From its origins at the end of the 19th century as a converted farmhouse to its maturity as a fully developed building type, the country club has been most popular in British and North American locations suitable to the wealthy classes and to the requirements of outdoor sport. Farmhouses originally met these requirements and were less expensive to convert and augment than building new structures. At the same time, some members undoubtedly preferred the ambience of a farmhouse over a new building. While the farmhouse has continued to serve as a model for clubhouse design, club leaders have increasingly opted to construct new buildings rather than convert old ones. When converting a farmhouse into a clubhouse, designers were forced to develop a site plan that centered on the farmhouse’s location. However, on an undeveloped site the clubhouse location was determined not only by its proximity to a road but also by how to develop the best golf course. Using the high ground was a key criteri...