DIY vs. Contractor vs. MyPuttGreen: Which Putting Green Actually Works for You?
DIY vs. Contractor vs. MyPuttGreen: Which Putting Green Actually Works for You?
You want a putting green at home. But which path actually makes sense for your space, your budget, and your lifestyle? We've broken down the three most common options — DIY, hiring a contractor, and MyPuttGreen (custom, pre‑built) — across two real‑world scenarios: indoor and outdoor. No fluff. Just side‑by‑side comparisons so you can decide for yourself.
📌 Indoor scenario
You want a putting green inside your home — living room, basement, office, or garage.
| 🛠️ DIY | 🏗️ Contractor | 📦 MyPuttGreen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost | $200–$800 (turf + lumber + foam + cup set) |
$5,000–$15,000+ (design + materials + labor) |
$899+ (custom size, shipped ready) |
| ⏱️ Time investment | 10–30 hours (research + build + mistakes) |
3–8 weeks (quote → scheduling → construction) |
5‑7 business days (order → build → ship) |
| 🔄 Movable? | ❌ Not really (built in place, hard to relocate) |
❌ No (permanent installation) |
✅ Yes (rolls up, fits in a car, no damage) |
| ♻️ Can resell? | ❌ Very hard (custom to your space, not standardized) |
❌ No (permanent structure) |
✅ Yes (rolls up, easily resold) |
| 📈 Upgradeable? | ❌ No (rebuild from scratch) |
❌ No (tear out and redo) |
✅ Yes (add panels to expand) |
| 🏠 Floor protection | ⚠️ Depends on skill (subfloor errors = scratches) |
❌ Not designed for indoor (heavy base can damage floors) |
✅ EVA foam backing (non‑slip, won't scratch floors) |
| 😤 Frustration level | High (cutting errors, uneven surface) |
Low during build, but mess + strangers in your home |
Very low (just unroll and putt) |
DIY works if you enjoy building things and don't mind imperfect results.
Contractor isn't designed for indoor spaces — most won't even take the job.
MyPuttGreen is the only true "indoor‑ready" option: portable, floor‑safe, resellable, upgradeable, and ready in minutes.
🌿 Outdoor scenario
You want a backyard putting green that can handle sun, rain, and heavy use.
| 🛠️ DIY | 🏗️ Contractor | 📦 MyPuttGreen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost | $500–$2,500 (turf + gravel + tools + drainage) |
$5,000–$15,000+ (excavation + base + turf + labor) |
$899+ (custom size, no excavation) |
| ⏱️ Time investment | 20–50 hours (digging, leveling, compacting, seaming) |
3–8 weeks (permits, scheduling, weather delays) |
5‑7 business days (build) + 28‑38 days shipping |
| 🔄 Movable? | ❌ No (built into the ground) |
❌ No (permanent landscaping feature) |
✅ Yes (rolls up, no yard damage) |
| ♻️ Can resell? | ❌ Very hard (built into ground, not movable) |
❌ No (permanent structure) |
✅ Yes (rolls up, easily resold) |
| 📈 Upgradeable? | ❌ No (tear out and restart) |
❌ No (expensive to modify) |
✅ Yes (add more panels to expand) |
| 🏗️ Excavation needed? | ✅ Yes (remove grass, level ground) |
✅ Yes (heavy machinery, compacted base) |
❌ No (sits on top of existing surface) |
| 🌞 Weather durability | ⚠️ Depends on materials (cheap turf fades in 1‑2 years) |
✅ Good (commercial grade, but costly) |
✅ UV‑stabilized PP (5‑year warranty, no fading) |
DIY saves money upfront but costs time and often results in an uneven surface.
Contractor delivers a professional result at 5–10x the price — and you can never take it with you.
MyPuttGreen sits in the middle: contractor‑level quality without excavation, fully portable, resellable, and expandable.
📊 Why editors and bloggers cite this comparison
The numbers above come from:
- HomeAdvisor – average putting green installation cost ($5k–$15k)
- Grand View Research – artificial turf market shift toward UV‑stabilised materials
- 11 years of customer data – MyPuttGreen actual build/ship timelines
- Reddit & golf forums – common DIY frustration points (uneven seams, ball roll)
🤔 Do we need to observe the quality of the samples?
Yes. See and feel the 64,000‑stitch turf before you commit. Our $19.99 sample pack includes a 10x10cm piece of the exact material used in full‑size greens — plus a free custom design draft within 1 day. The sample fee is fully credited toward your final green.
Get a sample → $19.99 (fully credited)Related guides from our team:
- Putting Green DIY Kit vs Custom: Which Saves You More Time, Money & Effort?
- How to Choose the Best Artificial Grass for Your Putting Green
- Putting Green Shapes: Custom Designs for Backyard, Poolside & Indoor
For indoor spaces: MyPuttGreen is the only purpose‑built solution. Contractors won't do it well. DIY is messy and often disappointing.
For outdoor spaces: Choose based on your priority:
- Lowest cost & you love building → DIY
- Permanent installation & unlimited budget → Contractor
- Professional quality + portability + no excavation + resellable → MyPuttGreen
HomeAdvisor – Putting Green Installation Cost Grand View Research – Artificial Turf Market Report MyPuttGreen Shipping Policy About MyPuttGreen