Synthetic Turf & Putting Greens for Metro Atlanta
In our mission to give Metro Atlanta homeowners outdoor spaces that actually get used, Level Lawns designs and installs premium synthetic turf and custom backyard putting greens—then keeps them performing with professional refresh and maintenance.
Whether you need a problem area that will never brown out, a pet-friendly yard that stays cleaner after rain, a pool surround without mud and clippings, or a short-game practice green that rolls true, we build the system underneath the fibers. Synthetic turf (also called artificial turf or artificial grass) is only as good as the grading, drainage, base, seams, and infill behind it. That is where specialty crews and methods developed over time based on experience not cost cutting measures really come into play.
Ready for a site visit and a plan sized to how you will use the space? Request a quote for synthetic turf or a putting green.
Why synthetic turf makes sense on Metro Atlanta clay
North Georgia is hard on natural grass. Bermuda and Zoysia thin or go dormant in winter. Tall fescue struggles through July and August heat. Red clay drains poorly, compacts under traffic, and turns to mud after a storm. Dogs wear paths. Irrigation bills climb. Weekends disappear into mowing and treating.
A well-installed synthetic lawn sidesteps those cycles. Premium UV-stabilized fibers hold color through Georgia sun. A properly built permeable system moves water through the profile instead of ponding on top. The yard stays usable after rain, looks consistent year-round, and does not depend on a perfect watering schedule. For many homeowners, that mix of appearance, drainage, and time back is the reason they invest.
Synthetic turf is not a shortcut around site work. Poor drainage, a thin base, or turf laid on native clay is how installations fail early. Public technical reviews of synthetic systems emphasize the same point we live on every job: A proper build & design like anything else starts with a solid foundation. Building a properly layered permeable aggregate base system while considering existing site conditions allows an already permeable turf to infiltrate capacity to perform in heavy rain(see the NJDEP synthetic turf science review summarizing industry drainage-rate guidance for turf/backing and base stone: https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/dsr/synthetic-turf-report-2025.pdf). On Georgia lots, that pairs with what every clay-lawn owner already knows—compaction and water movement make or break the surface (UGA Ten Steps: https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1009/ten-steps-to-a-healthier-home-lawn/).
We start with the same grading and drainage mindset we use on natural turf. The carpet is the last step, not the first.
Landscape, pet, pool, and play turf
Not every project is a putting green. Many installs are landscape turf solving a specific problem or finishing a hardscape:
Side yards, dog runs, and high-traffic paths that will not stay green as natural grass
Pool surrounds and patio borders that stay barefoot-friendly without clippings or mud
Play areas and small lawn replacements kids can use year-round
Shaded or compacted pockets where fescue, Bermuda, or Zoysia has repeatedly failed
Commercial and shared spaces that need a finished look without a weekly mowing crew
Pet-focused systems need extra care in our humidity. Urine and organic debris can create odor and microbial growth if turf, backing, and infill are wrong for the use. We specify fully permeable turf, proper base drainage, and antimicrobial, turf-specific sand infill so the surface drains instead of holding waste in the fiber—then pair that with rinsing habits and professional refresh service.
We source premium turf manufactured locally in Georgia and install it with attention to seams, edges, and compaction. Landscape turf investment is often discussed around about $15 per square foot installed, with the final number driven by turf type, access, excavation, drainage, and site conditions—after we walk the property. Soft ranges help you budget; assessment keeps cost aligned with outcome.
Custom backyard putting greens
A backyard putting green should do more than photograph well. It should roll consistently and still feel like part of the landscape. We design for homeowners who want five minutes of practice after dinner and for players who want a sand-filled surface that behaves more like a golf course green.
Material choice matters. Short-pile putting turf is a strong recreational option: clean look, lower daily upkeep, family-friendly. Sand-filled putting greens are the better choice when considering stemp speed, spin, ball reaction, and a practice value lead. Sand infill supports fibers, helps control speed, and firms the roll. We consult on both and recommend based on real use—not a catalog default. Sounds technical and complicated? Leave it to us–we’ll make a putting green that feels and plays like a real course year after year.
A complete short-game area can include:
Fringe or approach turf for a realistic ball reaction
Multiple cup locations so practice is not one memorized line - If you want aim-point, we will do that too!
Real sand bunkers for play and authenticity
Tee boxes or a small chipping pad for a compact practice loop
Contours and subtle breaks shaped into the base—not fake edgers after the turf is down
Every green starts with site evaluation: slope, drainage, sight lines from patio or house, HOA constraints, and how much usable space remains. Yard sizes across Metro Atlanta range from tight lots to room for larger layouts. The right size is the one that fits how you stand, putt, and move.
Custom backyard putting greens often start around $10,000, with scope driven by square footage, contours, bunker work, fringe, and base preparation—quoted after assessment, never as a one-line internet minimum. Fall and winter are excellent install windows in Georgia: cooler weather and a finished surface ready for spring use.
