Does a putting green need drainage?

The green’s contours are built into the prepared base, so water management must be considered before the surface goes down. The goal is to preserve intended ball roll while preventing the green from acting like a basin during a storm.

Drainage can involve corrected grades, permeable base materials, and—when needed—site-specific collection or routing. Nearby roof runoff, slopes, and hardscape are part of the design conversation.

Ask an installer how the green is shaped, how the base is compacted, and where water moves after a heavy rain. Those answers are more important than a generic description of the putting surface alone.