Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic turf system (10) including: a drainage layer (14) including a first flexible backing sheet (22) and a plurality of synthetic tufts (24), the tufts (24) being attached to and extending upwardly from said first backing sheet (22); a water-permeable synthetic turf layer (12) disposed above the drainage layer (14), the turf layer (12) including a second flexible backing sheet (18) and a plurality of synthetic ribbons (20a, 20b, 20c) extending upwardly from said second backing sheet (18) to provide a playing surface, said second backing sheet (18) being water-permeable; and attachment means for attaching the synthetic turf layer (12) to the drainage layer (14). A layer of a granular in fill material (21) fills the voids between the ribbons (20a, 20b, 20c) in the synthetic turf layer (12).