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Synthetic grass makes it easy to practice putting at home

By Mike Camunas, Times Staff Writer
In print: Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Dave Hohenthaner, center, watches his sons Jace, left, and Dylan practice on the putting green he built on the patio of his Plantation Palms home in Land O’Lakes. Hohenthaner spent about $5,000 to install the green.
	[MIKE CAMUNAS I Times]

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LAND O'LAKES

Dave Hohenthaner walks out onto his patio. He skirts his pool, around to the side of his house.

There he picks up a putter. He attempts to make a 10-foot putt.

Whether or not Hohenthaner makes it is of no matter. He's on his own personal putting green he installed on his back patio.

"We got it so the kids can get some practice without any distractions," Hohenthaner said. "We've had it about four years now, and as they are younger, I just wanted to have more one-on-one time with them. That's really the main reasons we got it."

It doesn't even matter that Hohenthaner, who lives on Plantation Palms Golf Course in Land O'Lakes, isn't even an avid golfer. Though he'd like to be, Hohenthaner says spending $5,000 to install his own green was cost beneficial, especially for his family.

"It's great to spend an hour or two putting, whatever," Hohenthaner said, "then come back inside and do something else, or finish up some project or watch some TV. It's just a nice variation because (the kids) can jump in the pool, go putt — they can do a bunch of things without having to go far for it."

That's where owner of Turf Pro Synthetics, Jeff Jennings, comes in. What started off as a part-time gig with Rhino Sports of Tampa, a company that specializes in installing personal basketball courts, putting greens and batting cages, has blossomed into his full-time job.

Jennings has installed about 100 greens at people's homes, ranging from patio-sized greens such as Hohenthaner's, to par 3 holes in some back yards.

"(The green) is no maintenance and it's 100 percent (guaranteed)," Jennings said. "It's really a no-brainer when you want one of these. If you want to play on it everyday, you can. That's really what you can't beat about it."

Hohenthaner said he likes having the green, especially for his two sons, Dylan and Jace, because "some of these putting greens (on the course) are so far. It's really easier to teach kids in a smaller environment." Jennings agrees with him, feeling most people who go to lengths to install a green, not only want it as an icebreaker at a party, but are looking to practice on their own schedule.

"A lot, and well most of (the customers), (use them) for practice and entertainment," Jennings said. "And there are some people that have told us that it has saved them six to 10 strokes in their round, and that's good. That's what its there for: practice."

Tim Harvey of Rhino Sports, who usually contracts Jennings for the installation, admits the greens don't come cheap. Harvey said the average cost is up to $9,000 and the most expensive he can remember is $14,000, while Jennings recalls one costing nearly $20,000.

"Normally, people who get them are from an above average finance," Harvey said. "We do have a marketing campaign to people in the higher end of salary, but I've never thought the price of these has stopped people from getting them."

Jennings adds there are features that can be added, such as flowing water know as the oasis feature, while Hohenthaner added a thicker green on the fringe of the putting surface, so he could simulate chipping toward the hole.

However, no matter what the customer gets, they seem to be happy they did so, especially when they get to brag about it.

"Yeah, I love showing it off," Hohenthaner said, "and even though we have the putting green (on the golf course) right over there, within walking distance, this allows us every evening to be able to do it. If it's in your back yard, you'll end up using it more than loading up and walking to the end of some hole."

Got a good golf story? Then contact Community Sports Editor Mike Camunas at mcamunas@sptimes.com or (352) 544-9480.