Ron Garl

Golf Course Architect

Ron Garl is an American golf course architect based in Lakeland, Florida, whose career spans over five decades. S.

in turfgrass science from the University of Florida in 1967, he gained early experience apprenticing with national design firms and working under Robert Trent Jones and Joe Lee before founding Ron Garl Golf Design in 1972. Garl’s portfolio exceeds 250 course designs and renovations globally, with a particularly dense presence in Florida and the southeastern United States.

Known for a philosophy that courses should “sit softly upon the land,” Garl emphasizes environmental sensitivity, playability for various skill levels, and strategic routing that leverages natural topography. He has also pioneered the concept of “replica‑hole golf,” recreating famed holes from courses like Augusta National and St.

Andrews at Golden Ocala, launching a creative niche in course design.

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