Developing the golf architect relationship

Golf course development is a complicated, and somewhat time-consuming process. Your golf course architect should act as the mediator between a successful development’s many facets. Often, the golf course area is the largest area of a development, and the other amenities need to tie in with the overall concept.

The first step toward a solid relationship with the architect is to emphasize the importance of the overall development process and goals.

Although each project has many specialist consultants, the golf course architect is in the best position to focus these elements into a design. When other project consultants are elevated to the prime position, the overall focus of the golf course may narrow or pull toward a specific direction associated with that individual’s objectives. For example, accountants may focus on the balance sheet as the prime consideration. But a golf course architect thinks more holistically, focusing on the final product as the driving force behind a successful project.

As a central figure in the overall development process, there are a number of specific areas a golf course architect can assist.

Feasibility planning
Independent feasibility study consultants should work together to accurately assess the project’s potential. An architect familiar with the proposed area’s unique conditions should be retained to assist in determining construction costs. The architect also should understand the type of golf course necessary to be competitive in the market. All too common are developer requests to host a "championship" caliber golf course, which, given the recent economic downturn, may not be the most suitable style to achieve financial prosperity. Out of context golf courses litter both national and international regions, with little regard to the market demand. This needs to change.

Like misguided intentions, relying too heavily on projection figures is a serious industry problem. Pro forma statements that show a need for an upscale golf course, but that provide unrealistically low construction cost estimates, can doom a project. Without realistic estimates, it may be impossible to attain your club’s play and revenue goals if the golf course is in fact budgeted to be built and maintained to a lower standard.

Environmental permits
Compared to many structure-based developments, golf courses are very flexible and can incorporate archeological sites, wetlands and other ecologically sensitive areas into their designs without affecting playability. When obtaining environmental approvals, involve the golf course architect from the earliest possible moment. With the architect’s involvement, it’s possible to use the land more effectively, minimize public relations pitfalls and provide an environmentally safe golf course that benefits the community for many years.

Establishing budgets
Involve an architect in the initial and any revised budget projections for the development. An American Society of Golf Course Architects member (or someone from a similar organization) has the experience to gauge how much your golf course will cost early in the design process based on the programming elements to be undertaken. Have your golf course architect host a tour of comparable golf courses so you can visually compare what an established dollar amount produces. The architect can analyze your site to ensure it does not have any unusual, budget-altering factors, such as a creek crossing, subsurface rock or heavy clearings.

Golf course planning
A successful golf course takes into account the unique needs of its market. In addition, design features will vary primarily with the style of course envisioned by the owner. Communicate your ideas, your vision, and your golf course management philosophy with your architect. Many architects are familiar with both management philosophy and the supervisory committees that oversee entire development fields, including hospitality, retail and other associated business categories. A qualified architect will develop a detailed set of blueprints based on all of the input provided to him.

Observing construction
It’s a mistake to believe you can have an architect develop a set of plans and then hand off the construction phase to an outside source. Often architects immerse themselves in the site during construction to make adjustments to the original design as field conditions offer opportunities to improve the overall design.

Moreover, a carefully thought out set of plans can be completely altered by seemingly innocent changes. In locating the greens, tees and fairway hazards, the golf course architect has not only thought out the playability of the hole and its aesthetics, but also details such as cart paths and walking circulation, maintenance time, costs and drainage.

Using natural elements
Natural elements and good design contribute to the enjoyment of the game of golf. The experience on any golf course begins from the moment the golfer enters the site. While the term "aesthetically pleasing" is subjective, it’s important when working with your golf course architect to delineate the design themes you find particularly attractive and ultimately suitable for your market.

However, keep in mind that issues may arise when local landscape architects or landscape contractors are hired to add trees to the golf course. They may be unfamiliar with playability and other design components.

Taking advantage of native trees
It’s important that greens committees have guidance from golf course architects before randomly adding natural elements like trees. It’s typical for trees to be added to fill any open gaps in a well-treed course. A professional golf course architect would consider tree additions in terms of aesthetics, playability and maintenance practicality. While trees add to the beauty of the golf course, they can block air circulation and sunlight to the detriment of fine turf, particularly in high-traffic areas such as greens and tees.

In golf course design, there’s a concept known as double jeopardy. Simply put, good players believe they should not be influenced by two hazards in one recovery shot. Without careful planning, planting trees can inadvertently create this undesirable situation. A golf course architect may also recommend tree removal to open up attractive long-distance vistas that may have been inadvertently removed through excessive tree planting.

Planting
The greatest benefit of using a golf course architect to enhance the aesthetics of your golf course is that he or she has the technical knowledge to work the planting in with the design, and also to accommodate other important aspects such as drainage.

The architect, working with the golf course superintendent, can pick tree species favorable to the superintendent’s long-term maintenance regimen. For example, species with shallow roots can break up cart paths, while trees with large leaves may create an additional maintenance burden.

It’s also important to select tree species appropriate to the microclimate in which they will be located. Each species prefers a certain type of climate, including wet soils or dry soils, sunshine or over-story canopy for shade, or certain types of exposures on slopes. The golf course architect will develop a practical tree list considering all of these factors before recommending the addition of new trees.

The architect can recommend the location and amount of sod required, as well as the timing of tree planting or landscaping. Tree-planting plans done on paper before the golf course is complete can miss subtle nuances that decrease their overall effectiveness.

Grow-in
The grow-in period requires a suitably qualified superintendant to handle the variety of issues that may arise. Many superintendents, although working daily on established courses, have never been involved with the grow-in of a new golf course. By contrast, the golf course architect or his agronomic consultant specialize in the formulation of fertility programs for new turf, and other nuances unique to the initial stages of turf growth.

Clubhouse planning
The clubhouse area is the one area of the golf course that favors utility and function over aesthetics. However, a good golf course architect is also conversant in assisting the clubhouse architect at working out circulation patterns between the clubhouse and various elements of the golf course.

Golf course architects are concerned with views from the clubhouse to the surrounding greens and tees, for example. Several studies have shown that the golfer’s first impression is created well before he starts on the first tee. Therefore, the aesthetics around the clubhouse area should not be neglected.

Many of our clients have been surprised to find how focused some building architects are on the structure itself and its interior. The building architect may inadvertently neglect the approaches and area surrounding the clubhouse. While he or she may have hired a landscape architect for assistance, the golf course architect is probably in better position to blend all aspects of circulation, aesthetics and views, which also promotes pro shop control of the first tee.

Further considerations
Nothing costs an owner more money than a contractor who falls behind schedule or is over the budgeted amounts for each phase of the construction.

Involve your golf course architect early on to plot an attainable construction schedule so the golf course may open on time. If the golf course is to be integrated into a real estate development, the golf course architect should be closely involved with the land planner. The two should develop routing plans and detail plans that create the best possible views and maximize the value of the surrounding lots. Bunker placement, landscaping, contour mowing and other elements of the designer’s palate are critical to ensure the golf course properly elevates the surrounding land values.

Lastly, golf course architects can serve as a tremendous marketing tool to any project, both nationally and internationally. If you retain an architect who has name recognition or has completed courses in the region, by all means make the most of this opportunity. By combining your resources with your golf course architect, who is likely to have media contacts, you can build market awareness of your golf course before, during and long after the site is being developed.