De Swinkelsche

De Eindhovensche

Kassel

Royal Hague

Patting

Blackwell

Services

Below you see the various services Infinite Variety Golf Design can provide to its clients:

Building New Courses

Infinite Variety Golf Design has significant expertise in creating original links and heathland style courses on high quality sandy sites. We follow a very structured and detailed approach to our designs, which delivers consistent, high quality. Our process begins with a thorough analysis of the proposed site. We then continue with a number of design stages which handle more and more detail as they progress. This culminates in a very hands on approach during the construction phase.

Below are detailed the individual steps undertaken in order to deliver this methodology.


1. Site Analysis

A site analysis is a very important step before deciding to seriously continue the development of a new golf course. Ideally the golf architect spends a number of days walking the site, to internalize the landscape and investigate the possible green and hole locations.

Furthermore the soil type needs to be analysed, the flora and fauna need to be recorded, and the site should be photographed extensively and if possible the site is surveyed. These elements together yield the basis of an analysis of the suitability of a site from a golf technical point of view.

2. Routing

The routing is one of the most important phases in the design of a golf course; one could argue that the routing is the skeleton of a golf course. A good routing flows from hole to hole, is varied, interesting and last but not least safe.

When making a routing a number of boundary conditions are taken into account: where the sun rises and sets, what the predominant wind direction is, if the length and directions of the holes are varied enough, if the dog-leg directions are balanced, if the walking distances between holes aren't too big, if all types of golfers use all clubs in their bag and if the holes follow the landscape.

3. Master Plan

After a final routing has been chosen, a detailed design is made per hole, in which the strategy, the visual style, the greens, tees and bunkers, the mowing patterns and rough, the drainage, the planting schemes and the water areas are indicated per hole.

It is crucial that the resulting Masterplan looks good and communicates well what the idea is behind the design of the golf course; in the end this is the plan that needs to be sold to all parties involved. This was no different in the days of the classic architects such as Colt, Simpson and MacKenzie; they also spent a lot of time on the creation of a Master plan.

4. Detailed Design

In this phase all the drawings are created that are necessary to actually build the golf course, in particular the detailed contour plans for the finished grade of the holes.

These drawings form the basis for the next step in which the quantities of earth moving are calculated, but also are the basis for the contractors/shapers when they use GPS systems to build the golf course.





5. Quantities

Once the golf course surface contours have been drawn the next stage is to calculate the amount of soil that will need to be moved to create the finished product.

This information is shown on so called "cut and fill" drawings, that indicate where material is removed on site and where it is added. This information is crucial for the contractors to form cost estimates for the construction process.





6. Green Design

The next stage is to create detailed drawings for the greens. These generally are drawn with 5 or 10 cm contours.

The greens can be built exactly to these drawings, or the drawings can be used as a first iteration point to be roughed in with GPS, after which the green shapes are further sculpted and refined. Our preference lies with the last method because we believe that generates the most natural greens shapes.

Sometimes no green drawings are made. This is the case on sites where the natural contours are interesting enough to build a green on.

7. Visualisation

Our experience is that many clients find it diffcult to get a visual feel for how the finsihed green, hole or complete golf course will look like just based on detailed contour drawings.

To allow for a better visualisation at IVGD we increasingly have started using 3D visualisations to show how our work will look after completion.

This has become easier with the advent of stronger computing power and user-friendlier software. Possible applications are fly throughs, shade analysis for different seasons and even stroke savers.

8. Construction

The detailing of a golf course can only be great if the golf architect spends a significant amount of time on the construction site working with the team of shapers. Only by doing this the architect make sure that the detailing of the greens, bunkers and other golf course elements are exactly as he had envisioned them. This also avoids costly reworking of finished elements.

As Harry Colt once said "Making a golf course is more like painting a picture than building a road". Keeping this in mind, at IVGD we make sure we spend as much of the construction time on site as we can.

