COMMUNITY

Community  /  Forums  /  Would you play on a course made of synthetic grass?
Would you play on a course made of synthetic grass?
Sylla
Legend
 
102 Views    15 Replies    1 Like   I like it!
"In US, only 5% of golf courses are made of synthetic turfgrass."
http://golfbusinessmonitor.typ..

What???? Where? Has anyone ever played a normal golf course (18 holes, par 72) made of synthetic grass?? And would you play on one?
Personally, of course, I don't think I would. There's nothing like the smell of freshly cut grass... Plus how the ball reacts depending on how it sits on the grass, the difference between fairway and rough, etc. etc. Golf without grass isn't golf.
Sylla
Legend
 
# 1    10/2/2009 8:08:27 PM   
I checked the topic on the web and apparently synthetic turf is used for putting greens and tee boxes on some courses. And it looks like the putting greens are so true that they're really hard to distinguish from the real thing... I've never played a course with synthetic turf. Or maybe I have, but I just didn't realize it ;) Ohhh, scary thought.


PinHunter
Professional Champion
 
# 2    10/4/2009 10:41:09 AM   
You think they'd get upset when I take a divot?


Sylla
Legend
 
# 3    10/4/2009 6:31:23 PM   
I think it's a great idea for indoor facilities. I'd love being able to putt on an synthetic green that would be closer to the real thing. I'm sure it would help my game. Now when it comes to playing on a golf course in the summer, I'm all in favour of environmentaly-friendly golf courses. My home course is an Audubon sanctuary. It doesn't mean they do everything perfectly, but it's a start. I'm sure there are many things a golf course can do to be more eco-friendly before being made of synthetic turf. Although, I guess it all depends on the location. For sure a golf course in the desert that's using all the water supply of the area doesn't make much sense...


earxtc
Professional Champion
 
# 4    10/4/2009 11:08:46 PM   
I would in a heart beat. Something different.. check out Zilzie Bay Golf Resort in Australia. They are the 1st to instal a full Par 70, golf course.


PISC
Legend
 
# 5    10/5/2009 8:15:37 AM   
It is really hard to believe this topic has truned into an environmental issue! This topic was simple, would you play synthetic or not!
No golf was meant to be played on grass and maintained by superintendents!


PISC
Legend
 
# 6    10/5/2009 8:16:27 AM   
Personally, no, I wouldn't. However, I suppose there would be some advantages to artificial greens: the foot draggers would have no effect and thus, no scuffed up turf to try and smooth or bounce your ball over, no un-repaired ball marks, no need to repair your own ball marks, no dead areas, no need to play several weeks on nasty greens while they recover from being punched and sanded, no low wet squishy spots, predictable and consistent rolls on each green, no greens speeding up as they dry out during the day, no unpredictable grain patterns, no bare dirt or diseased areas, no rock hard greens during drought that won't hold a ball no matter how much backspin, perfectly pristine putting conditions on each and every green every single day...hummm...nope, I'll take grass and all the warts that come with it. There is something very satisfying with my having to repair my ball mark. I don't get to do that very often in a round! ;-) If God had meant for golf to be played on carpet what would be the use of thick lush Bermuda grass? Carpet is for munchkins on miniature golf courses!
BTW, I've never heard of a course with synthetic turf. Must be up North somewhere. No self-respecting Southerner would be caught dead playing on such an abomination!
I don't like watching football played on artificial turf...get down in the mud and dirt and play like a man!


Damn Greg those are harsh words!....LOL


mickchild
Professional Champion
 
# 7    10/5/2009 11:34:11 AM   
I don't care. I'd pretty much play anywhere. Different aspects require different approaches, that's all. It can't help but be a learning experience.


Duckhunter
Legend
 
# 8    10/5/2009 12:34:01 PM   
It would have to be some what like hitting off the mats? With my bad shoulder the doctors have told me not to hit off those mats, more guys and gals would have sholder trouble and we would break more clubs. No thanks I will play on grass only courses.