How Rickie Fowler Created the Ultimate Backyard Turf Installation With Southwest Greens
When a PGA Tour pro builds a practice setup on their property, you can be sure it has to be the real deal. Rickie Fowler — known for his distinctive style and exceptional short game — turned to Southwest Greens to turn his backyard vision into reality, and the results say it all.
Here's a behind-the-scenes look at what went into this one-of-a-kind artificial turf installation.
TWO OUTDOOR PUTTING GREENS, ONE PROPERTY
The centerpiece of Rickie's setup is a pair of custom outdoor putting greens that give him a professional-grade practice area just outside his door.
The bigger of the two greens covers approximately 1,800 square feet. This one actually has a history — Southwest Greens finished it back in 2012. It has held up remarkably well over the years, a real testament to skilled installation work. The second green — roughly 500 square feet — is a more recent addition and showcases Southwest Greens' latest premium products.
The second green — roughly 500 square feet — is a more recent addition and showcases Southwest Greens' latest premium products.
Both greens incorporate GB177 synthetic turf, a high-performance putting surface that delivers the repeatable roll and speed a player like Rickie expects during practice rounds. The smaller green also received a finishing touch with GB134 fringe turf, lending it that clean, defined edge you'd find at a top-tier golf facility.
The outcome? A two-green setup that enables Rickie work on all aspects from mid-range putts to careful lag putting, right from the convenience of his own backyard.
NOT JUST FOR GOLF
Here's where the project gets really interesting. Rickie's backyard isn't just a golf destination — Southwest Greens also installed a custom bocce ball court complete with precision-laid synthetic grass that delivers smooth, consistent play game after game. It's the kind of feature that converts a backyard into a true entertainment destination.
And for the sport-oriented side of things, Southwest Greens installed synthetic grass for a pole-vaulting training zone, specifying Bolt turf for that installation. Bolt is designed to handle high-impact athletic use, making it the ideal choice for a sport that demands a dependable, safe landing and approach surface.
THE REASON WHY ARTIFICIAL TURF MAKES SENSE FOR ATHLETES
For a professional athlete managing a busy tour schedule, the last thing you want is a natural grass putting green that needs ongoing irrigation, mowing, and annual reseeding. A synthetic grass installation stays picture-perfect year-round with minimal upkeep — and that's a real advantage when your time is limited.
Artificial putting greens across Flagstaff have evolved considerably. The GB177 surface used on Rickie's greens is designed to mimic the feel and playability of a genuine bentgrass green, so the hours he racks up at home translate directly to his performance on the course.
GET A PERSONALIZED PUTTING GREEN OF YOUR OWN
You don't have to be a PGA Tour pro to have a Flagstaff backyard putting green that turns heads. Southwest Greens Flagstaff constructs custom artificial putting greens for residential and commercial properties of any scale — whether you're after a compact 200-square-foot green to improve your short game or a multi-hole setup like Rickie's.
From the first design to the final blade of synthetic grass, every Southwest Greens installation is constructed with the same level of craftsmanship you witnessed on this project.
Looking to start planning your very own outdoor putting green in Flagstaff? Contact Southwest Greens today and find out what's possible in your Flagstaff space.