9. Ecological Design

Most golfers know that playing golf in a natural environment is more fun. However, few nature enthusiasts realise that a course can make a valuable contribution to the development new eco-systems and environmental habitats. A well designed course, where nature is a key element, can make a large economic contribution to an area whilst also delivering a large ecological contribution to the development of new nature.

IVGD works closely with Europe's foremost ecological nature developers, such as John Nicholson, STRI, Buiting Advice and NL Advisers.

Restoring Classic Courses

Infinite Variety Golf Design is Europe's leading restorer of classic golf courses. We work both on the Continent and within the British Isles. Our clients are some of the best known clubs who are proud custodians of their courses, be they links, heathland, parkland or woodland.

Our restoration work follows an integral and respectful approach. We start by undertaking detailed research. This is essential in order to ensure that we gain comprehensive knowledge of the site's history, the original architect's design philosophy and the issues that are confronting the club's key decision makers at present. Only then do we move to the next step of delivering a detailed course plan, which is then presented to the relevant committees and their members. Finally, and only when all due diligence and dialogue has been completed, we execute remedial works in partnership with the green staff, specialist shapers and contractors. We are very frequently onsite throughout the duration of such works in order to be certain that the end results are consistent with the plan's original vision.


1. Course Plan

When a club is facing problems with its course, it is crucial that the various phases required to carefully devise a solution are followed.

They are: first, a diagnostic phase, where we determine precisely what problems exist; second, an analysis phase, within which we determine how to solve the issues which have been located; last but certainly not least, a process phase, during which we discuss our findings with the club's various committees and often its members in order to ensure that all those with a vested interest buy in to what is proposed.

Virtually all our engagements with classic clubs start with us creating such a long term course plan, whereby of course such reports obviously are very much tailored to the individual golf club's particular needs.

2. Historical Analysis

Some argue that golf is a game that changes continuously and, thus, so should its courses. Whilst we agree that they should evolve to stay relevant, we feel strongly that their key elements, such as greens, bunker shapes and each hole's strategic intent should be protected with great vigilance. We are very conservative when it comes to making changes and, where possible, try to reinstate what was there initially.

Almost all of the classic courses we restore were built in the late 19th and early 20th Century, often making it difficult to determine which elements of the present set-up have been changed. Old routing maps, master plans and pictures, both aerial and from ground level, are usually the best sources of information to discover what's what. We spend a lot of time searching for and then analysing such pictures and documents.

3. Mowing Lines

One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to start the restoration of a classic golf course is to bring back the original mowing lines.

Many of the classic golf courses have over time lost large areas of mown grass, be it the greens, the green surrounds or even the fairways. When these areas are free of trees and shrubs it is relatively straightforward to bring them back into play as they originally were intended.

The main benefit of bringing back the original mowing lines is that it restores the original strategy of the hole, makes the recovery shots around the green more interesting and allows for more interesting pin positions along the edges of the greens. This is the reason that we at IVGD often start our restoration work at classic courses with a hard look at the mowing lines.

4. Bunker Restoration

If there is one key element of a classic golf course that has almost always changed dramatically over time, it is the bunkers. When one studies the old pictures of large natural bunkers with rough edges, it is hard to imagine that these are the same hazards that we find on the courses today. Over time bunkers become dumbed down, their character reduced on an attritional basis. This problem has blighted both inland and links courses, where the original naturally-eroded sand face bunkers have often been replaced by the ubiquitous sod face pot bunkers.

At IVGD, we believe that bunkers on classic courses should be put back to their original splendour and artistry. The impact of such work is immense and is a key reason why bunker restoration is almost always a large part and the cornerstone of our long term restoration plans.

5. Green Restoration

As the famous American golf architect Charles Blair MacDonald once stated: "Greens are to golf courses what faces are to portraits." Unfortunately many classic greens have been changed in the past and this still continues to happen to many more every year.

Classic greens are so special in most cases because they were built by hand and therefore often have lots of little details hidden in the surface.

