Golf Course Real Estate Development

Golf course development is a complex process involving local government, land development companies, engineers and architects. It costs millions of dollars to develop a typical golf course.

Significance

• Golf courses can be the centerpieces of cities and towns, resorts, master-planned communities and country clubs. Golf courses also make strong contributions to the economic and recreational well-being of communities.

Time Frame

• It can take two to three years to develop a golf course, from the initial zoning approval all the way through plan approval and land development. Many construction professionals are involved in each step of development. Heavy rain or snow can delay golf course development.

Considerations

• Developing a golf course takes significant amounts of money to pay for the land, design, engineering, government fees, land development and irrigation. The costs of the buildings associated with golf courses such as clubhouses, pro shops, parking lots and furnishings vary depending on the design. Types of soil and terrain contribute to higher costs, as well as the features on the golf course, like water hazards.