.
• Infill depth and grading sand: Rounded silica sand levels the face and sets speed. More sand and more rolling increase speed.
• Brushing and grain: Cross-brushing neutralizes grain. Final rolling sets a tight, predictable surface.
• Seam plan: Align seams outside primary putting lines when possible. Well-executed seams are invisible to a rolling ball.
• Environment: Temperature, debris, and moisture affect surface friction. Routine care keeps roll consistent.

Typical backyard stimp speeds range from about 9 to 12 with nylon systems and roughly 8 to 11 with sand-filled polyethylene systems. Faster speeds are achievable with precise base work, tight grooming, and tuned infill.

Build it to hold true lines: recommended approach

Design and layout

• Define pin locations, approach angles, and intended breaks before excavation.
• Target macro slopes under roughly 3 percent on main putting areas. Use gentle transitions to avoid flat spots and kinks.

Subgrade and base

• Excavate and compact native subgrade. Stabilize weak soils as needed.
• Install 4 to 6 inches of compactable, angular aggregate (for example, 3/4 inch minus) in lifts. Compact each lift to about 95 percent of modified Proctor.
• Add 0.5 to 1 inch of fines or screenings for microshaping. Laser or stringline to dial in contours within a tolerance of about 1/4 inch over 10 feet.
• Integrate drainage where needed using perforated pipe to daylight and a free-draining base profile. Include perimeter edging to lock the system.

Turf and seams

• Choose putting-specific turf with dense, uniform face yarns.
• Dry-fit rolls to minimize seams in main roll lines. Use seam tape and polyurethane adhesive. Weight and cure per manufacturer guidance.

Infill and finishing

• Topdress with clean, rounded silica sand in light passes. Power-broom between passes to settle sand evenly.
• Cross-brush to remove grain. Roll the surface to tighten and set speed. Test with putts from multiple angles, then fine-tune with small infill adjustments.

Artificial vs natural greens: how they compare on breaks

• Artificial: Breaks match the designed grade and stay stable over time when the base is built right. Speed and feel are tunable and repeatable.
• Natural: Breaks and speed can vary with moisture, mowing height, thatch, and growth. Maintenance demand is higher.

If you want consistent read-and-roll practice, a precision-built artificial green is a strong choice.

Maintenance to keep breaks true

• Brush lightly as needed to stand fibers and level topdressing.
• Blow off debris to prevent organic buildup.
• Top up infill annually if required. Check seams and edges.
• Roll periodically to maintain speed consistency.

With routine care, the surface stays uniform and the breaks you designed remain reliable.

Common mistakes that cause off-line roll

• Insufficient compaction or uneven lifts in the base.
• Sharp grade changes that create kinks instead of smooth transitions.
• Inconsistent infill depth or skipping the cross-brush step.
• Poor seam prep or alignment in a primary roll zone.

Specs and tolerances FusionTurf recommends

• Base compaction: about 95 percent modified Proctor, verified per lift.
• Surface tolerance: within roughly 1/4 inch over 10 feet on finished grade before turf.
• Macro slopes: generally under 3 percent on primary putting zones, with gentle transitions.
• Drainage: positive flow away from structures, drain lines where needed, and a free-draining base profile.

Nylon or polyethylene: which to choose

• Nylon: Faster out of the box, minimal infill, excellent for pure putting and indoor installs.
• Polyethylene with sand infill: Very true roll when groomed, accepts chips, speed is adjustable through infill and rolling.

Both systems hold the breaks you build when installed on a stable, well-shaped base.

Plan your slopes like a pro

• Map your intended putt lines and aim points.
• Use long, continuous contours for natural reads.
• Place cups on gentle sections to keep lip-outs predictable.
• Test with a ball during shaping to confirm the break before turf goes down.

Ready to design a practice green that teaches your eyes and your stroke? Define the breaks you want, then build the base to match. We will help you execute with precision.