By Design – Issue 52, Spring 2021

31 24 months shows nearly half of golf course architects reporting a year- on-year improvement, up from 36 percent reporting an increase last year. Course renovations continue to generate the strongest interest among potential facility enhancements, with the next most desirable areas being expanded junior golf programs and an enhanced food and beverage experience. This desire for renovation work has been stable at private clubs, but it is notable that it is increasing among public facilities, from 39 percent in 2019 to 46 percent in 2021. Golf course architects and superintendents are aligned on prioritizing ranges, with 70 percent of golf course architects and 64 percent of superintendents including ‘allocating 10-12 acres of land for a range is a worthwhile investment’ among the top three statements they agree most strongly with, from an extensive list. Practice area improvements have become the most prevalent type of project for golf course architects and 92 percent consider a dedicated short game area to be a top five amenity for today’s golfers. As well as a 13 percent spike in practice area projects, there have also been increases in bunker projects, greens renovations, tee redesigns and projects to add more- forward tees. • Find out more in the full 2021 Golf Facility Market Trend Report produced by Sports & Leisure Research Group for ASGCA What have golf course architects observed in 2020? Strong agreement that making land available for a range is a worthwhile investment A redesign of one or more holes on the golf course A dedicated short game practice/learning area An enhanced practice range How important are different amenities? Superintendents, golf course architects and general managers all place short game areas close to the top Allocating 10-12 acres of land for a range is a worthwhile investment Private clubs will need to evolve over time to continue to be relevant Golf facilities have made concerted efforts to attract younger members in the past few years Over the past five years, resource availability (e.g., water usage) has become a more important factor in the courses that I've designed or renovated Golf facilities have been putting more emphasis on junior golf programs recently I have a good understanding of the impact of ADA laws on golf facilities 70% 69% 52% 51% 46% 43% 69% 59% 43% 68% 92% 77% 68% 90% 82% Superintendents Architects General managers