Sustainability seems to be a hot topic on everyone’s lips. While some may think it’s just the latest buzzword, for golf, sustainability will be key to unlocking and maintaining a prosperous future. From major winners to grassroots golfers, going green is the goal of many looking to enjoy their time on the course for years to come. Here’s a look at some of the ways the game is embracing a greener future.
Naturalisation
The call for golf clubs to look into more natural maintenance options has been around for a while, but during the pandemic many courses took the disruption as a perfect time to
adopt more sustainable approaches to greens keeping.
According to the R&A , up to 70 percent of larger golf course sites can be made available to wildlife by restricting the area of routinely mown turf that is in play.
This cuts down on the need to use resources such as water, fertiliser, pesticides and fuel. But it also increases the visual appeal of the course, making it a more
desirable place to play.
By allowing selected areas around the golf course to naturally grow, naturalisation decreases time and money spent on maintenance as well as adding more areas of interest to the course.
The Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand won the Nature Protection Award at the 2021 IAGTO Sustainability Awards due to its unique landscape that features grasslands,
wetlands and woodlands. The club’s five-year plan to increase naturalised areas has amplified environmental habitats across the site by about 25 percent.
H2O
One of the biggest gripes with the game has been its excessive use of water and chemical treatments to ensure beautiful and exquisitely maintained courses.
Since 1982 the USGA has invested more than $18 million to study environmental issues related to the game, with a strong emphasis on research into new grasses that require less
water and pesticide use.
Today, using the latest in modern technology, golf course irrigation systems and water conservation practices are helping to drive a greener future at golf courses around the globe.
In 2020, The Grove in Hertfordshire installed a Hydroponics tee from capillary concrete on their 5th hole. Trialling a new and more efficient alternative to aerating and irrigation, the system can save up to 85 percent water consumption compared to conventional irrigation systems. And as an added bonus - it runs off solar power.
It’s Electric
Another way many golf courses are upping their eco game is by using electric golf buggies. These zero-emission vehicles are still great for getting groups around the course, but powered by lithium batteries or even solar energy, gives them greater sustainability.
Quinta do Lago in Portugal recently invested in a fully electric fleet of golf carts. With over 200 buggies servicing their three golf courses, the club estimates
they are saving over 150,000kg CO2 a year.
GEO Certified
As the desire to explore more eco-friendly ways to enjoy the game ramps up, leaders within the golf community are paying attention.
The GEO Foundation is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to helping accelerate sustainability throughout the game.They offer OnCourse programmes for
golf facilities, developments and tournaments to become GEO Certified.The modern certification recognises environmental and social responsibility and is a widely regarded
international ecolabel.
The 2022 Dubai Desert Classic is being played at the GEO Certified Emirates Golf Course.
Tournament Director Simon Corkill told gulfnews.com that they are in the process of working with the Geo Foundation to become a GEO Certified event in the future.
“The whole ethos of the event is to keep striving to take it to new heights and we look at every element of the event,” said Corkill. Adding,
“We are partnering with the GEO Foundation out of St Andrews in Scotland, who are world leaders in golf in regards to ensuring the sport is moving in the right direction
regarding sustainability.”
Some of the improvements they’ve implemented to help this journey are eradicating single use plastics, ensuring anything that is single use is recyclable and using 100-metres of
solar panels on the 11th hole to power the entire areas around the 11-15th.
Big Names Driving Change
Leading by example is always a good way to encourage change. As more Tour pros, tournament organisers and golf courses get on board,
the push for golf to become more sustainable grows louder.
In November 2021 Rory McIlroy explained to reporters how he takes steps to reduce his carbon footprint,something the four-time major winner is conscious of even
though his job requires frequent flying around the world.
“I wouldn’t self-profess to be an eco warrior, but I’m someone that doesn’t want to damage the environment in any way, so how can I make my travel around the world neutral,
how can I neutralise what I do?”
McIlroy told reporters at the DP World Tour Championship in 2021.
He further explained that after speaking with the Geo Foundation, “they came up with a few different ways that I can do that. So on top of that I pay to fly private,
I pay quite a bit more on top of that to make sure I’m carbon neutral by the end of the year.”
Solheim Cup legend Suzann Pettersen became the first professional golfer in 2020 to sign on as a GEO Sustainable Golf Champion.
In a statement released at the time, Pettersen remarked, “when I saw that my home course, Oslo Golf Club,
was also certified by GEO for its great work, I thought this is something I’d really like to get behind.
As a mother of a young child, it is incredible how concerned you become over the future of the planet, its biodiversity, air quality and climate.
These things are absolutely vital to the health and wellbeing of future generations, so we all need to do our best to make things better.”
Back in October 2021, the ACCIONA Open de Espana became the first European Tour event to comply with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The tournament implemented a variety of sustainable solutions throughout its duration to neutralise any detrimental effects on Madrid’s natural or social environment.
The use of electric cars and public transport was prioritised, and trees were planted in the Community of Madrid to further help offset emissions.
The importance of growing the game for future generations is something those in the know have been working on for years.
During the pandemic golf saw a huge surge in popularity around the globe. The 2021 European Golf Participation Report found that over 10.6 million golfers now enjoy playing full-length
courses on the continent, an increase from 7.9 million in 2016.
As more people look to golf as a way to relax and stay fit, the game will be looking to retain new players through a variety of initiatives.
Sustainability and promoting a greener approach to the game will also be helpful in promoting a welcoming and friendly environment.
For more information on golf sustainability visit the GEO Foundation.
