What is the best artificial grass for sports?
Best Artificial Turf Selection Guide for Sports
UNIGRASS is a leading global artificial turf expert, focusing on providing high-quality sports turf for business, schools and homes, including football, tennis, rugby, golf, cricket, hockey and other sports venues. Choosing the best artificial turf for sports is crucial, which not only affects the performance of athletes, but also determines the service life and maintenance cost of the venue.
Main Types of Artificial Turf
Monofilament Turf: The filaments resemble natural grass, offering strong toughness and resilience. They are commonly used in high-end football fields and multi-purpose sports fields.
Mesh Turf: The filaments are ribbon-shaped, with a large surface area. Once laid, they are thicker and more wear-resistant. They are often used in sports fields with high foot traffic.
Hybrid Turf: Combining the advantages of monofilament and mesh, it offers a comfortable feel while maintaining excellent wear resistance and stability, making it suitable for multi-purpose sports fields.
Key factors for choosing the best artificial grass for sports
1.Durability and quality
High-quality sports artificial turf is made of wear-resistant and UV-resistant premium materials, which can easily withstand high-intensity use and harsh weather conditions. At the same time, relying on high-density weaving technology, it ensures that the grass fibers are not easily deformed, shed or worn, and maintain stable performance in the long term.
2.Adapt to different sports activities
Different sports activities have different requirements for turf. Therefore, it is necessary to select the appropriate grass height, density and infill material according to the specific sport. For example, football fields require longer grass fibers, while tennis courts and hockey fields are suitable for shorter grass fibers, so as to accurately match the core usage requirements of various sports.
3.Excellent ball feel and elasticity
High-quality sports artificial turf has excellent ball feel and elasticity. The elasticity of the turf directly affects the rolling and bouncing trajectory of the ball, which can bring athletes the best competition experience. At the same time, when combined with high-resilience filling materials such as rubber granules and quartz sand, it can further improve the cushioning performance of the turf and effectively reduce the risk of injury to athletes.
4.Efficient drainage system
High-quality sports artificial turf is equipped with an efficient drainage system that allows water to quickly seep into the drainage pipes, effectively preventing water accumulation during rainy days and ensuring stable use of the field in all weather conditions.
5.Environmental protection and sustainability
Artificial turf is made of lead-free and non-toxic environmentally friendly materials to reduce its impact on the environment. Some high-end models are also made of recyclable raw materials and have a lifespan of 8-10 years.
6.Easy to maintain
High-quality sports artificial turf does not require frequent mowing, watering, or fertilization. It only needs regular cleaning and inspection of the infill to maintain its good condition. Its built-in antibacterial and anti-mildew functions can further reduce long-term maintenance costs, making it worry-free and efficient.
Types of artificial turf suitable for different sports fields
| Type | Height | Structure | Filler type | Features |
| Artificial turf for football fields | 40-60MM | High-density straight grass + curved grass blend fiber | Rubber granules + quartz sand | Stable ball rolling, shock absorption and damage prevention, wear-resistant |
| Artificial turf for tennis courts | 10-20MM | compact short fibers | Quartz sand | Even bounce, non-slip and wear-resistant, suitable for competitions |
| Artificial turf for padel courts | 10-15MM | PE / PP Grass Fiber | Quartz sand | Easy ball speed control, durable and comfortable |
| Artificial turf for golf course greens | Greens: 12-15MM Fairways: 30mm-40mm |
High-density fiber structure | Quartz sand | Simulates natural properties, stable putter, UV resistant |
| Artificial turf for cricket courts | 8-12MM | Ultra-high density short fiber | Non-filled / Lightweight Quartz Sand | Smooth bouncing and rotating, wear-resistant and durable |
| Artificial turf for hockey courts | 10-15MM | High-density straight grass | Non-filled / Lightweight Quartz Sand | High ball speed, low friction, professional fit |
Why are these artificial grass best suited?
1. Football and High-Intensity Competitive Sports
PE monofilament turf is the preferred choice, currently the most mainstream sports turf option.
Material Advantages: Polyethylene (PE) has excellent abrasion resistance and flexibility. In contrast, PP is too hard and can easily scratch the skin; PA, while abrasion-resistant, results in excessive ball speed.
Structural Advantages: Monofilament grass mimics the vein structure of natural grass, offering better drainage and allowing the grass fibers to stand upright for longer.
Infill System: Must be used in conjunction with quartz sand + rubber granules (EPDM). This dual-layer infill structure provides crucial vertical deformation and energy return rate, effectively reducing knee and ankle injuries during sudden stops and turns.
Purchase Tip: Look for FIFA Quality Pro or FIFA Quality certification. This is FIFA's highest endorsement of field safety and athletic performance.
2. Multi-purpose Sports Fields and School Playgrounds
A mixed weave turf is recommended. If your field is used not only for soccer but also for running, gymnastics, and even as a public recreation area, pure monofilament turf may flatten due to heavy foot traffic.
Structural Advantages: PP curved filaments are incorporated into PE monofilament grass as supporting pillars.
Core Advantages: The curved filaments support the straight filaments, allowing the grass fibers to quickly rebound and stand upright even under high-density foot traffic, significantly extending the turf's lifespan.
Suitable Scenarios: This type of turf has a wide range of applications, especially suitable for schools and communities with limited budgets but requiring durable fields.
3. Racket Sports (Tennis/Badminton)
Short, infill-free grass is essential. Racket sports require extremely consistent ground friction; traditional infill granules can interfere with the ball's bounce.
Key Parameters: Grass height is typically between 13mm and 25mm.
Underlay Requirements: It usually needs to be used in conjunction with a professional shock-absorbing pad because there are no rubber granules to provide cushioning; the shock-absorbing pad is crucial for protecting joints.
Surface treatment: High-quality tennis grass has a special anti-slip texture to ensure grip on the sole.
Practical Tips for Choosing Artificial Turf
Look at the turf: Choose turf with high flexibility and strong UV resistance.
Look at the backing: High-quality turf uses a polyurethane or latex coating for enhanced water resistance and durability.
Look at the manufacturer's qualifications: Choose turf products certified by FIFA, SGS, and CE for greater quality assurance.
Based on budget and application: Choose high-end monofilament turf for professional competitions, while schools or recreational areas can opt for cost-effective hybrid turf.
The most suitable artificial turf for sports must not only meet athletes' needs for safety, comfort, and professionalism, but also be durable and environmentally friendly. Choosing the right turf type based on the characteristics of each sport can truly maximize the advantages of artificial turf and create a high-quality sports field.
