Golf Course Design

    Golf course architecture is a very fickle field, one that takes skill, dedication, patience, and a keen sense of what people are looking for in a golf course as far as challenge and playing ability go.  While there are many pictures of golf courses in the textbook, it does not make any specific mention of golf course design or architecture.  Therefore, all the information found on this page will be independently researched using the internet, books, periodicals, and real world architects.  
    The design process can be broken up into 6 main phases, each of which is just as important as the others.  The phases are: (1) Site Analysis, (2) Land Planning, (3) Design Development, (4) Construction Documents, (5) Construction Supervision, and (6) Post Construction Services.  Using these six headings, we can pretty much cover everything that goes into the design of golf courses.  So let's get to it!

Site Analysis:

    The first step in the design process is analysis of the proposed site that the course will be built on.  It is at this step that the architect must realize the constraints, or lack thereof, that he must deal with while designing the course.  What you must remember is that golf course designers design for clients, which means that they must meet certain objectives and wants of the client.  Golf course architecture is by no means an independent business.  The designer must also consider many factors when designing, such as climate, topography, vegetation, and soil type.  
    The size of the site will determine many aspects of the golf course like course length, spaces between holes, possible practice facilities, and the size of the clubhouse, pro-shop, cart barn, storage sheds, etc...  Vegetation is an important aspect also.  The best way to design has been to leave as many existing trees and plants as possible in order to make the course uniform and help it to fit in to the surrounding environment.  The topography will also determine how much ground must be moved for the correct placement of lakes, bunkers, and greens.  Nothing challenges a golfer like a quick, undulating green.    

Conceptual / Land Planning:

    During this step of the process, designers will create a rough sketch of the outline of the holes, water features, etc... on the course.  This is done in order to be able to more accurately estimate the value of the property, including possible housing that will be built around the course itself.  If the course is built in a relatively rural area or if the site the course is built on is considerably large with space around the holes and course itself, one may not need to do as much cost estimation and planning for houses.  Usually, more than one, and in some cases several, routing is done in order to select the plan that meets all the needs of the site and the client.  

Design Development:

    It is in this phase of the creation of a golf course that the architect must put down on paper where all the different features of a golf course will be, including their size, shape, and impact on the surrounding environment.  This step tends to be partly trial and error because the architect's goal should be to get as much for their client's money as possible.  Therefore, experimentation must be done with all aspects of the course in order to find the right combinations.  Using the site analysis above, the architect designs what he thinks will best represent the wishes of the client.  He then submits this design proposal and takes feedback, to which he responds by making the necessary adjustments.  Also, the designer should be able to come up with a preliminary construction cost estimate and, when the client and designer have decided on design, the architect will more than likely create a 3D model of the course and surrounding area.

Construction Documents:

     During this phase, the architect will create the plans that directly apply to the construction of the course.  These will include very detailed computer renderings of irrigation, electrical, earthwork, drainage, and landscaping that will be necessary.  These drawings will show how much dirt needs to be moved, the location of various shelters on the course, maintenance sheds, and the clubhouse/ pro-shop.  Also, if there are special features on the course or just features that should be paid extra attention, details can be created like the one shown here.  These will show the exact specifications of the feature and should be followed very closely because it is one of the more important aspects of the hole.  Lastly, bid sheets should be created for when construction companies begin to bid on the project.  An open bid will ensure the lowest price possible, but the architect must be careful because the lowest price will not always result in the best product.  

Construction Supervision:

    Contrary to common belief, the art of designing a golf course is not over until the course is totally completed.  After the project has been bid on and course construction begins, it is the job of the architect to go out periodically, if not on regular basis, and supervise the construction to make sure that the plans are being followed precisely and the needs of the client are truly being met.  The architect especially watches the creation of special features that are to be built in a unique manner (bunkers, water features, greens, etc...).  This step is very important because if one aspect of the plan is not followed, it could make the entire project a failure and result in much more money spent later in remodeling.

    
        Hole During Construction                                                      Completed Hole

Post Construction Services:

   After the course has been completed, the architect will work with the client to continue to fine tune certain aspects of the golf course such as drainage, irrigation, and long term landscaping issues.  If the architect has performed his job well, the client will more than likely stick with him for future needs for the course since he has the most intimate knowledge of it.  Also, the client may not be aware of the best ways to take care of the course.  Thus, the architect and the client will use this opportunity to go over maintenance specifications and ways to improve the grass and other features of the course as time goes on. 

*Main page*  *Renovation*