National Alliance for Accessible Golf’s Post

Talk about a revamp!

Why is golf usually over 18-holes? The tradition of golf being played over 18 holes is believed to have originated from the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. In the early days of golf, the course at St. Andrews consisted of 22 holes, but in 1764, it was decided to reduce the number to 18. This decision was made mainly due to the logistical challenges of maintaining all 22 holes and the desire to establish a standardized format for golf courses. The 18-hole format gained popularity and became widely adopted as the standard for golf courses around the world. It provides a balance between the time it takes to play a round and the challenge presented by the course. Additionally, 18 holes allow for a variety of strategic and architectural features to be incorporated into the design of the course, enhancing the overall golfing experience. Over time, the 18-hole format has become deeply ingrained in golf culture and tradition, and it remains the standard for most golf courses worldwide. I know. So what. Right! Mike Kahn mike@golfmak.com

“St. John’s County sunset at a golf course can look gorgeous, but when the photo is enhanced with simple cell phone saturation of color, it’s simply breath-taking. This disc golf course when completely finished is going to be something not yet seen in the disc golf world. Tree planting, mounds, reshaping ponds — to turn a golf course into disc golf does take a lot of doing. To please disc golfers and install a great design, there is a whole lot of considerations to implement. The games and rules may be similar in both types of golf, but the design is not necessarily so. Discs fly in the air, so design needs to consider that to create disc golf strategy and challenge.” John Houck, Premier Master Designer #johnhouckdiscgolfcoursedesign #houckdesigndiscgolf #Gulfstreamgroup #StJohnscounty #STAugustineFlorida #discgolfcoursedesign #destinationdiscgolf #dgpt #pdga #golfcoursedesign #golfcourses #golf #johnhouck #johnhouckdesigns #discgolf #houckhauz

Proposed Golf Course Development in Parker County Read the full article below..

Dail Golf & Deep Springs Country Club: Building Better Bunkers! Last week, we teamed up with CapillaryFlow to install a state-of-the-art capillary concrete bunker at Deep Springs Country Club! Here’s why these bunkers are a game-changer not only for golfers but also for the course itself: Engineered for All Climates Capillary Bunkers are designed to withstand any climate—from freezing winters to hot, dry summers. Whether it's rock migration, frost heaving, or clay expansion, these bunkers deliver reliable performance year-round. Ease of Installation No need for costly shutdowns—Capillary Bunkers can be installed by your in-house team or Dail Golf during the off-season, using local materials and minimal tools. Better yet, the bunker is ready for play just 24 hours after installation! Financial Benefits for Every Budget Capillary Bunkers offer an attractive combination of aesthetics, functionality, and cost-efficiency. The investment improves bunker quality and keeps golfers coming back while fitting within any budget. A straightforward installation ensures maximum value for every dollar spent. Superior Drainage & Moisture Balance Capillary Bunkers manage water effectively by balancing drainage with moisture retention. Unlike traditional liners, they prevent sand migration and clogging, maintaining consistent playing conditions no matter the weather. This is more than just a bunker upgrade—it's an investment in the course’s future, making maintenance easier and ensuring a better experience for golfers! #DailGolf #CapillaryConcrete #GolfCourseMaintenance #BunkerUpgrades #Sustainability #DeepSpringsGolf #GolfLife #BetterConditions

