Anyone who enjoys a round of golf has probably dreamed of having their own private course. Sadly, for all but an extremely select few, a dream is what it will forever remain, mainly due to the huge amount of space required.

Just because you don't have enough land for a full 18-hole course – or even a shorter nine – it doesn't mean you can't build a place to practise your skills in private.

Making a single golf hole can be enough to give you an edge in your regular game and let you enjoy some of the fun from the comfort of home. Best of all, it won't cost you a fortune – and it's easier than you might think.

Work out what you're going to build

Your initial decision depends mostly on the space you have available, not forgetting exactly what you want to get out of your backyard practice.

Although holes on golf courses are typically in excess of 100 yards, building one at home is more about making maximum use of whatever land you have rather than trying to mimic a professional hole precisely.

Sketch your plan on paper, no matter how rough it looks. Include as much length as possible if you want to concentrate on distance shots, or a larger green if your putting needs work.

Get your supplies

All you need for this project is a flag to mark the hole and a cup to keep its shape. Both can be bought, but both can also be improvised. Any sort of pole and fabric makes a suitable flag, and a tough plastic cup or a section of plastic pipe can work well for the hole.

It's all about the turf

If you really want to get the feel of playing on a course, the ground underfoot is your number one priority.

To get this right, it's really best to invest in some good quality turf that's suited to the purpose. For your green, your best choice is Bermuda grass. It withstands heat well, so you won't need constant watering, and it also survives being cut to the short length of a green – between 0.1 and 0.125 inches.

For your fairway section, you have a wider choice of turf types. You could use more Bermuda grass, or perhaps some Kentucky bluegrass. The various ryegrasses are also highly suited to fairway use, as they don't grow too fast and are easy to maintain.

Putting it all together

Once you have everything in place, lay your turf without delay. You can shape it however you want using a tool such as a spade or a trowel, then get it in position according to your supplier's instructions.

When the turf is down, all that's left to do is to dig a hole deep enough for your cup, put your pin in place, and get out your clubs! Don't forget to let your turf settle in before you walk on it too much or commence heavy mowing. For more information, contact a lawn and turf supplies service.