American Society of Golf Course Architects

American Association of Golf Course Architects | Remodeling University

General Description of Construction Line Items

Mobilization

Before the work can progress, a golf course builder must mobilize the necessary workers, equipment and supplies required to construct a course. Local permits and fees have to be paid prior to beginning construction. Mobilization costs will vary based on many factors, some of which include the cost of local housing, location of the site and the time schedule of when the work is to be performed.
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Layout and Staking

The owner is responsible for the initial staking of trees, landing areas and green locations per the golf course architect’s staking plan. In addition to these initial points, benchmark elevations during construction are required throughout the work area for use by the golf course builder. The builder will identify all golf course features and elevations for construction using these established control points, and is responsible for maintaining all of these points. Cost will vary due to the severity of the site, vegetative cover and design complexity.
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Erosion Control

Due to the rules of different government agencies, the control of erosion on construction sites can vary. Erosion control requirements can include silt fencing, hay bales, silt basins and temporary grassing. Types of soil, severity of topography, proximity of water features and needs of the surrounding areas will help determine the type of erosion protection needed.
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Clearing

The amount of clearing necessary is directly related to the site’s vegetative cover. The size and marketability of trees and the topography of the site will impact clearing costs. Local rules and regulations determine the method of clearing. Burning is allowed in some instances. In other areas, vegetation will need to be chipped or hauled off site. In addition to removing vegetation, clearing also entails the removal of stumps and roots from the soil.
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Selective Clearing

After the golf course is cleared, the golf course architect will require additional selective clearing along the sides of the fairways. This work will require the use of small machines or may require manual labor. The material must be burned, hauled away or chipped, depending on local regulations.
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On-site Topsoil

If suitable topsoil is available on site, it will be removed, stored and redistributed at a later point during construction. In areas where the golf course is constructed on sand or other suitable soil, the need for stripping isn't necessary. The topsoil must be clean of roots and stones, and be of the quality and quantity necessary for planting.
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Off-site Topsoil

On sites where topsoil is minimal or non-existent, the soil must be obtained from other sources. The cost would include the purchase, hauling and spreading of the topsoil.
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Excavation: Conventional

In order to construct the golf course, excavation is required to fill or cut areas necessary to meet the golf course architect’s design requirements. The volume of work is based on the severity of the site and the golf course architect’s requirements. The cost of the work is based on haul distances and types of soil. The work is performed utilizing trucks and/or scrapers.
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Excavation: Topload

In some areas, it might be necessary to load trucks and scrapers using draglines and/or excavators. This is a much slower procedure than conventional excavation, and requires additional equipment. This method is also necessary where soil conditions do not allow conventional methods, such as lake excavation and long hauls.
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Excavation: Rocks

When rock is present in the excavation areas, additional cost might be incurred. If the materials can be ripped and hauled by conventional means, it is possible that those added expenses can be avoided. However, if the rock has to be blasted and removed, there’s little that can be done to dodge those costs. Additional costs might also be faced for rock excavation for storm drainage, irrigation and features construction.
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Rough Shaping

As the cuts and fills are made with the excavation process, the golf course builder will contour the course. This shaping will be performed according to the designer’s plans and field instructions. The work is performed prior to the installation of drainage and irrigation systems. The cost will be based on the complexity of the design and soil conditions.
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Storm Drainage

Storm drainage is defined as the drainage system necessary for moving offsite water through the golf course and course drainage that exceeds six-inch diameter pipe. The storm drainage includes outfall structure, catch basins and any other structures that might be required. The owner’s engineer commonly designs storm drainage.
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Golf Drainage

As the golf course is shaped, drainage swales and small catchments will be developed for golf course playability and surface drainage. These swales and depressions will require small field drainage, which will include perforated drains and small catch basins. The golf drainage will either be connected to the storm drainage or discharged into other water features or sumps.
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Irrigation/Pump Station

The cost of irrigation systems will vary greatly based on things like the layout of the golf course, terrain, available water for usage, the amount of coverage, and level of maintenance. A single row irrigation system may be used in public play facilities with limited-construction budgets. In a real estate project where maintained grass is critical, the area of coverage may be property line to property line (wall to wall). In general, if water is to be strictly managed, more complex irrigation controls and a greater number of heads might be required.

