How Rickie Fowler Built the Ideal Backyard Turf Setup With Southwest Greens
When a PGA Tour pro installs a practice setup on their property, you can tell it needs to be the real deal. 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 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 focal point of Rickie's setup is a pair of custom-built outdoor putting greens that offer him a professional-grade practice space steps from his door.
The bigger of the two greens measures approximately 1,800 square feet. This one actually has history — Southwest Greens delivered it as far back as 2012. It's held up exceptionally well over the years, a true 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 premium putting surface that provides the consistent roll and speed a player like Rickie requires during practice rounds. The smaller green also received a finishing touch with GB134 fringe turf, giving it that crisp, defined edge you'd see at a premier golf facility.
The outcome? A two-green setup that allows Rickie practice on everything from mid-range putts to careful lag putting, right from the convenience of his own backyard.
BEYOND JUST FOR GOLF
This is where the project gets really interesting. Rickie's property isn't just a golfer's retreat — Southwest Greens also installed a one-of-a-kind bocce ball court complete with precision-laid synthetic grass that delivers smooth, consistent play game after game. It's the kind of upgrade that turns a backyard into a genuine entertainment destination.
For the performance-focused side of things, Southwest Greens installed synthetic grass for a pole-vaulting practice area, using Bolt turf for that installation. Bolt is built to withstand high-impact athletic use, making it the right call for a sport that requires a dependable, safe landing and approach surface.
THE REASON WHY ARTIFICIAL TURF MAKES PRACTICAL SENSE FOR SERIOUS ATHLETES
For a professional athlete balancing a demanding tour schedule, the last thing you need is a natural grass putting green that needs constant irrigation, cutting, and seasonal reseeding. A synthetic grass installation looks picture-perfect year-round with minimal upkeep — and that's a real advantage when your prep time is at a premium.
Artificial putting greens throughout Jacksonville have improved dramatically. The GB177 surface used on Rickie's greens is built to mimic the feel and playability of a real bentgrass green, so the hours he racks up at home translate directly to his performance on the course.
GET A CUSTOM PUTTING GREEN OF YOUR OWN
You don't have to be a PGA Tour pro to have a Jacksonville backyard putting green that turns heads. Southwest Greens of Jacksonville designs and installs custom artificial putting greens for commercial and residential properties of every size — whether you're after a small 200-square-foot green to improve your short game or a multi-hole design like Rickie's.
From the first design to the last blade of synthetic grass, every Southwest Greens installation is crafted with the same standard of precision you saw on this project.
Ready to start planning your own outdoor putting green in Jacksonville? Contact Southwest Greens today and find out what is possible in your Jacksonville space.