Design DNA and Stewardship in Golf Architecture with Andy Staples Summary

Golf course architect Andy Staples (Staples Golf Design) joins Tyler to trace his path from sketching a nine-tee, one-green “course” at age 12 to leading restorations and renovations across North America. They dig into classic influences (Langford & Moreau, Raynor, MacKenzie), why he prefers the word stewardship over sustainability, how member identity shapes renovation decisions, and why the superintendent–architect partnership is everything. Plus: lightning-round “Chip Shots” on dream foursomes, halfway-house orders, and the one hole he’d play forever.

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What You'll Learn

• Start with identity and reality. Benchmark finances, demographics, and maintenance capacity before chasing ambition.

• Process wins. Member outreach, focus groups, and transparent master-planning build trust and consensus. Design for stewardship. Favor contours over sand, right-size bunker counts, and invest in efficient irrigation.

• Partner with your superintendent. Track labor hours pre-project and plan reallocations post-project.

• Flexibility is insurance. Build in mow-line options and treatments that can scale maintenance up or down.

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Courses & Projects Mentioned

• West Bend CC (WI), Sand Hollow (UT), Meadowbrook CC (MI), Olympia Fields (IL), Garden City CC (NY), Arcola CC (NJ), Belle Meade CC (TN), Phoenix CC (AZ), Shoreacres, Shinnecock, Seminole, Riviera, Pine Valley.

Links

• Instagram: @andystaplesgolf

• X (Twitter): @BuildSmarterGolf

• Website: Staples Golf Design: https://www.staplesgolfdesign.com/