Putting Green Size Calculator
Plan a backyard putting green in 7 steps: how big should a backyard putting green be for your space, which shape to pick, how much turf and infill to order, how deep the crushed stone base goes, how many cups it holds, what slope it needs, and what DIY vs pro really costs.
100% client-side — no data leaves your browser1 · Green size from your available space
Reverse fit checker — does my target green fit?
2 · Shape planner — kidney, oval, rectangle
Kidney area is approximated as 0.82 × the enclosing ellipse; perimeter uses the enclosing ellipse for edging estimates.
3 · Turf takeoff — rolls, seams, infill
4 · Base & drainage planner
5 · Cup & pin placement
6 · Slope & contour advisor
Not a pro design. A green architect shapes contours in 3D; this is a rough planning guide to sanity-check slope and read break.
7 · Cost estimator — DIY vs pro install
Worked example: 15 × 25 ft rectangular green
Every number below comes from one run of the calculator engine above — change the inputs and the modes stay consistent with it.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Green area | 375 sq ft — Medium tier (300–500 sq ft), 2 cups |
| Edging | 80 ft of perimeter |
| Turf rolls (15 ft wide) | 1 run × 25 lin ft, 0 seams |
| Turf to order (12% waste) | 420 sq ft |
| Infill (green, 0.875 lb/sq ft) | 328.125 lb → 7 × 50-lb bags |
| Base (4 in crushed limestone) | 9.375 tons, 2 compaction lifts |
| Slope (1.5% over 25 ft) | 4.5 in of drop — within the 2% max |
| Fringe (4 ft ring) | 384 sq ft turf + 960 lb infill (20 bags) |
| DIY cost | $2,604.21 (turf $1,260.00 + base $468.75 + infill $386.44 + cups $60.00 + supplies $150.00 + 12% contingency) |
| Pro install (at $22/sq ft) | $8,250.00 — DIY saves about $5,645.79 |
Methodology — the formulas this tool uses
Size tiers, base depth, slope cap, infill rates, roll width, cup spec and cost ranges are spot-checked against the primary sources below. Kidney factor (0.82), cup formula, fringe width default (4 ft) and material price defaults are labeled modeling choices / editable inputs.
Putting green sizing — FAQs
What size should a backyard putting green be?
Most backyard greens fall in the 150-500 sq ft recreational range: small 150-300 sq ft (1-2 cups), medium 300-500 sq ft (2-3 cups), large 500-1,500 sq ft (3+ cups). Worked example: a 15 x 25 ft rectangle = 375 sq ft, a medium green with room for 2 cups.
How do I calculate how much turf to order?
Measure the green area, add 10-15% cutting waste, and plan seams around 15 ft roll widths. Worked example: a 15 x 25 ft green = 375 sq ft; it fits in a single 15-ft roll run (25 lin ft, 0 seams); with 12% waste you order 420 sq ft.
How much infill does a putting green need?
For modern tight-pile putting turf, 0.75-1 lb of infill per sq ft (sold in 50-lb bags). Worked example: 375 sq ft x 0.875 lb/sq ft = 328.125 lb, so 7 bags. A 4 ft fringe ring (384 sq ft) at 2.5 lb/sq ft needs 960 lb, so 20 bags.
How deep should the crushed stone base be?
About 4 in of crushed limestone (Crusher Run/ABC) after compaction, compacted in lifts of 2 in or less to about 95%. Tonnage rule: 1 ton covers 80 sq ft at 2 in thick. Worked example: 375 sq ft at 4 in = 9.375 tons.
How many cups should my putting green have?
Follow the size tiers: 150-300 sq ft gets 1-2 cups, 300-500 sq ft gets 2-3 cups, 500-1,500 sq ft gets 3 or more. Worked example: a 375 sq ft green gets 2 cups (4.25 in diameter x 4 in deep, the USGA spec), spaced at least 10 ft apart and 3 ft from the edge.
What slope should a backyard putting green have?
Aim for 1-2% overall fall and never more than 2% (3 in of drop per 12 ft). Worked example: 1.5% over a 25 ft run = 4.5 in of drop. Steeper greens shed water too fast and putts race past the hole.
How much does a backyard putting green cost: DIY vs pro?
DIY typically runs $5-$15 per sq ft all-in; professional installation runs $12-$30 per sq ft. Worked example (375 sq ft): DIY about $2,604.21 (turf $1,260.00 + base $468.75 + infill $386.44 + cups $60.00 + supplies $150.00 + 12% contingency); pro at $22/sq ft = $8,250.00.
Which shape is best: rectangle, oval, or kidney?
Any shape works - it changes the area and edging you buy, not the playability. Worked example at 15 x 25 ft: rectangle = 375 sq ft (80 ft of edging); oval = 294.52 sq ft; kidney = 241.51 sq ft (0.82 x the enclosing ellipse, approximate).
Do the cups need drainage?
Yes. Dig a shallow trench from each cup past the green edge and fill it with gravel or lay a PVC pipe. Cup drain holes let water escape under the green instead of pooling around the hole.
Sources
- Size tiers (150–300 / 300–500 / 500–1,500 sq ft; 1–2 / 2–3 / 3+ holes): texasturfusa.com — Backyard Putting Green Sizes
- Typical yard green 100–500 sq ft; excavate 4–6 in; stone + stone-dust base; silica infill: backyardboss.net — DIY Putting Green
- Slope ≤ 3 in per 12 ft (~2%); 4 in crushed limestone base; 1 ton / 80 sq ft at 2 in; ≤2 in lifts at 95%; fringe 2–3 lb/sq ft infill: artificialturfsupply.com — Putting Green Construction Manual (PDF)
- 2-in subbase layers, 4 in total; cup drainage trench with gravel or PVC: Putting Green Installation Guide (PDF)
- Tight-pile putting turf infill 0.75–1 lb/sq ft, 50-lb bags: practicesports.com — Envirofill Putting Green Infill
- USGA hole diameter 4.25 in (cited p.27): golfsciencejournal.org — Geometric Aspects of Strategic Putting (PDF)
- Turf $2–$8/sq ft; DIY $5–$15/sq ft; pro $15–$40/sq ft; 10–15% contingency: turffactorydirect.com — Putting Green Turf Cost
- Pro putting greens $12–$30/sq ft; 15 ft roll width: DFW Turf Solutions via cotswoldfinefurniture.com
- 8×15 ft pro install ~$6,000; compactor rental ~$30/day: golfdigest.com — Do It Yourself Golf: Putting Greens
Free tool by NRTechStudio