Pelz Player Greens give new meaning to artificial intelligence

By Ross MacDonald, Equipment Editor Golf Industry network

Many an avid golfer has dreamed about having a chipping area or putting green in their backyard. In the case of renowned short-game teacher Dave Pelz, he not only made that dream a reality, he pushed the possibilities beyond the wildest of dreams.

Pelz’s short-game playground at his Austin, Texas, home has been called ‘the world’s greatest backyard.’ And for good reason. It’s a marvel of imagination, cutting-edge technology and, given his background as a senior NASA scientist, what could be referred to as ‘artificial intelligence.’

That’s because Pelz Player Greens has nothing to do with real grass. It’s about pushing the limits of artificial turf to the point where the line between real grass and the unreal, shall we say, is blurred.  

ShotStopper is the showstopper

Calling on his scientific background, Pelz invented and patented ShotStopper. When designing his own backyard facility, he figured out how to design the sub-surface portion to act like real turf. The material below the green makes it possible to design and then build green contours that are both gentle and severe. From 100 yards in, the ball bounces and rolls as it would on real grass. Such is the simulated effect of natural turf that Pelz’s backyard has become his research and teaching facility where tour players love to practise and prepare for tournaments.

Design possibilities are endless

The ShotStopper technology can be applied to putting greens, short courses, putting courses, practice areas, driving range greens, and indoor practice and training facilities. The company, with former Nick Faldo course architect Paul Jansen heading up the design team, can customize whatever the customer wants, whether it’s a soft or hard surface, faster or slower speed, even radical undulation. Building them takes half the time of regular green construction, and bunkers can be added to enhance the experience. Multi-use is a key feature, as the surface can be used for putting or a teeing area. 

Environmental savings

PELZ Player Greens are an environmentalist’s dream. They’re sustainable by design, requiring no water, pesticides or fertilizer. Multi-green designs with a water hazard can be built to harvest up to 90 per cent of rain water. This percentage is much higher than a standard facility with a warm or cool season grass species and soil sub-base that will intercept a high percentage of water runoff after a rain event or irrigation. What’s more, the system has the ability to harvest fresh drinkable water.

Low maintenance means lower costs

Pelz Player Greens require minimal maintenance. No mowing or watering. Clean off leaves or snow and you’re ready to go. There’s no need for experienced labour or equipment.

Studies show that in just over two years, an installation will pay for itself when compared to the cost to install and maintain a natural grass option. The ongoing maintenance of a Pelz green is about $1,500 a year

Durable and playable

PELZ Player Greens should last for more than 30 years. There’s no need to worry about wear and tear. They’re playable as soon as the snow’s gone or only a few minutes after a rain event. A grass surface grass surface obviously takes much longer to recover — a few days in some cases if the greens are built on heavy soil.

Year-round pleasure

Pelz Player Greens can withstand everything Mother Nature can throw at them. Natural turf can be in poor condition after a long winter and require extensive repair. Hot climates experience significant water shortages and costs.

PELZ Player Greens don’t need sunlight or nutrients. They remain consistent every year and can be used within hours of installation without risk of damage. Currently the team is doing a nine-hole course in Espanola, a small town in Northern Ontario. It’s home to the yearly temperature conditions that Pelz Player Greens are built for and thrive in.

A window to the future

Pelz Player Greens may well be the way of the future as golf courses and individuals look to meet the challenges presented by climate change and the cost to build and maintain real greens. One of the biggest obstacles — the cost of water and its availability — is but one of many reasons why there’s so much to like about Pelz Player Greens.