KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Bayou Oaks driving range closes Jan. 12 for improvements
$2.2 million in state-funded upgrades tied to LIV Golf 2026
South and North courses will remain open during construction
Driving range expected to reopen in late April
The driving range at Bayou Oaks Golf at New Orleans City Park will close Jan. 12 for several months as part of a $2.2 million improvement project tied to the city’s preparations to host the LIV Golf Tournament in 2026.
City Park officials said the state-funded upgrades are designed to support the internationally recognized tournament, scheduled for June 26–28, 2026, while also delivering long-term improvements to the park’s public golf facilities.
Construction on the driving range is expected to be completed by the end of March, followed by a turf grow-in period. The range is anticipated to reopen in late April. City Park said the timing of the closure was selected to allow work to occur during optimal growing conditions.
While the driving range will be inaccessible during the project, Bayou Oaks’ South and North courses will remain open to golfers.
Planned improvements to the driving range include regrading the surface, upgrading irrigation and drainage systems, installing professional practice tees, adding a sand cap, laying new turf and constructing target greens. The project will also add a new practice area and putting green, which City Park officials said will enhance the overall experience for golfers once the work is complete.
Additional capital improvements will take place on the South Course while it remains open. Those upgrades include agronomic work such as growing in rough areas, reshaping select fairways, improving putting surfaces and conditions around greens, and completing minor drainage repairs on the course and at restroom buildings. Crews will also install new decking on bridges and perform remedial tree work, including removing unhealthy vegetation in areas that could be used for tournament spectators.
City Park said the upgrades are intended to modernize the facilities, improve playing conditions and reduce weather-related downtime, helping ensure a more consistent experience for golfers.
The driving range and South Course projects are part of a broader investment strategy aimed at supporting the LIV Golf event while strengthening Bayou Oaks Golf for long-term public use.
