By Jeff Lawrence, ASGCA – Lawrence Golf Design
In today’s golf industry, budgets are tighter, materials are more expensive, and member expectations continue to rise. Across the Southeast, many clubs are discovering that a thoughtful course renovation isn’t just about improving playability or aesthetics—it’s a long-term financial strategy. A well-executed renovation can dramatically reduce maintenance costs for decades, especially when led by an architect who understands the region’s growing season, turf challenges, and soil conditions.
For course superintendents and general managers, the goal is clear: create a course that performs consistently with fewer inputs. Renovation, when done right, is the most reliable way to achieve that balance.
Over time, even the best-designed golf courses can evolve into maintenance burdens. Greens shrink, bunkers lose definition, drainage systems age, and turf varieties fall behind modern standards. Redesigning key elements of the golf course allows the maintenance team to start fresh with efficient forms and modern materials.
At Pine Lake Country Club in Charlotte, NC, a recent renovation by Jeff Lawrence, ASGCA, modernized green complexes and converted turf to more drought- and heat-tolerant grasses. The result: faster recovery after rain, less irrigation, and improved surface performance with fewer chemical inputs. These efficiencies directly translate to potential lower annual maintenance costs and better long-term playability.
Turfgrass technology has advanced dramatically over the past two decades. Many Southeastern clubs still maintain older Bermuda or bentgrass varieties that demand more water, fertilizer, and fungicides. Renovation offers an opportunity to regrass with improved cultivars that resist heat, disease, and wear — a key cost saver for clubs managing tight labor budgets.
At Holly Tree Country Club in Simpsonville, South Carolina, a green renovation and master plan by Lawrence Golf Design introduced more resilient turf varieties suited to the Upstate’s seasonal swings. Fewer maintenance inputs and more consistent putting conditions led to a more enjoyable golf experience.
Bunkers are among the most labor-intensive features on any golf course. Poor drainage, steep faces, and excessive sand area all add up to higher maintenance hours and material costs. By reimagining bunker style and placement, clubs can reduce the number of man-hours needed weekly while still enhancing strategic design.
Jeff Lawrence’s renovations—such as at GlenArbor Club in Bedford, New York, and The ACE Club in Pennsylvania—demonstrate how smart bunker design improves visual impact while cutting maintenance effort. Smaller, well-drained bunkers reduce washouts and sand contamination, freeing up labor to focus on playability and presentation elsewhere on the course.
Hidden below the surface, infrastructure is one of the most impactful areas for long-term cost control. Aging drainage systems cause wet spots, turf loss, and recurring maintenance demands. Modern renovation practices integrate precise grading, improved sub-surface drainage, and efficient irrigation mapping.
In humid climates like the Carolinas or Florida, that means courses stay playable after storms and recover faster, requiring fewer staff hours for cleanup. Upgrading irrigation zones also minimizes water waste and allows superintendents to fine-tune their management by turf type and exposure. A single investment in drainage and irrigation efficiency can save a club thousands annually in utilities and overtime labor.
Across the Southeast, the labor market for golf course maintenance remains challenging. With fewer skilled workers available, golf clubs need to rethink design from a maintenance perspective. Renovations led by experienced architects help simplify daily tasks — from mowing patterns to bunker raking and traffic flow—so a smaller crew can maintain the same high standards.
Lawrence Golf Design often emphasizes maintenance-driven design: clean lines, fewer high-maintenance slopes, and strategic turf transitions that align with mowing routes. It’s an approach that respects both design integrity and the superintendent’s daily reality.
For private clubs, members notice the difference between a course that looks busy and one that plays beautifully. A fresh renovation not only reduces maintenance costs but also enhances member satisfaction and retention. When water drains properly, bunkers hold their shape, and turf conditions remain firm and true, golfers experience consistency — and consistency builds loyalty.
Many clubs find that a renovation focused on long-term efficiency creates new operational breathing room. Less maintenance means more flexibility in budgets, more attention to detail where it matters, and less stress on staff resources.
Clubs across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama are in a unique position. The region’s year-round growing conditions and experienced contractors make renovations more efficient and cost-effective than in other parts of the country. Paired with a designer who understands regional turf varieties, seasonal transitions, and member expectations, renovation becomes a strategic investment, not just a project.
Renovation isn’t an expense; it’s a cost-control strategy and an investment in the future of any club. By modernizing turf, infrastructure, and design, clubs can significantly lower annual maintenance costs while delivering a better experience for members and guests.
For course owners and committees evaluating their next steps, the key is working with an architect who understands how design decisions affect long-term operations. Jeff Lawrence, ASGCA, continues to help clubs achieve that balance, delivering smarter, more sustainable courses that perform beautifully with less effort.