A critical examination of contemporary golf course design has raised questions about the originality and creativity in today's golf architecture. The November 2025 edition of Design Notebook explores whether modern golf course architects are truly innovating or simply recycling established design principles from the sport's golden age.
The discussion centers around the apparent trend of modern architects drawing heavily from classic course designs, particularly those from the early 20th century. Many contemporary projects seem to echo the strategic elements and aesthetic principles established by legendary designers like Donald Ross, Alister MacKenzie, and Charles Blair Macdonald, leading some critics to question whether today's golf architecture lacks genuine innovation.
Meanwhile, significant progress continues at several notable golf course projects around the world. At North Berwick, restoration work is advancing on one of Scotland's most historic links courses, with careful attention being paid to preserving the original character while addressing modern maintenance and playability concerns. The project represents a delicate balance between historical preservation and contemporary golf requirements.
Formby Golf Club has also seen substantial development in recent months, with course improvements focusing on enhancing the natural duneland characteristics that make this English links course so distinctive. The work emphasizes sustainable practices while maintaining the challenging nature of this classic seaside layout.
At Tepetonka, another ambitious golf architecture project is taking shape, though specific details about the design philosophy and timeline remain limited. The project appears to be part of the broader conversation about how modern golf course design can honor traditional principles while creating unique playing experiences for today's golfers.
These ongoing projects reflect the current state of golf architecture, where designers must navigate between respecting the sport's rich design heritage and creating original, memorable golf experiences that meet contemporary expectations and environmental standards.
