Welcome to the Booth Golf & Leisure golf course construction guide! This guide is designed to provide you with the base knowledge on how a golf course is constructed, the machinery utilised, estimated costs & estimated time frames.
Planning & Design
The first step of any golf course construction project is to develop a comprehensive plan. Taken from the EIGCA, there are several considerations when planning a golf course: Feasibility Study, Site Requirements, Project Team, Planning Approval and Designs.
Golf Course Architect – At the start of every golf course development project you should appoint a golf course architect. They have the expertise in what your golf course may require and have a a range of contacts that can help to complete your project.
Feasibility Study – Your appointed golf course architect should start by conducting a feasibility study. The aim of a feasibility study is to understand whether your development is viable. The study will look at the physical elements of the proposed site:
- Land
- Topography
- Soil Conditions
- Geology
- Vegetation
- Drainage
- Water Availability
Project Team – After completing your feasibility study, it’s time to appoint your project team. Depending on the size of your project the team may differ, but you’d generally expect to see the following:
- Golf Course Architect
- Land Planner
- Building Architect
- Civil Engineer
- Irrigation Designer
- Landscape Architect
- Ecologist
- Planning Consultant
Planning Approval – During the planning stage, you will need to work with the relevant planning authority. This is where you will be submitting your plans for approval. It’s often a long and complicated process with many different stages. A planning application will include:
- Designs
- Construction plans
- Planning Statements
- Risk Assessments
- Site Surveys
For the complete planning approval process click here
Designs – The design process will run as part of the planning process as it is required for approval. There are a variety of designs that will need to be created for golf course developments:
- Design Concepts
- Golf Course Layout
- Infrastructure Layout
- Grading Plan
- Drainage Plan
- Irrigation Plan
- Landscape Plan
- Golf Features
(Source – Planning a golf course? – European Institute of Golf Course Architects)
Equipment
Before construction begins you are going to need a range of equipment to complete your development. This can depend on the size of your construction project but you can expect to need.
These will mostly likely be provided my the main contractor or sub contractor.
Earth Moving Equipment – Different machines are used to clear the land of vegetation, excavate soils and shape golf courses:
- Bulldozers
- Excavators
- Dump Trucks
Irrigation Equipment – Irrigation systems are an essential part of any golf course and help maintain the quality of the turf. Specialised equipment is needed to help install irrigation systems, these being:
- Trenchers
- Plows
Maintenance Equipment – In order to create healthy turf during golf course construction you’ll need a range of specific equipment to carry out the tasks:
- Tractors
- Variseeder
- Mowers
Construction
Site Removal – At the start of any golf course development project you need to remove the development area of any existing vegetation. This gives you a blank canvas ready for excavation to take place.
Topsoil Strip – Any existing topsoil needs to be stripped across the golf course. This material can be stockpiled and reused later in the project when covering soils are needed.
Importation – Sub soils will be imported in areas that require fill material. This material will then be used to create the undulating landscape that golf courses require.
Import Shaping – All sub materials will then be shaped using bulldozers. This is classed as the base shape which your final golf course will be built upon.
Topography Shaping – Once the base shape has been completed you can begin your golf course topography. This is often achieved by using GPS guided bulldozers that reach the desired finish. The site will be staked out as this stage so your golf course finishing team will understand the location of all the golf features.
Drainage – Drainage trenches will be excavated across the site. These trenches will then be filled with the relevant drainage pipes. These trenches will when be backfilled with aggregates or sand depending on the area.
Irrigation – Irrigation systems should be installed. There’s a variety of components that will need to be installed such as attenuation ponds, pump stations, irrigation pipes and sprinklers.
Golf Features – Golf features can now be constructed across your golf courses. These features are often constructed by golf course finishers who have the knowledge about golf course component, which they look to bring to life.
These golf feature can include: greens, tees, bunkers, fairways, pathways and cart paths.
Seeding – Now all your golf course features have been created you can begin to seed your course. A specialist should have recommended the type grasses your golf course will need. There are a number of different ways to seed your course: Broadcast seeding, Drill seeding, Hydroseeding, Sodding & Overseeding.
Planting – A range of trees & shrubs will have been selected for planting across your golf course. These should now be planted ready for the establishment phase.
Establishment – One the most important steps is the establishment phase. It’s vitally important to give your grass time to properly establish, otherwise it won’t grow and you still won’t have a golf course.
Although there are many variables on how long it takes for turf establishment it can take anywhere from 3 – 12 months.
Full Maturity can take between 1-3 years.
Estimated Costs
The cost of building a golf course can vary depending on the scope of works. As an estimate an entire 18-hole golf course can cost in the the region of £4.5million to £7million.
If you’re interested in a more in-depth costing breakdown you can find out here
Time Frames
The time frames to construct a golf course can vary on many different factors such as the weather, material availability, available machinery, planning approval etc. However for a complete golf course it can take anywhere in the region of 3-4 years:
Design & Planning – 6 Months to 12 Months
Construction – 1 year to 2 years
Establishment- 3month to 12 months
