The design of golf courses requires mature judgment in visual design concepts, technical construction knowledge, and, at the least, a player’s view of the game. Whether or not a particular course is judged good or poor becomes a subjective evaluation, yet those courses consistently receiving praise are beautiful, easily maintained, and provides an interesting game of golf for players at all levels of ability. Those who involve themselves in the design, construction, and maintenance of a golf course are setting out to develop a very complex landscaped space in which a game is played.

The game historically, has evolved from coastal locations that provided natural hazards and challenges. The topography was not disturbed, the hole being dug in an existing level area, and sand dunes formed the basic topographic features. From this beginning, the golf course designer has sought to remain sympathetic to golf’s original character while meeting contemporary demands.

The modern golf course has increasingly become an artificial space subject to traditions imposed by its birthplace, yet prepared to function in a very different and contemporary environment. Golf course design has not and will probably never remain completely in tune to the form of early courses.  Changing player desires, equipment, regional variations, varying levels of player’s age, strength, ability, and particularly the economic pressures of construction and maintenance have all combined to produce a distinctly modern game.

 

As a Golf Course Designer, my objective is to create golf courses that blend with the natural surroundings. Through awareness and understanding of natural systems, I allow the site to dictate, to a great extent, the design solution, rather than imposing a pre-determined “style” upon the landscape...the result being a more beautiful, more economically maintainable and technically more functional facility. A “balanced” approach to golf course design is my response to growing environmental concerns of over irrigation and escalating long-term maintenance costs.  

 

Some basic design principles include but are never limited to the following points:

• The facility will be designed to be playable by all golfers at any level of ability.

• Multiple Tees’ are designed to set up each hole for all levels of ability to be able to play together without affecting speed of play. This is based on the average distance a golfer can hit their driver. It is up to the golfer to be honest with themselves as to just how far they can hit that club. The Tee’s are then set, based on that distance through to the center of the green. Not just to the first turn point  (landing area) on Par 4 & 5 holes. The hole is balanced from the Tee through the Green. The Top 10 Men and Women on the three PGA Tours average 255 LPGA, 277 Senior PGA, and 286 PGA off the Tee. Designs for Par 4 & 5 holes accommodate back “Tournament Tee’s” of 280 yards to the first turn point. These Tees shall have a BLACK marker. Only those golfers able to prove a handicap of 5 or less, or qualify on the practice range with tee shots consistently over 265 yards will be allowed to use these tees. The remaining Tees are placed using a Percentage of the total length from the Regular Back Tee through the center of the green. BLUE – Regular Back Tees equal 100% (golfer’s capable of 250 yard tee shots), WHITE - Mid-Back at 88% (golfer’s capable of 220 yard tee shots), YELLOW - Middle at 80% (golfer’s capable of 200 yard tee shots), RED - Mid-Front at 72% (golfer’s capable of 180 yard tee shots) and ORANGE - Front Tees at 60% (golf’s capable of 150 yard tee shots).

• All Green Sites will offer alternative shot access into and onto the putting surface. Greens will not be blocked off with sand bunkering or grass hollows limiting the club selection into the hole. Gimmick’s are to be avoided. Sites located where the possibility of strong winds are a regular occurrence, will be designed with allowance for the “knock down” or “bump and run” shot’s. This is extremely important.

• The course will be designed with hazarding coming into play primarily for the low handicap golfer. Due to the concept just described regarding the multiple tee placements, fairways receiving shots from the forward tees will be wider to accept a wider lateral spread of golf shots into the area. This concept will help speed play by keeping the beginning and mid handicap golfer “on the fairway”. This design principle is accomplished by varying the mowing patterns in relation to fairway width in the varying landing zones or each tee location. The resulting “Fairway’s Hit in Regulation” by the Mid to High handicap & beginning golfer’s is increased. Thus speeding play. The beauty of this design method is that these golfers will not be able to perceive the increased fairway widths while playing. They will leave the facility having experienced an enjoyable & memorable round of golf.

I have been involved with the design and construction of Landscape Spaces for over 26 years having specialized in Golf Course Design over a dozen years ago. What has concerned me most about the contemporary golf course designs is an abandonment of the classical shot making inherent to the ancient game. Designers have taken away the “bump and run” shot and replaced it with putting greens surrounded by sand bunkers and grass hollows which require the continued use of lob wedge shots. This design approach requires the golfer to carry an assortment of odd angled wedges resulting in a sacrifice of other clubs to maintain the 14 clubs in the bag limit. Putting greens have become so large that some are more than 200’ long. Which might make me consider the use of one of the many specialty irons we are now forced to carry if faced with a 200’ putt? My approach is to resurrect the “classic” design values of the game of golf, which have become lost in much of today’s golf course design. This revival of strategic golf course design is paramount in my design effort and the only way, effectively, to create a golf facility that can be a true test of championship golf while at the same time providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience for the recreational player. My golf courses encourage player initiative and reward the thinking golfer, which is the basic premise for strategic golf hole design yet keep the experience fun and casual for the beginner which will provide them with a positive response to the game as they leave the facility. The goal being, that we want people to leave satisfied and look forward to returning.