Jackson Reid
Golf courses are constructed in various locations, including hotels, commercial resorts, real estate developments, and exclusive country clubs. There are thousands of golf courses worldwide, with notable examples being Pinehurst in the US and Gleneagles in Scotland. The type of grass on a golf course varies depending on the climate, with bentgrass greens being common in colder regions and Bermuda grass in warmer areas like the Southern and Southwestern United States. Golf courses can be classified into several types, including links-style, parkland, heathland, and stadium courses, each offering unique features and challenges for players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of golf courses | Thousands |
| Location | Globally, including the US, Canada, Australia, Scotland, Oregon, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Los Angeles, and Dallas |
| Type | Commercial, municipal, country club, "Pay and Play", hotel or commercial resort, real estate development |
| Grass type | Bent grass, Bermuda grass, TifDwarf Hybrid Bermuda, Mini Verde |
| Environmental impact | Audubon International has an educational and certification program for golf courses to achieve higher environmental standards. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) provides best practices for environmentally sustainable management. |
| Design features | Waterfalls, bunkers, sand dunes, ravines, box canyons, hills, cliffs |
| Notable courses | Pinehurst, Gleneagles, St Andrews, Carnoustie, Bethpage, Pebble Beach, Crooked Stick, Dallas National, Augusta National, Bandon Dunes |
| Accessibility | Some courses are exclusive to members or residents, while others are open to the general public. Youth on Course members can play at discounted rates. |
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What You'll Learn
Types of golf courses
Golf courses come in a variety of designs, each offering unique challenges and playing experiences. The most well-known types of golf courses include Links, Parkland, Sandbelt, Desert, and Heathland courses. However, there are also Executive and Stadium courses that provide distinct characteristics.
Links Courses
Links courses are the most famous type of golf course. The term comes from the Old English word "hlinc", meaning rising ground or ridge, and refers to sandy areas along the coast. Links courses are characterised by flat layouts with uneven and undulating surfaces, pot bunkers, deep roughs, and are built on sand dunes. They tend to be very green and yellow due to the lack of nutrient-rich soil. They also feature highly unpredictable weather conditions, with wind being a huge factor. Some of the most well-known links courses include St. Andrews in Scotland and Pebble Beach in California.
Parkland Courses
Parkland courses are the most common type of golf course, especially in parts of the world like North America. They traditionally have areas to miss, in contrast to heavily wooded courses or those with severe hazards flanking the fairways. Augusta National is an example of a parkland course.
Sandbelt Courses
Sandbelt courses have hosted many championship tournaments, and one course, the Royal Melbourne, is consistently ranked as one of the top ten golf courses in the world.
Desert Courses
Desert golf courses are built in areas with natural deserts and are constructed among sand dunes and natural desert features. The only grass found on this type of course is on the tee box, fairways, and putting greens. They are very demanding in terms of accuracy, as any wayward shots off the fairway go straight out of bounds into the surrounding desert terrain. Desert courses also use native desert plants and rock formations in their design, providing a distinctive and testing type of golf.
Heathland Courses
Heathland courses are primarily built inland with surrounding forestry that blocks the wind and creates a calmer and more harmonious atmosphere. They feature a wide variety of wildlife and colourful fauna due to the presence of nutrient-rich soil.
Executive Courses
Executive courses, also known as short courses, have a total par significantly less than that of a typical 18-hole course. They provide a faster pace of play than a standard course and are popular with business executives and young professionals due to the shorter time commitment required.
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Golf course design and construction
The first step in designing a golf course is to create a clearing plan that outlines the preservation of existing vegetation and identifies areas that need to be cleared for course work. This is followed by consulting an agronomist to determine the suitable varieties of grass based on climate, soil, and water quality. The initial excavation involves moving rock and soil, and shaping the course according to the grading plan. Bunkers, lakes, mounds, and tees are formed during this phase.
Drainage installation is a crucial aspect of golf course construction. After this, an irrigation designer lays out sprinkler heads to ensure proper watering of the grass. Feature construction involves building bunkers, tees, and greens, as well as preparing the surfaces for drainage and sand installation, and USGA-compliant putting greens. The cleanup process after drainage and irrigation aims to create a seamless blend of features with their surroundings, focusing on a smooth and flowing surface.
Sod installation is often necessary for erosion-prone areas such as bunkers, lake banks, and hillsides. Golf course designers may also incorporate water features, such as waterfalls, to enhance the golfing experience. The design process involves considering the variety of options, the challenge for golfers of different skill levels, and the physical layout of the course, including hazard placement, green contours, and the distinctiveness of each hole.
Renovation and restoration of existing golf courses are also important aspects of golf course design and construction. Some firms, like Rees Jones Inc., specialise in renovating courses while preserving their historical elements and adapting them to modern needs. Overall, the design and construction of a golf course require a combination of creativity, problem-solving, and technical expertise to create enjoyable and challenging experiences for golfers.
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Maintenance and costs
Maintaining a golf course is an expensive affair, with the cost of upkeep ranging from $500,000 a year for a daily-fee course to $1,000,000 a year for a private club. Hawaii is the most expensive state to maintain a golf course, with an average yearly cost of $1.44 million. The cost of maintenance depends on various factors, including location, labour, equipment, and water expenses.
