Golf Courses are an important part of any local community with golf being one of the most played sports in the world.
Are you looking to redevelop or build a new 18-hole golf course and need to know how much it would cost you to build one?
We’ve put together a cost guide that looks to consider each stage of a golf course development, so you don’t have to!
Land
The first requirement goes without saying. You need land and a lot of it.
If you’re already lucky enough and own between 120-180 acres (1), then you’ve already got over the first hurdle.
The average cost of purchasing an acre in the UK can be between £12,000-£50,000 (2) but purchasing in a large quantity can help to bring this value down.
120 acres x £12,000 per acre = £1.4 Million
For fair game, we aren’t going to include this cost in the final construction cost summary.
Design
The starting point of any development is appointing a Golf Course architect.
They will look to create detailed designs for each element of the golf course that the development will be built in accordance with.
These designs will need to be approved within the planning application.
Design for an 18-Hole Course = £75,000 – £100,000
Overall = £75,000 – £100,000
Planning
Before construction can begin a range of planning needs to be conducted to ensure it’s been approved by the local council.
A variety of surveys will be conducted i.e. Landscape, Highways, Trees etc.
Working in conjunction with 3rd party specialists and a golf course architect a planning application will be submitted for approval by the local planning authority.
Planning for an 18-Hole Course = £50,000 – £75,000
Overall = £125,000 – £175,000
Mobilisation
The first stage of construction is to mobilise the construction team.
This includes a variety of different costs such as heavy plant, equipment, cabins & welfare units.
General overheads are also included within the mobilisation costs.
Mobilisation for an 18-Hole Course Construction = £50,000 – £80,000
Overall = £175,000 – £225,000
Layout & Staking
This covers a variety of tasks such as the work boundaries, feature locations, paths, bunkers, tees, drainage and earthworks.
GPS surveys will be conducted by a surveyor to produce accurate hard copy drawings of the final design features and topography.
Layout and staking for an 18-Hole Course = £10,000 – £14,000
Overall = £185,000 – £239,000
Erosion Controls
Ensuring surrounding landscapes and areas are protected throughout the development is important and requires specific measures to be implemented.
This includes silt fencing, construction entrances, dust controls, and routine inspections.
Erosion Control for an 18-Hole Course = £40,000 – £60,000
Overall = £225,000 – £299,000
Clearing
To develop a new golf course, the site must first be cleared of any unwanted vegetation before any new course can be created.
Large areas of clearing will be conducted which includes the removal and disposal of trees and shrubs.
Clearing for an 18-Hole Course = £70,000 – £90,000
Overall = £295,000 – £389,000
Turf & Topsoil Stripping
To create your new course features the existing turf and topsoil need to be stripped backed, removed and stockpiled.
This can also include the use of herbicides to eradicate the existing turf.
Most of the costs come from the hauling of material either off-site or into stockpiles.
Turf & Topsoil Stripping for an 18-Hole Course = £400,000 – £500,000
Overall = £695,000 – £889,000
Shaping
There are two phases to the shaping of a golf course: Rough Shaping & Fine Shaping.
During the earthworks operation, all course features will be roughly shaped, this includes fairways, greens, tees, bunkers, and rough areas.
Fine shaping is usually undertaken with the help of GPS-guided machinery and usually requires the final approval of the course architect.
The final shape needs to match the intended design, drainage & irrigation plans.
Shaping for an 18-Hole Course = £200,000 – £300,000
Overall = £895,000 – £1,189,000
Drainage
An important part of any golf course is to have an effective drainage system that allows the course to be playable in most conditions.
This includes the installation of a network of pipes of different sizes, catch basins, and french drainage lines.
Drainage for an 18-Hole Course = £100,000 – £200,000
Overall = £995,000 – £1,389,000
Irrigation
Golf Courses require a lot of water to be able to maintain playing conditions which is why irrigation systems need to be installed.
An irrigation system needs a variety of components to effectively work.
This includes piping, sprinkler heads, pump stations, electrical works, control systems, and permits.
