What makes a great golf course?

What makes a great golf course can be subjective, some might like wide, open fairways allowing for “bomb” drives on every hole, while others prefer a tight course where precision and accuracy over length is needed.  However, we can all agree the layout, design and character of a golf course can play a crucial role in shaping a player’s experience.

A genuinely great golf course is more than just a collection of eighteen holes; it’s a strategic puzzle set within a beautiful landscape. While "greatness" can be subjective, the world’s most iconic courses from Augusta to St Andrews usually share a specific set of traits.  In this blog, we delve into the key factors that contribute to making the perfect golf course.

Strategic Design (The "Thinking" Game)

A great course challenges a golfer’s mind as much as their swing.

Options and Risk-Reward: The best holes offer multiple ways to play them. Instead of forcing a single route a great design tempts the player with a "risk-reward" scenario. Perhaps a shorter, tighter route that pays off with a birdie chance, or a safer, wider route that leaves a harder approach shot.  The best example of this at Marston Lakes is our 4^th/13^th.  A reachable par 4, where a good tee shot leaves the player with an eagle putt.  However, two lakes await any pushed shot, trees and a ditch any pulled shots, and a big bunker for any shots too long, turning a possible eagle into a bogey, or worse, very quickly.

Variety: Repetition leads to boredom. A great course forces you to use every club in your bag. It incorporates a mix of doglegs, elevation changes, varying hole lengths, and different green shapes to ensure no two holes feel identical.

Strategic Hazards: Bunkers and water hazards shouldn't just be "punishment" for a bad shot; they should be positioned to influence decision-making, rewarding those who navigate them wisely.  Due to the Lakes courses' lack of length, the placement and design of the hazards was key when designing each hole.  Subtle slopes seem to draw the ball like a magnet towards lakes and bunkers, often frustrating players.  Our USGA specification greens can also encourage smart decision-making, two tier greens like the 5^th/14^th and the severe slope on 9^th/18^th require accuracy and solid ball striking.  A great golf course challenges without frustrating, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned players.

Harmony with Nature

Great architects often say the best courses were "found," not built.  A good golf course should feel like it belongs to the natural environment. Using existing features, such as dunes, rolling hills, or natural water features creates a more cohesive and visually stunning experience.  Whether it’s the rugged coastline of a links course or the tranquil shade of a forest layout, a great course leans into its environment, creating a unique atmosphere that can’t be replicated elsewhere.

Playability and Fairness

"Difficult" doesn’t always mean "great” and “great” doesn’t always mean “difficult.”  Many golfers confuse a punishing layout with a high-quality one.  Playability is a key factor in creating the perfect golf course.  A great course is enjoyable for all skill levels. It should be tough enough to challenge a scratch golfer but playable enough that a high handicapper can still find it playable.  Courses such as Marston Lakes, which offer multiple tee boxes help players overcome some of the difficulty of the course, whilst still providing a test and challenge.

Sustainability

 Sustainability is an increasingly important aspect of modern golf course design.  As environmental concerns grow, courses that minimise water usage, conserve energy and waste, and minimise chemical usage to limit damage to native vegetation are increasingly viewed as leaders in the industry.  Creating a harmonious environment with nature while preserving the course’s natural resources is key.  An example of this at Marston Lakes is the geese who come back year after year to raise their babies.

The "Experience" (Beyond the Game)

In the modern era, the definition of a great course is expanding.  A great club makes everyone feel welcome. From the staff in the pro shop to the atmosphere in the clubhouse, the "vibe" often stays with a golfer longer than the score they shot.

A truly great course stays relevant. It respects its history and traditions while embracing modern innovations, like efficient digital booking or flexible tee-time structures, to meet the needs of today's golfers.  At Marston Lakes we have introduced 9-hole only competitions, such as Thursday Night Club, open to all sections, allowing players who might struggle with playing regularly at weekends to still play, compete, keep their handicap, but in a time frame which suits their lifestyle.

Greatness is difficult to define, but we all know a great golf course when we see it.  We remember it, play it repeatedly and tell everyone about it.  It might be a championship style resort course, or it might be a small local gem.  Wherever it is, you aren’t just playing a round of golf—you’re experiencing the game as it was meant to be.

Leave a note in the comments about the best course you’ve played and why.