Anyone here build their own pitching/chipping range at their house?

[kthomas]

Curious who here has gone through with building their own chipping/pitching & putting green/range at their house. 

 

My neighbor and I both have close to ~1 acre properties each, elevated on a hill above what's called a desert "wash". Our property lines converge on a lower level from our properties, it's a flat area that's currently not being utilized for anything. My neighbor and I have been talking, and we are thinking about eventually putting in a green to pitch and chip to, and of course putt. 

 

My neighbor is very handy, and I'm currently in a Masters of Landscape Architecture program, so between the two of us and our skillsets, I see no reason why we couldn't design and build this project. I want to hear from anyone on here that's undergone such a project themselves, and if you have any tips/advice or general hurdles that you came across during your project that I may have to plan for and address. 

 

Being in the desert, we will have to utilize artificial turf, which has come a long ways in the past few years. The green will essentially be an "island green", with desert surrounding it on all sides. The area in question is already graded to be fairly flat, with a slight slope going towards the wash. We may add in more topographical interest to the greens, which shouldn't be too difficult to do. We will probably incorporate some small artificial turf pads to pitch from, to give us multiple different angles to the green. Conservatively we could get an easy ~30 yards from the green, with the possibility to stretch that out even further. The periphery of the green would be lit up by low voltage landscape lights, which will allow night time pitching/chipping/putting sessions. Would love a green side bunker for practice, but don't think that would be feasible to do from a cost + maintenance standpoint. 

 

My neighbor is currently doing a full remodel of his house, so this project is not going to happen right away. Plenty of time to properly plan for this project when the time comes. Would love to get some feedback and input from those that have undergone a similar project. 

 

[Ferguson]

Careful on what you share across boundaries, as you may not be neighbors forever. 

 

 

[kthomas]

5 minutes ago, Ferguson said:

Careful on what you share across boundaries, as you may not be neighbors forever. 

 

 

 

That is a good point.

 

It would probably be wise to get the land surveyed to see exactly where his property ends and mine starts. Based on the counties aerial imagery, the area in question is all on my property, but it would be wise to confirm. 

[Ferguson]

Also, what happens when little Jimmy from down the street comes over and gets injured on your chipping range when you're not home?   And what if it's not marked private property?   Right now the masters in landscape architecture walks away unscathed.   If he chooses to design it, he must carry professional liability insurance (E&O).  

 

 

[DFS PFD]

These are generally bad ideas unless it is 100% on your land, or you purchase the land from him. Neighbors move, new neighbors don't want to share your golf amusement park, and lawsuits are filed. Stick to your own property lines, or expect to deal with this again down the road. 

[kthomas]

2 hours ago, DFS PFD said:

These are generally bad ideas unless it is 100% on your land, or you purchase the land from him. Neighbors move, new neighbors don't want to share your golf amusement park, and lawsuits are filed. Stick to your own property lines, or expect to deal with this again down the road. 

 

I believe it is 100% on my property. A survey will confirm.

 

Appreciate the legal advice, but we have good friends that are lawyers that can professionally guide us through that aspect.

 

Just looking for feedback on the build and implementation portion of it. Let's assume going forward that it's 100% on my property. 

[Hawkeye77]

10 hours ago, Ferguson said:

Careful on what you share across boundaries, as you may not be neighbors forever. 

 

 

Could cause marital issues!

[Hawkeye77]

If people have built these please post pics!

[Ferguson]

13 hours ago, DFS PFD said:

These are generally bad ideas unless it is 100% on your land, or you purchase the land from him. Neighbors move, new neighbors don't want to share your golf amusement park, and lawsuits are filed. Stick to your own property lines, or expect to deal with this again down the road. 

 

https://thedailyrecord.com/2016/12/02/nebraska-homeowners-association-lawsuit/

Spent $350K creating it and $40K defending it and he's at odds with his neighbors.  

 

 

This whole thing sounds like nothing but trouble. 

 

 

[caeye0710]

If you have HOA, get it approved by them first. 

 

I got a quote to but a $13k green in my backyard and was seconds away from pulling the trigger. Didn't even think about HOA as we literally pay $75 a year for absolutely nothing. Decided at the last minute to send them an email and thank God I did. It was an absolute no-no. 

[Pepperturbo]

On 8/5/2021 at 10:08 AM, kthomas said:

 

That is a good point.

 

It would probably be wise to get the land surveyed to see exactly where his property ends and mine starts. Based on the counties aerial imagery, the area in question is all on my property, but it would be wise to confirm. 

And make sure your neighbor has a copy, and physical boundaries should be clearly marked.

[Pepperturbo]

6 minutes ago, caeye0710 said:

If you have HOA, get it approved by them first. 

 

I got a quote to but a $13k green in my backyard and was seconds away from pulling the trigger. Didn't even think about HOA as we literally pay $75 a year for absolutely nothing. Decided at the last minute to send them an email and thank God I did. It was an absolute no-no. 

Any major changes or construction, even in your own backyard, should be presented to the HOA.  Amazing how many people never review HOA charter rules or understand their influence.  I spent 3 years on an HOA Board over three subdivisions and 1400 homes/condos.

[KenRobie]

Look up Dave Pelz's back yard practice area and go from there.

[caeye0710]

9 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Any major changes or construction, even in your own backyard, should be presented to the HOA.  Amazing how many people never review HOA charter rules or understand their influence.  I spent 3 years on an HOA Board over three subdivisions and 1400 homes/condos.

I can promise you what we have hardly qualifies as an HOA. That said: you’re absolutely correct. 
 

Our neighborhood is nice, but a bit of a disappointment. Those of us who moved here first phase were promised a community center and pool as well as other amenities. Never happened. 
 

They also never respond to emails or letters. Thus why I never really thought of them during the quote process. 

[Pepperturbo]

2 minutes ago, caeye0710 said:

I can promise you what we have hardly qualifies as an HOA. That said: you’re absolutely correct. 
 

Our neighborhood is nice, but a bit of a disappointment. Those of us who moved here first phase were promised a community center and pool as well as other amenities. Never happened. 
 

They also never respond to emails or letters. Thus why I never really thought of them during the quote process. 

HOA's are often setup by the Developer just for development and services control.  Seen a lot of that in the states I visit.  The charter and legal counsel direct the BODs as to what they can and should not do regarding homeowners.  It may not provide anything of importance to homeowners, but the charter still exists as governing authority over each designated property.   I have been fortunate, none of our properties under HOA control, have had issues.  

[Go Cougs]

May want to run this by your local city/county as well.  Not sure where you are, but in some areas you can't even look at your property without a permit.

[betarhoalphadelta]

Paging @DShepley

 

 

[kthomas]

2 hours ago, Go Cougs said:

May want to run this by your local city/county as well.  Not sure where you are, but in some areas you can't even look at your property without a permit.

 

Don't live in city limits, so I don't think there's going to be many issues there.

[kthomas]

3 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

And make sure your neighbor has a copy, and physical boundaries should be clearly marked.

 

It's something my wife and I have been talking about for the past couple of years, this would be the perfect excuse to pull the trigger on it.

[DShepley]

2 hours ago, betarhoalphadelta said:

Paging @DShepley

 

 

Ha! I certainly can't advise on how to build a green in the desert, but when I searched online for clues in designing my natural green, nearly all of the info was related to artificial greens.  Artificial is a bit spendy up front but I think you can DIY one if you can get ahold of the turf.  Same principles apply regarding drainage, then you complete your subleveling in sand, roll everything down tight, install your turf and brush in a sand topdressing. I'm sure I'm missing steps, but that is the basic premise as I understand it.