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.

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