Review of a historical century of golf course architecture and construction

Golf is a widely played sport in the world today. Golf course architecture is recognized as a distinct art form in certain areas. It has taken nearly a century from the early times when courses were shaped by nature to the period with the construction of golf courses via technology. In this study, we systematically review the history of golf course architecture from around 1880 to 1980, including the division of important periods and the evolution of the philosophy of planning and design. In particular, the key influence of soil characteristics and the application of soil science to the design and construction of golf courses has been expounded and summarized. The results of the study are helpful in the building of high-quality, environmentally friendly golf courses at low cost and can play a key role in improving the level of golf course turf maintenance.