Controlling stormwater on a golf course is about more than preventing the flooding of facilities and play areas.  In addition to controlling the amount and rate of water leaving the course, stormwater control also involves storing irrigation water, controlling erosion and sediment, enhancing wildlife habitat, removing waterborne pollutants, and addressing aesthetic and playability concerns. 

It is most efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sensitive to minimize bulk earthwork to the greatest extent possible.  When bulk earthwork must be done (e.g. to build an irrigation supply pond), the haul distances should be minimized and cuts and fills should balance.  Paying to import or export material should be avoided when possible.

For new golf developments it is important for the design team to understand and apply environmental planning principles during the design process, including spatial principles, biological community principles, and water quality principles, to better minimize the negative impacts of site disturbance and vegetative clearing and maximize the environmental benefits of the site.

Whether the project is Design-Bid-Build or Design-Build, the golf course architect should be thoroughly familiar with the site and also flexible enough to take advantage of opportunities that arise once construction has begun.

Modern irrigation systems are very flexible and complex so hiring an experienced irrigation design consultant early in the design process will help ensure that the irrigation system is properly designed for maximum efficiency and for the specific requirements of the golf course.

A consulting agronomist (who may or may not become the golf course’s superintendent) will aid in the selection of raw materials (topsoil, sand, gravel, grass seed/sod/sprigs) that the golf course will be built from. They will also help to achieve the best possible growing medium for the selected grasses. Sourcing materials locally will have many sustainability benefits.

Over the last 170+ years, there have been many approaches to designing and building golf courses. What are the keys to maximizing the environmental and economic potential of a golf course site?

A discussion of the benefits of hiring a qualified and experienced golf course architect for new construction or renovation projects of any size.

An introduction to a series of articles highlighting more sustainable golf course design and construction practices.