Packard says his job is as much about land design as it is about golf. "Most of the projects today are really involved with real estate as they can help each other out. The course sells houses and the people who buy the houses often become members of the golf club.

"Usually I work with 500-1,000 acre (202.5-405 hectare) projects and have to create a master plan design including houses, park and the course," he says.

When it comes to the course, Packard says issues he has to consider are shot placement, the way the course looks and engineering aspects such as digging lakes to get the dirt required to create other features for the course.

"I always try to make a course look as natural as possible and environmentally friendly. If the course is in the mountains it should look like it has been there for a very long time, " Packard says.

But the job does not stop there.

"After I have drawn up plans, I then have to oversee construction. Unlike architects who just draw up plans and then everything is set, for golf course design, there is art involved that needs the designer to be on site.

"I try to make a golf course fun for everyone. For a good course you have to think about strategy - how to play each hole. My courses will challenge very good players but not be too difficult for more mid-level golfers. In my mind the object is for a player to enjoy the course and want to play it again and again."