Find A Course
Find A Course

Build A Course

  • Home
  • Course Information
  • Build A Course

1. Define Your Vision and Feasibility

The IPGAA is available at all stages of your development; from brainstorming and course layout to launch.

Before you move any dirt, clarify what kind of Park Golf facility you want to build:

  • Course size: A single 9-hole course or a full 18-hole layout (often labeled A1–9 and B1–9).
  • Target players: Families, seniors, school groups, tourists, or a mix.
  • Business model: Public pay-to-play, part of a park district, resort amenity, or private club.
  • Budget & pricing: Estimate land costs (if any), construction, irrigation, clubhouse or kiosk, maintenance equipment, and staffing. Then sketch daily fees, rentals, or memberships to see if the model can sustain itself.

At this stage, you’ll typically:

  • Talk with local zoning and parks officials.
  • Check utility access (water, power, parking).
  • Do a basic site walk to evaluate drainage, slopes, and any environmental constraints.

2. Secure Suitable Land

The IPGAA, following Japan Park Golf Association standards, recommends:

  • Minimum of ~3 acres for 18 holes (two 9-hole courses).
  • 3–5 acres of flat, open land are ideal; more is fine if it fits the park.
  • Each 9-hole unit must be no longer than 550 yards total, with individual holes 25 – 110 yards in length, and the longest hole no more than 110 yards.

When selecting a site, look for:

  • Gentle slopes rather than steep terrain (easier walking and maintenance).
  • Well-drained soil or the ability to add drainage.
  • Space for:
    • Parking and arrival area.
    • A small clubhouse, kiosk, or check-in hut.
    • Restrooms or portable toilets.
    • Safe setbacks from roads, houses, and other park users.

3. Understand Official Park Golf Course Standards

To be recognized by official Park Golf governing bodies (IPGAA, NPGA, KPGA, IPGF, IPGAC, CPGA, et al.), you should align with the course design standards already published by IPGAA:

Key parameters:

  • Course structure
    • Courses are laid out in 9-hole units (A1–9, B1–9 if 18 holes).
    • Standard par is 33 per 9 holes (par 66 for 18), using only par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes.
  • Distances
    • Maximum distance of one hole: 110 yards (≈100 m).
    • Total distance for 9 holes: < 550 yards (≈500 m).
  • Teeing grounds
    • Approx. 4.5 ft × 4.5 ft (~ 1.3 × 1.3 m).
    • Height not to exceed 11inches (≈30 cm) above ground.
    • Tee line or marker at least 16 inches (≈40 cm) back from the front edge.
  • Greens
    • Shape is flexible, but when considered as a circle, preferred diameter is 16 feet (≈5 m) or more.
  • Bunkers, fairways, rough
    • No fixed limit on bunker size/number; use them for variety.
    • Rough must be cut so the ball can still be played (“escape” is possible).
  • Out-of-bounds (OB)
    • OB lines and OB zones must be visually clear, marked with stakes about 16 inches (40 cm) high.

These standards ensure your course feels like real Park Golf and is compatible with IPGAA events and tournaments.

4. Plan the Course Layout

Now you translate the standards into a real route on the land.

Core layout principles (from IPGAA + Japanese standards):

  • Design in 9-hole loops that start and finish near the clubhouse or entry.
  • Avoid doglegs, long parallel holes in the same direction, or intersecting holes that can cause safety conflicts.
  • Place longer holes roughly 3 holes in from the start to smooth group flow (e.g., don’t start on the longest hole).
  • Use natural features—existing trees, gentle hills, small streams, mounds—to create variety instead of extreme difficulty.

Practically, this means sketching:

  • Tee → fairway corridor → green for each hole within 25-110 yards.
  • Safe walking paths from green to next tee (ideally short and intuitive).
  • Safe separation from neighboring holes, paths, and park areas.

Many builders start with a simple overhead sketch or drone photo, draw possible hole corridors, then walk the land to refine angles, safety clearances, and views.

5. Design Tees, Greens, Fairways, and Hazards

Teeing Grounds

From the standards: a tee ground should be around 4.5 ft × 4.5 ft, up to 16 inches high, often built as:

  • A simple wooden frame, filled with compacted soil or sand.
  • A durable rubber mat or plastic structure with synthetic turf on top for consistent footing.
  • A clearly marked tee line 16 inches from the front edge.

