London, England: Golf clubs have an opportunity to educate golfers about the sustainable practices they are baking into their day-to-day operations.
 
That is one of the early conclusions from a new multi-market study on golf sustainability by Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS), a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
 
The research in the United Kingdom shows, for example, that over half of golfers are unsure whether their home course uses natural pest controls and fertilisers instead of chemical solutions.

Irrigation practices are another area where almost a third of golfers in the UK are uncertain of their club’s efforts. With results in other markets to follow, it raises the question of how awareness and attitudes differ between countries.

“Now is the moment for golf clubs to shout from the rooftops about what they are doing to secure the future of the game and the planet,” said Richard Payne, Director at Sports Marketing Surveys.

“We know many clubs are doing a lot of good work on their environmental footprints behind the scenes, and, with UK golfers expecting sustainability to become a more and more important focus in the next decade, this is the time for courses to make sure they are ahead of the curve in making their point,” he added.
 
With the UK findings also identifying a lack of (at least perceived) solar energy usage at golf courses, SMS is also calling for the industry to come together to develop solutions fast in this area.
 
“Visible changes like these cultivate a sense that we are all in this together and can be a spur to encourage golfers to boost sustainability efforts in their everyday lives,” Payne said.
 
In the words of the guardians of the game, The R&A, golf course sustainability means: ‘Optimising the playing quality of the golf course in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment under economically sound and socially responsible management.’

As courses move towards that ideal, golf may begin to see a move away from perfectly manicured and extensively watered properties and towards wilder looking, but still high quality playing surfaces.

Though the level of change achievable will vary course by course, factors including water management, fertilisation, aeration, top dressing and mowing are all rife with opportunities for improvements in sustainability. According to The R&A, selecting the right grass can reduce resource inputs by 50% or more.

Sustainability is also among the concerns informing The R&A’s Distance Insights consultation, a long-running focus that has benefitted from golfer research by SMS.