{"id":501911,"date":"2022-04-20T22:11:09","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T02:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/?p=501911"},"modified":"2023-09-19T21:13:53","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T01:13:53","slug":"golf-course-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/golf-course-design\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Design A Golf Course (Top Secret)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>One of the best things about golfing is the scenery and design. There have been many occasions when I just felt that the course I was playing was designed poorly, even if it wasn&#8217;t accurate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, after my last golf outing, I decided to educate myself on designing a golf course.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Everyone who&#8217;s involved in the designing of a golf course would have to analyze the wind, <a href=\"https:\/\/acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.2134\/jeq1999.00472425002800030010x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">water<\/a>, and soil to avoid any negative environmental\u00a0effects. And then design the visual with this in mind.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But let&#8217;s dive deeper. What else is required?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, in this article, we will tackle some specifics on how to get the most out of your dream to create and detail a specific design for a great course.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do You Build a Golf Course?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With the help of the right <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gammaconstruction.mu\/sites\/default\/files\/webform\/cvs\/the-anatomy-of-a-golf-course-the-art-of-golf-architecture-tom-doak-ben-crenshaw-pdf-download-free-book-dedd967.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.gammaconstruction.mu\/sites\/default\/files\/webform\/cvs\/the-anatomy-of-a-golf-course-the-art-of-golf-architecture-tom-doak-ben-crenshaw-pdf-download-free-book-dedd967.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">architecture<\/a> and engineering. Golf course architecture is not my strong suit, but there are a few things to keep in mind:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Golf Should be fun<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work Backwards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow for Recovery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t hide trouble.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Design for a pro and amateur<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Keeping these principles in mind will help design a course that people will WANT to play on.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Makes A Great Golf Course Design?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless you are a golf course architect, you may not be able to visualize an entire 18 holes in your head. But since we have the principles laid out, let&#8217;s get more granular and start drawing the course on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the main things to keep in mind is &#8220;working backward,&#8221; so let&#8217;s break down building a single hole backward.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Green<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing to do is identify where a green will be placed. This is very important as it will dictate how much additional work is needed to lay out the course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to build a good green, you need to consider the slope of the land and the type of terrain. A golf course in the desert of Las Vegas would be much different from a golf course green designed on the side of the Appalachian Mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t be cruel. I have been on many courses where a single hole just seems impossible for no reason at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget our principle of making a course balance the talent levels of a professional to the &#8220;average player&#8221; levels of a, well, average player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we will talk about later, water draining is a big thing as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ensure, especially on the green, that you can properly drain the waterfall to keep the greens dry.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1250\" height=\"938\" src=\"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ping-lee-Aq2ZfIRzSj8-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1004092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ping-lee-Aq2ZfIRzSj8-unsplash.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ping-lee-Aq2ZfIRzSj8-unsplash-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ping-lee-Aq2ZfIRzSj8-unsplash-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ping-lee-Aq2ZfIRzSj8-unsplash-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The aeration is the little holes you see on a green.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Fairway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The fairways should be laid out to maximize space but not too narrow to make the shot on the fairway impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It must also lead up very cleanly to the green. This helps with approaches and recoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The closer you get to the green from the fairway, the less forgiving the hole should be. That is because the penalty for being inaccurate increases dramatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should reward straight shots, but add elements of &#8220;thinking&#8221; that require someone with a 300+ yard drive to perhaps think twice when there is a dogleg left 250 yards away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For me, a typical drive can go about 200 to 230 yards. So a hazard at 250 yards away wouldn&#8217;t even affect my decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Tee Box<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where it all begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The teeing ground should be similar to the green in terms of terrain. Something flat and well-manicured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once a spot for the tee box is chosen, take a second and look up toward the green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Is it obstructed?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are trees or other natural features in the way?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is it aesthetically pleasing to the eye?