How to Make a DIY Putting Green

How To Make a DIY Putting Green

This “How To Make a DIY Putting Green” blog was written by a paid contributor. All photos were taken by Josh Mayer.

The weather is finally getting warmer, and I’m itching to get outside and work on my golf game (specifically putting). Like most amateur golfers, I spend way too much time at the practice range hitting golf balls and not nearly enough time on the greens putting. Unfortunately, my handicap reflects this. To improve my putting and spend more time outside, I decided to build a weatherproof outdoor putting green. Now, I can enjoy a little vitamin D while working on sinking some putts.

Materials

● 1 Flex Glue 10oz cartridge, white

● 1 Flex Seal Liquid gallon, black

● 1 4’ x 8’ plywood sheet

● 5 2x4x8 boards

● 1 box of 2” deck screws

● 1 6’ x 8’ outdoor rug

● Circular saw

● Power drill

● 3” hole cutter drill attachment

● Paintbrush

● Paint roller

Steps

1. Cut and Assemble Base

First, you’ll need to cut six 32” 2x4 pieces for the interior and ends of the frame. Next, lay out your freshly cut lumber to create a frame that is 3’ wide by 8’ long.

Flexpert Tip: I chose 3’ x 8’ as my dimensions because the 2x4’s and plywood are both pre-cut to 8’ in length. Doing so minimizes the number of additional cuts you need to make.

Each interior 2x4 should be about 1.5’ from each other for maximum stability. Once you lay out your frame, grab your 2” deck screws and start assembling. I chose to reinforce each T joint with 2 screws. If needed, you can add extra support with scrap wood in between interior framing. Now that the frame is built measure the width and cut the plywood down to size, securing it with 2” deck screws (I chose to reinforce with four screws per interior support).

2. Waterproof the Base

Now it’s time to waterproof your base with Flex Seal Liquid. This liquid rubber sealant weatherizes the wood and seals out moisture, extending the life of your DIY putting green. Using a paint roller, apply Flex Seal Liquid black to the entire base and ensure that the wood is thoroughly covered. Fill in those hard-to-reach seams with a paintbrush.

Flexpert Tip: Allow 24-48 hours for Flex Seal Liquid to fully cure before adding additional coats.

3. Create Putting Hole

Once the base is dry, you can drill a putting hole. A standard putting cup is four ¼,” but I chose to cut a 3” hole to work on putting accuracy. I may regret this once I begin practicing!

Start by choosing which side of the board you prefer your putting target to be. Measure 18” from the side and 8.5” from the end to find the center point. Slowly drill a hole in the center point using a 3” hole-cutting power drill attachment (or 4 ¼” if you want a standard-sized opening).

4. Apply Second Coat of Liquid and Attach Green

The next step of our build is adding the putting surface. Apply a second coat of Flex Seal Liquid to the plywood base, which will act as an adhesive for the rug. Slowly roll out the green onto the base while smoothing it with a flat object (I used a leftover segment of 2x4).

Flexpert Tip: You must securely attach your rug to the plywood without wrinkles or gaps to ensure the putting surface will run “true.”

5. Final Touches

Once the Flex Glue dries, and your rug is nice and snug, cut out the remaining fabric over the 3” hole and trim any excess carpet around the edges. For the base of the hole, I chose a 3” PVC pipe cap, a cost-effective version of a standard cup. I applied Flex Glue to the rim of the cap and secured it to the bottom of the plywood.

Next, I added bumpers to the target side of the green to keep my missed putts from rolling. Finally, give your putting surface a quick vacuum to ensure a smooth shot. Now you’re ready to hit the green and sink some putts, rain, or shine!

By Josh Mayer