How Rickie Fowler Designed the Ideal Backyard Turf Project With Southwest Greens
When a PGA Tour pro installs a practice setup at home, you can tell it has to be the genuine article. Rickie Fowler — known for his recognizable style and exceptional short game — turned to Southwest Greens to turn his backyard vision into reality, 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 outdoor putting greens that give him a tour-grade practice area right outside his door.
The larger of the two greens covers approximately 1,800 square feet. This one holds history — Southwest Greens finished it back in 2012. It has held up remarkably well over the years, a true 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 feature GB177 synthetic turf, a tour-grade putting surface that produces the consistent roll and speed a player like Rickie requires during training sessions. The smaller green also received a finishing touch with GB134 fringe turf, lending it that clean, defined edge you'd expect at a top-tier golf facility.
The result? A dual-green setup that lets Rickie practice on all aspects from mid-range putts to careful lag putting, right from the convenience of his own backyard.
BEYOND JUST FOR GOLF
Here's where the project gets truly interesting. Rickie's property isn't just a golf haven — Southwest Greens also built a bespoke bocce ball court complete with precision-laid synthetic grass that keeps play smooth and consistent game after game. It's the type of upgrade that transforms a backyard into a full entertainment hub.
For the sport-oriented side of things, Southwest Greens installed synthetic grass for a pole-vaulting practice space, using Bolt turf for that installation. Bolt is built to handle high-impact athletic use, making it the ideal choice for a sport that calls for a reliable, safe landing and approach surface.
WHY ARTIFICIAL TURF MAKES PRACTICAL SENSE FOR COMPETITIVE ATHLETES
For a pro athlete managing a busy tour schedule, the last thing you need is a natural grass putting green that needs continuous irrigation, mowing, and annual reseeding. A synthetic grass installation looks picture-perfect year-round with little upkeep — and that's a genuine benefit when your schedule is at a premium.
Artificial putting greens in San Francisco have come a long way. The GB177 surface used on Rickie's greens is built to replicate the feel and playability of a real bentgrass green, so the hours he racks up at home carry over directly to his performance on the course.
CLAIM A CUSTOM PUTTING GREEN OF YOUR OWN
You don't have to be a PGA Tour pro to enjoy a San Francisco backyard putting green worth bragging about. Southwest Greens Northern CA West builds custom artificial putting greens for residential and commercial properties of any scale — whether you're looking for a small 200-square-foot green to improve your short game or a multi-hole setup like Rickie's.
From the initial design to the final blade of synthetic grass, every Southwest Greens installation is constructed with the same standard of precision you experienced on this project.
Looking to get started on your own outdoor putting green in San Francisco? Contact Southwest Greens today and find out what's possible in your San Francisco space.