Tag Archives: sod

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 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: https://www.arizonaputtinggreen.com/putting_greens_gallery.php

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

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 https://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

 

 

The right way to make a putting green fit in your backyard from Southwest Greens of the Valley

At Southwest Greens of the Valley in Scottsdale, Arizona, we’re the pros at proper design, spacing and placement of your personalized synthetic grass putting green.

Here’s how we do it:

We like to install approximately one putting green cup per 100 square feet, so each hole does not interfere with the others.

Chip right up and pick a cup!

Chip right up and pick a cup!

 

We like to set the cups so the undulations will give you all types of putts: left to right break, a right to left break, maybe a little uphill putt, a downhill putt and, most importantly, the long straight putt.

We cement the cups into the base

We use PGA regulation metal cups like you find at your favorite golf course

We also offer a smaller 3 inch diameter practice cup which, if you can make that putt, the large cup starts to look like a basketball hoop!

Invite us over to your home or office to discuss the possibilities of your custom putting greens from Southwest Greens of the Valley.  Just use your imagination and we can build it!

For your complimentary consultation please call us today at 480-664-9414 or click here: contact us.

View our putting green photo gallery now at: https://www.arizonaputtinggreen.com/putting_greens_gallery.php

 

Types of Artificial Turf from Shaw and Southwest Greens of the Valley

Southwest Greens of the Valley is proud to announce new artificial turfs manufactured by Shaw Industries

Golden Bear 50
Golden Bear 50 is our most popular lawn turf. The blade height is 1 ¾ inch, we offer it in 2 colors
our Blend color is a combination of olive and evergreen and our Spring Green color is a brighter
more limier color. They both have brown thatch which gives it that authentic look.

Over Seeded Rye 50
This turf is our second most popular lawn turf, it is identical to Golden Bear 50 but has green thatch.
It is our residential and commercial lawn standard for synthetic turfs. This turf only comes in Blend
color (olive and evergreen) with green thatch.

Kentucky Bluegrass 60
This turf is a tad more plush then the Golden Bear and Over Seeded Rye with a 60 ounce face weight.
The blade height is 1 ¾ inch, and comes in 2 colors, blend and spring green. It also has green thatch.

Bermuda 72
This turf is thicker and more plush then the Kentucky Bluegrass with a 72 ounce face weight. It is a
beautiful looking turf that comes in blend or spring green. Blade height is 1 ¾ inch.

Golden Bear Plush 80
This is our thickest and most plush turf coming in at an 80 ounce face weight. The blade height on this
turf is 2 inches and comes in 2 colors, blend and spring green and also has the authentic brown thatch.

Fairway/Rec Turf 68
This is our shortest blade height turf at 1 1/8 inch and is thick at 68 ounce face weight. This is a great
turf to use as an apron around your putting green and is great to chip off of.

NY Putt/Nylon
This is a nylon turf that is great for glue downs on your patio. It can also be used as a putting green
surface as the ball rolls on it straight and true.

Ultimate Tee Box/Nylon
This is a fantastic tee box turf. It is our driving range turf that you see at many golf courses in the Phoenix
Metro area. Great to chip and hit irons off of and you can even stick a tee in it to drive from.

Why choose Southwest Greens of the Valley in Arizona?

We do synthetic and artificial turf and we do it well. Synthetic turf is not our sideline or secondary business like many landscape companies.We’re the pros at customizing to your desired needs, whether it’s a customized putting green with fringe, contours, and undulations, to a play area for the kids, or a synthetic turf lawn to bring you that backyard oasis you’ve always wanted.  And, our installers are the envy of the synthetic turf industry!
Our sales consultants are trained to provide you with professional landscape designs. Every design is a custom Southwest Greens of the Valley design done just for you.

On-site tours! We’ll schedule an onsite tour with you where you can visit “residences” that have a  Southwest Greens of the Valley putting green, lawn or play area, so you can evaluate the high quality of our finished products.

Contact us today for your complimentary consultation at 480-664-9417 or use our contact us form now.

Wouldn’t this look great at your home? Southwest Greens of the Valley Can Make It Yours!

Elegance with sythetic grass and fabulous water features
Elegance with synthetic grass and fabulous water features
Dogs enjoying synthetic turf from Southwest Greens of the Valley

Four happy pups enjoying their synthetic grass from Southwest Greens of the Valley!

Turf, water feature and custom golf putting greens

Turf, water feature and custom golf putting greens

Southwest Greens of the Valley, serving the greater Phoenix area and suburbs, is ready to turn your backyard into an outdoor paradise, a golfers dream or both!  Take a look at some of our work and visit www.swgarizona.com.

Custom putting greens and pathways with water features from Southwest Greens of the Valley

Custom putting greens and pathways with water features.

 

How Southwest Greens of the Valley Designs Your Custom Putting Green

At Southwest Greens of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona, we realize that there are many ways to design a putting green.

To better your putting skill, we try to design a putting green that will give you many rolls and breaks like you would find on a real golf course putting green such as:

  • Right to left putts
  • Left to right putts
  • Uphill and downhill putts
  • Most importantly, the long straight putt

We can build your putting green anyway you want it.  Yes, your very own customized putting green at your home!

