By Jeff Lawrence, ASGCA – Lawrence Golf Design
From first meeting to first tee — the real timelines behind modern renovations.
Golf course renovations don’t just reshape land — they reshape expectations. Members often picture bulldozers in the fairway one month and fresh greens the next. In reality, a full renovation is a multi-phase process that demands coordination, patience, and timing with nature itself.
At Lawrence Golf Design, every project follows a disciplined rhythm. Some clubs can complete focused renovations in under a year; others, with complex infrastructure or full greens work, may take 18–24 months from start to finish. The difference lies not just in construction, but in the careful planning that comes before it.
Every renovation moves through five overlapping phases: Concept, Design, Planning, Construction, and Grow-In.
Understanding these stages helps committees and members see the full timeline—not just the months when dirt is moving.
While every property is unique, these ranges hold true for most modern renovations under Lawrence Golf Design’s model.
A renovation begins with dialogue, not design. Lawrence Golf Design starts each project with an initial meeting to define what the club truly wants to achieve.
Is the goal to modernize bunkers, rebuild greens, improve drainage, or reimagine strategy?
This early collaboration sets realistic expectations and allows Jeff Lawrence, ASGCA to tailor the proposal precisely to scope and budget. After the proposal is approved, the contract and design schedule are established—typically taking three to six months depending on the decision structure of the club or ownership group.
“The biggest time saver is clarity early on,” notes Lawrence. “When everyone agrees on scope, we can move quickly and avoid redesigns later.”
Once engaged, Lawrence Golf Design conducts multiple site visits to evaluate topography, soil conditions, and existing infrastructure. This customization phase shapes the entire project timeline.
Key deliverables include:
Depending on the scale of work and number of stakeholders, this stage can take anywhere from three to six months. For example, master plans at clubs such as Holly Tree Country Club (SC) and Lake Hickory Country Club (NC) required multiple review sessions to finalize details without disrupting daily operations.
With design finalized, Lawrence Golf Design assists in preparing bid documents and evaluating contractors. This stage may seem administrative, but it’s where many schedules gain or lose months.
Proper sequencing ensures:
Because most construction teams book months in advance, clubs that secure contracts early often start on time—and avoid seasonal bottlenecks that can delay work well into the next year.
This is when vision becomes visible. Renovation construction typically lasts four to nine months, depending on the scope and whether the course remains partially open.
In the Southeast, construction usually begins in spring or early summer, taking advantage of long daylight and optimal growing conditions.
Warm-season turf varieties, like Bermudagrass, establish best between May and August, allowing for efficient grow-in before cooler weather returns.
Approximate timeframes by project type:
Lawrence Golf Design emphasizes hands-on construction supervision throughout this phase, ensuring that shaping, drainage, and grassing align precisely with design intent and timeline.
When construction ends, grow-in begins — the quiet but essential final phase.
This stage determines how soon the course reopens and how healthy the new surfaces will be for years to come.
Factors influencing grow-in time:
Lawrence Golf Design coordinates closely with superintendents during grow-in, monitoring performance and adjusting expectations. A full 18-hole renovation might reopen in as little as six months, but many clubs opt for 9–12 months of maturity before hosting major play.
Not every club can afford to close for a year—and not every renovation needs to.
Lawrence Golf Design often structures projects in phases, allowing continued play while work progresses.
Common phasing models:
Phased timelines may double the calendar duration but reduce disruption and financial pressure—especially for member-owned clubs relying on consistent dues and event revenue.
Even with disciplined planning, certain variables can extend or compress the schedule:
Lawrence Golf Design mitigates these risks by establishing clear communication channels early and maintaining schedule transparency throughout each phase.
Clubs sometimes ask if a full renovation can be completed in a single summer. Technically, yes — but the cost is often quality.
Accelerated schedules compress grow-in time, increase turf stress, and can compromise final shaping and finish.
A more sustainable approach is to respect each step of the process, aligning construction with turf health, not just calendar deadlines.
“The goal isn’t to finish quickly — it’s to open confidently,” says Lawrence.
“You only get one chance to grow in new turf right. Opening too son can be a costly mistake”.
Even after reopening, the first year of play is a period of maturation.
Lawrence Golf Design often provides follow-up site visits to review turf performance, drainage adjustments, and play feedback.
These refinements ensure the investment performs as intended — and set the stage for ongoing success.
A great renovation doesn’t just build a better course — it builds lasting confidence between architect, superintendent, and membership. That trust, as much as new turf or fresh bunkers, is what endures for the next generation.