Category Archives: Putting greens

Unique Golf facility in Hong Kong to be built by Southwest Greens

Posted by on February 16, 2015 Comments Off on Unique Golf facility in Hong Kong to be built by Southwest Greens

Game, Set & Match in Hong Kong

A unique golf facility, designed by Nicklaus Design, and built by Southwest Greens Construction, is set to open this year in Hong Kong. Article by Scott MacCallum

 

image of course small

Masterplan for the Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy

We’d all like to see into the future, right? Twenty five years ago, standing outside a telephone booth in the rain waiting for someone to finish a call, wouldn’t it have been comforting to know that not too much later we’d all be walking around with mobile phones in our pockets? Not only that, we’d also have access to every single piece of information in the world in that little phone. Mind blowing!

Well, those who want to know what golf might be like in the future may have the luxury of seeing it in action now… if they can get themselves to a soon-to-be- opened facility in Hong Kong, set to open before the end of 2015.

The Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, designed by Nicklaus Design and built by Southwest Greens Construction, will boast a state-of-the art three story driving range and six hole course, including magnificent water features and a short game area all aimed at opening the wonderful game of golf up to the young and keen adult beginners.

The facility is located in the Sai Kung area which is known for its stunning natural countryside and in addition to its unique golf facilities it will also have overnight accommodation, dining, a fitness centre and other leisure pursuits.

But the game changer at the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy is that it will be built entirely with market-leading synthetic turf systems thus ensuring stunning playing conditions 24/7, 12 months of the year.

“We have a complete product range of synthetic turf systems covering every conceivable area on a golf course, whether it be fairways, rough, tees, bunker areas, cart paths, lake bank stabilization and, of course, the core product being our golf green surfaces,” explained Kevin Holinaty, president of Southwest Greens Construction.

Golf has not been as quick to embrace the synthetic surface as some other sports, and much of that was down to the quality of the product at the time, coupled with the natural conservative nature of golfers, but Holinaty is seeing the rate of progress increasing, particularly over the last five years.

“In the early days the quality products were just not there, and golfers are so much more demanding about the surface on which they play than sportsmen and women in other sports.

“But we have evolved and developed products which perform exceptionally well. Coupled with that we have worked hard to educate the market, demonstrating what is possible,” explained Holinaty. The Southwest Greens’ alliance with Nicklaus Design brings together two of the premier players in the golf development arena, delivering the vision of the developer – New World Development – whose goal was to produce the ideal the finest training facilities, in one of the most iconic venues in the world.

“With the variety of synthetic turf surfaces from Southwest Greens, the Nicklaus Academy will be able to simulate the finest conditions possible – without the potential of damaging the environment with fertilizers and pesticides,” said Ted Simons, chief operating officer for Nicklaus Academies, who will be operating their Academy Program at the facility.

Southwest Greens International has worked with Nicklaus Design for several years in a marketing alliance for the Southwest Greens residential product channel, but the Hong Kong project is the first whereby Nicklaus Design is providing the design, with Southwest Greens Construction building the facility.

Founded in 1996 in the USA, Southwest Greens International is considered to be the global leader in designing and installing synthetic turf for both residential and commercial use, and it now boasts over 75 franchisees in more than 20 countries.

Over 35 top PGA golfers, including Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, and Annika Sorenstam have improved their short games thanks to a Southwest Green putting surface in their gardens, while there are many, as yet unknown, would-be golfing superstars practicing hard on home-based greens, trying to reach the same heights.

Southwest Greens Construction is the global construction arm for Southwest Greens International, responsible for executing all major commercial projects for the Southwest Greens brand.
“We see it as a very exciting time for both of our companies, and another example of how perceptions are changing to the extent that clients are willing to look at synthetic solutions as real and truly viable options,” said Holinaty.

The beauty of the new facility will be its ability to change from driving range to six hole pitch and putt course depending on the need at the time, and it ensures that the needs of the Hong Kong golfers to hone their driving skills at key times in the day can be combined with the new breed of young golfer learning the intricacies of the game under the tutelage of high quality Nicklaus Academy coaches on perfect surfaces.

Designed by golf course architect Jim Wagner of Nicklaus Design, the development ensures that the very most is made out of the space available, while at the same time ensuring that new golfers as well as those more experienced are fulfilled by their experience.