Surrounding the putting green, our Southwest Greens of the Valley team, which serves the greater Phoenix area and suburbs, can install an apron consisting of our ELRT-Rec Turf, which is our one inch fairway turf, and we can use this for the entrance of your putting green just as you would see at country clubs in your area.  Outside of the ELRT-Rec Turf, we can install a longer turf 1 ¾” 0r 2” that would simulate tour rough.

How about making it even more realistic?

  • We can build grass or sand bunkers around the perimeter of your putting green.
  • We can build tee boxes with our ULTE-ultimate tee box turf that you see on driving ranges.
  • We can surround the tee box turf (ULTE) with our 1” fairway turf and 1 ¾” rough to give you three separate lies to chip from: tight lie, fairway lie, and rough lie.

Invite us over to your home or office to discuss the possibilities of your custom putting greens from Southwest Greens of the Valley.  Just use your imagination and we can build it!

For your complimentary consultation please call us today at 480-664-9414 or through our “contact us”.

View our putting green photo gallery now at https://www.arizonaputtinggreen.com/putting_greens_gallery.php

Phoenix putting green designed and installed by Southwest Greens of the Valley

What to lookout for when choosing artificial grass for your home.

What to lookout for when choosing artificial grass for your home

or

Buyer Beware! Artificial turf can contain unsafe heavy metals.

When Southwest Greens manufactures our turfs we use two types of yarn, and both free of heavy metals: polyethylene for our lawn turfs and polypropylene for our putting green turfs.

At Southwest Greens, the polyethylene and polypropylene yarns that we use in our products are made in the USA and none of the yarns carry any heavy metals, including lead, which has shown to cause long term health problems. Be aware that some companies do sell turf that contain heavy metals and it is highly recommended to avoid these turfs.  When meeting with your prospective turf business, we suggest that this is the first question you ask, and also demand to see the content label.

When you choose any one of the many turf styles from Southwest Greens of the Valley you can be sure that your children and pets will be safe from any dangerous materials.  Your only concern will be how to get them in the house for dinner!

To learn more about how you can have a maintenance free year round green lawn or putting green at your Phoenix area home please call Southwest Greens of the Valley at 480-664-9417

A few notes on Polyethylene and Polypropylene:

  • Polyethylene which is used to make our lawn turfs is a fiber that is intended to stay rigid and erect over a long period of time to keep your lawn looking great for years.
  • Polypropylene which is used to make our putting green turf is a fiber that is meant to bend over and stay that way for a flat and smooth putting surface.

To learn everything you would ever want to know about artificial grass and putting greens, please call Southwest Greens of the Valley in Phoenix at 480-664-9417.  Thanks!

"Your Southwest Greens of the Valley Oasis"

Lush green grass, palm trees and rolling water. This could be yours!

 

Southwest Greens of the Valley – Getting you a good roll on your winter putting greens

The science behind how Southwest Greens of the Valley can get you the roll you desire on your putting green.

The cool weather of the Arizona winter makes it hard to get a good roll on your putting green, so at Southwest Greens of the Valley in the greater Phoenix area, we always like to put a stimpmeter on your putting green to get the speed of your green to your specifications that you work for you.

The stimpmeter is like a yard stick where you put the ball in a slot at one end, with the other
end touching the green. As you slowly lift the stimpmeter up the ball will
roll off it. You then measure the distance that the ball rolled, (do it
in the flattest part of the green, no uphill or downhills). Repeat this 2-3 times
and average the distance. Repeat using the stimpmeter in the other
direction 2-3 times and take the average distance of all rolls.  You will then have
your stimp speed!

For example: One way 8ft—9ft—9.5ft = 8.83ft—–Opposite direction 7ft—8ft—8.5ft = 7.83ft
8.83ft + 7.83ft /2 = 8.33 stimp speed

Average stimp speed for Country Clubs in the Phoenix Metro area is around 9.5-10.5, The Masters in
Augusta Georgia probably has the highest of all tournaments, along with
the US Open. They stimp out around 12-13.

Southwest Greens of the Valley rolls your putting green like real golf courses. We use a 600lb Brutus
roller. After installing your green, we put an initial roll on it to get it to a 7.5-8.5 stimp. In the winter it’s harder to get it fast on the first roll, that’s why we ask you to let the putting green settle for a month after the first roll, and we’ll then come back out in about 3-4 weeks to put a final roll on
it to get it to a 9.5-10.5 stimp, or whatever speed you desire.

In the middle of the summer it’s easier to get it rolled to a 9-10 on the first roll
because of the sun and heat, which allows the blades to bend over and
stay that way.

Now you know the story behind green speeds and the knowledge behind every putting green that’s designed and installed by the professionals at Southwest Greens of the Valley, serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe and the entire metro and suburban areas.  Call us today at 480-664-9417 for your complimentary consultation and estimate.

Southwest Greens of the Valley custom putting green with bunker