In this episode of The Process by The Greenprint, Leighton and Thad sit down with legendary golf course architect Bruce Charlton of Robert Trent Jones II to explore the design philosophies and creative process he has developed over more than 40 years in the industry.

Bruce reflects on his early fascination with golf course design - including sketching golf holes during church services, and explains how that passion evolved into a career shaping courses around the world. The conversation dives into his instinctive approach to routing, why he prefers to "follow the water," and how listening to the natural movement of the land remains central to his philosophy.

Leighton and Thad also discuss Bruce's experiences working alongside Bobby Jones Jr., the creative freedom and trust he has been given throughout his career, and the incredible variety found across the courses he has designed. Bruce shares insight into how golf architecture has evolved over the decades, particularly when revisiting courses originally built 30 or 40 years ago and modernising them for today's game while respecting their original character.

The conversation also touches on the realities of balancing an extensive global career with family life, and how Bruce has managed the demands of constant travel and long-term projects while maintaining perspective away from the golf course.

A thoughtful and engaging conversation with one of the most respected figures in golf course architecture.

https://www.rtj2.com/

Reach out to Thad - https://thadlaytondesign.com/

https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/

https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-greenprint-golf/?viewAsMember=true

www.golfclubtalk.uk

golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com

A big thanks to our partners:

Toro - Click here for more information

Himalayas Golf - https://himalayasgolf.com/

Shorehill Golf - https://sh-golf.com/

Support us here:

https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

Rate & Review
Please leave a 5-star review and share this episode with your golf circle!

A very collaborative episode at the recent EIGCA Annual Meeting in Utrecht, where we joined our partner Toro to record a wide-ranging and insightful conversation with a fantastic group of guests, including:

Andy Brown from Toro

Toby Ingleton of Golf Course Architecture Magazine

Golf course architects:

Jeff Lynch of Re:Golf

James Edwards of EDI

Bruce Charlton of RTJ2.

The discussion which was not always a deep "architecture" conversation, began with reflections on three exceptional courses played during the meeting: Kyle Phillips' Bernardus, along with Hilversumsche and De Pan. These courses provided the perfect backdrop to explore the strength of golf in the Netherlands, a country with a rich golfing history where courses are often seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape and foster a strong sense of community.

From there, the conversation expanded into how the setting of a golf course influences perception, not just in terms of scenery but in how it interacts with architectural intent. The group also explored the challenges facing golf in the Netherlands, particularly around increasing regulation. The country is often seen as a bellwether for future trends in areas such as biodiversity, chemical use, and water management, raising important questions about how these issues may shape the future of golf globally.

The evolution of golf clubs was another key theme, with discussion around opening facilities up to become more inclusive, mixed-use spaces that appeal to a broader audience. Alongside this, the value of practice and short-form facilities—such as short game areas, driving ranges, and putting courses—was highlighted as an increasingly important part of modern golf operations.

We also delved into length of Golf Courses and the question of; do we need to reduce the length of courses to appeal to a larger number of Golfers.

It was a thoughtful and engaging conversation throughout, and we are grateful to all of our guests for their time and insights.

Toro Golf

EIGCA

Golf Course Architecture Magazine

ReGolf

EDI Golf

RTJ2

A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

Check them out here!

https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/

https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-greenprint-golf/?viewAsMember=true

www.golfclubtalk.uk

golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com

Support us here:

https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

Sign up to our Newsletter here