Improvements at the Muirfield Village Golf Club are under way to ensure the golf course remains one of the premier spots around the world.

In September, the golf club began overhauling the practice area of the 38-year-old course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

“When the club was built in the ’70s it had the best practice facility,” said general manager Nicholas LaRocca. “We wanted to make sure we still have the best practice facility in the world.”

Improvements to the practice area of the 220-acre golf course include the installation of bunkers, enhancement of target greens and addition of chipping greens.

“It’s the same concept, but a major facelift,” said Paul Latshaw, director of grounds.

The new setup gives players a 3-D practice experience at the east, west and north tees.

Latshaw said the tees would give players an opportunity to experience different factors while playing, such as wind.

“It’s adding a little more variety to your practice,” he said. “It simulates any factors you’ll employ on the golf course.”

Improvements also have included irrigation, drainage work and the installation of 150 new trees, Latshaw said.

“We went from 85,000 square feet of teeing to 115,000 square feet for people to practice,” he said.

The improvements come before the Presidents Cup, slated to come to Muirfield in 2013, but LaRocca said the upcoming competition didn’t trigger the work.

“It’s been on Mr. Nicklaus’ mind for a few years,” he said. “He wanted to create more action out on the practice facility.”

“Through the years, Mr. Nicklaus is always refining the golf course,” Latshaw added.

According to LaRocca, a new 16th hole was added last year, making Muirfield a course with some of the most difficult final holes.

“The 16th hole is something,” he said. “It’s a monster.”

Although the construction schedule was aggressive and the project was supposed to be finished in October, according to Latshaw, the record amount of rainfall in Ohio this year has delayed its completion.

“On Sept. 12 we started,” LaRocca said. “It’s been raining ever since.”

The “heavy lifting” of the project has been done, but dry weather is needed to complete the final touches, Latshaw said.

“We need a change in weather, just two weeks of dry weather to get this finished,” he said.

Grass is growing in one spot, though. Using precision air, Latshaw said an area of grass has had to be mowed four times.

“It puts warm air into the soil and extends the growing season,” he said.

Precision air also has been used in the summer. Latshaw said cold air was blown on grass at the 16th hole last year to keep grass growing properly.

“Above 85 degrees the roots start to become dysfunctional,” Latshaw said. “It (the cooler air) keeps grass alive and healthy.”

Improvements may be dependent on the weather, but the club has a few months to wrap up work. LaRocca said the practice area would be open for members in the spring.