How to make golf more sustainable

Sustainability is a key topic in golf

From biodegradable tees to making space for wildlife, Sustainable Golf Week shows golfers how they can make a difference.

Sustainability has rightly become an increasing focus in golf in recent years, with more thought now going into how golf courses can be kinder to the environment, as well as more products being made using recycled materials and in more environmentally friendly ways.

The first ever Sustainable Golf Week looks to build on this momentum, encouraging golfers around the world to do their bit to the #DrivingTheGreen agenda with the help of an easy-to-follow Sustainability Scorecard.

With 18 tips included on the sustainability scorecard, golfers can track their progress throughout the week with tasks as simple as avoiding single-use plastic and taking an interest in your local clubs’ community initiatives.

Presented as a traditional golfing scorecard, a front and back nine of tips offer an ideal starting point for golfers to integrate more sustainable habits into their normal golfing lives.

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The Sustainable Golf Week, an initiative from the Golf Environmental Organisation (GEO), runs 3rd-9th October, but the principles can be applied beyond that to provide a greener, more sustainable future for the game of golf.

“When it comes to environmental stewardship and climate action, even the smallest decision can make a huge difference,” said Jonathan Smith, Executive Director of the international non-profit GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf. “Whether it’s sharing a ride to the golf course, walking instead of taking a golf cart, or looking carefully at the equipment we purchase, every small change by over 60 million golfers can have a massive impact. Ensuring we provide a world where golf is still playable for future generations,” he added.

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With a range of daily highlights, features and social activity available to interact with throughout the week, GEO has focused on five key topics – grassroots clubs and courses, tournaments, developments and innovations – with an aim to stimulate and encourage positive climate action from those involved. Whether it’s land conservation or water management, Sustainable Golf Week is designed to help connect people across golf to explore ways to tackle the biggest environmental challenges that golf and society faces.

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Leading partners and collaborators with GEO Foundation in the acceleration of sustainability in and through golf include The R&A, European Tour group, Ryder Cup Europe, Ladies European Tour, LPGA, The Toro Company, Dow, Vidauban Foundation, Visit Scotland, Galvin Green, Motocaddy, Provision Events, Ocean Tee, Sky Sports, IAGTO and some 50 industry federations and associations across 25 countries. The effort is closely aligned beyond golf, including UN Sport for Climate Action, The Gold Standard and ISEAL Alliance.

​​To find out more about Sustainable Golf Week and GEO Foundation and how to get involved visit: sustainable.golf/sustainablegolfweek or follow @sustainablegolf on social media.

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