Labour Costs
Labour accounts for a significant portion of the maintenance costs, typically ranging from 50% to 60% of the total budget. Private clubs tend to have a larger maintenance staff, allowing them to provide a more meticulous and consistent level of upkeep.
Equipment Costs
Equipment expenses make up about 10% of the overall maintenance budget. The cost of equipment often depends on engine horsepower, with machines such as rough mowers and fairway mowers being among the most expensive. Sprayers are an exception, as their price is influenced by the size of the tank and built-in technology rather than engine size.
Water Costs
Water is a significant expense, with 26% of courses needing to purchase it. The cost of water varies by region, with the Southwest being the most expensive, averaging $238,000 per year.
Fertilizer and Other Expenses
Fertilizer is another essential expense, making up about 5% of the maintenance budget. Other costs include fungicides, fuel and lubricants, repair and maintenance, and course accessories such as flags, tee markers, and ball washers.
While the exact breakdown of expenses may vary, the overall cost of maintaining a golf course is substantial, reflecting the high standards and expectations of golfers.
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Environmental impact
Golf courses have been criticised for their negative impact on the environment, from groundwater pollution caused by fertilizers and pesticides to the loss of natural habitats and wetlands. The construction and maintenance of golf courses can involve land clearing, deforestation, and the use of heavy machinery, emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases. They are also often built on valuable land, taking up about 2 million acres of land in the United States alone, and requiring large amounts of water for irrigation, with an 18-hole course consuming 3,000-5,000 cubic meters of water per day. This can divert precious water resources away from communities, especially in areas facing water shortages, and impact local ecosystems through pesticide runoff.
However, golf courses can also provide significant environmental benefits. They can act as wildlife sanctuaries, preserving natural areas, supporting native plants and wildlife, and protecting water resources. The vegetation on golf courses can sequester atmospheric carbon, improving air quality, and help manage stormwater runoff, aiding in flood prevention. Additionally, some golf courses are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact, such as constructing reservoirs to capture rainwater for irrigation, reducing carbon emissions, and creating habitats for endangered species.
The environmental impact of a golf course depends on its location, design, and management. While some courses may have a negative impact, others can provide clear and measurable environmental benefits, especially in developed areas with limited green space. The maintenance of the turf on golf courses can involve the use of carbon-intensive fertilizers and frequent mowing, but it also provides well-cared-for green spaces that can offer ecological value.
There is growing recognition within the golf industry of the need to make the sport more sustainable, and some organizations are actively working towards improving the environmental value of golf courses. This includes converting unnecessary turf to native vegetation, creating habitats for threatened species, and enhancing stormwater management.
Overall, while golf courses can have negative environmental impacts, they also have the potential to provide substantial benefits to the environment and their surrounding communities. With proper management and sustainable practices, golf courses can strive to minimise their ecological footprint and contribute positively to their natural surroundings.
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Notable golf courses
There are thousands of golf courses across the globe, with some of the most famous being household names for golf fans. Here is a list of some notable golf courses:
The Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland
Considered the 'home of golf', the Old Course at St Andrews is a bucket list course for golfers worldwide. The course has hosted the Open Championship 30 times and is open to the public, with its tee sheet always full. The 1st and 18th holes feature the Swilcan Burn and Swilcan Bridge, and the Road Hole 17th is one of the world's most famous and daunting golf holes. Many greats of the game have won at St Andrews, including JH Taylor, James Braid, Bobby Jones, and Tiger Woods.
Pebble Beach, California, USA
Pebble Beach is one of the most famous golf courses in the world, having hosted six US Opens with a seventh to come in 2027, a PGA Championship, and numerous other prestigious tournaments. It also appears annually on the PGA Tour with the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and has been featured in video games. Pebble Beach is known for its gorgeous scenery, with the tiny par-3 7th hole offering views of the Pacific Ocean.
Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia, USA
Augusta National is one of the world's most famous golf courses as it is the only constant men's Major venue, with golf and sports fans getting a glimpse of the stunning course each April. The exclusive and private club has hosted some of the greatest golfers, including Tiger Woods, who have slipped on the famous Green Jacket.
Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Cape Kidnappers is a bucket list course offering incredible views and a unique experience. The course juts out over the ocean 140 feet down, providing an unparalleled golfing experience.
Pine Valley, USA
Pine Valley has long been considered one of the top golf courses, with some of the most formidable hazards and sophisticated green complexes in golf. The rolling, sandy landscape provides a stunning and inspiring walk for those lucky few who get to play there.
Aronimink, USA
Designed by Donald Ross in 1928, Aronimink is an architectural masterpiece. The course features creative bunkering, such as at the 11th hole, and has been revamped by renowned designers like Dick Wilson, George Fazio, and Robert Trent Jones.
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Frequently asked questions
Some famous golf courses include St Andrews, Carnoustie, Bethpage, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Gleneagles, Augusta National, and Woking Golf Club.
There are six types of golf courses: Championship courses, Stadium courses, Parkland courses, Heathland courses, Links courses, and Inland courses.
Championship courses are usually 18 holes, fairly long, and quite challenging. Stadium courses are built with spectators in mind and feature strong vantage points and exciting holes.
The grass on a golf course varies depending on the region. Bent grass greens are common in regions with cold winters and warm summers, while Bermuda grass is more common in regions with very warm summers and mild winters, such as the Southern and Southwestern United States.
