Playing surface assemblies and systems, and methods of making and using same

A playing surface assembly that defines at least a portion of a playing surface, the playing surface assembly comprising:

• a backing having a top surface;
• a plurality of reinforcement elements secured to and extending upwardly from the backing;
• and
• infill material defining a top surface of the playing surface assembly and having a height measured from the top surface of the backing,
• wherein each reinforcement element of the plurality of reinforcement elements has a top end and a reveal distance corresponding to a vertical spacing between the top surface of the playing surface assembly and the top end of the reinforcement element, wherein the height of the infill material is greater than the reveal distance of each reinforcement element, wherein the plurality of reinforcement elements are configured to restrict lateral and vertical migration of the infill material, and
• wherein the infill material comprises clay, and wherein the clay has a sieve size ranging from 10 to 60 mesh.