How to Build a Golf Sand Trap in Your Backyard

Die-hard golfers are a breed all to themselves, as they often take their "work" back home with them from the course. Many create a simulated green in the comfort of their backyard, and of course, you will need some hazards to make your practice hole authentic. If space is limited, a sand trap is an ideal choice for your hole's hazard condition. This will aid with practicing chip shots onto the green.

Building Your Sand Trap

Position your sand trap. Design a trap with plenty of rough grass surrounding the new addition to your backyard green. This area will not need to be manicured much, as letting the grass grow high will help simulate actual course conditions and improve your short game.

Dig the hole for your sand trap. Most golfers prefer to have no more than two sand traps on their backyard green. The sand trap should be no longer or wider than 5 feet by 5 feet, and the process begins by digging a hollow-shaped hole in the ground.

Form the walls of your sand trap. Begin by removing the grass from around the perimeter of your sand trap until you're satisfied with the size and shape. Dig from the outside to the inside of the sand trap.

Form the slope of your sand trap. Once all of the grass is removed, create the slope inside your sand trap. Generally, most golfers prefer a slope of two feet and later decide whether to increase or decrease the slope size.

Create a drainage system. You should install a side wall with a horizontal floor base that will create a drainage system for water to be removed from the sand trap. The drainage system should be the entire length of the trap and approximately 10 to 12 inches deep inside the trap.

Fill the sand trap with sand. The sand will flow to the center due to the slope of the trap. Continue to add sand until you have achieved a depth of six inches, and then evenly distribute the sand until it conforms to the slope of the trap. Remember, using sand that is too fine can lead to the need to replace it inside the trap continually due to displacement from high winds.

Tips

Understand your local zoning laws to make sure your little landscaping project will not violate any codes.