Architects

The design of a golf course can be the difference between a run-of-the-mill course and a truly spectacular one. This form of landscape architecture is one of the most creative and satisfying, and when executed correctly, it can significantly enhance property value and attract golfers from all over the world.

In the past few decades, golf course architects have risen to celebrity status, especially after Robert Trent Jones Sr. became a larger-than-life figure during the post-WWII golfing boom. This trend continued as notable PGA Tour players such as Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus ventured into golf course design, establishing successful, globally acknowledged firms.

Renowned architects will tell you that the visible part of a golf hole is only a small portion of the work. The construction beneath the surface, including electrical, irrigation, and drainage systems, truly determines the playability and overall enjoyment of the course.

The Glory Years of Golf Course Design

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, golf courses were generally straightforward, often designed by regular landscape architects. However, this all changed as pioneers of golf course design like C.B MacDonald, Seth Raynor, A.W Tillinghast, Donald Ross and Alister MacKenzie started crafting courses in North America and beyond during the 1910s and 20s.

In Canada, Stanley Thompson was particularly productive. He delimited the National Parks Courses, including Banff Springs and Jasper Park. The pace of golf course development decelerated during the 1930s due to the Great Depression. Nevertheless, Thompson remained active and mentored a promising young architect from New York, Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Lineage of Legends

Many top-tier course architects owe their successful careers to their humble beginnings as interns or junior associates. For instance, renowned architect Gil Hanse was originally mentored byTom Doak, who himself was an understudy of Pete Dye.

Dye, the progenitor of the stadium-style design found at TPC venues, has an illustrious legacy of architects he has influenced. His impact on modern course architecture is unmatched.

One of Dye's most distinguished disciples was Bill Coore. Together with Ben Crenshaw, they form one of the most sought-after design teams in the industry. Their stellar portfolio includes acclaimed courses like Cabot Cliffs and Streamsong Red, but their groundbreaking creation at Sand Hills in Nebraska is perhaps their most noteworthy achievement.

The Face of 21st Century Golf Course Design

The unparalleled surge in new golf courses from the late 20th to early 21st century was remarkable. Prominent golf course design firms like Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and siblings Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Rees Jones reaped the benefits of lucrative overseas projects.

However, the rapid proliferation led to the production of many substandard courses that are now closing down annually due to a shortage of golfers to sustain them. Despite this, new golf courses, often integrated into emerging real estate communities, are still being inaugurated. Some are constructed on pre-existing tees and fairways, yet offer an entirely new experience through innovative contouring and bunker redesign.

Recently, architecture has embraced a &quote;neoclassic&quote; style in many regions. Sand Hills is seen as the launching pad for the modern golf vacation phenomenon popularized by Bandon Dunes. Bandon Dunes' initial designs by David McKlay Kidd and Tom Doak, and later by Coore & Crenshaw, have set the standard for what keen amateur golf tourists look for in a resort.

Even contemporary golf course designs are finding ways to incorporate retro elements into their layouts. Pinehurst, for instance, reverted their decades-long lushness philosophy on their Ross No. 2 Course, replacing it with a single-line irrigation system and native, sandy wire grass in place of thick Bermuda rough. This move was enthusiastically received, leading to the appointment of Hanse to incorporate similar changes to the renovated Pinehurst No. 4.

Refurbishment vs. Reconstruction

Golf course architects are currently facing a simple but significant dilemma: advances in technology and improved professional golfer athleticism are making golf balls travel farther than ever before. However, with soaring land values and scarcity of natural resources, allocating more land for golf courses is often a poor business choice.

The Open at Royal St. George's demonstrated the timeless fundamentals of links golf course design when implemented in natural settings. A worn course led to one of the most distinctive major events in recent years and utilized skill over raw power; the event was eventually won by Collin Morikawa, not known as a “power hitter” within professional golf circles.

At the end of the day, an architect's task is to fulfill the owner's vision for the property, creating a timeless course that delivers enjoyment for club members or patrons.