Martin County’s Golf Boom Meets Redevelopment Reality: How Survey Requirements Shape the Future of Mixed-Use Communities

Martin County, Florida, finds itself at the center of a fascinating paradox in the golf industry. While Florida has opened more golf courses in the past five years than any other state, and 2023 finished with the most rounds played in history, the broader national trend tells a different story. Some 1,500 golf courses across the country have closed since 2014 according to research group IBISWorld, leaving significant open space primed for conversion to parks, revamped golf courses, and a range of development possibilities.

The Golf Course Redevelopment Phenomenon

Golf course redevelopment has become increasingly common as course owners seek to redevelop to achieve highest-and-best-use of their properties. The reasons behind this trend are multifaceted. The average life of a golf course is between twenty and thirty years, after which point courses begin to physically settle and require often extensive irrigation repairs, restructuring, making redevelopment an attractive financial option for many property owners.

In Florida specifically, “Much of the trend to develop these facilities in Florida was driven by people with the dream of retiring to the state and playing golf,” said Sechler. “Today, there’s a lot more interest in other forms of recreation, in particular personal health activities like bicycling, trail walking, jogging, and the like.” This shift in recreational preferences has created opportunities for mixed-use developments that better serve modern community needs.

Martin County’s Unique Position

Martin County presents a particularly interesting case study in golf course development trends. Some of the most popular golf course communities in Martin County include those found in the cities of Hobe Sound and Palm City. The county boasts 14 public and semi-private courses to choose from, Martin County is a true golfer’s paradise. However, even in this golf-rich environment, redevelopment pressures exist.

The county’s strategic location and desirable climate make it attractive for mixed-use developments. Golf courses are often situated within attractive residential communities, with reasonable roadway access and ingress/egress for feasible re-purposing as residential projects. This accessibility, combined with Martin County’s growing population and limited developable land, creates significant pressure for golf course conversions.

Critical Survey Requirements for Golf Course Redevelopment

When converting golf properties to mixed-use communities, comprehensive surveying becomes absolutely essential. The surveying process must address multiple complex requirements that go far beyond typical residential development projects.

Boundary and Topographical Analysis: Golf courses typically span large acreages with complex boundary configurations. Professional surveyors must conduct detailed boundary surveys to establish exact property lines, easements, and any existing deed restrictions that might affect redevelopment plans. Topographical surveys are equally critical, as golf courses often feature significant elevation changes, water features, and drainage systems that must be accurately mapped for new development planning.

Environmental and Infrastructure Assessment: Many golf courses contain sensitive environmental features, including wetlands, protected habitats, and stormwater management systems. Survey teams must identify and map these features to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Additionally, existing infrastructure such as irrigation systems, cart paths, and utility lines must be thoroughly documented.

Zoning and Land Use Compliance: “But these projects often take years of cutting through red tape […] and for every project that is successful, 10 more never cross the finish line, victims of what he sees primarily as a mixture of zoning hurdles and NIMBYism (not-in-my-backyard-ism) by small but motivated resident groups,” according to industry analysis. Surveyors play a crucial role in documenting existing conditions and proposed changes to support zoning variance applications and land use modifications.

The Mixed-Use Community Vision

Modern golf course redevelopments often embrace mixed-use concepts that blend residential, commercial, and recreational elements. The 138-acre course will be turned into “the Fletcher District,” which will include housing for students and university employees, restaurants, about 60,000 square feet of retail, a 150-room hotel and conference center, and a research facility. This example from the University of South Florida demonstrates the comprehensive nature of modern redevelopment projects.

These mixed-use developments require sophisticated surveying to accommodate diverse infrastructure needs, from residential utilities to commercial access requirements. Survey data becomes the foundation for master planning efforts that must balance density requirements with community amenities and environmental preservation.

Professional Surveying Expertise in Martin County

For property owners and developers considering golf course redevelopment in Martin County, partnering with experienced land surveyors martin county professionals is essential. Aero Land Surveyors, operating since 2022, brings modern technology and local expertise to these complex projects. Aero Land Surveyors specializes in offering professional, reliable property surveys across Florida. We handle residential and commercial properties while focusing on accuracy and customer satisfaction.

The company’s approach emphasizes advanced technology and methodologies guarantees that we deliver precise land survey results every time. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, our team can handle various surveying projects, from topographic surveys to boundary determinations. This experience proves invaluable when dealing with the complex requirements of golf course redevelopment projects.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Golf course redevelopment in Martin County faces both significant challenges and promising opportunities. Golf courses are viewed by many community residents as providing important areas of open space and recreational opportunities, and neighboring land owners often rue the possibility that housing complexes or mixed-use developments will replace their once pastoral views and lower their property values.

However, successful projects can provide substantial community benefits. The open space offered by closed golf courses presents a prime opportunity for development as well. “Particularly in the state of Florida, residential has been under built for so long that we are in a situation where it’s really hard to catch up,” according to development professionals.

The key to successful golf course redevelopment lies in thorough planning, comprehensive surveying, and community engagement. As Martin County continues to grow and evolve, these redevelopment projects will play an increasingly important role in meeting housing and commercial needs while preserving the county’s distinctive character and natural beauty.

For property owners considering golf course redevelopment, the surveying phase represents a critical investment in project success. Accurate, comprehensive survey data not only supports the technical aspects of development but also provides the documentation necessary for navigating regulatory approval processes and community acceptance initiatives.