The Philosophy and Practice of Golf Course Architecture: A Conversation with Greg Martin

What makes a golf course truly great? Is it length, difficulty, dramatic visuals, or something more subtle that reveals itself only after repeated rounds?

In this episode of the Chicago Golf Report Podcast, we talk with golf course architect Greg Martin, founder of Greg Martin Design, to explore the philosophy, economics, and real-world challenges behind modern golf course architecture.

Martin has spent decades designing and renovating golf courses across the Midwest and beyond. His work reflects a philosophy that places strategy, playability, and sustainability above architectural ego. Throughout our conversation, he explains why the best golf courses aren’t necessarily the longest or the most visually dramatic—but rather the ones that keep golfers coming back.

For Martin, great golf course architecture lives at the intersection of art, engineering, and human experience.

Architecture vs. Art: The Importance of Function

One of the most compelling themes from our discussion was Martin’s distinction between pure art and architecture.

Art can exist solely for expression. Architecture, however, must serve a purpose.

Golf course architecture sits in this unique middle ground. While design aesthetics matter, the ultimate test of a golf course is much simpler: do golfers want to return and play it again?

Martin believes the success of a design depends on how well the course works for players. The routing, the shot options, the visual cues, and even the unseen infrastructure must all come together seamlessly to create an enjoyable experience.

He describes this as the “magic trick” of golf course architecture.

The architect must solve complex problems—drainage, irrigation, grading, and infrastructure—while ensuring that the golfer never notices those solutions. When done well, the engineering disappears into the background and the golfer remains immersed in the challenge and beauty of the course.

The Myth of Length in Modern Golf

One of the biggest misconceptions in modern golf course design is the belief that longer automatically means better.

Martin pushes back strongly on this idea.

Some of the greatest holes in golf history are not long at all. Instead, they challenge players through strategic decision-making and shot execution.

A perfect example is the famous 10th hole at Riviera Country Club, a short par-4 that continues to confound even the world’s best golfers. Its brilliance lies not in distance but in the choices it forces players to make from the tee.

This philosophy drives Martin’s approach to design. The goal is not to overwhelm players with length, but to create holes that require thoughtful strategy and reward precise shot-making.

Equally important, great architecture should be inclusive across skill levels. A well-designed course should challenge accomplished golfers while still being enjoyable for beginners, juniors, and senior players.

The best courses create options rather than obstacles.

Why Golf Courses Need Renovation

Another key topic in our discussion was the economics and lifecycle of golf course renovation.

Like any complex property, golf courses require periodic reinvestment. Infrastructure components such as bunkers, drainage systems, irrigation networks, and cart paths gradually wear out and must be replaced or updated.

Martin compares the process to maintaining a home. Roofs eventually need replacement, floors wear down, and systems become outdated.

In golf, these updates typically occur every 10 to 15 years, depending on the resources of the facility and the expectations of its golfers.

Private clubs often renovate more frequently due to member demand and available capital. Public facilities, on the other hand, must balance improvements against strict return-on-investment considerations.

Failing to reinvest can create what Martin calls “the cost of nothing.” Postponing updates often leads to declining course conditions, higher maintenance costs, and reduced competitiveness in the market.

The Rising Impact of Maintenance Costs

Modern golf course design is increasingly shaped by operational realities.

Labor costs, equipment expenses, and maintenance demands have risen significantly in recent years. As a result, architects must think carefully about how their designs will function over the long term.

A course can look spectacular on paper, but if it requires unrealistic maintenance resources, it may become unsustainable.

This means architects must balance creativity with practicality, ensuring that the design aligns with the facility’s maintenance capabilities.

Collaboration with operators and management companies has become an important part of the process. Organizations like Troon often provide valuable operational insights, including data on golfer flow, pace of play, and maintenance logistics.

These insights allow architects to design courses that are not only interesting to play but also efficient to operate.

Environmental Stewardship in Golf Course Design

Another fascinating aspect of our conversation involved the environmental potential of modern golf courses.

Projects like The Preserve at Oak Meadows demonstrate how golf course development can provide significant ecological benefits.

The Preserve project involved a complete transformation of the property, incorporating stormwater management improvements, habitat restoration, and water quality enhancements.

Golf courses often occupy large tracts of land in urban or suburban environments. When designed thoughtfully, they can serve as valuable environmental assets, supporting wildlife habitats and improving local water systems.

This approach represents a growing trend within golf architecture—one that aligns environmental responsibility with the golfer experience.

Chicagoland Projects and Architectural Challenges

During the episode, Martin also discussed several notable Chicagoland projects that illustrate different architectural challenges.

At Orchard Valley Golf Course, the focus was on respecting the original Ken Kavanaugh design while updating strategy and hazards to meet modern play.

Settler’s Hill Golf Course presented a completely different challenge. Built on a landfill site, the course features dramatic elevation changes and a routing that Martin describes as a “roller coaster ride” designed purely for enjoyment.

At Whitetail Ridge Golf Club, the design takes advantage of two distinct landscape environments, creating visual variety and strategic interest throughout the round.

Meanwhile, Rich Harvest Links represents one of the most prominent private golf facilities in the region, featuring a challenging layout paired with world-class amenities.

Each project demonstrates how architectural strategy must adapt to the unique characteristics of the land.

A Modern Design Approach: Maple Meadows

Martin’s ongoing work at Maple Meadows Golf Course provides a glimpse into some of the most interesting trends in contemporary course design.

Rather than relying heavily on sand bunkers as hazards, the design emphasizes short grass runoff areas that allow the ball to bounce and roll into difficult positions.

This approach increases strategy while reducing maintenance requirements.

The renovation also incorporates larger greens and expanded targets, making the course more accessible while still preserving shot-making challenges.

Martin explained that more than 25 different routing options were studied before arriving at the final plan—an example of the detailed planning that goes into even modest renovation projects.

Despite this extensive analysis, the ultimate goal is simplicity. The routing should feel natural and intuitive, as if the course could exist no other way.

The Living System of a Golf Course

Perhaps the most important takeaway from our conversation is Martin’s view that golf courses are living systems.

They evolve over time as infrastructure ages, player expectations shift, and environmental conditions change.

Good architecture does not freeze a course in time. Instead, it provides a framework that can adapt and improve over decades.

By prioritizing infrastructure integrity, maintenance sustainability, and strategic variety, Martin aims to create golf courses that remain both enjoyable for golfers and viable for operators.

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