Kari Haug – Designing with Purpose and Perspective
Bridging Heritage and Innovation
In a field historically shaped by tradition, Kari Haug stands at the forefront of a new generation of golf-course architects who believe that design should serve both the game and the people who play it.
Based in Minnesota, with projects across the United States and Scandinavia, she is internationally recognised for her commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and research-led golf-course design.
Kari’s work reflects a balance of artistry and analysis — drawing on landscape ecology, engineering, and deep understanding of how golfers of every ability experience the course.
Her courses are not built to test the elite alone, but to welcome diverse players, restore natural systems, and preserve the soul of golf’s landscapes.
“A golf course is a living system — when designed well, it plays in harmony with nature and the people who walk it.”
— Kari Haug
Biography: From Athlete to Architect
Kari Haug’s path to architecture began through sport itself.
A lifelong golfer and athlete, she came to course design after careers in education and environmental science — disciplines that gave her both strategic insight and an ecological conscience.
She later trained formally in golf-course architecture, combining academic depth with lived experience of the game.
As the founder of Kari Haug Planning & Design, Inc., she leads a practice focused on innovation through inclusion.
Her projects include new-course designs, master-planning, and renovation work in the U.S. and Europe.
She also collaborates with golf federations and private clubs on layout improvements that support playability, sustainability, and gender equity.
In addition to her design work, Kari is a member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA), where she serves on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee — playing a key role in shaping professional pathways for future women in golf design.
Design Philosophy
Kari Haug’s approach is rooted in three guiding principles:
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Equity in Play – Designing courses that invite challenge and joy for golfers of all abilities and genders.
She advocates for multi-tee systems that create strategic variety and realistic scoring opportunities for everyone. -
Environmental Responsibility – Integrating native landscapes, efficient water management, and ecological restoration into every project.
Her courses are designed to fit the land, not force it. -
Education and Advocacy – Mentoring the next generation of designers and speaking publicly on inclusive golf architecture.
She is a frequent contributor to design journals and a visible leader in the Women in Golf Charter movement.
“Design isn’t just about routing holes — it’s about shaping how people connect with nature, community, and each other.”
— Kari Haug
Projects & Impact
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Nordic Inclusive Golf Initiative – Collaborating with Scandinavian golf bodies to develop more accessible course layouts for junior, senior, and adaptive golf.
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Upper Midwest Sustainable Course Projects (U.S.) – Consulting on environmentally sensitive designs integrating wetland protection and natural habitat renewal.
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EIGCA DEI Working Group – Contributed to the 2023 Historic Meeting of Female Golf Course Architects, co-organised with the ASGCA, promoting pathways for women in design.
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Public Outreach & Research – Ongoing publications and presentations exploring the relationship between design, sustainability, and participation.
Kari’s influence reaches far beyond the fairway. Through her practice, teaching, and advocacy, she is helping redefine what it means to be a golf-course architect in the 21st century: a steward of land, inclusion, and legacy.
Legacy & Reflection
Kari Haug represents the continuation of a lineage begun by women like Ida Dixon and Alice Dye — bridging early imagination with modern intelligence.
She shows that women architects are not simply “entering” the profession — they are reshaping its purpose.
Her designs remind us that golf’s true heritage lies not in distance or difficulty, but in connection: between player and landscape, between heritage and innovation, between the game and those who keep it alive.
“When design reflects diversity, the game thrives.”
— Kari Haug