| This write-up discusses the what it takes to design | | | | out should be cut to form a hollow. Yellow ringed |
| anf build golf course in the modern era. From paper | | | | posts refer to the gradient of the dip/hollow, and |
| to planting the grass. the first golf courses | | | | blue ringed posts represent the areas that will be |
| The game of golf was invented in the 15th century in | | | | filled to produce hills. The rings on the posts refer the |
| the kingdom of Fife, which is on the east coast of | | | | height/depth in half metres. |
| Scotland. Back then they did not use nicely made | | | | The top soil removed during the initial stage of the |
| balls, and fancy clubs, they made do with sticks and | | | | build, is used in the creation of the course. |
| pebbles. And their golf course was fashioned by | | | | Drainage system |
| mother nature with the help of the local fauna. Golf | | | | The installation of a drainage system is the next |
| courses back then, were made up of the sheep | | | | stage. This is essential or otherwise you would soon |
| tracks, sand dunes, and rabbit warrens. | | | | have an unplayable course, due to areas of the |
| The design stage | | | | course being rain soaked and possibly boggy. Also, |
| These days the golf courses are designed by people | | | | having a proper drainage system in place means the |
| who have made golf course design a career. And | | | | course is playable all year round. |
| with the help of modern equipment, they reshape | | | | The installation of the drainage system is achieved by |
| the landscape to make their vision a reality. | | | | a giant vehicle, that performs three tasks during the |
| Golf courses are designed to be played by and | | | | the installation process. It uses a series of rotating |
| enjoyed by people of varying skill levels. There are | | | | blades to dig out a 75cm trench, the excess soil is |
| routes placed within the course for the advanced | | | | transported along a conveyor belt and dropped into a |
| players, and routes for the less skilled. Thus enabling | | | | dumper truck that is driving along the side. A pvc |
| players of varying ability to be able to complete the | | | | flexible pipe is fed into the trench, and finally a layer |
| course easily, or at least without too much | | | | of gravel is placed on top. |
| frustration. | | | | Planting the different grass types |
| When a golf course is designed, the first stage is to | | | | Golf courses need different types of grass on |
| create a basic layout on paper. From this every | | | | different areas, in order to achieve the desired result. |
| feature of the golf course is carefully calculated. | | | | For example, on the putting green a smooth surface |
| Next, the design is transferred to a CAD (computer | | | | is needed, that also has a higher level of drainage |
| aided design) system on a computer. This allows for | | | | than other areas of the course. The grass used on |
| easy manipulation of the design, in-order to get the | | | | the putting green is called creeping bent, and the top |
| desired final result. | | | | soil contains a high amount of sand to increase the |
| Physical build | | | | drainage amount. This grass and top soil combination |
| The first part of the actual build process is to | | | | results in a very thick and smooth surface. |
| remove all the top soil on the course area. This is | | | | Keeping the grass healthy |
| then replaced by specific soil composition for the | | | | To keep the grass in good health, thus providing a |
| different areas of the course. For example, the | | | | pleasing and playable surface, an automated irrigation |
| putting greens require a top soil made up mostly of | | | | system is installed. These are usually linked up to a |
| sand, which increases the water drainage. | | | | weather monitoring station, which will be able to |
| Hills and dips | | | | inform the automated irrigation system when |
| The contours on the design/map show where the | | | | watering will be needed. |
| hills and dips/hollows will appear on the golf course. | | | | The irrigation system helps here for when long |
| These contours are marked out in real life by placing | | | | periods of no rain occur, as the rain water when it |
| posts. These posts are marked with different colours. | | | | does fall, is gathered up into the lakes and water |
| The different colours are red, blue and yellow. Posts | | | | ways on the course, thus providing a backup means |
| with red rings on them mean that the area marked | | | | to provide water for the grass. |