Sharpen Your Short Game: Adding a Chipping Area to Your DFW Putting Green
The best way to add a functional chipping area in DFW is by installing a taller, more durable style of artificial turf, often called “fringe” or “collar” turf, around your main putting surface. This turf is specifically designed to accept chip shots realistically without the maintenance headaches of natural grass. In this guide, we break down exactly how DFW homeowners can create the ultimate short game practice facility right in their own backyard.
Why a Dedicated Chipping Area Matters for Texas Golfers
Practicing your short game on a regular lawn in Dallas or Fort Worth is a recipe for frustration. Our infamous “black gumbo” clay soil becomes rock-hard and cracked during the summer heat, making consistent chip shots impossible. After a rainstorm, it’s a muddy mess. This is why a professionally installed artificial grass chipping station is a game-changer, giving you a perfect lie every single time, regardless of drought or downpour.
Key Components of a High-Performance Chipping Area
Step 1: Choose the Right Fringe Turf
You can’t use the same turf for your putting green and your chipping area. A chipping surface, or “fringe,” requires a taller pile height (typically 1 to 1.5 inches) and a denser fiber construction. This allows the turf to “grab” the ball slightly upon impact, mimicking the feel and reaction of a real course-side fairway or first cut of rough. It’s an essential component of a complete Backyard Putting Greens system.
Step 2: Ensure a Proper Sub-Base
Just like with any turf installation, what’s underneath is critical. For a chipping area, we install a compacted aggregate base that provides stability and excellent drainage. This ensures your chipping mat or fringe area remains perfectly level and firm, allowing for true bounces and preventing the divots and wear spots common with natural grass.
Step 3: Consider Size and Placement
Your chipping area can be a simple 4’x6′ chipping mat or a fully integrated fringe that wraps around your putting green. Consider where you’ll be practicing from. We can design multiple chipping locations at different distances and angles to help you practice a variety of shots, from short bump-and-runs to longer pitches. This transforms a simple green into a versatile practice zone.
Dealing with Chipping Areas in the DFW Climate
In other parts of the country, a small patch of natural grass might suffice for chipping practice. Here in North Texas, that’s not a realistic option. The relentless 100°+ summer sun scorches natural grass, and the heavy clay soil creates drainage nightmares. An artificial turf chipping area solves these local problems entirely. It withstands the brutal heat without browning, drains instantly after a thunderstorm, and provides a consistent, professional-grade practice surface 365 days a year.
The Bottom Line
Adding a dedicated chipping area elevates your backyard setup from a simple putting green to a comprehensive short game training facility. By using the correct turf and installation techniques, you can build a durable, all-weather practice space that directly translates to lower scores on the course. Don’t want to deal with the challenge of building your own perfect practice space? Let the pros handle it.
