We had a massively underutilized golf course next to our subdivision that shut down. Within a year or two nature moved back in and it was beautiful with a thick hedge between it and "civilization". I'd go in there and see deer, and a variety of raptors on the regular. Then they ripped it all up for new homes all built in identical rows like army barracks.

I go into depth on some of the stuff required here:

https://slrpnk.net/comment/6570646

Note that this is for depaving, and not golf course restoration, but a lot of it is still applicable.

Golf courses are actually pretty fucking easy to reclaim. They already have established surface drainage patterns and water sources. Disc the turf, replant what you want, and you're good to go. Your biggest effort would be on weed management in the first few years, or any recontouring you want to do before you start.

They also already have access established for human use. You would want to break up sightlines on the golf course and associated trails so you make the whole place an animal trap.

Gift article link for anyone :) https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/15/climate/golf-courses-conservation-nature.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Z00.ee75._GtPiPt7tU3C&smid=url-share