Philosophy

Philosophy

Greens

develop subtle contours on putting surface for playability and maintenance considerations
design greens with an average size of
6000 - 6500 sq. ft. (550 - 600 sq. m.)
slope surface of green in at least two directions to avoid a concentration of drainage in one area
provide an opening to the putting surface at front of green to allow access for runup shot
create movement to surrounding contours for aesthetics and challenge
utilize appropriate and tested construction materials to provide adequate drainage and optimum growing conditions for healthy turfgrass establishment

Tees

provide at least four decks on each hole with adequate separation to modify the discrepancy in the ability of golfers
create diagonal tee arrangement where possible to provide added challenge and playability for each level of player
slope tee surfaces 1% towards back of deck for positive drainage and golfer comfort
position tees to ensure visibility of fairway landing areas
provide suitable tee size and shape for optimum maintenance conditions

Fairways

position or shape fairways to avoid blind shots from tee or towards green
contour perimeter of fairway to enhance aesthetics and playability
provide wider target in landing areas of higher handicap golfers
keep landing areas in fairway reasonably level to provide a suitable playing surface for approach shots
ensure positive drainage on all areas of fairway

Bunkers

situate bunkers to be visible from approach shot location
utilize a combination of lateral, carry and target bunkers throughout golf course for strategic variety
vary sizes of bunkers for aesthetics and psychological impact
create maintainable slopes within and without sand borders to allow efficient mechanical raking and mowing
provide adequate drainage with internal and external contouring and subsurface tile
use sand which provides acceptable colour, compaction and drainage

Clubhouse Area

inviting entrance providing suitable theme for golf course facility
driveway up to clubhouse separate from parking stalls
coordination of building layout and golf course design to develop efficient traffic flows around clubhouse
visibility of finishing holes from clubhouse lounge or deck
control of #1 and #10 tees from pro shop or starter’s hut
sufficient room around clubhouse for staging golfers and carts
practice area conveniently located near clubhouse and starting holes

Practice Facility

locate practice facility conveniently to the clubhouse area and preferably near the first tee
direct practice fairway either north or south to avoid the rising or setting sun
avoid severe elevation changes from the practice tee to fairway
provide a suitable location or adequate space to avoid the use of netting
design target greens in fairway to duplicate course conditions
ensure sufficient depth to practice tees to permit adequate recovery time for divots to heal
position mats at back of grass tees for use during inclement weather or early in the season
create a chipping area with bunkers, mounds, depressions, etc. to practice all short shots
provide a practice putting green which is the largest and least contoured on the golf course

Routing and Flow

begin each nine with holes of moderate difficulty without intimidating water or thick vegetation to discourage golfers
locate property lines on left side of golf holes whenever possible to minimize negative effects of out-of-bounds
delay the first par 3 until at least the third hole to prevent slow progress at beginning of round
avoid consecutive par 3’s or par 5’s, vary direction of doglegs equally between left and right
provide a strong par 4 or par 5 as finishing hole
avoid walkbacks between holes which may cause safety concerns or bottlenecks in traffic flow
provide sufficient space between holes and features to ensure safety to golfers
avoid excessive elevation changes between holes

Cart Paths

make initial preparations within the design for continuous cart paths which can then be developed at a later time without interference to the course layout or features
provide natural curves to paths and hide behind mounds or vegetation when possible to minimize the visual impact on sight lines
construct paths 8 ft. (2.4 m.) in width to avoid wear by golf carts to turf borders
route paths behind greens and tees to provide better access to these features
provide curbs where necessary to keep carts from encroaching onto greens and tees

Vegetation

establish turfgrass varieties proven to be superior for the specific area conditions
utilize wildflower and reclamation grass species in low maintenance areas to add aesthetics and reduce maintenance costs
on parkland courses position specimen trees as targets and for strategy and depth perception
use tree masses for fairway separation and safety from errant golf shots
position trees to mask the effects of wind either to benefit or confuse golfers
tree placement must avoid the shading of tees and greens, root damage to turfgrass and excessive debris on high intensity playing surfaces

Water Features

position water to challenge primarily the better golfer
create large bodies of water for improved aesthetics and water quality
provide a minimum water depth of 6 ft.
(2 m.) to prevent excessive weed growth
when conditions are suitable create wetlands to establish wildlife populations and interest to the landscape
shape perimeter of water features in curved lines for a more natural appearance
develop low maintenance shorelines with the use of hard landscaping materials or natural vegetation
introduce the sound of water with the use of creeks and waterfalls

Environment

utilize a variety of plant materials to encourage biodiversity
incorporate wetlands to act as filters for runoff
provide buffers along water features when practical where maintenance is not performed
retain unmaintained zones to minimize fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation

Views and Vistas

accentuate attractive views from prominent areas such as tees, greens and fairway landing zones by directing sight lines to the appropriate locations
minimize unpleasant or distracting views with hole direction, vegetation, mounding or other screening materials