Jim Fazio Jr. Golf Design

The Art of Designing Golf Courses

A Golf Course Architect is responsible for designing and developing courses who must have an eye to create attractive and well-maintained courses with a need to understand the game of golf, its rules and the terrain of the golf property.

They must also be familiar with the materials and equipment used in the design and construction of courses working closely with clients to understand their needs then design a course that meets their expectations as well as being knowledgeable about environmental regulations and safety protocols to ensure the course is built and maintained safely and stay current with the latest trends in golf course design to create innovative designs.

GOLF SERVICES

>Terrain and Natural Assets

>Topographic Study

>Conceptual Routing

Site Analysis

>Land Clearing and Grubbing

>Earthworks

>Contour

>Secondary Drainage

>Green Details

>Design Specifications

>As-Builts

>Orthomasiac

>Digital Elevation Models

>Render Contours

>Volumetrics

Sketches

We Provide Services That Most Other Architects Outsource

3D Renderings

Simulated Golf

Aerial Mapping

Design Coordination

>Design Implementation

>Protect Natural Elements

>Ameliorate Design Concepts

>Coordinate Contractors

>Project Quality Control

>Owner Representation

>Contract Performance

Project Director

Construction Plans

Simulated golf holes can be rendered utilizing lidar from the actual golf hole to recreate them and then play them on a golf simulator or computer before they are ever completed.

”We strive to improve our service to the clients by developing the right blend of technology and creativity to make sure every job done is done as efficiently as possible.”

Design Philosophy

Perhaps the most important aspect in the very beginning is to decide what the routing options are and how the course fits within those boundaries. Further exploration of the terrain values will reveal what the property has to offer with consideration to the length of holes with different shot types off the tee’s and from the fairways into the greens.

Many factors are considered during the design process, such as identifying with the natural features and the native plants striving to have minimal impact while being as conservative and ecologically friendly as possible making the course enjoyable to play and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

They must also be familiar with the materials and equipment used in the design and construction of courses working closely with clients to understand their needs then design a course that meets their expectations as well as being knowledgeable about environmental regulations and safety protocols to ensure the course is built and maintained safely and stay current with the latest trends in golf course design to create innovative designs.

The Design Process

Client Interview - When we are interviewing a client about developing their property, it is important for us to start by learning about the clients goals for the project, ask questions about their desired timeline, budget, and expectations and then discuss any potential issues or limitations such as zoning, permits, and environmental concerns. Then discuss how our services can best meet the client's needs.

Preliminary Design Phase - The preliminary design phase of the golf course design process involves gathering initial information such as topographic surveys, aerial photographs, and property boundary survey to analyze the requirements of the project. Site visits to existing golf course facilities may be taken to determine what suits the client in terms of appeal, style, look, and feel. The design team then begins their preliminary design concepts, site analysis studies, alternative route plans, and recommendations for clubhouse and facility maintenance sites.

Design Development Phase - Design development is the process of taking an initial design concept and refining and developing it into a comprehensive plan for a project. It involves further research, analysis, planning, design, and documentation in order to create a plan that can be used to guide construction.

After the initial routing plan is approved our next step is to refine the tees, greens and bunkers. Determine where water features should be incorporated, designating turf, native and landscaped areas. The plan goes through additional refinement with clearing and grading studies to best determine the quantities and costs required to complete the project.

Final Design Phase - This document outlines the process of preparing detailed construction drawings and specifications for develpment of the golf course. The drawings and specifications include a centerline staking and routing, clearing, strategy, grading, drainage, grassing and greens plans, along with detailed specifications.

Quality, Not Quantity

We have made quality our habit, it’s not something that we just strive for – we live by this principle every day.

Throughout Michael's career he has been involved in over 100 projects in 12 countries, some that have ranked in the Top 100 in the World and many others hosting professional tournaments. He has worked in virtually every type of terrain and environment golf has to offer as well as tournament, private membership, resort, public and municipal courses.

He has been involved on projects with architects such as Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Jim Fazio, Greg Norman, Tom Weiskopf, Gil Hanse, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and a host of of other great designers.

Michael has experience building golf course from the ground up constructing features, shaping, project management, GIS applications, drone mapping, 3D renderings and specializes in guiding investors through the design and development phases.

Jim Fazio Jr.

Architect

Design Associate

Michael Freeman

Meet The Team

My passion for golf began at an early age growing up with generations of designers where I started working at twelve years old honing my artstic talent learning to sketch golf holes I imagine that could be built through mentorship. During this time I have been involved in more than 50 projects, some of which achieved national as well as international notoriety achieving Top 100 rankings as well as regional awards and accolades.

My ability to envision great golf holes comes second nature with my artistic talent to create challenging holes for every type of player in the sports playing field of golf. My strategy is to incorporate market trends in the designs in order to maximize the clients ROI attracting golfers at all levels while securing the future of their investment being ecologically friendly with minimal impact keeping the reduction of course maintenance in mind.

Being introduced to golf at a such a young age has afforded me the opportunity to be one of the few designers who has experience building golf courses from concept to completion. The one that intrigued me the most was the artistic ability to shape golf holes which not many architects have had the opportunity and ability to do.

Operating out the golf capitol of the world, South Florida, I have designed courses in the U.S. as well as Japan, Korea, Italy, Bahamas and the Grenadines on a variety of championship, private membership, resort and daily fee courses. Some of the more notable projects being:

Hawks Nest, Vero Beach, FL

El Diablo GC, Ocala, FL

The River Club, N. Augusta, SC

Trump International GC, W.P.B., FL

Trump National GC, Westchester, NY

Currahee GC, Toccoa, GA

Trump International Golf Club, Raffles Resort, Canouan Island, Grenadines

Boca West CC, Boca Raton, FL

Kasumigaseki GC, Tokyo, Japan

LaQuerce GC, Rome, Italy

South Springs CC, Icheon, South Korea

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