Similarly, business hasn't slowed for one other conspicuous consumption item; The Backyard Golf Green. John Caputo, owner of Miller Place-based Personal Putting Greens, which opened for business in recession-plagued 1990, said signs of a slowing economy haven't held back sales.

"Most of my customers are affleunt, have enough property to do this, and they like golf. It's a fairly expensive sport to begin with," Caputo points out.

Caputo builds about 45 projects a year ranging in price from $6,000.00 for a 400-square-foot putting green to a $75,000.00 for a 3,000-sqaure-foot hole with 2 or 3 sand traps. He uses a synthetic putting surface that simulates the live bent grass normally used on a driving range.