The October 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now and features Rock Golf, a new nine-hole course just outside Helsinki, Finland, on the cover. Adam Lawrence visited to see whether the owners have achieved their goal of creating the world’s best par-three layout. Golf course architect Lassi Pekka Tilander and contractor David Nelson provide their insights on the project, too.
While the construction of golf courses requires large teams, most designs are perceived as the creative output of a single mind. For our main feature in this issue we ask, can collaboration work in golf course design? Tom Doak, Phillip Spogard, Kevin Ramsey, Jeremy Slessor and others provide their perspectives.
We report on a major project in progress at Seminole in Florida; the latest updates to the Ailsa course at Trump Turnberry; and the renovation of the Garden nine at The Wisley in Surrey.
“I believe that golf architecture needs to be represented, just like any sort of creative endeavour, by different forms from different eras,” says Bill Coore, in an exclusive interview for this issue. He speaks about his early projects, how he got together with Ben Crenshaw, and design philosophy, and much more.
Elsewhere in this issue, golf course architect Forrest Richardson tells the story of how an unexpected phone call led to the development of a golf art business; and agronomist Julian Mooney of Turfgrass discusses how early engagement between architects and agronomists helps to deliver courses that are tournament-ready.
We also have reports on a new 18-hole course that will open next year at the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme resort in southwest Turkey; and the nine-hole Williston Municipal layout in North Dakota, which is being expanded to 18 as part of a city redevelopment project.
As usual, we begin the magazine with a round-up of the latest golf course design news. Highlights include the new 18-hole Faldo Design course that will open in Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia; the new routing that Brian Schneider of Renaissance Golf Design has developed for San Diego CC; an interview with Greg Norman architect Chris Campbell about the firm’s design approach to tournament courses; and the renovated Tandridge course in Surrey, photographed by Jason Livy.
We hope you enjoy the read!