Why free? Golfers have money.
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Show HN: I mapped every US golf course
121–130 of 180 posts
Re: Show HN: I mapped every US golf course
#122are we able to estimate water usage and other statistics from this data set?
The amount of water used is somewhat less important than what the source of the water is. And it's important to understand that "using water" isn't like "using coal". In other words, while coal can be burned once, water is in a cycle that means water can be "used" infinitly. But back to the source. A golf course near me takes effluent water (ie treated sewerage) destined for pumping out to sea. They spread it over a…
For sure, I posed the question as it is often asked about data centers. Nuance is important, as is accurate data.
The relative comparison is a potent one as we have a national debate about how we use our resources effectively and responsibly. I've seen similar mappings for data centers and thought OP's project might be a good starting point. The golf world is also aware about this issue and looking at ways to be more balanced with nature. I've seen some articles within the golf world discussing their water usage from before the data center debate began, which was very nice to see.
Re: Show HN: I mapped every US golf course
#123Earlier quoted context omitted.
In wealthy parts of the US, maybe The vast majority of the world is nothing like this From Scotland to Tasmania, most courses congregate around already wet and mostly sand/loamy soil (largely unusable for other purposes without major construction) I agree with you for artificial American places like TPC Scottsdale or Wolf Creek GC etc
I find it absolutely insane that there’s a golf course in Death Valley
Visualizing it on satellite view puts things into perspective. Here's Wolf Creek:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ccFwBoDZMrmK7Bvc6?g_st=ac
Just surrounded by dust.
Re: Show HN: I mapped every US golf course
#124Re: Show HN: I mapped every US golf course
#125I am not sure how it is in USA but in my country golf courses are abuse of public resources for (almost) private use. For a very few who can lobby enough for renewal of these leases and these are kept out of reach of the normal public, either by rule or by cost, sometimes both. Golf courses are lungs of many of the growing cities, across the world, but I do believe they should not be kept exclusive. Also, this comes…
In Toronto, I think golf courses are built on flood plains along rivers (Don, Humber, etc.). Some other flood plains are public parks. Houses are generally not built on flood plains.
Re: Show HN: I mapped every US golf course
#126I am surprised that Google Maps has never mounted a camera on a golf cart and driven it over golf course holes. They have a backpack version and they've used it on ski resorts.
Re: Show HN: I mapped every US golf course
#127I am not sure how it is in USA but in my country golf courses are abuse of public resources for (almost) private use. For a very few who can lobby enough for renewal of these leases and these are kept out of reach of the normal public, either by rule or by cost, sometimes both. Golf courses are lungs of many of the growing cities, across the world, but I do believe they should not be kept exclusive. Also, this comes…
Malcolm Gladwell did a great podcast on golf courses in prime urban spaces https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/revisionist-history/a-good-w... In some parts of the US it is certainly the case that golf courses are private and as a citizen you notice there are v. Few parks but lots of good courses. Many of the courses pay little in taxes so they’re also feels that there is a disparity between how the rest of society funct…
Malcolm is not much more than a pop physicologist who is a very good writer. It looks like he is going to get his way with that golf course in LA that has some sort of vote happinging soon. Here is what will happen.. "the public interest" will win, and for a while it will be a park of some sort, then there will be a slow but inexorable push by the city council to reduce the size of the park by selling the land to developers. 15 years down the road it will be luxury homes for the ultra wealthy and nobody will be recreating there.
Re: Show HN: I mapped every US golf course
#128Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well, golf fields are not as bad for environment as datac... I mean mines and factories. Really, golf courses are taxed much lower usually, as they go as green open spaces (similar to protected forest areas), and also their assessed land value does not account for neighboring residential prices, so their tax is based on lower value than land can be sold at.
"Really, golf courses are taxed much lower usually, as they go as green open spaces (similar to protected forest areas" That does not seem allright. A forest has lot's of ecodiversity, but a low cut golf course? But sure, it is still green and somewhat alive.
Yep, and I would not say they are "open spaces" if the owners yell at you for stepping on it.
Re: Show HN: I mapped every US golf course
#129Earlier quoted context omitted.
Don’t forget the tax breaks! Some places (many?) use farm rates for the tax rate.
That’s odd, since golf courses aren’t farms. The ones local to me are not taxed at ag rates but are taxed at the commercial rate which is the highest rate. Amazon’s new data centre, of course, is paying a tiny fraction of that since they negotiated paying less.
I live in New Hampshire where our taxes are entirely property tax based. Anything over ten acres qualifies as farm land no matter what. It’s a quality scam.
Re: Show HN: I mapped every US golf course
#130I am not sure how it is in USA but in my country golf courses are abuse of public resources for (almost) private use. For a very few who can lobby enough for renewal of these leases and these are kept out of reach of the normal public, either by rule or by cost, sometimes both. Golf courses are lungs of many of the growing cities, across the world, but I do believe they should not be kept exclusive. Also, this comes…
In Toronto, I think golf courses are built on flood plains along rivers (Don, Humber, etc.). Some other flood plains are public parks. Houses are generally not built on flood plains.
this is true in a lot of cases. its land that otherwise isn't great for any kind of development.