Irrigation for an 18-Hole Course = £1,000,000 – £2,000,000
Overall = £1,995,000 – £3,389,000
Greens
Our estimate will be based on the construction of USGA greens although there are different standards that your greens can be built to which may vary the cost.
USGA green construction includes a 12” green mix, 4” gravel layer, and sub grading out the green cavity.
An architect will approve each green to ensure it meets the agreed design.
Green Construction for an 18-Hole Course = £600,000 – £700,000
Overall = £2,595,000 – £4,089,000
Tees
Tee Boxes will need to be constructed around the course to give consistent playable areas for golfers.
They require specific drainage such as a ‘V’ drainage gravel layer that allows water to travel to perforated pipes.
Each tee needs to be laser graded to ensure a flat consistent surface is achieved.
Tee Construction for an 18-Hole Course = £250,000 – £350,000
Overall = £2,845,000 – £4,439,000
Bunkers
Bunkers need to be effectively constructed to ensure future maintenance costs remain low.
They require precision shaping to ensure they match the final design.
The construction of bunkers includes the installation of aggregates, perforated pipes, sods for bunker walls, sands, and shaping.
Bunker construction for an 18-hole course = £200,000 – £300,000
Overall = £3,045,000 – £4,739,000
Cart Paths
Not all golf courses require cart paths, so this cost is always necessary.
Installation of cart paths allows for easy movement around a golf course without damaging the course itself however they come at a premium if they are implemented.
To construct a cart path concrete is the best option.
Cart path construction for an 18-hole course = £900,000 – £1,100,000
Overall = £3,945,000 – £5,839,000
Seedbed Prep
Before grassing can be undertaken Seedbeds need to be prepared to ensure a smooth grassing and grow-in is achieved.
The architect will usually look to approve the seedbed before the grass is installed across the course.
Seedbed Prep for an 18-House Course = £150,000 – £200,000
Overall = £4,095,000 – £6,039,000
Grassing
A variety of seeds will be needed for the different areas of the course i.e. Greens, Tees, Fairways, and rough areas.
Hydro Mulch will be used to spray the seeds across the prepared surface.
Erosion controls may also need to be put in place to ensure newly seeded areas are protected from erosion. This is usually on steep slopes.
Grassing for an 18-Hole Course = £800,000 – £1,000,000
Overall = £4,895,000 – £7,039,000
Summary
| Construction Items | Lower End Cost | Higher End Cost |
| Design |
75,000 |
100,000 |
| Planning |
50,000 |
75,000 |
| Mobilisation |
50,000 |
80,000 |
| Layout & Staking |
10,000 |
14,000 |
| Erosion Controls |
40,000 |
60,000 |
| Clearing |
70,000 |
90,000 |
| Turfing & Topsoil Stripping |
400,000 |
500,000 |
| Shaping |
200,000 |
300,000 |
| Drainage |
100,000 |
200,000 |
| Irrigation |
1,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
| Greens |
600,000 |
700,000 |
| Tees |
250,000 |
350,000 |
| Bunkers |
200,000 |
300,000 |
| Cart Paths |
900,000 |
1,100,000 |
| Seedbed Prep |
150,000 |
200,000 |
| Grassing |
800,000 |
1,000,000 |
| Construction Total Estimates (£) |
£4,895,000 |
£7,069,000 |
There are a number of extras that haven’t been included in the overall construction cost of 18-Hole Golf Courses that some golf clubs will see as a must.
You might also need to consider the construction of a clubhouse, maintenance facilities, practice facilities, etc.
You might need to get saving if you’re dead set on creating a new golf course… or you can get in touch with the Booth Golf & Leisure team to discuss our innovative approach in enhancing or creating new golf courses & practice facilities.
Sources
1 Golf course design common questions answered – Creative Golf Design Ltd
2 How Much is an Acre of Land Worth in the UK? | Ready Steady Sell
3 Cost Estimating Guide | GCBAA
