From water-smart turf to timeless design, the right architect knows how to honor tradition while building for the future of the game.
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How do you find the right architect for your golf course project?
It is a deceptively simple question because any project in golf course construction or renovation demands significant time, money and commitment. Success depends on executing the vision and assembling the right team to guide it.
At the center of that process is the golf course architect, the professional charged with balancing design, playability, environmental realities and member expectations.
Finding the right person is not always straightforward.
“There’s a lot of work, but not as many people doing it,” said architect Tripp Davis, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects since 1994. “When I joined ASGCA, there were more than 300 working in the U.S. Today there are 172.”
The ASGCA, founded in 1947, represents many leading golf course architects. Membership requires peer review and proven experience in design, construction and professional standards.
For clubs, hiring an ASGCA member provides reassurance of credibility and a shared ethical foundation. But narrowing the field from more than 170 to the right architect for your specific project requires clarity and discipline.
Defining the project
Davis emphasized that clarity of purpose is essential before you interview firms.
“Different projects require different skill sets; different firms excel at different aspects,” he said. “Decide your goal, research several firms and compare apples to apples.”
Not every project is a ground-up build. Many courses fall into one of three categories: renovation, redesign or restoration.
Renovation focuses on repairing and updating existing features without fundamentally changing the layout, such as replacing turfgrass, fixing bunkers or upgrading drainage and irrigation.
A redesign alters the footprint, perhaps converting 18 holes into a 9-hole executive course or new holes to adapt to land use.
Restoration seeks to revive a course’s original design intent, often honoring the vision of a historic architect while adapting to modern play and technology.
Each path comes with different technical and philosophical challenges. A restoration may require careful study of historical plans and sensitivity to heritage. A redesign may need innovation and a willingness to depart from tradition.
Knowing which lane your project occupies helps identify which architect has the right experience and temperament.
Looking beyond the portfolio
While it is natural to focus on past work, Davis and his colleagues stress that personality and communication also matter.
“Sometimes the club will have a good idea, but they need the professional expertise to get them where they need to go,” Davis said. “That requires collaboration.”
Brian Costello, partner at JMP Golf Design Group and current ASGCA president, made a similar point.
“One of the most important qualities is the ability to listen to clearly understand and identify the needs of the client, and then creatively translate those requirements into memorable golf courses,” he said. “Clearly communicating with the project team is essential.”
Costello advised clubs to structure their interviews carefully. The right questions can reveal how an architect approaches challenges, whether their experience aligns with your goals, and how they have handled past projects. He said the best interviews are two-way conversations, with architects asking pertinent questions.
“You can set up a matrix for objective comparisons,” he said, “but take qualitative characteristics into account. You will be working together for years.”
The experience of Gamble Sands in Brewster, Washington, illustrates the importance of trust and compatibility. The resort chose architect David McLay Kidd.
“We wanted someone who understood the property and vision, had resort destination experience and showed passion for being on site,” said project manager Tory Wulf.
Sustainability as a design driver
In the 21st century, golf course architecture is inseparable from sustainability.
Costello, whose background includes a degree in landscape architecture, explained that environmental factors have always shaped the profession.
“They ultimately determine the final product,” he said. “Collaborating with clients and superintendents who share that perspective fosters creativity.”
Todd Eckenrode, principal of Origins Golf Design, added that constraints can inspire creativity rather than limit it.
“Every project comes with different environmental constraints,” he said. “Often, we try to turn the constraint into a feature. A creek or a heritage tree can become the most impactful and identifiable part of a hole if used correctly in the design.”
Where development sometimes imposed design upon the land, today’s architects increasingly let the land lead the way.
Technology and innovation
Advances in technology are further amplifying these efforts. Costello pointed to irrigation systems that allow individual sprinkler adjustments, delivering water with surgical precision.
“The result is a reduction in water consumption, improved turf conditions and savings in operational costs,” he said. “Golf course architecture is a unique blend of art and science, and future innovations will create new opportunities for memorable playing experiences.”
Eckenrode sees drones as one of the most significant tools reshaping the field.
“Drone technologies with advanced capabilities in recording and measuring, mapping and analysis are prevalent and only going to increase,” he said.
These innovations are not just about efficiency; they also expand design possibilities. The ability to gather precise data, test ideas virtually and integrate resilient turf means architects can create courses that are both environmentally responsible and visually distinctive.
The evolving role of the architect
As project timelines stretch, architects are becoming involved earlier in the process.
“With renovation and restoration especially, contractors are booked years out,” Eckenrode said. “So, the bid and selection process happens sooner. I often serve more of a pre-project role than in the past.”
Costello believes the architect’s role will continue to broaden.
“We can take a multitude of ideas from stakeholders and provide thoughtful, creative solutions,” he said. “Golf is unique in its flexibility. We can create short courses, putting courses, practice facilities or championship-caliber layouts. The challenge is to anticipate trends and create experiences that resonate with golfers for the next decade and beyond.”
The search for the right fit
The ASGCA recommends engaging an architect as early as possible, since many are booked a year or more in advance. Early involvement allows architects to shape the project from the ground up, guiding vision, budgeting and environmental planning.
The most successful projects, however, are rarely about ticking boxes on a checklist. They depend on chemistry and trust between the club and the architect.
Eckenrode encouraged clubs to do their homework: visit completed projects, talk with past clients and understand how an architect works under pressure.
“If they have an impeccable track record, have created numerous award-winning designs, and their clients all love them, you are probably going to be very happy with that selection,” he said.
Ultimately, as Wulf of Gamble Sands put it, “At the end of the day, it comes down to fit, vision and trust.”
This article originally appeared in the 2025 Golf Inc. Design Journal.