Willowbend Golf Club's Superintendent's Update - Vince McAlister Its already the second month of 2024 and as usual the weather is confusing. Zero degrees to 60’s inside of 2 weeks has us all yearning to get outside. The past weekend we were finally able to open the golf course after several weeks of various precipitation and snow cover. When we have weather like this it presents a number of issues that cannot be fully resolved immediately. The snow cover not only limits our ability to get around the golf course for any maintenance activities it also keeps the geese camped out in the same place, and they do what they do. Once we open, after weeks like this, we are limited where we can get dues to wet conditions. We are generally limited to cleaning off greens in the first couple days. To clean up the fairways we drag them with a heavy steel mat. We have to wait not only for the soil to dry out but also the goose droppings have to be dry enough to break up under the drag mat otherwise they just smear. I’m happy to say that yesterday (Jan.31st) we were able to get most of that done. These situations also require us to ask you all to keep carts on the paths. Some of you did. Thank you. You can easily see the damage caused by those who did not, perhaps this will convince them of the need next time. In the middle of the cold, we had a pipe burst that supplies the restrooms on #14. I was able to get those repairs made yesterday, so those facilities are open available again. For some reason, somebody continually “adjusts” and/or unplugs our heaters in the outside restrooms. The other option is to winterize and lock them up until spring. I hope it does not come to this. We have made progress on several other fronts since the growing season ended. The native grass has been mowed and we’re working to clear the volunteer trees in these areas. Some other tree work has been accomplished around the golf course, and some pond banks have been worked on too. We have fresh paint on our golf course accessories, and a fresh set of tee markers ready to go. Finally, we are moving through our equipment service work nicely. All in all, it’s been a productive winter for us and we should be ready come spring. Let’s hope it’s nice, wet and long. - VM

HOW MUCH WATER WAS THIS GOLF COURSE LOOSING? What Is Our Leakest Leak So Far This Year? #Water #WaterLeak #WaterLeaks #WaterLeakDetection #sustainability #procurement #BusnessNews #WaterIndustry #WaterIndustryNews Golf Course Technology Reviews Golf Course Architecture Golf Course Management GOLF+ Golf & Business PGA Golf Shows golf.extra #golfindustry #golf #golfbusiness

In our latest blog post, members of GAI Community Solutions Group share insight into the continuing trend of reimagining existing golf courses to better serve an inclusive range of interests and community members. Read here: https://ow.ly/ZXsK50R4lxJ #CommunitySolutionsGrp #golfcourseconversion

A Time For Change The current steady decline in golf club membership and vastly reduced income from the clubhouse generally, are itches that clubs are struggling to scratch. There are a small number of clubs in Scotland, relatively speaking, mainly the ‘Trophy courses’ that notice little difference or an even an increase in clubhouse income, but for the majority, these holes need plugged. The reality is that this will worsen steadily for the majority. The is no evidence to suggest otherwise as all the facts point to: 1. The impact of the financial crisis and energy costs still loom large; 2. The Covid bubble has well and truly burst. Clubs will probably reduce prices, make offers that will irritate existing members and cut costs in the wrong places. Make no mistake, there is no magic wand for the majority, but there are good practices that can reduce costs in the right places, which may offset reduced income. There have been a number of articles recently about the ‘Race to the Bottom’ and they are absolutely accurate. The race has started. Don’t be sucked into this competition as it will damage your club, maybe irreparably. We offer experienced advice at www.golf-insights.co.uk where our help may cost your club nothing at all. Don’t wait any longer or until your next committee meeting. Get in touch if you have noticed this change at your club and allow Golf Insights to help you. #scottishgolf #sgcma

Shattering The 3 Biggest Myths in Golf Golf has always been surrounded by myths and misconceptions that can deter newcomers and enthusiasts alike from fully engaging with this beloved sport. Whether it’s concerns about cost, location, or the people behind the scenes, it’s time to debunk some of these myths and shed light on the truth. Myth 1: Golf is an expensive sport to start. Fact: While golf has a reputation for being costly, there are plenty of affordable options available for those looking to dive into the sport. Many courses offer reasonable green fees, and there is also the option to purchase used clubs, making it more accessible for beginners to start without breaking the bank. Myth 2: You need a great site to build a great golf course. Fact: The notion that only prime land can yield a top-tier golf course is outdated. Through innovative design and construction techniques, even the most challenging landscapes can be transformed into exceptional golf courses. This demonstrates that creativity and ingenuity in design are just as important as the quality of the site itself. Myth 3: The lead architect deserves all the credit for a golf course. Fact: Designing a golf course is far from a one-person show. It’s a collective endeavor that involves a team of skilled professionals, each bringing their own expertise to the table. From engineers to landscape architects, the success of a golf course is the result of a collaborative effort, not just the vision of the lead architect. What myths have you encountered about golf or golf course construction?