I have just installed a Bermuda Tifdwarf green in my backyard in Orlando, Florida. It was sodded after prepping the ground and contouring it. The result is a 900 Sq Ft green with a small 4x4' plot on the other side of the yard for chipping. (You would love the chip shot over my garden of corn)

Yesterday, I mowed it with my reel mower for the first time at just under 1". Over the next week or two, I will mow it each day a little shorter until I reach 3/8". Then, leaving a frenge, the green area will be mowed down to 1/4 inch or slightly lower (experimenting with height).

My cups and flags have been installed and I can't wait till the surface is ready for putting.

Does anyone out there have any experience, suggestions or tips for me? I have seen many websites devoted to backyard greens but most have very little message board traffic. Anyone in Central Florida with a green?

Dear Jerry,

I'm not sure which sites you've checked, but my all-time favorite for backyard putting greens is Leo Melanson's Beginner's Manual for Back Yard Greens, at

http://www.putting-greens.com

Another helpful site is Rob Crompton's BackYard Putting Green, at

http://backyardputtinggreens.homestead.com/Front.html

with a message board at

http://coolboard.homestead.com/boardshow.cfm?mb=621941879579774.

Both of these people are very friendly and will likely give you some great pointers.

Leo's email is LeoMelanson@Mediaone.net

Rob's email is rcrompton@home.com

Cheers!

Geoff Mangum
The PuttingZone
http://hometown.aol.com/puttmagic

The Future of Putting Now - ewlite instruction, comprehensive resources.

PS - I'll be adding a section to my website on greens agronomy, design and construction, and this will include backyard greens, so check back! And sign up for my mail list at http://puttmagic.listbot.com to receive periodic messages about putting.