General New Construction Information

New golf course construction involves creating a project built on a raw piece of land. A project can range in size from a new practice facility addition to a multi course facility. Golf construction is a very artistic endeavor that involves the sculpting of land features to create a terrain that is not only aesthetically appealing but also playable and maintainable.

A Teamwork Approach

New construction is a very complex endeavor that involves many disciplines. Typically the golf course builder is charged with orchestrating the construction. McDonald & Sons has found that a teamwork approach is the most efficient and amicable approach. All team members are asked their opinion on how to best achieve the current goal. When all the participants of a project work together, their final product will be one that all are proud of.

On a new construction project a Golf Course Builder will work with a team that consists of: Owners, Club Officials, Golf Course Architects, Engineers, Club House Architects, Inspectors, Irrigation Designers, and possibly several other Sub Contractors. It is our mission to involve every team member in every phase of a new construction project. Using a teamwork approach, all of our projects have come in on time and within budget.

Phases in a New Construction Project

Planning

• Golf Course and Engineering Plans Generated - the initial step in launching a new construction project is planning. The team must make sure the permits are obtainable, the land is properly zoned, the geo-tech testing is done, the Golf Course Architect's plans are complete, the engineering plans are complete, and the team is ready to mobilize.

Pre Construction

• Erosion Control/Site Development - Each county and state will have its own requirements for erosion control. The Golf Course Builder will ensure that all erosion control materials in place. All clearing and grubbing will be done during this phase as well.
  
  
• Layout - The Architect works with the builder to lay out each golf hole as the Architect has designed. Individual tees, greens and bunkers are identified to establish that the size and shape will fit in the land allotted.

Construction

• Earth Moving - All the dirt needed for the desired grades are moved now in bulk. This is where the cuts and fills begin to balance the site and move the soil in order to build the golf course features.
  
  
• Shaping - The Golf Course Architect makes several visits during this phase to ensure that his design is conceptualized in the construction. Final golf course features are shaped at this point. Creating positive drainage is a key element of this phase. Field drains are installed and tested extensively to make sure the golf course will not retain standing water.
  
  

• Tee, Green, and Bunker Construction - The Golf Course Architect will increase his site inspections during this phase. Arguably, this phase is the most important phase in the construction process. This is where the most talent is required and where our true ability shines. Tees are built with either topsoil or construction materials, and can be either square or free form. They are then laser graded and aimed towards the landing area. Greens require the most design and layout time due to the necessity for a precise contour and because the bottom contour must mirror the top. Once a green is laid out, the greens surface area is cored out to allow for gravel and greens mix, the drainage is installed, the gravel and mix are layered back in and the finish grading is completed. Bunker construction is tricky because the end result is to have a bunker that blends with the design of the fairway or green. They are built from the bottom up, with drainage installed first and the sand put in to place after the shaping and grading is complete. When this phase is complete, all of the features are ready to be prepped for seed or sod.
  
  
• Cart Path Installation - As the golf course builder, McDonald & Sons is usually asked to lay out the cart path. To make sure that the paths are laid in to the features properly and fit the terrain, the golf course builder will cut in the location of the cart paths and another member of the team will install the gravel, asphalt or concrete paths.
  
  
• Irrigation System Installation - Best when designed by an Irrigation Designer for maximum efficiency. Timing irrigation installation with the completion of shaping and before grassing is critical. McDonald & Sons has worked well with every irrigation contractor we have been associated with, but we traditionally do not install irrigation.
  
  
• Grassing/Grow In - All golf course surfaces are final shaped by hand or by small turf prepping equipment. When the final prepped surface is approved by the Architect or Owner, the golf course is seeded or sodded based on the direction of the Golf Course Architect or Owner. Proper seed grow in takes about 6 months to a year and sod takes about two months to establish.

If you have any further questions regarding new construction or would like clarification on anything you have read on this website, please email us at info@McDonaldgolfinc.com

• Click here to see a list of our new construction projects from our client list.
• If you would like to inquire about our construction services, please call us at 410.799.7740 or use our online inquiry form by clicking here.