SYNLawn vs the shipped nylon kit.
SYNLawn sells a specified nylon putting surface installed by a certified crew for $25–$60+ per square foot. Timberline Greens ships the same class of nylon as a kit — turf, seam, cups, flags, infill calc, and the base manual — for $4–$10 per square foot in materials. The surface is comparable. The crew is the difference. You build the range, or hand the brief to a local hand for a fraction of the franchise markup.
| Category | Timberline Ridge Kit | SYNLawn / Pro-Install |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Shipped kit, you build | Certified-installer network |
| Surface class | Specified nylon | Specified nylon |
| Installed by | You, or a local hand | Territory installer only |
| Labor share of job | 0–20% | 40–60% |
| Wait for crew | None — ships to your door | Weeks, territory-dependent |
| Total cost / sq ft | $4–$10 materials | $25–$60+ installed |
| DIY path | Yes — full playbook | Discouraged |
| What you buy | The surface + the manual | The surface + the crew + the logo |
Fair and specific. We compare categories and specs — not slander. We don't claim SYNLawn's marks, logos, or "Official Surface of…" lines.
The turf isn't the expensive part. The crew is.
Materials-only ranges below; pro-install ranges are the market, not our install price — we don't fake an install number. The gap is the labor you keep.
| Green Size | Ridge Kit (materials) | Pro Install (market) |
|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft | $800–$2,000 | $5,000–$12,000+ |
| 400 sq ft | $1,600–$4,000 | $10,000–$24,000+ |
| 600 sq ft | $2,400–$6,000 | $15,000–$36,000+ |
2026 estimates. Actual depends on nylon vs PP, fringe, freight, and site prep. [NEED SPEC] on final per-SKU pricing.
The pad is the job. Know when to hire a hand.
Under ~250–400 sq ft with a flat pad, DIY-friendly. Anything on this list, hire help for the base — then lay the carpet yourself.
- 01Heavy contours or tiered breaks you can't grade alone.
- 02A slope that needs a retaining edge or drainage work.
- 03No place to stage a sod cutter or plate compactor.
- 04You want it tomorrow and have no weekend to give the pad.
Is Timberline the same as SYNLawn?+
No. We're an independent brand. Same class of specified nylon surface — you're not paying for a certified-installer territory or a logo on a truck.
Does SYNLawn have a PGA / official advantage?+
Performance is yarn + construction + base, not a badge. A flat base and dressed infill roll true regardless of the brand on the invoice.
Why is installed so much more?+
Labor is 40–60% of a pro job, plus territory overhead and wait times. The kit removes the crew. You keep that money.
Can I hire a hand and still save?+
Yes. Hand a local landscaper the materials + the handyman brief. You pay for the base work, not a franchise markup.
What about ForeverLawn GolfGreens?+
Same category — pro-install network, certified-installer lock, hard DIY. The wedge is the same: shipped nylon, you build.
Same class of surface. You build it.
Skip the installer prison. Get the Ridge Kit cut list, or order samples and read the surface yourself.