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, any hazards should be in plain view for accurate assessment for the golfer on how to attack a hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is also a place where you will decide on the Pro, Men, Seniors, and Ladies tee boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Obviously, each will have varying distances to the hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Rough<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>So now that we have the green, fairway, and tee box laid out, it&#8217;s time to figure out where to put the rough stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the fairway will be well manicured, the rough will be a little higher, and as you get farther and farther out, the rough gets higher and higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where you will need also to determine out-of-bounds markers, drop zones for major hazards like large rough or water, and distance away from the golf holes that will be right next door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most courses have a &#8220;serpentine&#8221; feel to them, where the green of one hole leads to the tee box of another. That also makes it easier for golfers simply to know where to go next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the fun part of building a course. Different ways to make it challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most instances, your common hazards would be trees, sand trap bunkers, and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find a way to reward good decision-making. What I mean by this is if someone who shoots 300+ yards wants to try to get a shot over a water hazard that is at about 200 yards, make them decide if that chance is warranted. If they do not get off the perfect shot, the ball will take a dip, and a penalty shot will be awarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cool thing about hazards is that you can place them anywhere. Some are more expensive than others, but you can add in a man-made lake just to increase the difficulty of a hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"lyte-wrapper fourthree\" style=\"width:420px;max-width:100%;margin:5px auto;\"><div class=\"lyMe\" id=\"WYL_SFfq3O7lwWM\"><div id=\"lyte_SFfq3O7lwWM\" data-src=\"\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/SFfq3O7lwWM\/hqdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/SFfq3O7lwWM\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/SFfq3O7lwWM\/0.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"420\" height=\"295\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:420px;margin:5px auto;\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Mini Golf Course Architecture 101 by <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@FriedEggGolf\" target=\"_blank\">Fried Egg Golf<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Are Golf Courses Made?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The golf course is all about the grass. It really differentiates a good practice from a bad system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nothing is worse than getting to a course, and it&#8217;s yellow, and the grass is burned, dirt spots, no improvements or revisions&#8230; it isn&#8217;t lovely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, that is what will turn me off from a golf course the fastest, and not want to come back. The condition of the course is everything. So how are the courses made? With four distinct factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Topsoil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Topsoil is essential to making sure a course thrives. It&#8217;s the very foundation of what you will eventually walk on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lush greens that can take a pounding from carts and humans are required to create a breathtaking view when on the course. It all comes from the quality of the topsoil.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hills and Dips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the hills and dips you may see on a course are natural.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But they can be manmade, too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine when you hit a shot just for it to disappear over the ridge, turning into a blind shot. Hills and dips will increase the handicap, making it a harder hole to conquer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drainage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/drainage\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/drainage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">drainage<\/a> is a biggie. Without proper drainage, nothing works well on a golf course.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was driving on a course yesterday and got stuck in a spot on the fairway. But get this, it hadn&#8217;t rained for almost a week. So, there was definitely a drainage issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But this includes walking around as well. I wouldn&#8217;t say I like it when a course doesn&#8217;t drain well, and then as a result, I get wet socks. Not a good feeling to have for the rest of the round.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drainage is important for the greens as well. A wet green causes slower speeds for the ball and is just annoying to play on.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Healthy Grass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This goes along with the topsoil to an extent, but it is also a big reason a good course can be great.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I associate maintaining healthy grass with playing defense in basketball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It just takes effort.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A shotty course will look plain ugly, and maintaining beauty is part of what you pay for when playing a round. It has to be calming in, not anxiety-inducing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Is Par On A Golf Course Determined?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/justin-aikin-OCnAUpP1Ukc-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Golf course by the sea.\" class=\"wp-image-1004223\" style=\"width:750px;height:422px\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/justin-aikin-OCnAUpP1Ukc-unsplash.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/justin-aikin-OCnAUpP1Ukc-unsplash-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/justin-aikin-OCnAUpP1Ukc-unsplash-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/justin-aikin-OCnAUpP1Ukc-unsplash-150x84.