Golf lands on the green with sustainability efforts

The International Golf Federation (IGF) has announced that it will promote best practice to minimise the sport's consumption of non-renewable natural resources.


Sustainability has been recognised as a core priority by the sport as it looks to “optimise the playing quality of golf courses in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment under economically sound and socially responsible management”.

The IGF and its member organisations have set several measures to become a more environmentally responsible sport.

Measures include expanding awareness among golfers and golf facilities, assisting golf facilities to incorporate sustainable principles, practices and technology into daily business decisions and operations and to encourage golfers to embrace environmentally sound practice in course preparation.

The IGF said: “Safeguarding the environment is a top global priority. As a growing international sport, requiring significant land use, golf has a responsibility to embrace the principles and practice of sustainability”.

The sports environmental drive has been a long time coming, as a report, released back in 2005, by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) showed that golfers took environmental issues such as recycling very seriously.

It found that 95% of respondents stated that they would want their golf course to use recycled products, assuming that there were no negative performance or cost implications.

Leigh Stringer

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