Any course designers out there have good ideas on how to combat these issues? This is the main issue we are having with a new course we are trying to put in.

Three Rivers Parks district http://www.threeriversparks.org/ has used a kind of plastic perforated matting that allows grass to grow thru and is bolted down into the soil. I've seen some of this on sloped areas and some on flat land but I've never walked on any of the sloped matting when it is wet. But it seems like it would still be fairly grippy. I've seen it used in the busiest areas where 99% of the people walk and also on areas that are particularly vulnerable to damage (shaded, sloped, well worn, etc.)

The most damage will be done during the spring thaw when the ground is wet, sloppy and half-frozen. If the pins are pulled until the ground is dry and the grass is nice and green, the course will hold up much better year after year.

The material they used is Tenax GP (grass protection) and is available at
http://www.parteksupply.com/Tenax.htm

It kind of depends on what type of erosion your talking about. If you can get a good sod base down that will help. Try to find a grass with a longer root system. You might check the website of nagreen.com for some different types of erosion control matting and other stuff.

We have used coco logs recently to help diffuse the water energy as it comes downhill, and thus, reduce erosion. This fairway is in the woods, so no chance of growing grass for stability. As the water comes downhill, it is chanelled side-to-side hitting the logs and keeps the speed of the water down.