I had heard that someone was planning on building a completely synthetic golf course (fake grass/bunkers/etc) in Colorado, but apparently the Aussies will beat them to it.
Drought ravaged Rockhampton will begin construction on the world’s first 18-hole synthetic golf course at Zilzie Bay on the Capricorn Coast next month.
Built around a spectacular $12 million clubhouse, the par 70 Reef Palms course on the doorstep to the Great Barrier Reef, will feature 18 fully synthetic greens and surrounds and 18 synthetic tee blocks.
If you haven’t already read it, you can read my rant on the driving range and synthetic mats.
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As I see it, your approach shots on the fairway will still be grass – “The fairways will be covered in a native couch grass providing golfers with excellent lies.”. It’s just the tee boxes and greens will be synthetic.
As there are, what, 3 or 4 par 3′s, then there are only a few holes where you are hitting off the synthetic stuff, assuming you don’t tee up at par 3′s.
I am completing a golf course in Bangalore India we have planned to use Seaspray PAspalum on the tees greens and fairways. Our problem is which grass to use on the Roughs we need something that is non invasive and doesnt require irrigation. What do u recommend?
Faiz,
Sorry, I am certainly not qualified to answer that question. You may want to check out this article on the USGA’s website:
Selecting Grass
Good luck with the course!
-Sean
There are many existing mid-length golf courses now using synthetics for greens and tees. Check out the new Hybrid golf ball developed for natural or synthetics surfaces.
http://www.pointfivegolf.com