What are the best design practices for creating a golf course that caters to senior golfers?

I have always had a vision of an 18-hole golf course made up of three distinct 6-hole courses devoted to player development and retention. The first six holes would be designed for beginners. Seniors who are just getting into the game of golf. Shorter holes, fewer bunkers, and less slope on the greens. Par 3 holes no longer than 100 yards, par 4's no longer than 225 yards, and 1 par five at 375 yards. The 2nd 6 holes would be longer and more challenging so seniors can progress with their golf games as they develop their golf skills. The final 6 holes will be designed to showcase the development and growth of our senior player development programs. We would have league play, and mixers with a focus on the social aspects of the game.

The approach you've outlined for designing a golf course for senior golfers is thoughtful and inclusive. By focusing on shorter and wider holes, you're accommodating the likely reduction in driving distance and accuracy that can come with age, which can help keep the game enjoyable and less frustrating for senior players. The idea of offering multiple tee boxes is excellent; it allows players of varying abilities to enjoy the game together. Smooth transitions between holes and clear signage are also important considerations, as they contribute to a more relaxed and accessible experience. Overall, such a design not only respects the physical limitations that may come with age but also promotes the inclusive spirit of the sport.

Important things to keep in mind, 1) Proper size & interesting pattern of each & every hole. 2)Sufficient native desert area landscaping inbetween holes. 3) proper grading pattern for challenging game. 4) Exact locations of catch basins & gravel sumps for effective drainage. 5) Location of bunkers & quality of bunker sand. 6) Soil ammendments with proper layers for growth of grass, use of perlite for better aeration. 7) Well designed automated irrigation system, weather station & proper control over quality of irrigation water. 8)Fertigation technology for nutrients management.

The ideal course for seniors would be nine large greens with eighteen different tees. The environment a course sits in is what defines great courses from just good golf course. Length should be 5500 yards to 6200.

All golf course not just for seniors need shorter options. This can be done 3 holes at a time or 6 holes at a time. We as Professionals are not good sales people as a whole. Professionals are always saying golf is a difficult game, not true. Golf is a simple game if played from the correct distance. Operation has done a good job carrying this torch for playing from shorter. Personally I have always used 14 different starting positions or tees. That way it matches with our education system and is easy for parents and beginners to understand.

agree for the gentle slopes and also design solutions must be provided to avoid any hazard such as wadi crossing , cart path , culvert bridges

Elevation and terrain would be my response. Ease of access to the facilities, clubhouse, lounges and restaurants would be in front of mind awareness. Slight undulations in fairways and greens would be ideal as though there are golf carts, they can’t access all areas of the course. No steep inclines or drastic drop offs around traps or water would also be ideal. Restrooms and drinking water should be more readily available on the course. From a course maintenance perspective, roughs should be maintained roughs versus overgrown chaos. Eliminating gravel-filled and rocky areas, in close proximity to the play areas, would be a great idea. I’m an avid golfer but the courses I frequent would not be playable by aged players.

Considering the topography is a vital, but without rerouting can be hard. At least give all members options to play some golf, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Whilst I understand that a certain percentage of Senior Golfers struggle with mobility the benefits of gentle sloping to improve their aerobic and muscular strength should not be overlooked. Whilst golf is a great social outlet and helps keep the mind sharp, design should encourage the benefit of their physical health

Ergonoimic design within the entire complex should be considered, elements such as gentle ramps around the clubhouse will facilitate senior members take full advantage of the Club services. Access for the customer journey should be your first consideration. In terms of the course, always put yourself in the mindset of those physically less and "ask" the pertinent questions at the earliest possible stage of design

Frequency of access to rest rooms around the golfcourse for senior golfers is seen as a positive. Also access to nice sitting areas at tee locations, can help with any fatigue experienced whist playing.

Path access around the golfcourse, which are capable of withstanding heavy machinery, such as a ambulance would be beneficial. This will help emergency services quick access around the golfcourse, with there own machinery, if a incident is experienced on the golf course. AED locations around the golfcourse need to be known and easily accessible & visible.

A course that requires the use of every club is ideal as a test. Par 3 holes need to have a variety of lengths. Par 4 don't always need to require a driver off the tee. Also, green complex designs that allow for different approaches, such as through the air or a running shot allow all skill levels to enjoy.

Rough needs to be relatively short. Seniors no longer have the physical strength to handle deep rough. Plus, deep rough slows down play as players have to search for balls. Consider this, the most exclusive club in America (ANGC) has zero rough except for one week when the pros come to town.

The senior sector wants to have a club that is playable, fun and moderately priced. If they can play where it's not over difficult and relax at the end of the round then the mission is accomplished

If you specifically design a course for seniors, it basically called an executive course and most likely targeting beginners and juniors as well. Unfortunately that cuts down your market audience. I haven’t heard of a course being built these days just for this so realistically it may not happen. You can always build a course with the length and such but just have in mind of where the yardage is and the carries are. Overall, I think seniors like to go to a course that they feel welcomed and at home. That they know the golf staff and feel like it’s their club. As a golf pro, I would sure the staff gets to know them and vice versa. I would even play with them once in a while to show that they mean a lot to the course and staff.

Seniors want an affordable early morning experience. Most seniors are living on a fixed income and they’re always going to consider cost first. Second is tee times. Seniors want to be off the course before it starts getting uncomfortable in the summer Third is accessibility. A lot of walking, up and down hills, will drive seniors away Last but not least is having a group to play with. Seniors don’t mind playing as a single but playing with a group is always more fun

different holes design strategies such as obstacles , bunkers , trees , lakes and cascades. the kind of obstacles like a mental warm up to the golfers , more over practice facilities very important such as practice green , putting green and driving range. on this days technology touchable everywhere so also golf course must over latest golf technology as a service for the players such as tracking balls , performance studios , motion analysis.

The walk from the cart path to the tees and greens should be easily traveled with restroom opportunity on each nine. It’s ok to have elevation changes just ensure the cart path is at similar elevation. Foreword or senior tees should resemble or be part of the tee complex design so they become the course not an afterthought. Design length to place premiums on 150 and less approach shots. Finish with a short par 5.

From an instructors perspective, so many Senior Players struggle with tight, closely, mown areas surrounding green complexes. Mowing those at a higher height, would make that shot less difficult and less frustrating, as it can be a very humbling shot at times, as we all know.

Another big and much needed accommodation is more spots to sit and rest in the shade and frequent accessible bathrooms. Also needed are smoother roads or paths for golf carts.