Taking the Mulligan: The Land Use Regulatory Hurdles in Golf Course Repurposing

There are numerous obstacles facing developers attempting to repurpose a golf course. It can be politically controversial. Nearby residents often oppose the idea of replacing a low intensity, visually pleasing quasi-natural environment with a development that could bring in more people and more traffic. Golf courses are often viewed as open-space amenities, and homes abutting golf courses may be worth more than similar homes that don’t. In an economic down-turn, though, it can be expected that many public golf courses will close. When golf courses fail due to reduced play, or in regions suffering housing short- ages, some type of redevelopment will have to be authorized; or else homeowner associations and/or conservation groups will have to raise enough money to purchase the course. Otherwise, the course will likely be abandoned, maintenance will cease, and the result will be bad for everyone involved.

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