Artificial turf has long been used as an alternative to natural grass in homes and athletic fields across the country. After all, it is durable, safe and eco-friendly; not to mention nearly maintenance free.

Synthetic turf does not need to be watered, mowed or fertilized.

But now, synthetic turf is taking the golf industry by storm as some of the latest developments of the product aim to enhance the golfing experience. From professional players to newbies, an increasing number of people are utilizing synthetic turf to enhance their golfing experience, the Synthetic Turf Council reports. In fact, several people have created innovative installations that have transformed the way the game is played at home and out on courses.

For example, Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club in Tennessee has switched to synthetic grass tee lines in order to make the area more usable for all golfers. Other golf courses, such as Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey County, California, installed synthetic grass in the area to match ground colors and reduce maintenance requirements. Many homeowners are also installing synthetic grass putting greens in their backyards.

So why is artificial grass turf so much better than natural grass when it comes to golf courses? There are many reasons. For one, it solves the problem of the amount of water required to keep golf courses green. According to a June 2008 National Public Radio story cited in the announcement, the average American golf course uses 312,000 gallons of water per day. In areas like Palm Springs, each golf course uses a million gallons a day.

The second reason why so many golf facilities are switching to synthetic courses and tee lines is because of durability. Compared to an artificial turf lawn or golf course, natural grass simply can’t handle daily usage.

Synthetic grass is also accessible for more people, including people with disabilities who use equipment such as wheelchairs.