Task: Advisory services, reviewing playing surfaces/mowing lines, considering alternative tees, and reviewing obstacles.
Report
A brief excerpt from the report:
Prioritization
What matters most for the attractiveness of a golf course is 1) the location, followed by 2) the quality of the playing surfaces. The strategic qualities of the course typically affect only low handicappers and elite players. However, if there is an ambition to attract more youth and green fee guests, one cannot entirely disregard this need.
At Ljungbyhed, I spontaneously perceive that a conscious and active tree management, preceded by a clear vision for the end result, is the most important action to take right now. This is due to the significance of the location for a club's attractiveness. The goal, as I see it, should be to restore the course to its previous state with increased heath areas, a significantly reduced birch population, and an increase in the number of pine trees. The choice is between a distinct birch forest course that you will see if nothing is done, or a heathland course with a more English character.
By revising the mowing lines, the course can be given a wilder appearance, with positive effects on maintenance costs and biodiversity. This would also increase the challenge for better golfers without necessarily negatively affecting high handicappers.
The wear and tear on the forward tees indicate that many players choose these, and since the distance between the club tees and the forward tees is often too small, moving the forward tees forward would likely increase the enjoyment for women, seniors, and high handicappers, who are presumably a significant portion of the club's members. This is relatively inexpensive as I did not observe any sprinkler heads on the forward tees.
Expanding the green areas into undulating foregreens through a simple change in the mowing line can increase the interest of the club's more demanding players and visitors.
