As I type this, the final round of the 112th U.S. Open is under way at the Olympic Club in San Francisco*. The lakeside golf course at Olympic, on which the pros play, dates back in its current form to the mid-1920s, well before houses sprung up along the fairways of golf courses across the United States. Today "golf communities," as they're called, are fairly common, balancing fairways and housing lots. Houses have views of a course's "nature," and golfers have more to contend with as they slice their way through another round.
But golf communities are not the only relationship between golf and houses. This article looks at a few of such houses on courses, but also other ways that one of the world's most popular sports interact with the places we live.
* Tiger Woods tanked, and Jim Furyk choked on the final day of the Open, as Webb Simpson came from behind to snag his first major, the 15th different winner in the last 15 majors. He bested the rest of the field with a 1-over-par 281, meaning the real winner that day was the Olympic Club for giving the pros a tough test.
the construction zone, ltd.
Golf courses receive their fair share of criticism, particularly for the water and pesticides that go into their maintenance. Desert courses, an apparent oxymoron, have addressed this concern by limiting grasses to tees, fairways and greens. "Rough" becomes native scrub, which has the inadvertent effect of making a great setting for houses, which also opt for xeriscaping over water-hungry lawns.
the construction zone, ltd.
The view from inside the house has the expected desert plants in the foreground and distant hills, but a plush green carpet is an unexpected ingredient in between.
Blue Sky Building Company
Errant tee shots are certainly an issue for people living along a golf course. This house in Raleigh, North Carolina, mitigates this problem by being set on the other side of a pond. The golf course is a nice view over the water, while the trees next to the property give a modicum of privacy.
Christopher A Rose AIA, ASID
This house on Kiawah Island — a South Carolina island on the Atlantic that is home to five golf courses — nestles itself into the trees. The carefully landscaped, rolling golf course is a splendid sight for the residents.
Wayne Windham Architect, P.A.
Another South Carolina house and golf course recalls the desert house at the beginning of this article, in the way rough is eschewed in favor of other hazards, in this case sand bunkers. To me, golf courses with creative hazards can be more visually appealing than traditional rough; witness Pine Valley in New Jersey. This house, also nestled into its golf course setting, is another case in point.
Windsor Companies
Golf communities may be like having a course in your backyard — and for many, residency helps in becoming a member of what are primarily private courses — but some people want to literally have a backyard with a golf course in it. Enter backyard putting greens. This backyard has not only a small green but also a pool, a boccie ball court and a tennis court.
Land & Water Design
This residence incorporates a practice green, though it appears to be artificial turf rather than real grass, reducing the maintenance required for the putting surface. And for those considering installing a putting green in their backyard, maintenance is a huge issue, with choosing grass, cutting, watering, fertilizing and so forth.
Begrand Fast Design Inc.
Here is easily the nicest looking putting green on Houzz, with the best view to boot. There is plenty of undulation to the green, giving the golfer plenty of variety in practice. A small bunker is included as well, so one can practice getting up and down.
Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
Yet the most unique setting for a putting green is the roof of this boathouse in Seattle. Yep, it's artificial turf, but that makes sense when the "backyard" putting green is on the roof.
Douglas Design Studio
A third and last meeting of golf and house are golf simulators. I first encountered one around 1990 in a golf shop, but apparently they have made their way into houses as well. Golfers hit a real ball into a screen whose sensors gauge distance and trajectory, so one can play a "real" course without leaving home.
Kuhl Design Build LLC
Installing one of these simulators requires at least two things besides money: the proper wiring and enough space. A basement is a logical space for this sort of grown-up toy, but considering the arc of a golf swing, most basements don't have enough clearance. The wood lining all surfaces of this simulator shows that even these spaces can be designed rather than leftover spaces. This space is a like a rustic locker room, cove lighting and all.
the construction zone, ltd.
Golf courses receive their fair share of criticism, particularly for the water and pesticides that go into their maintenance. Desert courses, an apparent oxymoron, have addressed this concern by limiting grasses to tees, fairways and greens. "Rough" becomes native scrub, which has the inadvertent effect of making a great setting for houses, which also opt for xeriscaping over water-hungry lawns.
the construction zone, ltd.
The view from inside the house has the expected desert plants in the foreground and distant hills, but a plush green carpet is an unexpected ingredient in between.
Blue Sky Building Company
Errant tee shots are certainly an issue for people living along a golf course. This house in Raleigh, North Carolina, mitigates this problem by being set on the other side of a pond. The golf course is a nice view over the water, while the trees next to the property give a modicum of privacy.
Christopher A Rose AIA, ASID
This house on Kiawah Island — a South Carolina island on the Atlantic that is home to five golf courses — nestles itself into the trees. The carefully landscaped, rolling golf course is a splendid sight for the residents.
Wayne Windham Architect, P.A.
Another South Carolina house and golf course recalls the desert house at the beginning of this article, in the way rough is eschewed in favor of other hazards, in this case sand bunkers. To me, golf courses with creative hazards can be more visually appealing than traditional rough; witness Pine Valley in New Jersey. This house, also nestled into its golf course setting, is another case in point.
Windsor Companies
Golf communities may be like having a course in your backyard — and for many, residency helps in becoming a member of what are primarily private courses — but some people want to literally have a backyard with a golf course in it. Enter backyard putting greens. This backyard has not only a small green but also a pool, a boccie ball court and a tennis court.
Land & Water Design
This residence incorporates a practice green, though it appears to be artificial turf rather than real grass, reducing the maintenance required for the putting surface. And for those considering installing a putting green in their backyard, maintenance is a huge issue, with choosing grass, cutting, watering, fertilizing and so forth.
Begrand Fast Design Inc.
Here is easily the nicest looking putting green on Houzz, with the best view to boot. There is plenty of undulation to the green, giving the golfer plenty of variety in practice. A small bunker is included as well, so one can practice getting up and down.
Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects
Yet the most unique setting for a putting green is the roof of this boathouse in Seattle. Yep, it's artificial turf, but that makes sense when the "backyard" putting green is on the roof.
Douglas Design Studio
A third and last meeting of golf and house are golf simulators. I first encountered one around 1990 in a golf shop, but apparently they have made their way into houses as well. Golfers hit a real ball into a screen whose sensors gauge distance and trajectory, so one can play a "real" course without leaving home.
Kuhl Design Build LLC
Installing one of these simulators requires at least two things besides money: the proper wiring and enough space. A basement is a logical space for this sort of grown-up toy, but considering the arc of a golf swing, most basements don't have enough clearance. The wood lining all surfaces of this simulator shows that even these spaces can be designed rather than leftover spaces. This space is a like a rustic locker room, cove lighting and all.