What does "today's culture" add to the cost of a golf course

[Mike_Young]

In the bunker later thread Tom Doak mentions how todays culture demands everything perfect from day one.  How much time were the great projects of yesteryear given to "grow-in" and since we cannot accept that today...how much do you gys think it cost in capital expense to expedite the course conditions.

[RJ_Daley]

That is an interesting question Mike.  I sure don't know the answer.  But, I think of the old saying that "time is money" and balance that with the extra expenses it take to rapid phase and grow-in a course.  I suspect there is a point of diminishing returns, but I can't say where that lies.  But, I'm sure many of you professional archies know where that point lies.  

Maybe an interesting way to find out where that point is in the balance between the pressure to get a venue open and making money, and the marketting aspects of adding extra glitz features and get them in perfect day-one opening shape would be to have an archie fund his perfect ideal course.

[Tom_Doak]

Mike:  I think that depends a lot on the client.

We've done a couple of projects recently where the client asked for complete irrigation of out-of-play areas for grow-in ... that alone might have added $500,000 to the budget of one course.  But they're selling lots at $400,000 each, and they figure it as a marketing expense.

Tom Fazio has used this reasoning to justify sodding entire golf courses ... $1.5 million worth of sod, I was told.  Of course, that decreases the grow-in time and you start collecting greens fees earlier, it eliminates the possibility of major washouts during grow-in, etc., so you can rationalize that it really didn't cost that much.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Mike Young,

I think the answer lies in "Time"

With the creation of new golf course costing so much, time is not on the owner/developer's side.

He needs to present his product, packaged and ready for play.

I suspect that the additional money required to get the course in tip top shape and up and running, is viewed as an investment in the future.

Prospective members like to see and play a golf course BEFORE they join.

However, that's not to say that some individuals aren't willing to "bet on the come"

[Mike_Young]

How long do you guys think it took for a course in 1925  to 1930 to mature into the conditions that were acdeptable for tournament play.
And how does that compare to today.  AS TD says, if you just had center row irrigation, seeded rough, no sod and washes....I say it takes 3 years today....and no that is not acceptable due to loss of revenue and lot sales IMO