St Andrews, Scotland: Golf course conditions today are a far cry from the early days of the game, with golfer expectations also having shifted over the years.

As outlined in this video, these new demands, and higher expectations from those who play the game, pose new challenges when it comes to the sustainable management of courses. This means rising maintenance costs, an increase in resources and, in turn, higher green fees.

The path to a more economically and environmentally resilient sport requires the collective effort of the golf community, starting with aligning expectations with best agronomic practices.

The demand for ultra-fast putting surfaces is just one example of where expectations clash with sustainability. Maintaining these speeds requires intensive practices that push the turf to its limit. 

The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA address these issues jointly, working through initiatives like the International Turfgrass Research Initiative and the Distance Insights project to safeguard the game’s future.

Daniel Lightfoot, Director of Sustainable Golf at The R&A, explains the unsustainable nature of this demand, saying: “Faster greens need more mowing, more rolling and lower heights of cut. All of which puts the grass under more pressure. This makes greens less sustainable to maintain and more vulnerable to damage and disease.”

The cost and resource dedicated to achieving perfection in bunkers are equally challenging.

Jordan Booth, Director of Course Consulting at USGA, explains the drain on resources. He said: “Today, some golf courses spend almost as much money maintaining bunkers as they do greens. Some of that would probably be better spent elsewhere.”

Watch the video to learn more about the challenges faced when it comes to the sustainable management of golf courses, and how we can all embrace the idea that courses can and sometimes should be rough around the edges.

Learn more about the work of The R&A Sustainability team here.