“Our client has provided us with an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the relationships that Mr Nicklaus has forged over the years between Nicklaus Design, Nicklaus Academies and Southwest Greens,” said Wagner. “From early on in the project we had a vision to create a product that was not only unique, but pioneering in the development of golf.

“The partnerships and relationships that exist within the NicklausCompanies, as well as our client’s trust in our recommendations, have allowed us to create that product in an innovative and exciting fashion, incorporating a high level of teaching and operations with state of the art synthetic surfaces that eliminate fertilizers and pesticides and preserve an ideal ball reaction.”

In addition to its unique golf facilities, the Hong Kong Golf andTennis Academy, which is due to open before the end of the year, will also have overnight accommodation, dining, a fitness centre and other leisure pursuits.

hong kong tennis academy

Construction work in progress for for Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy

“It is going to be a truly great place for sports lovers to gather, be trained and excel,” said Jay Liu, Kai Wai, of Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy.

So the future of golf… stunning facilities in pristine condition, and not a mower in sight. Mind blowing!

MacCallum, Scott. “GMé | Issuu 100.” Issuu. 1 Feb. 2015. Web. 13 Feb. 2015. <http://issuu.com/portman/docs/gme_february_2015>.

Southwest Greens of the Valley…now offering a 5mm cushion for your custom putting greens!

Posted by on July 31, 2013 Comments Off on Southwest Greens of the Valley…now offering a 5mm cushion for your custom putting greens!

Southwest Greens of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona is the only custom synthetic turf putting green company offering a 5 millimeter cushion to go under your putting green turf.

What does a 5mm cushion mean for you?

First, if you have a sand in-filled putting green like those we build, over time, the sand will compact and make your putting green surface hard and fast, maybe too fast. If you are chipping to your golf green, the ball may skip and roll right off the green due to the hardness.

With our 5mm cushion installed underneath your putting green turf, it will keep your golf green supple and soft. It will not only give it more longevity, but will accept shots from over 200 yards that stop on a dime, and you can even spin the ball back with our cushion, just like a real golf green.

When you choose Southwest Greens of the Valley you are choosing the #1 company for custom Nicklaus Design golf greens, lawns, playgrounds, bocce ball and croquet courts.

To learn more about Southwest Greens of the Valley and how we can build your custom golf green, please visit www.swgarizona.com.  Please contact us for more information or consultation at 480-664-9417 or click here to email us.

What are the best ways to maintain my synthetic turf and putting greens?

Posted by on January 31, 2013 Comments Off on What are the best ways to maintain my synthetic turf and putting greens?

With winter upon us here in the desert southwest, leaves and other debris falls on our synthetic turf lawns and putting greens.  That means a bit of easy maintenance.

To clean your putting green or lawn of any debris, take a blower and hold about knee high to blow the debris off your surfaces.  Don’t hold the blower close to the turf or it will blow out the infill which is very important for your turf.

Your putting green contains approximately seven pounds of round ball bearing silica sand per square foot, lawns and fringe about one to two pounds per square foot.  This sand is what gives your putting green a smooth and fast roll.  Any sand that is blown out  will cause a nick or depression in your putting green surface, causing a untrue roll.  Also, it is very important not to stick the blower into the cups to rid debris, as it will blow sand out of the edges of the turf. When cleaning your Ultimate Tee Box turf also do not use a broom because this product is nylon and you do not want to disturb the fibers.

A few other putting green tips:

  •  If your putting green or fringe/lawn are dirty or dusty take a hose and spray gently the whole area for a new look.
  •  If you have sprinklers that run periodically on your green or lawn you might notice a white residue on the grass, that is a calcium buildup from the hard water in Arizona, just take the product CLR and spray on white areas and let sit for 5-10 minutes and wash off gently with a hose.

Lastly, some debris will settle into the bottom of your lawn turf. This is why we recommend once or twice a year for Southwest Greens of the Valley to do a full maintenance on your putting green and lawn. Our power brooms are great at pulling out all of the debris that has settled to the bottom, leaving a clean and brand new looking lawn and fringe!

