How Rickie Fowler Built the Ideal Backyard Turf Project With Southwest Greens
When a PGA Tour pro installs a practice setup at home, you know 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 tell the story.
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-built outdoor putting greens that offer him a tour-grade practice area steps from his door.
The larger of the two greens spans approximately 1,800 square feet. This one actually has a history — Southwest Greens delivered it as far back as 2012. It has held up exceptionally well over the years, a genuine 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 incorporate GB177 synthetic turf, a tour-grade putting surface that provides the repeatable roll and speed a player like Rickie expects during practice sessions. The compact green also got a finishing touch with GB134 fringe turf, adding that clean, precise edge you'd see at a premier golf facility.
The outcome? A two-green setup that lets Rickie work on all aspects from mid-range putts to careful lag putting, right from the comfort of his own backyard.
BEYOND JUST FOR GOLF
This is where the project gets really interesting. Rickie's backyard isn't just a golfer's retreat — Southwest Greens also built a one-of-a-kind bocce ball court complete with precision-laid synthetic grass that keeps play smooth and consistent game after game. It's the kind of addition that transforms a backyard into a full entertainment space.
And for the sport-oriented side of things, Southwest Greens laid synthetic grass for a pole-vaulting practice zone, using Bolt turf for that installation. Bolt is designed to handle high-impact athletic applications, making it a strong choice for a sport that requires a dependable, safe landing and approach surface.
THE REASON WHY ARTIFICIAL TURF MAKES THE MOST SENSE FOR SERIOUS ATHLETES
For a professional athlete balancing a busy tour schedule, the last thing you want is a natural grass putting green that needs ongoing watering, trimming, and periodic reseeding. A synthetic grass installation remains picture-perfect year-round with little upkeep — and that's a genuine benefit when your prep time is at a premium.
Artificial putting greens in Huntsville have advanced significantly. The GB177 surface used on Rickie's greens is designed to replicate the feel and playability of a real bentgrass green, so the hours he puts in at home carry over directly to his performance on the course.
CLAIM A ONE-OF-A-KIND PUTTING GREEN OF YOUR OWN
You don't have to be a PGA Tour pro to own a Huntsville backyard putting green worth bragging about. Southwest Greens of Huntsville builds custom artificial putting greens for commercial and residential properties of any scale — whether you're looking for a modest 200-square-foot green to improve 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 crafted with the same level of craftsmanship you witnessed on this project.
Set to begin planning your own outdoor putting green in Huntsville? Contact Southwest Greens today and find out what's possible in your Huntsville space.