How we design and install (the work you cannot see)
The difference between a mediocre synthetic surface and one that still looks and plays well years later is almost always the invisible work - the base.
We never install turf directly on native Georgia clay. Clay holds water, heaves and settles, and telegraphs irregularities through the finished surface. A proper install means excavating to the depth the project requires, building an engineered, compacted aggregate base, and addressing drainage so water moves through and away from the system. On putting greens, that base is also where contours and breaks are shaped. Once the turf is down, you cannot fix a bad grade with extra sand.
We then cut and seam the turf, secure edges, and apply the specified infill. On greens, turf-specific sand is worked in so fibers stand and the roll is consistent.
On landscape areas, infill supports blades, adds weight, and improves drainage and cleanliness. We finish by grooming—brooming and rolling—so the surface is even, tight, and ready to use.
Because Level Lawns already specializes in grading, drainage, and sand-based work on natural lawns, synthetic projects sit inside the same skill set. We can fix a property from grading and drainage issues to a full solution whether that is landscape turf, a custom green, and long-term maintenance without handing you three contractors. One standard of site work. One point of contact.
Want the base, turf, and layout recommended for your lot—not a one-size roll-out? Request a quote.
Synthetic turf and putting green maintenance (low-maintenance, not no-maintenance)
Synthetic turf is low-maintenance. It is not no-maintenance. Infill migrates and compacts. Fibers lay over. Organic debris collects. Georgia heat and humidity create conditions for mold and mildew in shaded or poorly rinsed areas. Dirty infill changes how a putting green rolls.
Professional refresh protects the original investment. We maintain dedicated greens and adjacent multipurpose synthetic areas with a process built to lift compacted sand, remove what no longer belongs, treat problem spots, and put the correct infill back.
Turf Maintenance - Protecting the longevity of your investment
How often you need maintenance performed depends on use, tree cover, pets, and debris habits. Heavy practice and dog traffic accelerate contamination. Periodic refreshes keep drainage and roll honest longer than waiting until the surface feels tired and replacing it. We will provide an annual estimate for your maintenance costs and make recommendations based on usage for the need/timing of this! For homeowner habits between visits, see our blog post about how to maintain your turf.
Below shows a typical before and after photo of our turf maintenance results. Neglected turf shown on the left has spotting from algae and mildew build up and compacted fill. The photo on the right shows the same green after our service was completed!
What you can expect after a refresh
A completed visit should leave the putting surface firmer and more consistent, with clean infill supporting fibers instead of packed debris. Mold-prone spots are treated. Multipurpose areas look groomed. You should putt with more predictable speed and walk surrounding turf without that dusty, compacted feel a few Georgia summers create.
Between visits: keep leaves off, rinse pet areas as needed, and do not use the green as a dump for landscape waste. Those habits plus scheduled maintenance usually carry a quality install through the full life of the product ranging from 10-20 years!
Related services from the same team
Top Dressing — when natural Bermuda/Zoysia is still the right path
Fall Aeration & Overseeding / Fescue Renovation — when fescue can still win with the right fall program
Spring Scalping — warm-season natural-turf prep when you are staying in grass
Request a quote — install, putting green, or maintenance refresh
FAQ: synthetic turf and putting greens in Atlanta
How much does synthetic turf cost?
Landscape installs are often discussed around about $15 per square foot installed. Final investment depends on turf type, access, excavation, drainage, and site conditions after we assess the property—in fact, we would advise to be EXTREMELY cautious of anyone offer pricing for this work without a detailed assessment on your property..
How much does a backyard putting green cost?
Custom greens often start around $10,000, then scale with size, contours, bunkers, fringe, and base work. We quote after walking the site and talking through how you will practice.
Is synthetic turf zero maintenance?
No. It is low-maintenance. Infill, debris, humidity, and use still matter. Professional refresh keeps performance and lifespan closer to what you paid for. We can offer this service as well so you can plan for the long term care appropriately.
Can you install turf right on clay?
We do not. Native Georgia clay is the wrong base. Engineered, compacted aggregate and drainage are non-negotiable for longevity and playability.
Do you only install new turf, or maintain existing systems?
Both. We install new landscape turf and putting greens, and we refresh existing systems—including greens that need decompaction, cleaning, anti-microbial sand replenishment, and multi-purpose area grooming.
Is locally manufactured turf available?
Yes—we source premium turf manufactured locally in Georgia when it fits the project, and we match product to use (pet, pool, play, or putting). All of these products are 100% American manufactured!
Request a synthetic turf or putting green quote
If you want a surface that stays green, drains, and gets used—designed with the same site discipline we bring to natural turf—start with a visit. We will walk the property, clarify how you want to live in the space, and recommend turf, base, and layout accordingly.
Call (770) 919-9559 · Based in Marietta · Serving Metro Atlanta and surrounding communities