Phases of Golf Course Design
PHASE 1
Land Use Plan
The Land Use Plan shows all project components on a map in a measurable scale, allowing the project’s overall vision to be realized. From this plan, the project’s financial success can be estimated and any impact to the site can be determined.
To get started, the golf course architect identifies a site’s opportunities and constraints. The goals and vision for the project are established and a preliminary Land Use Plan is produced. Review and modifications to this plan are ongoing until the design team signs off on a final Land Use Plan. From start to sign-off, the completion of the Land Use Plan normally takes between sixty and ninety days.
The design team typically consists of the site owner/developer, APDC, a civil engineer with surveying and environmental capability and a land planner. Open communication among the team and timely decision–making by the owner are vital to creating the best Land Use Plan. An onsite design session with the design team early in the process is helpful to the development schedule.
The Arnold Palmer Design Company excels at quality land planning and is always at the forefront of the latest successful planning methods.
PHASE 2
Golf Course Construction Documents
Construction documents are the legal plans, specifications and instructions by which the golf course is built.
These documents may include plans for staking, clearing, grading, earthwork calculations, drainage, irrigation, greens and features, grassing, conceptual landscape and details. Thorough specifications always accompany the construction documents.
It is neccessary that the construction documents contain bid sheets which clearly show all the line items of work in order of construction along with the projected quantity and quality of labor, materials and equipment to be used. This ensures that a cost estimate can be calculated based on the construction documents.
During construction, Golf Course Construction Documents will at times be used as a general reference. The owner, contractor and architect must be flexible in applying the Golf Course Construction Documents as unique opportunities and unknown field situations may warrant changes to the plans.
After 35 years of worldwide experience, our construction documents have evolved into an easily useable set of documents providing clear direction to owners and contractors of how to price and build the golf course.
The Arnold Palmer Design Company uses the latest AutoCAD software to produce the construction documents.
PHASE 3
Construction Supervision
APDC has the reputation of effectively supervising contractors and communicating with owners while producing world class golf courses on time and within budget. There are six main elements in construction supervision:
Contractors are usually selected via a bid process. We qualify bidders and review bids, then make our recommendations.
Construction Coordination begins with a meeting between the contractor, the owner, and APDC. During this meeting we determine construction methods and schedule, payment times, value engineering opportunities and the handling of any unique site situations.
Inspections to review and approve all line items of work take place on an as-needed basis, generally every two to four weeks. Shaping, feature construction and finish grading are elements of construction requiring special attention. Timely site visits are critical to prevent errors and to take advantage of opportunities.
Field Modification Documentation is made with notes and/or sketches that are required to be kept on site by the contractor.
Notification of Satisfactory Completion is given to the owner and contractor by APDC upon final approval of all construction.
Post Opening Review is provided to sustain quality and to maintain owner satisfaction.