The size of the irrigation pump station will be based on water demand, course elevation changes and pump location. The owner will be responsible for furnishing electrical power to the pumps and also enclosing the pump in a building.
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Greens

The construction of the green involves the installation of several items necessary for proper functioning of the putting surface. In this type of construction, the putting surface is made up of the following layers: a drain field is installed in a herringbone design in trenches with gravel, a four-inch layer of approved gravel is installed over the drain field, then a mixture of sand and peat is installed over the gravel layer to a compacted depth of 12 inches. Cost of greens construction will vary based on availability of approved materials.
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Tees

The area of the tees are shaped and graded to allow for surface drainage. The tees on a golf course may be built with native materials, if acceptable, such as on-site sand. Other sites may require the tee surface to be constructed using the same sand-peat mixture used on the greens. If this is required, a minimum depth of four inches of mixture is required. Where soil conditions don't allow for proper drainage, perforated drains piped with gravel may be required in the tees.
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Bunkers

Bunkers (sand traps) will be identified and shaped according to the golf course architect’s direction. Although the initial work can by done by machine, manual labor will be required to complete the bunkers to the architect’s intended design. In addition to the shaping of the bunkers, drainage will be required. Prior to opening the golf course, approved bunker sand will be installed to a depth of four to six inches. This work will also require manual labor. Labor, sand and the requirements of the design will ultimately determine the cost of bunkers.
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Bridges

Although large pipes are sometimes used for crossings, bridges may be necessary in some instances because of wetland or elevation changes. The owner’s engineer should approve bridge designs. The bridges should have a minimum of 10 feet and support the weight of a small dump truck. Bridges can be prefabricated or built on site based on the owner’s requirements and budget.
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Bulkheading

Bulkheading might be necessary because of topography or as an aesthetic element of the golf course design. The bulkheading can be of many different materials. Plank walls, railroad ties, piles, bricks and stone have all been used for constructing bulkheads. Generally, bulkheads are used around tees and greens and to protect contours, such as lake banks, from erosion.
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Cart Paths

Cart paths have been constructed using concrete or asphalt. Paths can be partial or full-length with widths varying from six to 12 feet. Typically cart paths are curbed at the tees and greens to prevent encroachment from golfers.
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Fine Grading

After the underground parts of the course have been installed and all the features contoured, the course must be graded so all the items are related, the golf course architect's requirements are met, and all surface drainage is incorporated into the overall requirements. During this phase of work, the golf course architect can make minor adjustments to the design contouring where necessary to reflect the design concept.
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Seedbed Preparation

After the golf course is fine graded, the surface of the golf course is prepared for seeding, sod laying or sprigging. If the site has rock and/or debris within the topsoil, the area will require rock picking. If necessary, soil amendments will be added to the seedbed.
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Grassing: Seed or Sprigs

Relative to the climate and altitude, the golf course might be seeded with bluegrass, fescue, bent grass or rye grass, or sprigged or seeded with Bermuda grass. This operation includes machine planting in fairways and roughs, and hand planting on the tees and greens. Greens may require fumigation prior to grassing.
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Grassing: Sod

Sod will be used in areas to protect detail shaping and to limit weed contamination. Slopes around tees and greens may be sodden and a strip may be placed around the tee and green surfaces to define edges. In addition to these locations, bunkers will be sodden to stabilize and maintain the approved contouring. It is generally necessary to sod around drain inlets to prevent the drain lines from clogging.
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Bonding

If you require a bond for your project, the cost will be based on a percentage of the total contract amount. The bond assures the owner that the golf course builder will perform the work for the contracted amount and per the terms of the agreement.
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