Show HN: I mapped every US golf course

Post by matkoniecz » Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 1:14 PM UTC

crossroadsguy wrote: post #47

trollbridge wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the USA they are overwhelmingly public and are desperate for customers. The handful of private ones near me are also desperate for new members, and several country clubs have ended up closing. Considering some of the golf courses that have closed around me ended up being converted into Amazon distribution facilities, I am not terribly excited about the idea of more golf courses closing.

Were those private lands/properties? Because in my country a lot (if I can't say 'most') are actually on public land with weird and disgustingly cheap leases which can be closed at a finger snap but somehow very few Govts have tried it because every Govt have ministers (and of course bureaucrats) who are members there or made members there, and then there are their kids and families etc. So no they can't be turned in…

Post by ryan_lane » Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 1:21 PM UTC

pbhjpbhj wrote: post #67

ryan_lane wrote: post #20

It would be interesting to map this to parkinson's data.

Are you suggesting a causal link between Parkinson's Disease and golf course locations? Or is "Parkinson's" a golf term??

Post by scotty79 » Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 1:30 PM UTC

trollbridge wrote: post #55

contubernio wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the USA as elsewhere golf courses are incredible wastes of water and false green spaces that would function better as green spaces were they actually parks open to the public they serve the wealthy. What is different is that in the US there is very little real (operational) worry about waste of water (or other resources) - at least compared to other places - and there is lots of space compared to other places.

That is an overly broad generalisation. Where I live, golf courses aren’t irrigated at all - they just rely on rainwater, like every other farm does. One of the golf courses near me has tee times for $10. I do not consider that something that only “serves the wealthy”. They also periodically close the course and open it up for RC plane enthusiasts. Another one you can easily go for a walk in - I often do. It is effec…

Post by snisarenko » Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 1:46 PM UTC

Post by cindyllm » Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 2:03 PM UTC

kubb wrote: post #77

haunter wrote: post #49

Golf is a sport I never tried but really want to. Also from the outside it looks both fun and relaxing to be outside in the nature. But I’m in the wrong country for that currently lol, golf is a niche here in Eastern Europe

It definitely can be enjoyed, but does it beat a walk in the forest? Not necessarily. Golf is a social marker in Anglo-Saxon countries. Only the highest classes used to be able to afford it. In America they built a lot of courses because they have the space, and there was demand, obviously because lower classes wanted to feel like they’ve made it. Kind of like wearing tuxedos (or owning a Mercedes Benz in Eastern Eur…