Golf is open to all
Environmental Benefits
Of Golf
Golf is a wonderful sport to enjoy in the great outdoors.
Golf has a unique relationship with the natural environment and a responsibility to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the game played by millions around the world.
Not only is golf great for our health and well-being, but it can also provide a host of benefits for the climate and environment too.What are the benefits?
By their very nature of an outside natural environment, golf courses can contribute to wildlife conservation, species protection and have the potential to play a role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Sustainable agronomy practices contribute to good quality playing surfaces that can reduce the consumption of natural resources such as water, reduce the usage of fertiliser and pesticides and increase the biodiversity value.
These benefits are achieved by:
- Working with the natural environment to enhance biodiversity and conserving natural habitats
- Protecting species and encouraging species diversity
- Providing connectivity through the landscape to link other green spaces via nature corridors
- Working with nature conservation bodies such as Natural England and Nature Scot
- Conserving natural resources
- Managing waste efficiently following the waste hierarchy
- Managing healthy grass species, soil structure and drainage for sustainable course playability
- Increasing biological controls for pests and diseases
Did You Know?
Fact
Over 98% of all lizard orchids can be found at Royal St George’s. The Open venue is not only an oasis for this species but in acting as a nucleus it is helping their spread out and into the immediate countryside.Fact
Golf courses support our rarest internationally protected wildlife including all species of bat and natterjack toad. Nationally declining species such as Brown hare Otter and all reptiles are making golf courses their home.
Did You Know?
We have a long-established relationship with the conservation charity, the RSPB, who partner with us to improve the habitat management and wildlife value of golf courses and support golf in promoting its good work to the environmental lobby and government.
We are able to work with a dedicated Wildlife Support Advisor passionate around conserving wildlife and habitats of golf courses.
Protecting the Future of Golf
Course managers and greenkeepers play an incredibly important part in achieving these sustainability benefits and properly managed golf courses can deliver real advantages to the local environment and those living nearby. To protect the sport in the face of climate change, resource constraints and increased regulation, we are working closely with organisations responsible for managing courses to help realise these benefits and ensure that sustainable golf agronomy practices are used to enhance and maintain facilities for the benefit of golfers.
