Key Points
It’s important to have the golf course builder fix all of the small details before full demobilization. All leverage is lost once the final payment is made so it’s typical procedure for the client to hold back at least 10% of the budget until the warranty period is over. This also gives the client the flexibility to hire another contractor or make the fixes in-house should the original golf course builder not want to participate.
The quality of these details is not only a reflection on the quality of the golf course but many of the small issues on the punch list have the potential to turn into larger and more costly issues if not addressed relatively quickly.
The golf course is never finished! There will always be opportunities for improvement as the golf course grows and matures. BUT, good planning and detail-oriented construction and maintenance will ensure fewer long-term and costly headaches and a more sustainable facility.
The golf course is nearly ready for play! All that remains are some final very important details to ensure that the golf course is finished to the highest level of quality, which will best set it up for long-term sustainability and success.
Final Fixes
Grow-in is a very busy period for the maintenance staff but the golf course builder is probably already shifting manpower and equipment to his next job. Therefore, before the golf course builder can fully demobilize, the golf course architect and the golf course superintendent will need to closely inspect all of the elements of the golf course to identify construction deficiencies, also known as creating a “punch list” for the golf course builder. A punch list is an accounting of all of the small items that need to be addressed before the golf course builder receives final payment and is allowed to “hand-off” the golf course to the maintenance staff.
Some of the items that are typically found on a punch list are:
fixing broken or blocked drainage pipes;
leveling and adjusting drainage grates (so that they’re a few millimeters below the turf);
ensuring that all catch basins are at the actual low points (using a laser if necessary) and that the lows are graded smoothly to tie-in with their surrounds;
leveling and adjusting irrigation heads and valve boxes (so that they’re a few millimeters below the turf) and making sure the grading around them ties-in with the surrounds;
making sure that the irrigation heads are properly located and aligned, especially alongside cart paths and on grassing lines;
regrading and regrassing all settling trenches and puddles/birdbaths so that there is no standing water anywhere;
replacing dead landscaping;
fixing cracked, damaged, or settling cart path and making sure that no water stays on the cart path or is trapped by the cart paths;
tying in all grades around the cart paths;
checking and repairing settling tees so that they’re level;
cleaning up all construction debris and final sweeping/cleaning of the cart path.
It’s important to issue the punch list before the golf course builder fully demobilizes from the site because it will be more difficult to get them back once they’re gone. It’s vitally important to do this before the final payment is issued because, with a chunk of money still owed, the client still has some leverage to get the issues taken care of in a timely manner (or to subtract the money from the final payment and address the repairs in-house or by hiring another contractor). That is why the client will typically hold 10% of the construction budget for an agreed upon “warrenty period” what will be long enough to see if any major issues arise. In the worst case, almost all large jobs will require a maintenance bond to pay for fixes that the golf course builder is unable or unwilling to address.
Finalizing the Bunkers
Another task that needs to be done before the golf course opens is to prepare the sand bunkers for play. The bunkers were most likely left in a near-finished state (though without sand) with a protective ring of sod to help keep soil and silt from washing into the bowl and clogging the drainage pipes (see Step 12: Feature Construction Spotlight – Sand and Grass Bunkers). With the surrounding grass now fully established, it’s time to finish the sand bunkers by:
Edging the grass to the final desired grass line;
Smoothing and compacting the bunker bowls and faces to their final form;
Cleaning silt or soil that has washed into the bunkers off of the gravel trenches (or replacing the gravel) and blowing any debris out of the perforated pipes (using the clean-outs);
Adding and spreading the bunker sand to a uniform depth – in some cases, the sand was already stockpiled in the bunkers and it will need to be cleaned before it is spread.
Final Projects
There are some projects that are best left until after the full establishment of the grass to minimize ruts and damage. For example, smaller golf course furniture, such as benches, ball washers, water stations, etc. are typically added right before course opening because the risk of making ruts or damaging the new turf has largely passed.
Areas that seem to be regularly wet or subject to erosion should be looked at again to determine if additional drainage is needed (though, depending on the level of severity, this can be handled by the maintenance staff over the longer term).
Final Thoughts
Even when the golf course is “finished” it’s never really finished. The golf course builder and the golf course architect may have moved onto their next jobs but the golf course will continually change and evolve, day after day, week after week, and year after year. There may be aspects of the design and the construction that simply don’t work and need immediate attention but most deficiencies won’t become obvious until golfers start to actually play the golf course, sometimes in unexpected ways!
The same can be said for the sustainability and accessibility of the golf course. Some issues will become immediately obvious while others will only be noticeable after a longer period of time and close observation. Careful planning and detail-oriented construction and maintenance will save a lot of headaches but there will always be room for improvement!
Contact Sustain Golf for More Information!
We would be happy to make recommendations or answer any questions that you might have about sustainable and accessible golf course design, construction, or maintenance. Visit www.SustainGolf.com or contact us at the following address for more information: Contact@SustainGolf.com.
The European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA), in partnership with the GEO Foundation, has developed a continuing professional development program for its members called Raising the Standard of Sustainable Golf Course Development, or RSSGCD. This is the industry’s only structured program in the world to specifically train golf course architects in sustainable golf course design, construction, and maintenance best practices. A Sustain Golf team member has attained Stage 3 of this rigorous program.
A Sustain Golf team member is also currently serving on the EIGCA’s Sustainability Committee and is a GEO Certified Accredited Sustainability Verifier.
We firmly believe that common sense sustainable design, construction, and maintenance practices are the keys to the long-term survival of the game of golf. We aspire to be on the leading edge of applying sustainability concepts to golf course design, construction, and maintenance.
We will spend every day for the duration of the project on-site and/or coordinating with all contractors, subcontractors and professional consultants to be sure that no opportunities are lost and that the best golf course for your property is realized.
Sustain Golf is a collaborative group of friends who also happen to be qualified Golf Course Architects. We are also qualified and experienced as Civil Engineers, Vertical Architects, and Project Managers. We have the breadth and diversity of experience and knowledge to offer a full suite of golf course design and construction services, from first concept to opening day on your new or remodeled golf course.
References:
Hurdzan, Dr. Michael J. Golf Course Architecture: Design, Construction & Restoration. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 1996.
Peer Review:
Dr. Keith Duff, former UK government wildlife agency Chief Scientist, current Golf Environment Consultant
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