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>TIP: Be familiar with the golf course before starting to play<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>All the things I mentioned above go into making a great course. But what about determining the strokes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An 18-hole course has a 72 par. So using that as a framework will help reverse engineer the numbers of par 4, 5, and 3 holes you will need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>For more information about Par 3, read here: <a href=\"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/golf-clubs-for-a-par-3\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1459\">What Golf Clubs Do I Need For A Par 3?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of the 18 golf holes, each one needs to be assessed a handicap of 1 to 18. This helps the handicap metric to be calculated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can even help golfers determine how to attack a hole, knowing that it may or may not be the hardest hole on the course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Par is typically determined by the measurement of the distance between the tee box and the hole and the average distance a good golfer should be able to reach the green and 2-putt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Par 4&#8217;s are the most common, but a hole or two at Meadow Farms is a Par 6. There is even a Par 7 in South Korea!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Does It Cost To Build A Golf Course?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a loaded question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, a golf course can put you in the hole anywhere from $4 to 20 million dollars. (yikes)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But so much goes into building (and maintaining) a course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Buying a piece of land itself<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The clubhouse property<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintenance facility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Permits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finance charges if you plan on borrowing money<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Architecture fees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Golf course superintendents and maintenance staff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contractors<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Sheesh!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My wallet just shrunk a little thinking about it. Now paying that $40 a round doesn&#8217;t seem so bad (just kidding, it still does.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Skills are Needed to be a Golf Course Designer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You need to finish a Bachelor&#8217;s degree in landscape architecture or at least a course in a related field that tackles engineering and construction. Aside from that you need 3-5 years of experience in computer-aided design (CAD) software. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to that, you need the following soft skills:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-background\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Creativity<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Problem-Solving<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Communication<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Teamwork<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Strategic Thinking<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Critical Thinking<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Soft skills needed to be a golf course designer.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In conclusion, golf architecture is undoubtedly a difficult task that takes a lot of time, effort, and a truckload of money. We can&#8217;t be Jack Nicklaus designing the next latest and greatest modern courses, after all.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many things to consider when creating a course, from the layout of the holes to the landscaping and maintenance. By following these tips, you can create a course that is both challenging and enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if your goal is to further appreciate the greatness that goes into golf course maintenance when you are out there on the links, then you are all set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Check out my other article <a href=\"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/rounds-of-golf-played-daily\/\">How Many Rounds of Golf Are Played Daily?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everyone who&#8217;s involved in the designing of a golf course would have to analyze the wind, water, and soil to avoid any negative environmental\u00a0effects. And then design the visual with this in mind.  Read more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1004348,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/craig-hellier-jiWa0CSv3Ow-unsplash.jpg",1250,938,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/craig-hellier-jiWa0CSv3Ow-unsplash-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/craig-hellier-jiWa0CSv3Ow-unsplash-300x225.jpg",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/craig-hellier-jiWa0CSv3Ow-unsplash-768x576.jpg",768,576,true],"large":["https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/craig-hellier-jiWa0CSv3Ow-unsplash.jpg",1250,938,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/craig-hellier-jiWa0CSv3Ow-unsplash.jpg",1250,938,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/craig-hellier-jiWa0CSv3Ow-unsplash.jpg",1250,938,false],"web-stories-poster-portrait":["https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/craig-hellier-jiWa0CSv3Ow-unsplash-640x853.jpg",640,853,true],"web-stories-publisher-logo":["https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/craig-hellier-jiWa0CSv3Ow-unsplash-96x96.jpg",96,96,true],"web-stories-thumbnail":["https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/craig-hellier-jiWa0CSv3Ow-unsplash-150x113.jpg",150,113,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Chris","author_link":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/author\/chris\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Everyone who's involved in the designing of a golf course would have to analyze the wind, water, and soil to avoid any negative environmental\u00a0effects. And then design the visual with this in mind. Read more.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/501911"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=501911"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/501911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1004741,"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/501911\/revisions\/1004741"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1004348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=501911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=501911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=501911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}