Watch over time to see if Supreme Court rollbacks on federal agency powers land former golf course preservation efforts in a sand-trap. Federal regulation of wetlands, floodplains, and hazardous substances presently places limitations on the ability to turn many a defunct golf course into housing or a commercial use, making a decision to conserve more likely. As the highest court curbs agency powers, some of those properties could gain development potential. 

Policy pro-tip: identify and preserve the most sensitive areas on former golf courses, while jumping on the opportunity to use lower-value lands for affordable housing. 

Legal pro-tip: obtain an early zoning and title analysis on development potential from experienced local real estate counsel. 

After Shutting Down, These Golf Courses Went Wild - The New York Times (nytimes.com) (subscription required)