That is pretty bizarre.. so is it flat under there or was it installed with all the dips and moguls?
If it’s relatively flat, just scalp it back low, and do it when you know you are entering your prime growing season in your climate.

 

Always knew things are really weird in CA, but this proves it for sure

 

Are you sure moles have not taken over

 

I agree that is bazaar. I’m not sure this is even zoysia. It looks more like grass from a sand dune or marsh. How close are to the beach?
When your landscaper said “fix” for $300, was he talking about a flat lawn?

 

Dig some up and see what is going on

 

That looks like Zoysia tenuifolia, aka Korean zoysia. I believe it is grown as an ornamental of sorts. I think I remember a comment about this type in the past from @Greendoc

 

Yup I had the similar thought. The mounding type that grows all wonky. They market it as a no mow variety.

 

You can mow that super short and it looks amazing. You see this in the Caribbean all the time. It gets puffy like that as it grows. But under regular mowing it's quite nice grass. You can just take a string trimmer to it and take it to the dirt. You see this down there all the time. Be sure it's during the growing season. It may not like that during the winter like we're in now.

 

Fine and good. A high maintenance grass. My recommendation for a mowed lawn is not to have it. Especially in places where labor is limited. I suggest something easier like Bermuda or Fescue instead of Zoysia. Or even St Augustine if the climate allows.

 

I would also add that it looks like you got some drought or disease that previously affected it and caused those gray spots.

 

I agree that it 100% depends on your climate. I find that my Empire Zoysia is WAY easier to maintain than my Tifway 419 Bermuda. The Empire takes half the water, half the fertilizer, 2/3 the PGR, and 1/3 the mowing that my Bermuda requires. In my case though, all my grass has full sunlight and open air movement which helps a lot with the common problems. Being totally honest though, I know nothing about Korean Zoysia. That stuff looks like something from a science fiction movie.

 

I livd about four hours north in Auburn, also have Empire zoysia too. It's great grass, but very thatchy and collecting the clipping is a must here. Most of the mow and blow guys use Walker mowers, and they do an excellent job of vacuuming up the clippings. The most popular zoysia here is Myers and Emerald. 419 is golf course grass and is hard to beat for that purpose.

 

Korean Zoysia is a great no mow ground cover. Situation changes should one decide to keep it as a mowed lawn. Right grass for the right situation. Set oneself up for a low labor and low expense situation rather than do it the hard way.

 

IMO Korean grass can look awesome mowed or puffy. As you have rocks right next to the grass, I suggest keeping it as the original intention. Maybe a hard scalp in the spring if your wife doesn't like the shape. And then let it recover and grow puffy again. Which may take forever to get like that.
The current color/vigor may be off because of the winter/bug damage/etc. Some TLC and this will look great.

 

This looks like over grown thatchy Emerald Zoysia. I would suggest you scalp you lawn down to 1” inch. It will look terrible for a month or so, but will eventually grow back nicely. I would suggest using a Reel type, front throw mower and stay on at least a 2x a month cut. If you keep it low & tight…you can golf putt on it.

 

…you can golf putt on it.

Not mowing 2X a month at 1 inch.

 

I love this application of zoysia. It’s not that uncommon and I’ve seen japonica and tenufolia varieties done this way. Being such a slow grower and a unique style I would encourage you to continue like this and keep it healthy for a super low maintenance ground cover

 

it needs a good haircut, preferably at the end of February, when it is still cool, I have mine and it does tend to get overgrown, don't let it get to long, you need to prune it at least once a year in February water it right away and fertilize in a cool day...

 

I have Zoysia and it is easy as long as you know exactly when to trim it, in California is good to do this in the month of February, make sure you water it and give it a trim every year, also fertilize it, wait until is a cool day, the only problem is if you let it grow too much.