Abstract: A playing surface for athletic games comprising a stable subsurface, a resilient underpad of specified character, a pile fabric resembling grass and a sand top dressing. The inventive surface is particularly suited for use as a golf green which properly facilitates control of an approach shot and also provides a true putting surface. The playing surface simulates the feel and appearance of natural turf, but has much greater durability and requires less maintenance. By appropriately varying the construction of the surface, it is possible to control its character to provide for a desired type of play.

Abstract: A playing surface for athletic games, such as tennis, comprising a flat, firm subsurface, a pile fabric disposed on the subsurface comprising a relatively flexible, moisture-impermeable backing and normally generally upstanding pile elements resembling grass, a compacted layer of granular mineral material disposed among the pile elements on the backing to a depth from about 75% to substantially equal to the length of the pile elements, the mineral layer comprising less than 10% clay and further comprising a quantity of moisture retaining material sufficient to maintain the moisture content of the mineral layer above about 3% by weight under normal climatic conditions.