We at IVGD over the years have seen more than our share of classic greens that (no doubt often with good intentions) have been debased through poor and often unneccessary changes. Therefore we have made the pricipal decision that we will not change a classic green unless there is no other viable alternative. Even then we will insist that the green first gets surveyed in detail before any work commences.

6. Tree Management

The classic architects loved trees, not as harzards in play on the golf course, but rather as beautiful decor around the golf holes. They would cringe if they would see the unbridled growth of wooded area, encroaching on greens, tees and playing coridors. Too many courses have not sustainably managed the trees and woodlands on and around their golf courses, which often has led to a significant deterioration of the original design.

At IVGD we love trees, but that does not mean that trees should not be managed. We believe that we should try to maintain the balance of open space and trees that the original designers went for, giving greenkeepers a chance to maintain high quality playing surfaces.

We also strongly advise our clients to work with woodland management experts.

7. Visualisation

Modern technology has made it both easier and much less expensive to survey the key elements of the famous classic courses, such as green surfaces, green complexes, bunkers and even complete golf holes or courses. This has two main advantages, first it provides the club with an insurance that they can always restore back the original landforms in case of a calamity. Second it allows a good restoring architect to show a clear visual image of any changes or improvements to the greens committee (and the members) before the work is actually carried out.

At IVGD we have been at the forefront of inexpensive visualisation for the last decade and continue to follow developments in this area closely. Therefore we also strongly recommend any classic course that they get all original elements professionally surveyed.

8. Construction

One of the most important aspects of doing good restoration work on classic courses is the actual construction work. Making plans and doing drawings is all very well, but the actual construction work is so detail oriented and requires so much flexibility that is vital that the restoring architect is on site as much as possible. Only that way it is possible to realize the full potential of a high end restoration.

An important element in the construction phase is the interaction between the greenkeeping team, the shapers, contractor and the golf architect. Part of this is transfer of knowhow from the architect, but also is making sure that the greenkeeping team is comfortable that they will be able to maintain what is being built. Ideally the relationship between these three parties is very close, allowing for a cooperation leading to the best possible results.

Renovating Modern Courses

Infinite Variety Golf Design has extensive experience in renovating existing courses. Such renovations ensure that a course's overall quality is dramatically improved through a combination of strategic, natural and artistic bunkering, an improved design of the green surrounds, a better routing and sometimes even by reshaping the greens.

Our renovation work follows an integral approach. We start by making sure we understand the site's character and the issues that are confronting the club. We then create a course plan, which is presented to the relevant committees and their members. Only then do we execute works in partnership with the green staff, specialist shapers and contractors. We remain onsite on a regular basis throughout the period that such works are undertaken.


1. Course Plan

When a club is facing problems with its course, it is crucial that the various phases required to carefully devise a solution are followed.

They are: first, a diagnostic phase, where we determine precisely what problems exist; second, an analysis phase, within which we determine how to solve the issues which have been located; last but certainly not least, a process phase, during which we discuss our findings with the club's various committees and often its members in order to ensure that all those with a vested interest buy in to what is proposed.

Given that many modern courses have significant routing issues, are way overbunkered or have bunkers that are not strategic, have suboptimal greens and green surrounds and could be have better tee positions, it is crucial to start the renovation process with a solid long term course plan.

2. Improve Routing

One of the quickest ways for a golf architect to get fired is by enthusiastically proposing to a new client to reroute their course. This is only partially ironic; routing changes are very difficult and traumatic for golf clubs to undertake, even in cases where the benefits are very obvious. A lot of time and patient explanation is required in order to convince them. This is generally less the case when a routing change arises as a consequence of a club acquiring adjacent land, whereby a rather cramped routing can be much enhanced.

At IVGD, we always look to see if there are ways to improve the routing of an existing golf course. At the same time, we are careful when it comes to promoting any routing changes, certainly until we have truly earned our client’s trust. Nevertheless, we have a solid track record of delivering routing changes which result in better layouts and happier members.

