Question on STI NP50 Turf vs STI PL306

[KMitch]

I have been speaking with GoldenSim about building out a golf sim and it's actually crazy how similar of a path we are on in terms of space, projectors, screens turf etc... Or maybe everyone who builds out a sim goes down this path lol

I was hoping someone in the group might be able to help me with a couple of Turf questions.

I have narrowed (I think) my options down to:
1) STI PL306 (12 ft wide) with 5mm foam rubber backing
2) STI NP50 (15 ft wide); (does not include the 5mm Foam rubber backing)

I am building the sim in the garage so think the 5mm rubber backing on the PL306 might work best but I would really like the 15 ft wide option because my screen is 14 feet wide and I would really like it to go back 15 feet - the PL 306 will only go back 12 feet. I also think the NP50 is better putting surface so don't mind paying the extra cost - just concerned about it being right on top of concrete and whether I will be able to use the starball cups...

Building a sub-floor in my garage is not an option for various reasons so that's out - so it will definitely just be put down on top of the garage floor concrete.

I was curious if anyone had any experience laying the NP 50 directly on concrete or if you thought it would be totally necessary to have the 5mm foam backing that comes with the PL306?

I want to also put in the starball cups which do not require a sub-floor (https://www.starprogreens.com/produc...ball-golf-cup/). Do you think I would be able to put these starball cups in the NP 50 or would you think it really needs that 5 mm foam backing as a more sturdy base to hold the cup in place?

I have samples of both and to the naked eye - they are flush with each other (i.e. both about 3/8 inch think - it's just PL306 has more solid rubber backing and NP50 is more fabric/less rubber backing). Based on the samples, I like them both a lot but I can see how the NP 50 is a little more expensive and better quality but the PL306 seems pretty darn good too- just hate that it only comes in 12 feet.

So basically just looking to see if
1) Anyone has laid the NP50 down directly over concrete and if that works or issues (glued, double sided tape, nothing?) and
2) If you think the starball cup will work with the NP 50?

Thanks again in advance for any help!

Kevin

[cspin]

I have written up my comments on both turfs in prior posts. Have both of these turfs, the pl306 in my garage sim and the np50 in my basement putting green. I'm not sure about the depth necessary for the starpro cups, but my recommendation would be to go with the np50 over a thin membrane like Healthy Choice 1/4" carpet pad from Home Depot or a product called Sofstep Pad which certain turf manufacturers recommend. I have the Healthy Choice in the basement on concrete with the np50 on top and it is very nice. I'm sure the Sofstep Pad would be as good or better. I got a sample of it from some place called XGrass and it says it is 5mm thick and comes 12' wide. You would just seam it with some type of tape to get it to the width you want. I seamed the Healthy Choice and it was easy. The np50 is heavy and rolls right over it and you would never know there was a seam. I even have seams in the np50 in my basement and you can't tell where they are. I did the pad layout and had a pro come in and lay down the np50 because there were a couple seams and also because they were cutting in 4 cup holes in the turf to fit around 4 full depth cups I recessed into the concrete. I wanted the holes cut in by pros.

The np50 lays down real nice and cuts very clean. I would stay away from pl306 for what you are trying to do because it does not lay down or cut as well, unless you have a pro install it and you are planning on gluing it down to the concrete.

Btw, starpro has a good putting turf that I got a sample of. I cannot vouch for how well it would go down in your application. My gut feeling is the np50 would be better. You might want to speak with a product rep at STI about the exact way to install the np50 in your application. They have tech people that can help you.

Good luck!

[KMitch]

Thank you very much! I am going to go with the NP50, wil let you know how it turns out.

[GoldenSim]

Hi Kevin
I got my NP50 samples in the mail today. Based on what I have seen and felt with the samples, coupled with what Craig said, I'm going ahead with the NP50 too. Now the only challenge is which color to pick. Without a sample of my hitting turf (Fiberbuilt) I'm not sure what the color match will be of the two options (and I'm not sure how much that matters to me). Just another decision to make!!
Dave

[KMitch]

So true! I went with the true green 50. Felt there was too much yellow in the 55 but you can’t go wrong!