How Rickie Fowler Created the Ideal Backyard Turf Installation With Southwest Greens
When a PGA Tour pro installs a practice setup on their property, you know it has to be the genuine article. Rickie Fowler — known for his signature style and serious short game — turned to Southwest Greens to bring his backyard vision to life, and the results speak for themselves.
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 offer him a professional-grade practice area just outside his door.
The bigger of the two greens spans approximately 1,800 square feet. This one carries a story behind it — Southwest Greens delivered it as far back as 2012. It's held up exceptionally well over the years, a real testament to expert 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 include GB177 synthetic turf, a premium putting surface that delivers the consistent roll and speed a player like Rickie demands during practice sessions. The compact green also got a finishing touch with GB134 fringe turf, lending it that crisp, defined edge you'd find at a premier golf facility.
The outcome? A two-green setup that enables Rickie practice on everything from mid-range putts to precise lag putting, right from the convenience of his own backyard.
BEYOND JUST FOR GOLF
Here's where the project gets truly interesting. Rickie's backyard isn't just a golf destination — Southwest Greens also designed and installed a one-of-a-kind bocce ball court featuring precision-laid synthetic grass that keeps play smooth and consistent game after game. It's the kind of feature that turns a backyard into a true entertainment space.
For the performance-focused side of things, Southwest Greens laid synthetic grass for a pole-vaulting practice zone, specifying Bolt turf for that installation. Bolt is engineered to withstand high-impact athletic activity, making it the ideal choice for a sport that calls for a reliable, safe landing and approach surface.
THE REASON WHY ARTIFICIAL TURF MAKES THE MOST SENSE FOR SERIOUS ATHLETES
For a professional golfer managing a demanding tour schedule, the last thing you want is a natural grass putting green that needs ongoing watering, mowing, and annual reseeding. A synthetic grass installation looks picture-perfect year-round with low upkeep — and that's a big deal when your prep time is valuable.
Artificial putting greens across Greenwich have improved dramatically. The GB177 surface used on Rickie's greens is built to mimic the feel and playability of a genuine bentgrass green, so the hours he racks up at home transfer directly to his results on the course.
BUILD A ONE-OF-A-KIND PUTTING GREEN OF YOUR OWN
You don't have to be a PGA Tour pro to enjoy a Greenwich backyard putting green that impresses every guest. Southwest Greens of Connecticut designs and installs custom artificial putting greens for residential and commercial properties of every size — whether you're after a compact 200-square-foot green to sharpen your short game or a multi-hole design like Rickie's.
From the initial design to the last blade of synthetic grass, every Southwest Greens installation is constructed with the same attention to detail you witnessed on this project.
Looking to start planning your very own outdoor putting green in Greenwich? Contact Southwest Greens today and find out what is possible in your Greenwich space.