As a landscape architect with experience landscaping golf courses around the world, I was happy to bring my talents home to Knoxville while designing the landscaping for the University of Tennessee’s practice golf course clubhouse. Here’s what we did for this golf design:

Function and Beautiful Views

When we were brought in on this golf clubhouse landscaping project, the management of the facility was having trouble getting people from the parking lot around to the driving range and first tee area, which was clunky for the experience of the players.

For the landscape design, we re-envisioned how we could best move people around the building and create a sense of arrival as they reached the areas of play. With the finished design, the clients shared that they love experience of strolling on the meandering walkway that opens up to the beautiful view overlooking the driving range with a backdrop of the Tennessee River. It’s an impressive first impression for players visiting the golf course.

This type of sight line planning is an essential part of landscape architecture for a golf course or recreational facility. With that in mind, we offered guidance on grading, which developed sight lines by mounding soil in certain areas to create natural-feeling views that highlight the space and maximize the wow factor for visitors.

Plant Selection for Golf Courses

The golf course landscape design had great bones in that there was extensive use of pine trees and native grasses as to not interfere with the course play. We built upon that solid foundation by incorporating additional pine trees and using native grasses around the clubhouse to blend the informal landscaping with the formality of the building. We also included in our design plants that showcase best during the spring and summer months because that’s when the golf course gets its heaviest use. For that, we used Otto Luyken Laurels that bloom white in the spring along with Azaleas, Hydrangeas and Crepe Myrtles for spring and summer pops of color.

Turf Protection and Safety

As an access point, we incorporated into the design a vinyl fence and gate with wood-grain finish for this golf course clubhouse because the facility already had a beautiful fence surrounding the facility, contributing to the property’s agrarian feel. The fence itself is also functional to keep people from strolling onto the golf course (a serious safety issue) while also protecting the turf. This was especially important on the perimeter because the course borders a public Greenway trail.

More Great Golf Course Landscape Design

Although we designed the landscaping surrounding the golf course clubhouse for this project, I’ve also designed landscaping surrounding 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses and Nicklaus Design Golf Courses in the U.S., Spain, Mexico, Anguilla and elsewhere. One of my favorites is The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida. We also recently tackled a backyard putting green in Knoxville, which added some entertainment for the homeowners and their guests.

Contact Us

Whether you own a golf course or want a backyard golf course or putting green for recreation, fill out our contact form or call me at 865-765-5550 to talk about your upcoming project.

*Photos of our work were provided by Belgard.