what is a golf course architect

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What to look for in a golf course?

Finding the Best Local Golf Course: What to Look For

• Condition. Basic and self-explanatory, but crucial nonetheless. ...
• Sound Design. Like anything that requires careful planning, a thoughtful approach to designing the course is essential.
• Variety. Variety is the spice of life, and it just so happens to also be very important in creating a good golf course.
• The Best Local Golf Course for You. ...

What is golf architecture?

Sometimes referred to as golf course design, golf course architecture is a specialized area of landscape architecture. As its name suggests, it involves planning, designing, and creating every aspect of a golf course, from the most basic holes to the complicated water traps.

How is a golf course designed?

Golf course design layout follows certain traditional principles involving the specific number of holes, par values, as well as the number of holes of each par value per course.

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How does one become a golf course architect?

Golf course architects come from varying backgrounds, with training in landscape architecture, civil engineering, environmental studies, agronomy, golf course construction and professional golf, to name a few. The most common degree amongst golf architects is landscape architecture.

Do architects design golf courses?

Golf course designers are essentially architects. They turn ideas into reality while balancing the needs of golfers, golf course owners, and the physical and budgetary realities that go into making a golf course viable and profitable.

How long does it take to become a golf course architect?

Career RequirementsDegree LevelBachelor's degreeDegree FieldLandscape architectureExperience2-8 years of experienceLicensure and CertificationLicensure required in every state2 more rows•Oct 20, 2021

What is a golf course designer called?

Golf course architecture is a specific discipline of landscape design, with many architects represented in the United States by the American Society of Golf Course Architects. Some architects are highly successful professional golfers who went on to design golf courses.

Is it hard to design a golf course?

“You want to mix it up with various angles and lengths and wind directions to create a compelling challenge.” In short, designing an entire course is a very different job than dreaming up a single hole from scratch. Yet many of the same principles apply.

Who designed the most golf courses?

H.S. Colt, as he's often referred to, is a Golden Age architect with a whopping 11 course design credits appearing on the Top 100. That's three more than any other architect on the list. Mackenzie and Old Tom Morris come in second with eight apiece, while Tillinghast is fourth with seven designs.

What qualifications do you need to be a golf course designer?

Golf course architects have varied backgrounds, from greenkeepers and professional golfers, to graduates with landscape architecture degrees. If you have a passion for golf and design, golf course architecture could be the right career for you.

Who is the best golf course architect?

Discover the Top Golf Course Designers in the CountryPete Dye. Born into a family of golf course designers, Pete Dye followed in his father's footsteps to become one of the most famous golf architects in the country. ... Arnold Palmer. ... Jack Nicklaus. ... Tom Fazio. ... Tom Watson. ... Gary Player. ... Ben Wright. ... Tom Jackson.

How much does Jack Nicklaus charge for a golf course?

Taking Charge At that time, Nicklaus' basic design fee was worth $150,000 in the United States, $250,000 in English-speaking countries abroad and $300,000 elsewhere. If the course wanted to use Nicklaus' name and have him as endorser, clients would have to fork out an additional $1M to do so.

How many golf courses does Donald Ross have?

400 coursesAlthough an exact number is not known, Ross designed roughly 400 courses in the United States with more than 40 of those in North Carolina alone. A total of 31 states and four Canadian provinces can boast of Ross creations.

What is a Golf Course Architect

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a Golf Course Architect. For example, did you know that they make an average of $33.68 an hour? That's $70,063 a year!

Average Salary for a Golf Course Architect

Golf Course Architects in America make an average salary of $70,063 per year or $34 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $101,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $48,000 per year.

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How Do Golf Course Architect Rate Their Jobs?

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When did you start golfing?

When I was 8 or 10 years old I first started golfing, but back then quite honestly, it didn’t do it for me. I wanted to do "real sports” and played competitive tennis and American football.

Is there a difference between US and European courses?

Being originally from Tijuana, close to the boarder to the US, the only thing I have seen in my first 5 or 6 years of professional golf architecture was Los Cabos, Jack Nickalus, Tom Fazio.

What is the most common degree for a golf course architect?

Golf course architects come from varying backgrounds, with training in landscape architecture, civil engineering, environmental studies, agronomy, golf course construction and professional golf, to name a few. The most common degree amongst golf architects is landscape architecture.

What degree do golf architects have?

The most common degree amongst golf architects is landscape architecture. In addition to formal education, time spent “on the job” learning about golf course maintenance and golf course construction is important to learn the technical aspects of the profession.

Top 100 Architects

Not just any Old Tom, Dick or Harry has made our collection of Top 100 Golf Course Architects. Instead, if you thought Old Tom Morris, Dick Wilson and Harry Colt might make an appearance then you won't be disappointed as they all make the cut.

Harry Colt

Harry Colt studied law at Clare College, Cambridge. Twelve months after his 1887 enrolment, he joined the committee of the Cambridge University Golf Club and in 1889 became the club's first captain.

Alister MacKenzie

Alister MacKenzie was born in England, but his parents were Scottish and the family holidayed every year close to where his father was raised in the traditional Clan MacKenzie lands of Sutherland.

Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus will forever be associated with greatness on the golf course, but it’s his design work that should also be remembered in equal measure to his magnificent competitive achievements on the links.

Coore & Crenshaw

Coore and Crenshaw Inc. was established in 1986, but five years passed before the partnership made a real architectural impact when the Plantation course at Kapalua burst onto the scene in 1991.

Tom Doak

Tom Doak studied Landscape Architecture at Cornell University where he won a scholarship to travel to the British Isles, he then spent seven months on the road, literally living on the links.

Robert Trent Jones Jr

As a teenager, RTJ2 worked for his father, learning how to run a bulldozer. His dad paid him the union rate for the job and he used the money for flying lessons, obtaining his pilot’s license aged sixteen.