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Step 4: Compact the Sub-Base Material
 Compacting is necessary to keep the surface from settling irregularly, causing an undesirable ball roll when putting. There are three tools you can use to compact the sub-base. A gas powered roller can be used to roll over the surface of the sub-base; a gas tamp (a motorized tool that pounds the sub-base repeatedly); or a lawn roller. Each of these items can be rented from local rental establishments. If you have trouble finding rental establishments in your area, try calling your local hardware store or tree nursery to help you.
Before you start the compacting process, you will need to spray the entire sub-base with your garden hose. Using a spray nozzle, wet the sub-base thoroughly, but do not saturate it.
If you use a crushed rock base below the limestone sub-base, The crushed rock does not need to be compacted. It serves as a base for strength and drainage.
Your crushed limestone sub-base should be sprayed with water and compacted with every 2" of sub-base material applied.
Using a gas powered roller: This is the easiest way. Rent a gas powered roller that you can ride on. It should have a front roller that vibrates and where water can be applied to each roller during operations. Spray the sub-base with the garden hose so that it is damp all the way through. Make sure not to over saturate. Roll the first 2" surface of the sub-base from end to end, with a small amount of water being dispensed to each roller (so that no sub-base material will be picked up on the rollers), until you have rolled over the whole area. Add the second two inches of material. Make sure that the sub-base is damp all the way through and continue rolling the sub-base until the surface is completely smooth. Repeat rolling the surface, if necessary, to ensure a solid smooth foundation for your putting green.
Using a gas tamp: Compact the sub-base by starting at one corner
and move from end to end until you have covered the whole area. You may need to spray with
your garden hose and repeat the compacting process. Continue to compact in this manner
until you no longer leave footsteps in the sub-base.
Lawn Roller: Fill the roller with water. Start in one
corner and roll the entire sub-base. You may need to spray with
your garden hose and repeat the compacting process. If the
roller starts picking up the sub-base material, you may want to
spray the drum with water as you go. Continue to compact in this manner
until you feel that you have done the best you can.
During the compacting process of the sub-base you may have small bumps, ridges, low
spots, or dips on the surface. Use a rake or shovel to smooth over those areas. Then go
back over the sub-base with the compacting tool you are using. You will want the surface
to be completely smooth and solid. Make sure to build in any slope or contour that you
desire at this point. Try rolling a few golf balls over the surface of the sub-base to
test the surface. You will want the ball to roll in a relatively straight path with little
movement from side to side.
The turf will adhere to whatever surface you create. Make sure that you don't
create too much of a slope, the ball may roll too fast and off the
putting green. In general,
drop the slope approximately 1" for every 10 ft. in the length of your sub-base.
Again, test the surface with a few golf balls to check the slope of your sub-base.
The ball will break the same on the sub-base as it will on the putting green. Your
sub-base should be 4" in depth when completely compacted.
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