Golf is among the most popular sports in the UK, with the latest figures showing 4.8 million golfers in 2021.
With this increased interest, comes an increase in demand for new golf courses.
In order to meet this demand landowners and businesses will look to create new golf courses.
However, the process of building a golf course is not an easy one!
There are a number of steps that need to be taken before golf course construction can begin.
We have put together a basic guide on the steps that need to be taken when building a golf course:
1. Appoint A Golf Course Architect
The first thing anyone looking to create a golf course should do is appoint a golf course architect.
There is no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’ when it comes to this step, you need to appoint an architect to get your vision off the ground.
A good architect does not just understand what is needed in golf course design but the technicalities that come with building a golf course.
It also includes topography development, geology and vegetation.
If there is something they do not specialise in, they will sure know somebody that does!
What you might expect a golf course architect to do:
- Organise on-site surveys
- Designs & visual concepts
- Material analyse & selection
- Master planning support
- Environmental impact studies
- Construction inspection & sign off
2. Conduct A Feasibility Study
A feasibility study should be undertaken as apart of any future golf development because it provides a range of information.
This information can then be used in any future proposal and informed recommendations can be made.
Not only does it provide a base for initial design concepts but it also gives architects the opportunity to provide economic viability.
Although there maybe some fees in conducting feasibility studies it can help to save you time and money if the project is not viable.
Simply put it can reduce the risk of an unsuccessful development.
The different types of feasibility studies:
- Land Feasibility
- Comprehensive Feasibility
- Financial Economic Feasibility
- Marketing Feasibility
- Schedule Feasibility
- Legal & Ethical Feasibility
- Resource Feasibility
- Operational Feasibility
You may not need to conduct all these, but the ones that you think apply to you.
3. Create Designs & Concepts
Upon consideration of all the information you have gathered, you can move onto more exciting stuff.
You should look to involve as many stakeholders as possible to achieve the desired final golf development.
A golf course architect will then assess design opportunities available to your golf course.
A good architect will look to combine the design with your objectives and vision.
Visuals and concepts will be produced showing the potential locations and any major elements.
What you can expect:
- Golf Course Layout
- Topography Design
- Number of Holes & Par Values
- Green Proximity
- Landscape Design
- Pathway Locations
- Clubhouse Location
- Drainage & Irrigation Designs
4. Finalise Your Master Plan
Now you have your initial concepts ready to be created you will need to complete a master plan.
This is the process of investigating how to convert your design into a reality.
You will look to finalise all your designs, site surveys and land characteristics.
For a successful masterplan, you should appoint a project team to deliver the different aspects that are required:
- Land Planner
- Irrigation Specialist
- Ecologist
- Planning Consultant
- Civil Engineer
- Building Architect
- Landscape Architect
5. Obtain Planning Approval
Obtaining planning permission can be a difficult and lengthy process if you do not understand the process.
Completing the application can take around 3-4 months with the final determination taking up to a year.
This can all depend on the complexity of the proposal and whether there are any objections.
It is a legal requirement for new developments to gain planning permission and this also goes for golf courses.
The aim is to ensure that developments do not have negative impacts on the local areas such as traffic, pollution, noise, dust, odour or visual impacts.
If you are looking to understand the golf course planning process then read our guide ‘Understand golf course planning permission‘
6. Building A Golf Course
Now that you have completed your legal requirements and agreed your final design you are ready for construction to take place.
a) Site Removal
The creation of most golf course starts with a site removal programme.
This is where areas of existing vegetation will be removed to again access to development areas.
b) Topsoil Strip
The original topsoil and turf will be stripped across the entire site to provide a blank canvas for shaping.
If the topsoil meets the the requirements for golf course developments, it can be stock piled are reused in the future.
c) Material Importation
In some cases a material importation campaign is needed to provide material to create the new topography.
These materials should be managed by a team of engineers using heavy plant, who will look to shape the material according to the designs approved in the planning permissions.
d) Initial Shaping
The initial base shape for each area will need to finalised against the design using GPS equipment.
This allows for precision shaping of the topography to match the design exactly as they are in planning documentation.
e) Topsoil Covering & Shaping
A covering layer of topsoil and rootzone will be used in the required areas.
This will also be shaped using GPS equipment to achieve the final design shape.
e) Greens, Fairways, Bunkers & Tees
These areas should have been staked out whilst the site was being shaped.
Each area will then be contoured to the correct shape ready for drainage to be installed.
f) Drainage & Irrigation Installation
It’s now time to install all the drainage and irrigation requirements across the site.
A specialist should be employed to complete these works as specific equipment is required.
Trenches will be dug and backfilled with aggregates before drainage pipes are installed.
They will then be covered with sand to allow rainwater to pass through.
In regards to the irrigation system, a vibratory plough will be used to lay the irrigation just below the surface.
g) Seeding
The entire site will then need to be seeded to create turf.
Specific grass species will need to be selected for the desired final aesthetic and to allow for successful cultivation.
What is the final cost?
The cost of a golf course can vary depending on the complexity of the design.
For the construction of an 18-hole course you can expect a cost between £4.8 million to £7 million.
You can find a full cost break for the construction of a golf course HERE
Sources:
GB&I participation figures remain strong for 2021 – England Golf
Market Demand & Feasibility – American Society of Golf Course Architects (asgca.org)
