FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Southwest Greens turf is made in the USA by Shaw Industries (a Berkshire Hathaway Company). It is 100% heavy metal free, 100% recyclable, safe for children, and pet friendly.

Face weight is the weight of an area of turf blades only that is 3′ X 3′ or 9 square feet. Many companies when quoting face weights will include the weight of the backing, which is not the correct way to measure face weight. Face weight is a measure (weight) of the thickness and fullness of the turf. Companies that include it for comparison purposes in the face weight are being deceptive.

Southwest Greens will only quote face weights without the backing! Face weight is the weight of the turf in ounces, and more weight can mean a thicker and fuller lawn but it doesn’t necessarily mean the turf will have increased longevity. When asking for face weight comparisons, make sure it does not include the backing.

Unfortunately there are companies in the turf industry that will do a bait and switch. They will show you a sample of turf that you agree to have installed in your yard and then will install a lesser quality turf or a 2nd quality turf, or even a lesser weight turf than you agreed upon. Some turf companies purchase only 2nd quality runs from the turf manufacturers. 2nd quality runs can have defects ranging from streaks in the turf, mixed dye colors, imperfections, delaminated backings and uneven blade heights and tip curl.

Southwest Greens only sells and installs 1st Quality turf made in the USA. Our manufacturer, Shaw Industries is always finding ways to improve their turfs and much of the input comes from its 100 franchises worldwide. All Southwest Greens employees are required to attend seminars to understand how the turfs are manufactured, see firsthand the process, ask questions and learn about the product. We are continually working to supply the highest grade and line of turfs available for durability, longevity and beauty!

Some companies subcontract their installations. The installers are not employees but subcontractors hired by the job. That may not be a big deal to you, but it is to SWG!

Southwest Greens employees are all employed fulltime – from the salesmen to the installers! We take pride in every job we do and if it is not done to our customers liking we will fix it. If an issue arises, we take the responsibility, not some unknown company we subcontracted to. Both lead foremen and the majority of installers have been employed with SWG for over 6 years.

There are two types of silica sand that are used for infill of putting greens and lawns. Some companies use sub-angular silica sand for infill. Sub-angular sand is odd shaped and sharp. Sub-angular sand from its sharpness will begin to cut and saw at your grass blades as you walk on it, decreasing the life of your putting green. Sub-angular sand will also compact and get hard over time causing a putting green that becomes too fast.

Southwest Greens only uses round ball bearing silica sand for its putting greens. Round ball bearing silica sand does not contain sharp edges and will not cut at the blades as you walk on the green. Round ball bearing silica sand will increase the life of your green. Why don’t all companies use round ball bearing silica sand? Because it costs twice as much as sub-angular sand!

Some companies will use the same sub-angular silica sand for topdressing your putting green. This is the same sand that will cut and saw at the blades, and decrease the lifespan and longevity of your putting green.

Southwest Greens uses black and green round ball bearing silica sand for topdressing. The round ball bearing silica sand will increase the longevity of your putting green and will give it a nice color. Why don’t all companies use black and green round ball bearing silica sand to top dress the putting greens, because the cost is 3 times as much as sub-angular silica sand.

Every company uses nails to tack down turf. Some companies will use steel nails to tack down your turf. Steel nails can, and will eventually rust.

Southwest Greens uses 3 ¼ inch galvanized nails. Galvanized nails have a zinc coating which prohibits rust. Why don’t all companies use galvanized nails? Because they are more expensive than steel nails!

Some companies will use 4 inch or 6 inch plastic cups. Over time, plastic cups will get brittle and crack.

Southwest Greens will install durable PGA Tour quality 4 inch aluminum cups, the same cups you find at the top rated resort courses and private country clubs in Arizona. Why don’t all companies use aluminum cups? Because they are more expensive than plastic cups!

Ask other companies if they offer maintenance programs after your green is installed?

Southwest Greens recommends our annual maintenance program. This visit costs $150 an hour (most maintenance visits can be performed in 1 hour unless unusually large areas) two laborers will reroll or compact the putting green, add infill topdressings, mend and repair areas of your turf, shindawa power brush fringe and lawn areas to make your artificial lawn or putting green look refreshed and maintained! Scheduling a yearly maintenance visit is highly recommended.

The majority of the companies charge by the square foot. Some companies charge by the square foot and also include a 10% waste charge in there price. There is a waste factor to every job. Rolls of turf come in 15 foot widths by any length, normally 50 or 65 foot lengths. You will always end up with smaller pieces (scrap) that normally cannot be used again.

Southwest Greens does not charge for a waste factor. Southwest Greens only charges for the actual square footage that was installed!

Always ask to be taken to recent SWG jobs that are similar in design, type of turf, and square footage that you are interested in putting in your yard!

Southwest Greens can schedule a tour to take you to locations in your neighborhood or surrounding areas that have the same turf you are interested in. We feel it’s important for you to see a similar project before we begin on yours! If you are unable to see these projects we would be happy to supply you with names and phone numbers of prior customers in your area.