DIY Driving Range and Putting Green

[bgolf83]

So after seeing so many different examples of DIY/Homemade driving ranges and putting greens, I decided to embark on my own quest for golf greatness. So I figured I'd post the specs and pics of my homemade driving range and putting green. Hopefully this gives people some ideas and helps someone build there own practice space!

 

Specs - Driving Range/Platform/Ball Holder

2x4 Framing

• 3 x 10'
  
• 1 x 8'
  

1/2" OSB Plywood

• 1 x 4'x8' Sheet
  

8'x15' net from ebay

2 canvas drop cloths

2 industrial strength hinges

2 latches w/ eye hooks

1 box of 2.5" screws

1 box of 1.5" screws

1 box of 1" screws

8 zinc eye hooks

Around 10' of rope

PVC piping - around 20 linear feet

Emerald Par golf mat from Amazon

 

Pro-Active Tees

 

All in all, around $250 bucks, although I did have the plywood already as well as some of the 2x4s needed. Essentially, this is a hinged design, where the bottom hinged framing drops down to allow the net to fall down. Attached are the pictures, I will have to get more close-ups of the hinges and what not. Took me around 6 hours or so to build and hang by myself. If you have questions of exactly how I built it, ask away and I can give more detail. Essentially, I built roof member first, then attached the hinges and measured the distance from hinge to the front side of the frame. Once I had that I cut the hinged pieces and attached each one to the hinges. Then I measured the in between piece so the hinged pieces stayed in place and attached that. Once that was completed, it was a matter of attaching the bottom (hinged side) canvas. I then attached the netting with screws spaced 2 inches apart, and finished it off with the canvas on top. The pvc bottom (front reinforced with 2x4 for strength and wrapped in blankets so the balls don't ricochet on an off hit) is screwed together with 1" screws and attached loosely (see extremely loosely to allow for the net to move and therefore have less wear and tear) with velcro straps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specs - Putting Green

2x4 Framing

• 4 x 14'
  
• 1 x 8'
  

1/2" OSB Plywood

• 2 x 4'x8' sheets
  

Foss Tee Time carpet from Menards

• http://www.menards.c...5600-c-6542.htm
  

3" PVC Pipe - 6'

2 quarts of carpet glue

Sandpaper to smooth out seam between plywood

1 box of finish nails

1 box of 2.5" screws

1 box of 1" screws

2 packs of wood shims

 

Took me and a buddy around 3 hours to complete, most of the framing and plywood laying I did myself. Essentially, I built out the frame with 4 pieces of 14' 2x4 running the length of the green and then framed in both ends with 2x4, put together with the 2.5" screws. I also added some small pieces in between the long frame members at the seams to reinforce the seams. I then attached the shims to the top of the 2x4's in the areas where I wanted slope built in to the platform (only the front left hole in the picture). After that, I laid down the plywood and attached with the 1" screws. Once the framing was done, I sanded the seams (I was using 4'x4' pieces of plywood that I had from taking apart the dog kennel, so I had more seams to sand than if you use the recommended 4'x8' sheets I have in the specs above. You also will have fewer seam support needs.). Once the seams were sanded, we cut out the hole locations with a 3 and 1/4" hole saw attached to the drill. After that, my buddy and started doing 2' sections of glue and laying down the carpet. We used the 3" PVC to roll the carpet out and get a nice even surface and to make sure we had full adhesion for the glue. Once the carpet was laid down, it took 12 hours of drying time so we kicked back with a cold one. After that, it was a matter of cutting the carpet with an exacto knife (made 8 cross cuts and then shoved the carpet down into the hole). Then we measured the distance from the carpet to the floor, and took 1/8" off that measurement to cut the PVC pipe. Once cut, we finessed the PVC into the hole and knocked it down to the floor. I still have yet to frame in the putting green with black 1"x6" boards, but that's just finishing touches. The green has been great, haven't measured stimp or anything but frankly don't care. Close enough to work on my timing and stroke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ternum]

That looks great. Wish my garage was that high to allow me to even think about putting something like that. Good luck with your game.

[QMany]

I just saw this after searching for mats. Great setup.

I'm considering something similar for my basement storage room.

[xxjonesyxx]

does look a great set up, I might like a slightly wider net though ....

Neil

[Krt22]

[quote name='xxjonesyxx' timestamp='1384986622' post='8180216']
does look a great set up, I might like a slightly wider net though ....

Neil
[/quote]

i would suggest this. Never know when a hosel rocket will strike

[J13]

Very cool

[reflection]

nice work. I'm jealous. I need this!

[BreakingPar]

This is such a sweet setup! I only wish my ceilings were high enough to try this

[butch33611]

Nice setup. I built my frame from PVC pipe.

[johnmeany]

Awesome...how is the roll on that turf

[MANthrax]

[quote name='johnmeany' timestamp='1447712213' post='12607054']
Awesome...how is the roll on that turf
[/quote]I'm interested in the answer as well. If you've stimp tested it post the number. Thanks

[middie8]

Looks great I did the same putting setup as well. I am thinking about doing a ball return contraption for under the net. The balls would collect and roll down into a hole, through a pvc pipe, and back to the hitting area. then you dont even have to collect them and keep hitting until the voices stop. (kidding.....but not at all)

[goatbarn]

I've looked into that ball return idea. If you have the height of room to lose 3-4" to make the slope work out, it'd doable. Going to be quite heavy though should you even need to move it.

[kordell59]

Set up looks Great!!! How's the speed of the putting green though?

[FairwaysToHeaven]

fan of DIY myself so really like seeing these projects that others come up with and how they turn out.

planning to do the same with the diy putting green in basement, just deciding on dimension and location right now as it not all that portable once built. I'd also like to be able to use a Robocup so need to determine the required depth of hole. if 2x4 frame works that would be nice, but have seen others use 2x6 for the frame to raise the platform off the ground a little more. right now i'm thinking best way to do this is to use 2x6 for outer frame and then use 2x4 for inside frame topped with 3/4" mdf...yeah this thing will be heavy. This allows slight lip on outer edge just above the putting surface and also allows you to adjust the 2x4 inner frame so its a perfectly level surface in case basement floor isn't exactly level.

i'm thinking one end will be straight in putts and the other will have a moveable shim that will allow all types of breaks. I won't be gluing down the putting surface so that moveable shims can be used.

as far as garge net, i'm the diy type but just think that the money i spent on rukk net was well worth it. easy to put up and take down, and 9 times of 10 the ball is rolled back to the mat. i only ever have to practice with 1-2 balls at a time.

[Dicka]

I'm thinking of building this PVC Golf Cage Frame the same as this one. It says to use 1-1/2" PVC pipe which is about 37mm. Went and checked at the hardware - that seems pretty thick and maybe overkill? Looked at the 20mm pipe (about 0.8") and it is miles cheaper - about half the price.

 

Just wondering if that will be strong enough? I reckon with all the pieces put together, it should be pretty sturdy.

 

Thoughts anyone?

[RyKnocks]

Can you comment on the Emerald Par Golf Mat? I've been eyeing that mat for a while now but wondering if I should splurg on a thicker one. Would you say the Emerald one is good enough?

[Pert1862]

That green looks legit. Well done.