Written by: Edwin Roald
2025
During the 2025 season, Golfklúbbur Þorlákshafnar combined golf course architecture expertise with custom golf-shot forecasting software to identify turf areas that were regularly mown but received minimal play. At the outset of the project, the combined footprint of fairways and mown rough measured 143,836 square meters, or approximately 14.4 hectares.
Through detailed analysis of shot-dispersion patterns and play frequency, we pinpointed underutilized sections of maintained turf and converted these areas into natural grassland. In total, 18,204 square meters of intensively managed turf were transitioned into low-maintenance grassland, a 12.66% reduction in the overall mown footprint.
This change lowers mowing frequency and input requirements while enhancing biodiversity and strengthening the natural character of the landscape. The initiative reflects our commitment to resource conservation, climate action, and nature-based design, and demonstrates how data-driven decision-making can support sustainability in modern golf course management.
