By Jeff Lawrence, ASGCA – Lawrence Golf Design
Across the Southeastern United States, golf is thriving again. Memberships are growing, rounds are up, and many clubs are rediscovering the value of investing in their courses. After years of deferred capital projects, the current moment presents a rare combination of economic readiness, design opportunity, and construction availability — making now the right time to plan and execute a golf course renovation.
At Lawrence Golf Design, we’ve seen this regional momentum firsthand. From South Carolina and North Carolina to Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, clubs are choosing to modernize aging infrastructure, enhance playability, and restore the design character that makes Southern golf unique.
Private clubs across the Southeast are seeing record engagement.
Rounds played are up, member usage is consistent year-round, and waitlists have returned. But that success also brings wear and tear — especially on older greens, bunkers, and irrigation systems built decades ago.
Renovations like those at Holly Tree Country Club (Simpsonville, SC) and Pine Lake Country Club (Charlotte, NC) show how thoughtful updates can enhance playability while managing traffic and improving turf performance for year-round play.
Clubs that reinvest now are positioning themselves to capture long-term membership loyalty and attract new players while the game’s momentum is strongest.
After several years of supply chain volatility, construction materials and scheduling have normalized.
Turf farms, sand suppliers, and contractors are again operating on predictable timelines, and phased renovation plans can be developed with greater confidence.
The Southeast’s mild winters and long growing seasons make renovation scheduling uniquely flexible compared to other regions.
Clubs can plan construction phases that minimize downtime — completing regrassing, bunker work, or drainage upgrades efficiently while protecting peak playing months.
Many older courses in the region were built with outdated drainage, irrigation, and turf systems that require excessive maintenance and water. Today’s renovations emphasize efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings — improving playability while reducing long-term expenses.
At Greer Country Club (Greer, SC) and Cougar Point at Kiawah Island, SC, modernization focused on turf conversion, bunker drainage, and green contour refinements — helping each facility reduce inputs while enhancing aesthetics and strategic play.
Clubs aren’t just rebuilding — they’re reimagining. The Southeast is seeing a resurgence of architectural vision, with courses choosing renovation not just for maintenance reasons but to reclaim identity and enhance strategic design.
At Holly Tree Country Club, Lawrence Golf Design completed a comprehensive 18-hole master plan, reimagining green complexes and tees to better reflect the property’s natural movement and scale.
These projects show that design isn’t just repair — it’s an opportunity to make a course more inspiring and enjoyable for the next generation of players.
No two Southeastern sites are alike — and that’s where regional experience matters most. With work spanning the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida, Jeff Lawrence, ASGCA, brings both national perspective and local familiarity with the soils, turf types, and seasonal patterns that define Southern golf.
Projects like Pine Lake Country Club, Holly Tree Country Club, and Cougar Point Country Club demonstrate how tailored design and phased renovation planning help clubs stay on schedule and within budget — while keeping members playing and excited about what’s next.
Renovation momentum across the Southeast isn’t just a trend — it’s a reflection of how clubs are adapting to a new era of golf. Modern design, member enthusiasm, and stable construction conditions make this the most favorable environment in years to elevate your course’s design and infrastructure.
At Lawrence Golf Design, our approach is rooted in collaboration, regional knowledge, and long-term partnership — helping each club align vision, timing, and execution.
If your club is ready to explore what’s possible, now is the perfect time to start the conversation.