Emerging golf markets

From its origins in Scotland, and early twentieth century expansion in Western Europe and the United States, golf continues to reach new markets throughout the world. Newer markets, including China, elsewhere in Asia, plus North Africa and the Middle East, have their own unique considerations for golf course development.

LATEST NEWS

Construction under way on North course at Legend Valley in Vietnam
Nicklaus Design
News | Fri 22 Aug, 2025

Construction under way on North course at Legend Valley in Vietnam

Nicklaus Design creates second layout on former quarries framed by limestone mountains

New Faldo Design course to open in Qiddiya in 2026
Qiddiya Investment Company
News | Mon 21 Jul, 2025

New Faldo Design course to open in Qiddiya in 2026

Eighteen-hole layout has been laid out near the Tuwaiq Mountains in Saudi Arabia

New golf course takes shape as part of US$280m project in Zimbabwe’s capital
Harris Kalinka
News | Wed 02 Jul, 2025

New golf course takes shape as part of US$280m project in Zimbabwe’s capital

The Hills Luxury Golf Estate is a development by WestProp and includes a Peter Matkovich 18-hole layout

Savan Resorts in Laos nears opening of Nicklaus Design short course
Nicklaus Design
News | Mon 30 Jun, 2025

Savan Resorts in Laos nears opening of Nicklaus Design short course

New nine-hole par-three layout includes an island green and can be lit for night golf

Nine holes take shape at Timehri Sands in Guyana
Miller Golf Design Group
News | Wed 18 Jun, 2025

Nine holes take shape at Timehri Sands in Guyana

Construction of first nine, designed by Jason Miller of Miller Golf Design Group, is expected to be complete by early 2026

New Faldo Design course opens at Silk Path club in Vietnam
PGA Silk Path Dong Trieu Golf & Country Club
News | Fri 04 Apr, 2025

New Faldo Design course opens at Silk Path club in Vietnam

Eighteen-hole public layout has been created as part of a US$60m development east of Hanoi

Mackenzie & Ebert designs new course for Puerto Rico resort
The Boundary
News | Tue 04 Mar, 2025

Mackenzie & Ebert designs new course for Puerto Rico resort

Shaping is in progress at Moncayo, a luxury development that covers 1,100 acres

Golden Sands resort on Vietnam’s east coast ready to open
Nicklaus Design
News | Mon 19 Aug, 2024

Golden Sands resort on Vietnam’s east coast ready to open

The first of two 18-hole courses has been completed on a sandy site along Vinh Xuan beach

Poland’s Karolinka Golf Park reopens with an 18-hole layout
All Golf Services
News | Wed 24 Jul, 2024

Poland’s Karolinka Golf Park reopens with an 18-hole layout

Grzegorz Marcinków and All Golf Services revamp existing nine and add nine new holes

Trump International Golf Club Lido opens in Indonesia
Jacob Sjöman
News | Wed 24 Jul, 2024

Trump International Golf Club Lido opens in Indonesia

Ernie Els course is located at MNC Lido City, a new destination two hours south of Jakarta

Construction begins on Benin’s first ever golf course
Jeremy Pern
News | Fri 17 May, 2024

Construction begins on Benin’s first ever golf course

Jeremy Pern routes West Africa design around sacred grove and voodoo shrines

Brian Curley’s Shura Links announced on Red Sea island
Curley-Wagner Golf Design
News | Tue 07 May, 2024

Brian Curley’s Shura Links announced on Red Sea island

New course in Saudi Arabia being developed in line with GEO Foundation OnCourse methodology

New Gary Player course takes shape in Montenegro
Gary Player Design
News | Mon 29 Apr, 2024

New Gary Player course takes shape in Montenegro

Construction of opening nine is progressing on rocky site overlooking the Adriatic Sea

New Brian Curley course opens at Stone Highland in Vietnam
Schmidt-Curley Design
News | Tue 12 Dec, 2023

New Brian Curley course opens at Stone Highland in Vietnam

Architect has designed two 18-hole layouts on mountain terrain for the Hanoi project

LATEST MAGAZINE

Summer 2024 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now
Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: Magazine, News

Summer 2024 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out nowllllll

The Summer 2024 issue of By Design magazine from the American Society of Golf Course Architects is now available in digital format.

The cover story of the latest issue focuses on golf course reconfiguration projects. Bobby Weed, Chris Cochran of Nicklaus Design, Brett Mogg of Nelson & Haworth and Bill Bergin provide insight into their work at clubs that were experiencing financial uncertainty, or other challenges that were putting their future in doubt. The architects explain how a transformation of the golf course can set clubs up for a prosperous future.

By Design also includes an article from Robert Trent Jones, Jr. on the BIRDIE Act and what it means for architects. “The BIRDIE Act simply follows suit of the copyright protection afforded to structural architects that was sponsored by the American Institute of Architects in 1990,” he says. “And it benefits owners and architects by giving them the tools to protect the unique designs of their courses, bringing value to the golfer. The act does not change how the Copyright Act covers historically designed golf courses before 1990. Current new works can take inspiration from the features of historical designs. Owners of golf courses can also renovate or alter their courses as they wish under the BIRDIE Act.”

There is also an insight piece from Larry Hirsh of Golf Property Analysts who explains the importance of understanding the character of a club when evaluating its course design; By Design speaks with the outgoing ASGCA’s executive director Chad Ritterbusch about how the ASGCA and the golf course design industry has evolved over the past 20 years; and Greg Martin discusses a sketch of a driveable par four he has proposed to Maple Meadows Golf Club in Illinois, which will begin a renovation in late 2025.

By Design’s news section covers Brian Curley’s project in Saudi Arabia, the Wadsworth Scholar Programme, a new Alister MacKenzie book and golf course projects in Massachusetts, Detroit, Scotland and Vancouver.

By Design is free of charge. To subscribe, visit the By Design page of the ASGCA website, where you can also review the entire back catalogue.

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