Construction Methods And Development Phases

Question: Discuss about An Overview Of Possible Construction Methods And Development Phases. Answer: Introduction Developing a new golf course essentially requires ample amount of time, money, resources and land. It involves the consideration of several crucial factors all together including the determination of financial feasibility, land type, planning aspects, designing, construction, operation and maintenance. This assignment will provide you a complete insight about the professionals who are involved in the construction of golf course along with a brief description about different development phases and possible construction methods. The entire process of planning, designing as well as construction of golf course involves huge amount of complexity. It incorporates the coordination and understanding of market analysis, cost estimation, site selection, permission, detailed designing, master planning and construction (EIGCA, 2016). A professional golf architect plays a crucial in managing each and every stage of development with ease and efficiency. In case, the golf course is not planned properly, the chances are that it may fail to meet the requirements of the market. With the consultation of a professional golf architect, the possibilities of failure can be reduced. Feasibility Studies The very first step for the development of a 18 hole golf course involves the determination of market as well as technical feasibility. The technical factor initially involves the consideration of a suitable site for golf course. An expert golf architect examines all the physical elements relating to the site like topography, soil, land area, vegetation, drainage, water availability and geology. They also analyze several other fetters as well including the environmental and legal restrictions, identifying safety issues, potential conflicts and local infrastructure. However, under the market feasibility, the golf architects consider the real need for a golf course. They analyze the market whether it really requires a golf course or not. Depending on the demand that prevails at local level the renowned architects can suggest you effective solutions that can offer long term benefits to your golf course. The Process Of Golf Course Design The entire process of designing a 18 hole golf course involves five different phases that may include Initial stage of site analysis 4 to 6 months (Selection of site) Designing the concept 5 to 18 months (Production of design plans) Development 12 to 18 months (Building the course) Grow-in 3 to 10 months (Waiting for the grass growth) Maintenance On-going (Continuous monitoring of the course) The overall time duration that it takes comes around 2.5 years. A brief description about all the phases of construction and development has been discussed hereunder Concept Designing Hiring a professional golf architect for the development of golf course can save you well in terms of money as well as time. Once you are done with the initial stage of preliminary site and market studies, the next big step that arises in the creation of a unique and viable plan for the course. The golf architects have expertise in combining your vision as well as objectives together to develop a successful golf course with their innovative designing. They also look after all the common limitations that may come across during the process of development such as (Love, 2008): Developing the project in steep slopes: It requires extensive amount of earthwork to make the location suitable for golf course. Flat sites: Constructing your golf course at flat sites may additionally require earth movements to facilitate drainage from the surface and creating fill material for building features. Poor soil or rock conditions Lack of adequate water and more. Masterplan Development A golf architect generally prepares several base maps and routing plans for the owners as well as planning team to review. This step involves the designing of layout for the development locations of maintenance facilities, playing surfaces, landscape characters, walls, bridges, lakes, pathways and streams. Once your golf architect is done with the planning of base map and route plans, they simultaneously focus on the conceptualisation of the plan along with the construction drawings. The concept planning involves the overall visualization of the golf course that highlights the form, size and shape of each and every feature that is available including hazards, greens, tees and bunkers. The detailed drawing of the construction plan covers all other plans of grading, irrigation, landscaping as well as course features. Planning Approval Depending on the country to which you belong, the planning and documentation requirements may vary. It may become lengthy and burdensome at some point to obtain planning permission from the legal development authorities. Under such situation as well, your golf architect can help you get out of it. They create a comprehensive design plan that also reflects the local requirements of planning submission thereby making the entire process of planning permission easier. In case, there is a requirement for assessment of environmental impact of the golf course, the architects can provide you complete assistance in that situation as well. Tender The golf architect you hire will also provide you substantial help in preparing detailed documentation for the tenders including plans, specifications and contracts. This will allow you to select the best contractor through bids and negotiations. The important documentations encompass plans for (Love, 2008) Drainage Grading Irrigation Clearing Landscaping Construction and more. Final Construction The final step of golf course development involves the construction work. It is really a technical task to accomplish that requires specialised skills and expertise. A well-planned process of construction involves the following major steps that include (The Golf Ark) STAKING: The initial stage of construction involves staking of the route plan on the site. CLEARING: The next step incorporates the clearance of unwanted shrubs and trees from the site. MAJOR DRAINAGE AND ROUGH GRADING: Furthermore, the cutting and filling of areas takes place for the creation of required foundation and ensure appropriate surface drainage. MINOR DRAINAGE AND FEATURE CONSTRUCTION: Finally, the subtle land shaping is done followed by the installation of finished features of drainage. IRRIGATION: The next step that follows is the installation of the irrigation system. PLANNING PREPARATION AND FINISH GRADING: This stage involves the construction of greens, bunkers and tees that are further prepared for the process of planning. PLANTATION: Initially the green and trees are planted in this stage and thereafter the fairways, roughs as well as play areas are created. References EIGCA, 2016, Guide for Developers How to Build a Golf Course, viewed 29 March 2016, https://www.eigca.org/build-a-golf-course Golf Course Design Study Guide, viewed 29 March 2016, https://www.nepgaassistants.com/pdfs/Golf%20Course%20Design%20Study%20Guide.pdf Jones, R, Developing a Golf Facility the Process, viewed 29 March 2016, https://www.rogerjonesgolf.com/publications/rjgd_golfdevelopment.pdf Love B, 2008, An Environmental Approach to Golf Course Development, viewed on 26 March 2016, https://eserver.gcbaa.org/folder/foundation/environmental-course-development.pdf Newport J. P. 2008, 18 Holes in 45 Minutes, article published in the Wall Street Journal viewed on 26 March 2016, https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122610474805110179 Sartori A., Golf Advisory Practice in EMA From North Cape to Cape Town, viewed on 29 March 2016, https://www.turismodeportugal.pt/Portugu%C3%AAs/AreasAtividade/desenvolvimentoeinovacao1/Documents/KPMG_Golf%20Course%20Development%20Cost%20Survey%202014.pdf Scottish Golf Environment Group, Environmental Issues in Golf Course Construction, viewed on 29 March 2016, https://www.sgeg.org.uk/documents/Advice/Golf%20Course%20Construction/Environmental%20Issues%20in%20Golf%20Course%20Construction%20%28SGEG%202005%29.pdf The Golf Ark, Golf Course Development Guide, viewed 29 March 2016, https://www.golf-ark.com/files/Golf%20Course%20Development%20Guide.pdf Tyler G. 2010, Alternatives to Golf Course Developments in an Environmentally Sensitive Market, Volume 8, Article 13, published in Cornell Real Estate Review.