7 Steps of Building a Green Using the USGA Method

Dec 18, 2025
2 min read

The Club is using the USGA Method for Tuckahoe Creek’s putting green construction and modified variable depth strategy. Below you’ll find a breakdown of seven of the steps during the process using this construction method, as well as visuals of the crew in action so far.

Step 1: Building the Model

The construction company uses the CAD drawings created by Andrew Green to create the new green out of soil in the field.

Step 2: Andrew Green Reviews

Andrew Green checks points across the green and makes adjustments as he sees necessary.

Andrew has made these adjustments himself using a bulldozer. This is the true “art” form of golf course design.

Andrew is making sure water can exit the green surface correctly, checking the slopes of the putting surface, and looking at the shape and design of the green to see if strategy and desired vision is met.

Step 3: Green is Scanned

*An example of a finalized CAD drawing for Hole #14 with colors to indicate the severity of the slope. Green and light yellow indicate areas that pins could be placed.*

Next, the proposed green is scanned and digitized into CAD so Andrew can analyze the slopes and make any final adjustments to contours before the green is built. Once the scan is finalized, it is sent to the construction company.

Step 4: Coring of the Green

The finalized scan is used to excavate to a depth of 16-inches that mimics the final approved surface. Accuracy down to the centimeter is ensured using high-tech equipment and checking multiple points throughout the green.

Step 5: Drainage Installed

Drainage is installed on 10 foot centers.

Step 6: Gravel Layer Installed

Once drain pipe installation is complete, four inches of small drainage gravel is evenly spread to cover the floor of the green.

Step 7: USGA Greens Mix Added

Finally, the greens mix is added at a depth ranging from 10-14 inches with the average depth being 12 inches.

Our greens mix has been created through a highly-engineered process and tested multiple times by an independent lab to ensure it meets the USGA standard for greens construction. The mix is blended offsite and trucked in, and consists of 85% sand, 5% soil, and 10% reed sedge peat.