How Many Ponds Should We Have?

By: Jeffrey D. Brauer


The old Scots might argue ponds were rare on the original golf courses. But ponds in America occur naturally, and golf course architects have never had any problems incorporating them as hazards in their designs. That said, the fewer ponds you have, the fewer golf balls you lose, which most golfers appreciate.

When and where irrigation became a necessity for good turf, the modern golf course requires one lake to serve as an irrigation storage pond. Ideally, this irrigation lake is:

• At least 8 feet deep to discourage algae growth, or deeper for more storage.
• 3-7 acres in size to reduce night draw down to a half to 1 foot. If 2-acre-feet of irrigation is applied per night, 1-acre lakes drop 2 feet, leaving an unsightly mud bank. 2-acre lakes drop 1 foot, and a 4-acre lake drops only a half a foot, which is generally the goal.
• Holds 7-10 day's supply for emergency repairs or supply cut-off - both surface area and lake depth increase the emergency supply.
• No bigger than is required by the above criteria to reduce daily evaporation, which is becoming a bigger regulatory concern (some areas now have limits on water surfaces).
• Located near the center of the property to minimize irrigation pipe runs and size.
• Located near existing utilities to minimize connection runs.
• Incorporated into two to three holes as hazards, if it fits the golf course style.
• Catching a large watershed to supplement well re-supply.
• Off-stream to minimize siltation problems (if a stream feeds it, pump it over).

As can be seen, lake sizes must be carefully computed for each course.

A few golf courses have situated irrigation lakes in non-play areas. But most architects believe in using the manmade water feature as a hazard on at least a few holes, and possibly to enhance views from the clubhouse or other areas.

There can be other lakes for hazards and/or aesthetics, but with water conservation becoming a bigger concern these should be eliminated or kept to a minimum size. And, while it is typical to add a small feed line from the irrigation to decorative ponds, it is preferable that these have self-sustaining water levels via natural runoff.

There are charts to compute this for various areas, but in Texas, for example, evapotranspiration causes 2.5 feet of water loss annually, and it takes 40 to 60 acres of surface runoff for each acre of lake if it is to be self-sustaining in an average year. A greater ratio helps assure sustenance in the driest years.

It is worth noting that lakes can become a liability for drowning. Some areas require the so-called "safety shelf" on the lake perimeter, and others require safety fencing, which certainly detracts from the intended golf course appearance.

Jeffrey D. Brauer began his career as an apprentice in the Chicago area in 1977. His first project was Kemper Lakes, which shortly after hosted the 1989 PGA Championship. He formed GolfScapes in Arlington, Texas, in 1984. In the last 29 years he has designed and consulted on a wide spectrum of projects, ranging from partial renovations to international resorts. His recent work includes teaming with the design team of Pascuzzo and Pate on a remodel of the world-famous La Costa Resort & Spa in California, and renovations at Superior National Golf Course in Lutsen, Minn., and Mesquite Municipal Golf Course in Mesquite, Texas.

He has been a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects since 1981, serving as President during its 50th Anniversary year in 1995-96. Jeff still studies the classic works - both old and new, and has played more than 75 of the best courses in the world.

Jeff gives many presentations and is a regular architecture columnist for many publications and websites, including Golf Course Industry and Cybergolf.com. He has also been a strong advocate for the "Tee it Forward" campaign and strives to make his courses fit the description of "fun to play every day."

Jeff's work has been spotlighted in most of the world's major golf magazines. Golf World ranked him as one of the top-20 golf course architects and Golf Inc. ranked him as the world's fourth-best value in golf architecture in 2010. Jeff's portfolio and reputation keep him at the forefront of desired designers for new courses, reconstruction and renovation projects. For more about Jeff, visit http://www.jeffreydbrauer.com/sites/courses/layout.asp?id=859&page=48451.