National

Florida man builds backyard golf course

FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. — Golf courses are open during the coronavirus pandemic, but a man in Fleming Island, Florida decided to take matters into his own hands to keep his golf game up to par.

You’ve heard of man caves and basement bars, but maybe this is the newest trend. Quarantine or no quarantine -- how about a golf course in your own backyard?

Backyard Golf Becomes a Reality

A practice range in your own backyard? That's the reality for one local golfer after some creative thinking! Brent Martineau takes you to the most exclusive Country Club in Jacksonville.

Posted by Action Sports Jax on Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Mowing the lawn can feel like a hazardous chore. Not for Scott Jones. He turned his grass into greens, made of turf.

"I came up with this idea and it started with a putting green and it just continued to grow. There was never any drawings or any plans. It was just all kind of in my head, let's do it," Jones said.

Jones used every bit of his backyard and now he gets to use everything in his golf bag.

“As a golfer, I can hit all 14 clubs in the bag. I’ve set up a net between two trees and in that net, I have a launch monitor. It’s functional as well as being pretty cool,” Jones said.

The practical use is obvious. There’s also an emotional attachment for Jones. The name of his course is Angel Country Club.

“Angel was my cat that I had for 20 years and I just thought, ‘What a great thing, call it Angel Country Club,’ name it after her, kind of in her memory," Jones said.

This might be the most exclusive club in America -- just one member. Unless you count Rory McIlroy -- not that famous golfer who won THE PLAYERS Championship in 2019, but Jones’ dog.

"I can always say that Rory McIlroy has been at Angel Country Club hanging out with me, and that's it," Jones said.

The best part about backyard golfing at Angel Country Club? It’s just a few short steps to burgers and beverages at the 19th hole.