The days of developments in which golf holes are strung out with rows of houses either side are largely behind us, according to an eminent panel of architects and consultants. Speaking at the KPMG Golf Business Forum, held at Powerscourt, Ireland, in May, course architects Peter Harradine and Erik Larsen agreed that core golf concepts, with housing in clumps around the development, were the way forward.

"Lifestyle is key," said Larsen, vice president of Arnold Palmer's design firm.

"We are designing to create quality of lifestyle. Each amenity must be given its own space, to be the best it can be." "It's always a great fight," said Harradine.

"Everybody has his own bottom line. There are many good urban planners, but developers should bring a golf architect in from the beginning. We have been left with many masterplans that are unworkable." "In many ways we are going back to the European style, with real town centres," added Larsen. "Sophisticated developers are listening to buyers, who are saying things like 'We need a school.'"