Greens

  • Minimum effective diameter of 16 feet.
  • Slight contouring is encouraged but avoid extreme slopes that frustrate beginners.
  • It can be natural grass, maintained a bit tighter than fairways (but not traditional golf-green tightness).

Fairways and Rough

  • Keep fairways wide and forgiving to promote fun, especially for new players.
  • Rough height should be longer than fairway but still playable, as standards say it must be trimmed enough to allow the ball to escape.

Hazards

Use hazards to add interest, not punishment:

  • Small bunkers near greens or along fairways.
  • Mounds, trees, or natural rough areas.
  • Limited water features, carefully placed for safety.

Guidance from Park Golf course groups suggests using natural landscape and a mix of easy and challenging holes to keep play engaging.

 

6. Build in Safety and Flow of Play

The standards emphasize that safety and smooth flow are non-negotiable:

  • Avoid layouts where balls can easily fly into adjacent tee grounds, fairways or greens.
  • Clearly define OB lines and OB zones with color-coded stakes:
    • White: OB line.
    • Blue-topped: OB zones.
  • Install directional signs between holes and at decision points.
  • Place benches and waiting areas away from likely landing zones.
  • Consider netting or planting trees along boundaries where a mis-hit ball could leave the property or reach roads/paths.

Also think accessibility:

  • Gentle slopes and stable walking paths so all ages can move safely.
  • Clear signage at the entrance explaining rules, etiquette, and safety reminders.

7. Construction Phases

Once design is set and approved locally, you move into construction. A typical Park Golf build is lighter than a full golf course, but still follows similar steps:

  1. Site prep & clearing
    • Remove only necessary brush/trees; preserve shade and character where possible.
    • Rough-grade the land to create basic fairway and green contours.
  2. Drainage & irrigation
    • Install surface drains or French drains in low spots.
    • Provide irrigation (even a simple system) for tees and greens to survive dry periods.
  3. Tee and green construction
    • Build tee platforms to spec.
    • Shape greens, smooth and compact the surface, then seed or sod.
  4. Fairway & rough establishment
    • Prepare soil, seed appropriate turf, and allow time for grow-in.
  5. Hazards and landscaping
    • Excavate bunkers, fill with sand, shape lips and edges.
    • Add trees, shrubs, or mounds to frame holes and guide play.
  6. Install cups, pins, and signage
    • Sink hole cups ½ Inch (~10 cm) below ground leveland install pins about 5 – 8 feet tall (2–2.5 m) with flags.
    • Install tee signs showing hole number, distance, par, and OB info.

Allow a grow-in period before opening so turf can handle traffic.

8. Course Equipment and Player Services

Per IPGAA standards, clubs, balls, tees, and course equipment should conform to NPGA (Nippon/Japan Park Golf Association) certification and testing standards to ensure safety and fairness of play.

You’ll need:

  • NPGA-certified Park Golf clubs and balls for rental or sale.
  • Tees at each hole (some courses also sell personal tees).
  • Flags, pins, cups, OB stakes, and tee markers that meet standard sizes.
  • Scorecards and simple course maps.
  • Optional amenities:
    • Small clubhouse or kiosk for check-in and payments.
    • Seating, shelters, and restrooms.
    • Basic refreshments and merchandise.

9. Legal, Regulatory, and Association Alignment

To open the course to the public, you must:

  • Confirm zoning allows a recreational sports facility on the land.
  • Obtain any required building permits, grading permits, and environmental approvals.
  • Put in place liability insurance appropriate for a recreational sports facility.
  • Establish safety policies, operating rules, and signage in line with local regulations.

For recognition within the Park Golf community, work with IPGAA to:

  • Confirm your design complies with NPGA standards adopted by IPGAA.
  • Request course certification, if desirable or available.

Explore hosting clinics, leagues, and sanctioned events once established.

10. Operations, Programming, and Launch

Finally, set up how the course will run day-to-day:

  • Pricing & access
    • Green fees (e.g., per 9 or 18 holes).
    • Club/ball rental fees.
    • Memberships, passes, or discounted group rates.
  • Staffing
    • Check-in / starter.
    • Grounds maintenance (mowing, trimming, bunker raking, repairs).
  • Programming
    • Introductory clinics and “learn Park Golf” days.
    • Leagues for seniors, families, or juniors.
    • Tournaments in partnership with IPGAA.

For launch, plan a grand opening event:

  • Invite local media, parks officials, and community groups.
  • Offer free or discounted play.
  • Provide short rules and etiquette briefings so new players feel comfortable.