3. Mowing Lines

One of the simplest and quickest ways to improve many courses is by altering the mowing lines. Many courses tend to lose large areas of mown grass over time, be it on the greens, the green surrounds or even the fairways. In some instances, the grasses are cut to too many different heights, which confuses the aesthetic and is hard work to maintain. Once playing corridors are mostly freed of trees and shrubbery, it is reasonably straightforward to bring fairways, foregreens and greens back into play as originally intended.

The main benefits of widening mowing lines are that a hole’s strategy is returned to its original plan. Recovery shots around the green become more varied and interesting. Additionally, more interesting pin positions can be achieved close to greens’ edges. This is precisely why we at IVGD usually start our renovation work by reviewing the mowing lines most carefully.

4. Bunker Renovation

The most recurring element that delivers significant improvements to a course is the renovation of its bunkering. Key is often to achieve a more strategic placement, determine the optimal size of these hazards whilst ensuring that their shapes are both pleasing on the eye and intimidating to the mind. There are many ways to construct and present bunkers - from pristine looking, Augusta-style designs to haggard looking, “blown out” eroded bunkers such as those found on many of Britain’s original links.

Our stance at IVGD is that bunker renovation work is one of the best and most cost efficient ways to improve an existing course . Remedial work can be executed reasonably quickly, with affected holes back in play in fairly swift order. If a client’s greenkeeping team has the necessary skills and an appetite for a challenge, the work can mostly be handled in-house with the help of a talented shaper.

5. Green Renovation

Greens are of course a vital component of every course, no matter when or how it was built. Many golf courses have greens that have either been built in the wrong spot or lack charm and subtlety. In such cases, it often makes sense to either build a new green in a better location or a better green in the same location. The key then is to build greens that are in harmony with the land and embrace a defined playing strategy. Put more simply, they need to look good and be fun to play.

At IVGD, we never change greens in a casual manner. Undertaking such work is an expensive process. It is also the case that the greens are often the feature which a previous architect has put the majority of his heart and soul into creating. Therefore, we always first see if we can solve an issue by improving a green’s surround. Only if that proves impossible do we move on to changing a green’s design.

6. Tree Management

In our practice we see far too many courses that either had very poor tree planting schemes when they were built, or have not managed the trees and woodlands on and around their golf courses effectively, which in many cases has led to a significant deterioration of the original design.

At IVGD we love trees, however loving trees does not mean that trees should not be managed. We believe that we should try to maintain the balance of open space and trees that provides for the best sort of golf and at the same time giving greenkeepers a chance to provide the players with high quality playing surfaces. This will only become more important with stronger restrictions on pesticides and herbicides being introduced. We also strongly advise our clients to work with high quality woodland management experts, such as John Nicholson in the UK.

7. Visualisation

One of the benefits of modern technology is that it has become both easier and much less expensive to survey the key elements of a golf course, such as green surfaces, green complexes, bunkers and even complete golf holes or courses. The main advantage for renovations is that it allows a golf architect to show the client a clear visual three dimensional image in real time of any changes to the greens committee (and the members) before the work is actually carried out, avoiding unpleasant surprises afterwards.

At IVGD we have been at the forefront of inexpensive visualisation for the last decade and continue to follow developments in this area closely. We strongly recommend any club that they get all important elements of their golf course professionally surveyed, thereby giving the golf architect the most relevant data to work with.

8. Construction

One of the most important aspects of doing good restoration work on golf courses is the actual construction work. Making plans and doing drawings is all very well, but the actual construction work is so detail oriented and requires so much flexibility that is vital that the golf architect is on site as much as possible. Only that way it is possible to realize the full potential of a renovation.

An important element in the construction phase is the interaction between the greenkeeping team, the shapers/contractor and the golf architect. Part of this is transfer of know-how from the architect, but also is making sure that the greenkeeping team is comfortable that they will be able to maintain what is being built.

Ideally the relationship between these three parties is very close, allowing for a co-operation leading to the best possible results.

Let us know about your plans for your golf course, we'd love to hear about your project Contact Us