33 from surrounding areas often flows across flatter greens, increasing the risk of ice formation. Good design minimises this risk, ensuring greens can withstand Norway’s demanding conditions. The rise in rounds played has taken its toll on many courses, with wearand-tear most evident on high-traffic areas like par-three tees. These compact teeing areas often struggle to recover quickly enough from divots. On greens, the effects of increased play are subtler but equally significant. Thinning turf and a shift towards poa annua dominance is a common occurrence. This grass type, while initially inconspicuous, is more susceptible to disease and winter damage, which can leave greens vulnerable to widespread winterkill. For tees, the answer is straightforward: build larger teeing areas to distribute wear more evenly. For greens, the solution is more nuanced. It’s not just about increasing the size of the greens but also addressing golfer traffic patterns. Bottlenecks near bunkers or paths to the next tee often funnel wear into specific spots, causing damage. To mitigate this, course designers must consider the natural walking paths of players. By shaping green surrounds strategically, golfers are encouraged to take different routes depending on pin location and ball placement – this spreads wear more evenly and helps maintain turf quality throughout the season. Norway’s golf boom is both an exciting opportunity and a unique challenge. By embracing thoughtful course design and strategic maintenance practices, courses can meet the demands of today’s players while preserving quality for future generations. In a country where nature’s beauty defines the game, sustainability and smart design are the keys to keeping golfers on the greens – no matter the season. Caspar Grauballe is a Danish golf course designer and president of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects. Norwegian clubs like Kjekstad have a short golfing season due to the long periods of freezing conditions Photo: Caspar Grauballe “ Sustainability and smart design are the keys to keeping golfers on the greens”
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