Public Golf, Public Good: Why Multi-Use Golf Course Design Is the Future

The cover photo shows The Keep at McLemore, one of Contineo Group’s successful projects. 

It’s excellent to see the recent positive trends in the U.S. golf course industry. In 2024, we observed a decrease in course closures and an increase in new course openings, signaling a strong and growing future. This positive shift underscores the enduring value and importance of golf courses within our communities. Multi-use golf course design is a forward-thinking concept that can further strengthen the economic and social contributions of golf courses for decades to come.

Golf courses are vital community assets. Naturally, they occupy a significant amount of land and require ongoing maintenance to maintain their high standards. This upkeep ensures not just an exceptional playing experience, but also environmental stewardship and the preservation of valuable green spaces. While there may be concerns about environmental impact and maintenance costs, it’s crucial to recognize the substantial benefits that golf courses bring to the community.

Land and water usage are often discussed in relation to golf courses. As golf technology advances and drive lengths increase, the demand for longer and more expansive courses has grown. Irrigation is essential for maintaining healthy turf, and while the average 312,000 gallons of irrigation water used per day by a U.S. golf course might seem high, these practices are carefully managed and often incorporate advanced technologies to minimize water waste. The 2 million acres of land occupied by the nation’s 15,000 courses, while seemingly substantial, represents only a small fraction (one-tenth of one percent) of total U.S. acreage, and it’s land that provides significant environmental and recreational benefits.

What Can Be Done?

The golf industry has been proactive in adopting practices to reduce water usage. Smart irrigation systems, creative water sourcing, the development of more resilient turfgrass, and a move towards native roughs have all contributed to more sustainable operations. It’s important for the industry to continue innovating and also to educate the public about the positive efforts and contributions of golf courses.

The Advantages of Multi-Use Golf Course Design

Multi-use golf course design is an exciting evolution for the industry. A typical golf course might host around 300 players per day, and utilizing the 150 to 200 acres for broader community benefits makes perfect sense. By opening up portions of the land for other activities, we can showcase the value of golf courses and enhance their role as community hubs.

By offering multi-use options, golf courses can become even more integrated with their communities. This approach can help educate the public about environmental stewardship and introduce more people to the game. It fosters a greater appreciation for the positive impact golf courses have on the local environment and economy.

The concept of multi-use golf course design has been embraced in many regions around the world. These courses are designed to provide an exceptional golfing experience while also offering green spaces for public use and supporting biodiversity. This holistic approach creates vibrant community attractions that deliver value well beyond the game of golf. It also helps secure a bright future for the game by exposing it to a younger and broader audience. Enhanced public perception, positive media coverage, and increased marketing opportunities are all significant benefits.

Promote Well-Being

In many areas, accessible green space is highly valued. Opening golf courses for walking, jogging, hiking, and bicycling is a straightforward way to provide significant community benefits. Existing cart paths and service roads can often be used, or dedicated trails can be added. Safety for all users and minimizing interference with golfers are, of course, top priorities.

The natural beauty of a golf course, with its abundant vegetation and shade, makes it an ideal setting for outdoor activities. Adding amenities like ground lighting, benches, fitness stations, water fountains, and trash receptacles can further enhance the experience. Local municipalities can be valuable partners in supporting these enhancements.

Showcase Environmental Stewardship

Multi-use golf course design offers excellent opportunities to highlight a commitment to environmental stewardship. Practices like irrigation reduction and reduced pesticide use, achieved through the development of native roughs and naturalized areas, are both environmentally and economically sound. It’s crucial to communicate these efforts effectively. Informative signage can detail ecological initiatives and highlight the wildlife supported by the course, educating the public about the environmental value of having a golf course in the community.

Golf courses can further enhance their educational role by offering outdoor classroom space to local schools. Studies have shown that outdoor learning can improve children’s learning and engagement. This provides a valuable educational resource while also introducing children to the game of golf, ensuring the sport’s continued growth.

Golf courses also contribute to local biodiversity, making them ideal for bird watching. Birding is a popular way to enjoy nature, and golf courses provide excellent habitats for a variety of bird species. Managers can enhance these habitats by providing a diverse mix of grasses, flowering plants, trees, and shrubs that support both native and migratory birds. This natural pest control also offers economic benefits.

Other Multi-use Golf Course Ideas

There are numerous possibilities for community recreation at golf courses. Almost any outdoor activity can be considered. Here are a few ideas to spark further thinking:

• Clubhouses as community centers
• Car shows
• Concerts
• Frisbee Golf
• Drone exhibitions
• Bee keeping
• Kite flying
• Model boat races
• Yoga

Getting Started on Multi-Use Golf Course Design

The multi-use golf course concept is a win-win for both the golf course and the community. Implementing such initiatives might involve some planning and approvals for necessary improvements. The civil engineers at Contineo Group can provide invaluable expertise to help transform a golf course into a vibrant community hub.