Performance differences that matter on the green

Both fiber types can produce a tour-true roll when you start with a dense, quality product and tune with the right infill. Your choice comes down to how you want the ball to roll and how the surface should feel underfoot and at impact.

Ball speed and roll

  • Nylon: Naturally brisk out of the box due to stiffer, high-density fibers. Light topdressing raises speed and tightens roll.
  • Texturized polyethylene: Needs sand to tune. With proper infill and grooming, it delivers a true, repeatable roll at common home speeds.
  • Target speeds: Most home greens aim for roughly 9 to 12 on a Stimpmeter. Both systems can hit this range when properly built.

Feel and sound

  • Nylon: Crisp impact with a firmer stance feel.
  • Texturized polyethylene: Softer hand and quieter strike without sacrificing roll quality.

Durability, heat, and weather

Wear and traffic

  • Nylon: Exceptional tuft resilience for tight turn areas and repeated footfall around cups.
  • Texturized polyethylene: Durable for residential use with routine brushing and correct infill support.

Heat and UV behavior

  • Nylon: Can feel hotter in full sun. Choose UV-stabilized, solution-dyed fibers for color fastness.
  • Texturized polyethylene: Typically runs cooler to the touch and is widely trusted for outdoor installs in sunny, hot climates.

Infill and maintenance

  • Nylon: Often needs light topdressing to tune speed and keep fibers standing. Typical silica sand ranges are modest.
  • Texturized polyethylene: Relies on sand to set speed, stabilize fibers, and smooth roll. Expect more infill and more frequent brushing to maintain consistency.
  • Care routine: Leaf blow, brush against grain, check and top off infill as needed, and keep cups clear. A few minutes weekly preserves green speed and trueness.

Cost and value

  • Nylon: Usually higher material cost and premium face weights. Strong value where fast play and heavy use matter.
  • Texturized polyethylene: Often lower upfront cost with excellent performance once infilled and groomed. Strong value for family and all-season play.

Choose by goals, climate, and use case

Pick nylon if you want

  • Firm, fast roll with minimal sand management.
  • High resilience in tight, high-traffic zones around cups and walk-offs.
  • Indoor installations or shaded sites where heat is not a concern.

Pick texturized polyethylene if you want

  • Softer hand and cooler surface in sun-exposed yards.
  • Predictable, smooth roll tuned by sand for your target speed.
  • Versatility for putt-only greens or chip-and-putt setups with a realistic check and release.

Spec checklist that actually matters

  • Pile height: Pure putting typically 0.5 to 0.75 inches for nylon. Texturized polyethylene often 0.75 to 1.0 inches for putt-only, up to about 1.25 inches for chip-and-putt.
  • Face weight and density: Higher numbers help stability and roll uniformity. Compare apples to apples across products.
  • Infill type: Clean, dry, rounded silica sand is the baseline. Specialty topdress sands can fine-tune speed.
  • Seaming: Clean, aligned seams with consistent backing adhesion protect roll quality.
  • Base prep: Solid, smooth, well-compacted base with precise grades makes more difference than any fiber choice.

Install tips for a true, repeatable roll

  • Shape first: Build your contours in the base. Keep subtle breaks that teach touch without creating gimmicks.
  • Compact properly: Multiple passes at optimal moisture for a tight, flat surface.
  • Lay and relax: Let turf acclimate before final trimming and seaming.
  • Dress in lifts: Add sand in thin passes, broom between lifts, and test roll. Stop when speeds match your target.
  • Set the cups last: After final grooming, cut cups clean and set level for a flush finish.

Example build recipes

Pure putting, fast and firm

  • Fiber: Dense nylon, pile about 0.5 to 0.625 inches.
  • Tuning: Light silica topdress and tight grooming for brisk speeds.

Backyard all-rounder

  • Fiber: Texturized polyethylene around 0.75 to 1.0 inches.
  • Tuning: Sand to target speed, with a PE fringe at 1.5 to 2.0 inches for chipping and visual framing.

Sun-drenched family green

  • Fiber: Texturized polyethylene for cooler touch.
  • Tuning: Moderate sand, regular brushing for smooth roll and easy maintenance.

Ready to spec it right

Tell us your speed target, size, sun exposure, and whether you want chipping. FusionTurf will match a nylon or texturized polyethylene system and infill plan that hits your goals with zero guesswork.