Golf Course Architecture – Evolutions in Design, Construction and Restoration Technology

 

Michael Hurdzan is one of the most respected names in modern golf course architecture and throughout an esteemed career has been responsible for more than 250 golf courses in North America. As well as creating some of the game’s most stunning layouts, Hurdzan is also acknowledged as an innovator in design techniques for reducing construction costs and improving the maintainability of golf courses. In fact, his Widow’s Walk Golf Course in Massachusetts, USA is recognised as the first national environmental demonstration project for golf course development.

In 1996 Hurdzan penned what would go on to become one of the best-selling modern-day golf architecture books – Golf Course Architecture. Since then a number of developments have changed the nature of the game of golf, in particular advances in equipment technology, the breeding of newer, finer turfgrass varieties for putting surfaces, and the continuing evolution of maintenance practices.

Combined with feedback received from the first edition, Hurdzan, a self-confessed golfing traditionalist and historian, has revised his original tome to reflect such changes and to further educate readers and stimulate interest in the art of golf course architecture.

Golf Course Architecture - Evolutions in Design, Construction and Restoration weighs in at 450 pages and is split into two distinct sections – theory and practice. In the theory section, which covers the first 200 pages, Hurdzan looks at the principles of golf course architecture, examining form and function of green complexes, hazards, tees and fairways, the concept of individual golf holes, as well as ruminating about what makes a golf hole beautiful or ugly.

In the second section, Hurdzan turns practical and examines in detail aspects such as site analysis and feasibility studies, the design process, the economics of course construction, construction sequences, irrigation, turfgrass establishment and maturation, through to renovations and important environmental considerations.

According to Hurdzan, this second edition includes 50 per cent more new, improved and updated information and opinions. He quips in his introduction not to “throw away the first edition”, but rather “treat it as a companion history”. This new edition also contains a wealth of full-colour photographs, course maps and drawings.

Hurdzan is without doubt one of the leading figures in his field and this book is a perfect reference tool for golf course superintendents who appreciate the art and science behind golf course architecture or who may be thinking about embarking on course alterations.