A few good reasons to call Southwest Greens of the Valley to do your putting green maintenance:

  1. We have the power brooms to clean debris that falls to the bottom of your fringe or lawn turf.
  2. We never use these brooms to clean debris off your putting green because it will disturb the fibers and your ball will not roll as smooth as it should.

To learn more about synthetic grass, artificial turf and custom synthetic turf putting greens call Southwest Greens of the Valley at 480-664-9417 or contact us today by clicking here.

What to do when your lawn or golf green gets soaked with heavy rains

Posted by on July 20, 2012 Comments Off on What to do when your lawn or golf green gets soaked with heavy rains

Our weather can bring some heavy rains at times especially when it’s a monsoon. Yes, those monsoons can be a nuisance, but the majority of the time any damage to your synthetic lawn or putting green can be fixed to its original design by Southwest Greens of the Valley here in Phoenix, Arizona.

How will your lawn or golf green hold up when you get heavy rains? 

If an unusual amount of rain falls (2-5 inches) in a quick period of time. a few things can happen to your turf, but nothing to permanently damage it.

Southwest Greens turf drains 126 inches of water per hour, but that doesn’t mean your base will drain at that rate.  Water flow could lift your turf and damage the base area. That can easily be fixed by having a Southwest Greens’ installer roll back your turf, fix the base area, re-compact and then re-attach the turf. It will look just like it did before the storm!

Heavy water flow can also wash out the infill of silica sand and crumb rubber.  That shouldn’t be a problem. Southwest Greens can come out and re-infill your turf and power broom it to make it look brand new.

Your golf green infill, which has approximately seven pounds per square feet of a combination of round ball-bearing silica sand and a top dressing of black and green round ball-bearing silica sand, could partially be washed out. Just call Southwest Greens of the Valley and we will come out and re-infill your golf green with the same silica sand and we will then re-roll your golf green to give it the same roll and speed it had before.

Southwest Putting Greens International, Inc. and Southwest Greens of the Valley began installing synthetic turf grasses, play area, putting greens, tee boxes, tee lines and more here in the Valley of the Sun in 1996.  As one of the first companies to offer this product to Phoenicians and Northern Arizonans, Southwest Greens of the Valley slowly began spreading the word about synthetic turf throughout the greater Phoenix area.   If you would like to learn more about a synthetic lawn or custom golf green for your home or office, please call us today at 480-664-9417 or contact us now. 

Southwest Greens of the Valley putting green

Take your golf game to new heights!

 

Dogs love turf lawns. So will you!

Dogs love turf lawns. So will you!

 

 

 

 

What type of sand in-fill is right for a putting green?

Posted by on June 12, 2012 Comments Off on What type of sand in-fill is right for a putting green?

Southwest Greens of the Valley can build you a putting green, but that’s just half the battle!

What about your short game?

We offer many different types and styles of lawns that make for great chipping practice.

Those include: 1” Fairway, 1 ¾” Second Cut,  2” Deep Rough and Ultimate Tee Box Turf –Tight Lie.

We can also build grass bunkers or sand bunkers.  Our recommendation is to build sand bunkers 6-8 feet away from the putting green, so the sand does not splash on the putting green which is in-filled  #20 sieve round ball bearing sand which is a different sand than bunker sand.

putting green with bunker

Get out your sand wedge!

We use only the best sand for our putting greens. The #20 sieve round ball bearing silica sand is meant specifically for putting greens. Round ball bearing sand does not cut at the blades like a sub-angular sand, and will add years to your golf green.

Southwest Greens of the Valley also uses a mix of black and green round ball bearing sand for top dressing your putting green to give it a beautiful color and a long life.

Be aware: our Southwest Greens of the Valley round ball bearing sand does not have sharp edges, which will cut at the blades while you are walking on your putting green.  This will also give your putting green a longer lifespan. Sand trap sand, or bunker sand, are angular sands that contain a little silt and clay.  This will affect the roll of the ball when putting.  It will also clump up if it gets wet.

To learn more about installing a custom putting green at your home, office or resort, call Southwest Greens of the Valley at 480-664-9417.  View our putting green gallery at: http://www.arizonaputtinggreen.com/putting_greens_gallery.php

What are the different types of synthetic turf for putting greens?

Posted by on June 8, 2012 Comments Off on What are the different types of synthetic turf for putting greens?

