A putting green is a different job from a turf lawn. The surface is a short, dense putting turf that has to roll at a consistent speed, the base has to be shaped and compacted far more precisely, and the contours you choose decide whether it is a practice tool or a backyard novelty. The cost per square foot is higher for exactly those reasons.
We connect Wasatch Front homeowners with one vetted local turf installer. Before you get a price, the installer asks what you want the green to do: lag putting, short chips onto a fringe, kids' games, or all three. That answer sets the size, the number of cups and how much contour the base needs.
What A Putting Green Costs
HomeAdvisor's June 2026 guide puts backyard putting greens at $15 to $40 per square foot, with a normal project range of $3,500 to $9,000 and an average near $4,300. Size is the biggest lever on the per-foot price, because mobilization and shaping are fixed costs spread over fewer feet on a small green.
- Source: HomeAdvisor, "How Much Does It Cost to Install a Backyard Putting Green?", updated June 2026 (national figures, not Utah-specific)
- Fringe and chipping turf around the green are usually priced separately
- Lighting, extra cups and flags, and sand-trap features add cost
| Green size | Per sq ft | Average per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Small, under 400 sq ft | $25 – $40 | $33 |
| Medium, 400 – 2,000 sq ft | $20 – $30 | $25 |
| Large, over 2,000 sq ft | $15 – $25 | $20 |
Getting The Roll Right
The base under a green is built in thinner, more tightly compacted lifts than a lawn base, and the final surface is graded to the contours you agreed on. Infill sand is brushed in and topped up until the ball rolls at the speed you want. Ask the installer what speed they target and how they adjust it after install.
Sun and slope matter here too. A green on a slope needs a retaining edge or a deliberate break built in, and a green against a south wall gets hot. Put it where you will actually walk out and use it.
Where Greens Fit In A Utah Yard
Most Wasatch Front greens go in backyards, which also happens to be the area Salt Lake City does not restrict for turf. In cities with front-yard limits, a backyard green is usually the simplest approval. Check with your HOA before you commit; many want plans first.
Backyard Putting Greens — Questions Salt Lake City Homeowners Ask
How big should a backyard putting green be?
Big enough for at least two cups at different distances. Many backyard greens fall in HomeAdvisor's medium band of 400 to 2,000 square feet, but a well-contoured small green can still be a useful practice tool.
Can I chip onto a synthetic green?
Yes, if the turf and infill are chosen for it. Tell the installer you want to chip so they spec a surface that holds a pitched ball.
Does a putting green need watering?
No. An occasional rinse to cool it or clear dust is all. That is a big part of the appeal compared with a real bentgrass green, which is not practical in a Utah backyard.
Is the estimate free?
Yes. The installer we refer measures, talks through contours and gives a written price at no cost and no obligation.
Ready to get started in Salt Lake City?
Free estimates, no obligation. Call (385) 293-1385 or request a quote below.
Request My Free QuoteRelated Services
Artificial Grass Lawns
Front and back lawns replaced with turf on a proper compacted base, priced in writing.
Learn more →Pet Turf
Dog-friendly turf with flow-through backing and infill that does not hold odor.
Learn more →Playground and Commercial Turf
Padded playground turf, HOA common areas and low-water commercial frontage.
Learn more →Turf Removal and Replacement
Worn or failed turf pulled up, the base repaired, and new turf laid properly.
Learn more →Backyard Putting Greens across the Salt Lake City area
We serve Salt Lake City and the surrounding Wasatch Front. Backyard Putting Greens is available through our vetted local installer in every area below:
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- Artificial Turf in Orem, UT
- Artificial Turf in Sandy, UT
- Artificial Turf in Layton, UT
- Artificial Turf in South Jordan, UT
- Artificial Turf in Murray, UT
- Artificial Turf in Millcreek, UT
- Artificial Turf in Draper, UT
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