The measuring tape, extension cord, and spray paint will be used to measure and mark the desired area for your golf putting green. The lawn spray, weed killer, and weed barrier will be used to kill and block vegetation from growing under your sub-base. The shovel, wheel barrow, and rake will be used to move and spread the sub-base material. The garden hose, spray nozzle, ride-on roller or gas tamp will be used to compact the sub-base. A gas tamp, also called a plate compactor, will compact the sub-base much quicker than the lawn roller. A ride-on roller can be rented for about $155 a day, a lawn roller can be rented for about $8 - $12 a day, and a gas tamp will cost about $20 - $30 a day. The drop spreader and the push broom will be used to fill the green with sand. The small hand shovel is used to dig the regulation holes in the sub-base. The knife will be used to cut the holes out of the turf. 

Materials Required
If you are installing your backyard putting green on concrete, you need not be concerned with the sub-base material.

The best sub-base consists of 4" of crushed rock (also known as Class "A" rock) topped with 4" unwashed crushed limestone. The crushed stone underlying sub-base should be clean and have no fines which helps it provide drainage. However, most people feel that 4" of unwashed crushed limestone is adequate.  The following materials and instructions are based on installing a 4" sub-base of crushed limestone or limestone fines.

Sub-Base Material
This is an unwashed crushed limestone compacted to form a solid foundation for your putting green. It is known by several different names in different areas of the country.   Call your local stone quarry and ask for unwashed limestone fines, limestone dust or crushed fines.  

Be sure that the crushed limestone is 1/4" minus.  If 1/4" minus is unavailable, you can get by with 3/8" minus. 1/4" minus means that no piece of stone is larger than 1/4".  Some of the stones will probably be 3/8".  The smaller the stone the better for the compaction process. You will be able to find the stone at a local stone company, rock quarry, or gravel pit at a cost of about $10-$15 per ton delivered. When calling, be sure to tell them you must have stone that is NOT washed.

To determine how much sub-base you will need, use this formula: for every 12'x12' area (or 144 sq. ft.), you will need two tons of crushed limestone.  You will need the same amount of stone for the crushed rock, beneath the crushed limestone, if you choose to use both. 

Use white and black sandblasting sand (30 - 35 grit or medium) to fill your green.   Make sure it is 35 grit sandblasting sand and not all-purpose sand. If you can't find a 30-35 grit, then a 40 or 60 grit can be substituted. It will be a little bit finer sand and may take a little longer to push into the turf. You will be able to find this sand at a local sandblasting supply store for a cost of $4-$6 per 100lb. bag.  For aesthetic purposes, 20% of the sand you buy needs to be black or green sand. 

To determine how much sand you will need, use this formula:  The 1/2" Performance turf will take about 2-3 lbs of sand per sq. ft. and the 1" Performance turf requires 5-6 lbs. of sand per sq. ft.  

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