Golf Course Design Development & Construction Practices
Phase One: Route Plan Development / Site Planning
- Establish project requirements and design criteria through close communication with all members of the Project Planning Team.
- Site inspection and other necessary field investigation.
- Development of schematic design concepts for client review and discussion.
- Preparation of a Preliminary Opinion of Costs for golf course construction.
- Calculate water use requirements for each schematic design concept.
- Route Plan revision and refinement.
-
Development of final Golf Course
Route
Plan.
- Preparation of a color rendering AND OR A SCALE MODEL of the Golf Course Route Plan.
Phase Two: Details of Construction
Produce the necessary construction details and working drawings required to construct the golf course facilities including but not limited to the preparation of the following documents:
- FIELD STAKING PLAN
- VEGETATION CLEARING PLAN / SITE PREPARATION PLAN
- MASS GRADING PLAN - FINE GRADING PLAN
- CUT & FILL PLAN
- GREEN DETAILS
- LANDSCAPE PLANTING PLAN
- GOLF COURSE DRAINAGE DESIGN
- WATER MANAGEMENT & IRRIGATION ENGINEERING
- WATER FEATURE DESIGN & WATER HYDRODYNAMIC ENGINEERING
- CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
- TURFING PLAN
- CART PATH PLAN
- ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION PLANS
It is important to note here that working drawings, details & systems operational analysis is performed on computer. Our base CADD platform is AutoCAD 2000 Land Development Desktop. Not only does our use of computer-aided design, engineering and drafting guarantee construction documents of the highest quality and accuracy, this method allows us to provide 3 Dimensional (3D) Imaging of for the entire design process.
The computer has become an indispensable and invaluable tool for golf course design and construction. Be it new construction, or the re-modeling of an existing golf course, the computer can aid the designer and contractor by providing accurate images of two dimensional (2D) plan drawings in three dimensional (3D) form. It has been proven, that the use of 3D wire frame drawings by the rough and finish grading contractors will speed up construction by as much as 30%. This 30% factor is enormous, affecting one of the biggest line item costs in the golf course construction budget. We are given the ability to review the final landforms in a true perspective environment from any location on, above, or even below the golf course. This technique allows modifications to be made at the design level. In addition, we check the proposed landforms for proper drainage, and perform aspect, slope, elevation, visibility, shadow, and proximity analysis
It is during the construction of a project that the true cost savings are realized. By providing the 3D imaging service to the people in the field, the contractor can offer the golf course developer, construction that is, under normal budget constraints and ahead of normal estimated schedules. In addition, be assured that they are getting the exact design that has been drawn on the plans. The possibility that feature development is affected by improper plan interpretation from 2D drawings to the developed mental image of the 3D-finished product is greatly minimized. The necessity for elaborate field control, and feature staking is reduced. The operators have been given an additional tool to allow them to review a modeled 3D image of the desired finished product. The design intent, projected in true 3D perspective, is on paper in plain view. What you see on paper is what you will get in the field. Normal operator's anxiety over potential designer changes during random site construction observation is virtually eliminated.
The 3D color renderings can be made available to project marketing professionals. The client will appreciate the ability to bring potential investors to the site during construction and be able to provide color rendered images for any view of the golf course.
The opportunities made available by the use of the computer in the field are boundless. This is just a small portion of the enormous potential the equipment offers. Everyone involved with the development of the project waits with excited anticipation as the virtual reality of the computer images become tangible reality in the field as construction unfolds the final playable design. The pictures speak for themselves. Surprise have been eliminated and everyone that has come in contact with the project waits with eagerly for the opportunity walk and play upon the finished landscape.
Phase Three: Construction Review
We assume responsibility for plan implementation and make site visits at critical stages during the construction period to observe and report to the Owner on the quality and quantity of work and to determine if it is proceeding in accordance with the construction documents. During each visit, direction is given relative to the construction process and the contractor’s progress in achieving the desired result expected by the Owner and the Golf Course Designer.
Although supervision is on going throughout construction, the following phases of work receive special and more intensive review:
- VEGETATION CLEARING
- ROUGH GRADING
- FEATURE DEVELOPMENT
- FINISH GRADING
- TURFING
- PUTTING GREEN & BUNKER CONSTRUCTION
- ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES performed as part of the Construction Review process:
- Observation and review of construction operations;
- Acting as interpreter of the Drawings, Specifications and Contract Documents;
- Making decisions relating to golf strategy and artistic effect;
- Rejecting work which does not conform to the Design Document; and
- Conducting the final walk-through inspection
David Wilson Snead has been involved in the design and/or supervision of over 75 golf course projects worldwide. Please use your browser's BACK button to return to the previous page.