Putting is half the fun, chipping can really improve your game!

Fairway/Rec Turf is our 1” first cut turf that we install as an apron around your green or as an area leading up to the golf green, which gives you a tight fairway lie to chip from.

GB50 Golden Bear 50 is our 1 ¾ “ turf that gives you a 2nd cut chip that is attractive and useful when bordering our Fairway/Rec 1” turf

GB80 or Bermuda 72 are our 2” turfs which give you the opportunity to chip from a deep rough situation.

Ultimate Tee Box Turf—This is our tee box turf that we install at driving ranges. We can build a tee box using Ultimate Tee which gives you a very tight lie, or we can offer you a portable pad in any size that you can place in different parts of your yard.  This will give you all chipping angles to your golf green (you can also put a tee in it to drive), which means you can set up a net to hit every club in your bag.

For the finest design, construction and installation team of putting greens and synthetic lawns in the Valley of the Sun, choose Southwest Greens of the Valley today!  480-664-9417

 

The best of everything from Southwest Greens of the Valley!

The best of everything from Southwest Greens of the Valley!

 

 

What is the cost difference between real grass and artificial grass?

Posted by on May 23, 2012 Comments Off on What is the cost difference between real grass and artificial grass?

The cost savings case for synthetic grass from Southwest Greens of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona.

If you’re thinking about installing synthetic grass as your new lawn this summer, your on your way to saving a lot of time and money!  Here’s our analysis when comparing live grass to synthetic grass from Southwest Greens of the Valley.

Regular Sod Grass:

Lawn size: 1000 square feet

Cost to have sod installed: $1500.00

Irrigation system: $ 800

Starter fertilizer and soil amenities: $ 200

Cost to maintain: $120/month

Repair costs: average per year: $100

**Total: $3,800 cost in first year

*Annual maintenance cost for sod grass is about 12 cents per sq. foot to maintain.  The numbers: 1000 sq. feet x .12 cents per sq. foot = $120 per month x 12 months = 1,440.00 per year x 4 years = $5,760

Synthetic Grass Cost:

Lawn size: 1000 square feet

Cost: 6.50 per sq. foot average

Total cost = $6,500.00 for your turf and complete installation.

By the numbers:

In a few short years synthetic grass will pay for itself and give you savings for an additional 6 – 10 years without the maintenance headaches, and you’ll be saving tons of precious water, too!

If you would like to view pictures, please visit our gallery.  Just look how real this looks!

Can you tell the difference? Yes, this is synthetic grass!

Can you tell the difference? Yes, this is synthetic grass!

 

For your complimentary analysis and consultation in the Phoenix, Arizona area, please call Southwest Greens of the Valley at 480-664-9417.

How to install a putting green in your backyard from Southwest Greens of the Valley

Posted by on April 30, 2012 Comments Off on How to install a putting green in your backyard from Southwest Greens of the Valley
Are you looking to take your golf game to the next level?  Why not start with your very own custom putting green in your backyard?  Besides taking strokes off your game, you’ll be the envy of your friends, but just let them look.  You don’t want them to get that same edge, right?!
Southwest Greens of the Valley in Scottsdale, Arizona is the most experienced and knowledgeable designer and installer of custom putting greens for your home, office, resort or community area.  For a complete view of our work, check-out our gallery of work at http://www.arizonaputtinggreen.com/photo_gallery.php

Southwest Putting Greens International, Inc. and Southwest Greens of the Valley began installing synthetic turf grasses, play area, putting greens, tee boxes, tee lines and more here in the Valley of the Sun in 1996.  As one of the first companies to offer this product to Phoenicians and Northern Arizonans, Southwest Greens of the Valley slowly began spreading the word about synthetic turf throughout the greater Phoenix area. At first, artificial grass was not widely accepted due to the stigma that it looked “fake”. Ten years later, Southwest Greens has evolved into the largest synthetic turf installation company in the valley by providing our clients the highest quality product and customer service to meet every need.

Please contact us for more information or consultation at 480-664-9417 or click here to email us.

Here are a few examples of our custom work:

Custom residential putting green with bunker

Custom residential putting green with bunker

Multiple holes in one green with mat

Multiple holes in one green with mat

Multiple putting greens

Multiple putting greens with stone pathways and water features