Why Choose ASGCA?

ASGCA membership signifies that a golf course architect has acquired the training, experience and project mass to be considered an expert in the field of golf course architecture. These strict membership requirements are recognized by private and public agencies throughout the industry as the highest professional standards in golf course design.

ASGCA architects come from varying backgrounds, with training in landscape architecture, civil engineering, environmental studies, agronomy, golf course construction and professional golf, to name a few. Our members are trained to lead projects and understand the economic and environmental demands of development today, which requires knowledge in a variety of disciplines.

Membership Requirements

  • Design a minimum of five 18-hole golf courses (or approved equivalent renovations)
  • Submit list of representative work for peer review by ASGCA members, and meet with Membership Committee to discuss professional experience
  • Be sponsored by three active members who can vouch for character, integrity and skill
  • Meet ASGCA’s standards of professional practice and abide by a stringent Code of Ethics

Specialized Training

  • Landscape Architecture / Land Planning
  • Environmental Knowledge
  • Civil Engineering
  • Drainage
  • Agronomy & Turf Management
  • Heavy Construction
  • Plans & Graphic Production
  • Construction Documents and Specifications
  • Cost Estimating
  • Public Speaking

 

Engagement

ASGCA and its members continue to embrace social media in new and exciting ways, leading the conversation about current events affecting the industry, showcasing members’ projects and clients, and spreading the word about golf architecture and its many virtues.

“By Design” magazine, the showcase publication for course design within the golf industry, details the collaborations of ASGCA members and their clients to better the game of golf worldwide. More than 29,000 industry decision makers receive each issue.

Since 2012, the ASGCA Design Excellence Recognition Program has issued dozens of awards to exceptional golf courses working with ASGCA members. These awards honor facilities that address specific economic, social and environmental issues with creative solutions that positively impact the greater community.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I call or hire a golf course architect?
As with any consulting professional, the sooner a golf course architect is hired in the planning process, the more value he/she can offer a project. ASGCA architects have extensive experience in administering the design process, which is crucial for keeping projects on task while avoiding common pitfalls. A golf course architect’s varied expertise in such disciplines as land planning, construction and agronomy can also direct (or redirect) a project early on in the process to maximize design efficiencies or realize creative opportunities.
Why should I hire an ASGCA member rather than a non-member architect to design or remodel my golf course?
Membership in ASGCA signifies that an architect has acquired the training, experience and project mass to be considered an expert in the field of golf course architecture as deemed by his/her peers. ASGCA members must also abide by standards of professional practice and a stringent code of ethics that define the golf course architect’s role in contract negotiations and his or her responsibilities to the client. These strict membership requirements are recognized by private and public agencies throughout the industry as the highest professional standards in golf course design.
How do I decide which golf course architect to hire?

Members of ASGCA encourage competition based on professional competence and experience and not solely on the basis of fees. To identify the golf course architects with the experience that you’re looking for, visit the Find A Member section of this website. There, you’ll find tools for searching on geographic location and experience of ASGCA member architects. Following your search, the best advice is to consider golf course architects based on their expertise, past work and references. Once a short list is developed, conducting interviews can be an excellent way to make a final selection.

Why do I need a golf course architect when I can remodel my layout myself?

A golf course architect has specialized experience and skills that encompass the many challenges of taking golf course projects, whether new design or remodels, from concept to reality. Please visit our New Course Design and Remodeling sections for an in-depth discussion on the qualifications and the process that ASGCA architects can bring to your project.