SUSTAINABLE GOLF
#7 at Harbor Pines, photo by author
Sustainable Golf…???
Golf gets a bad rap, and in some cases rightfully so. But as a sport whose playing surfaces cover a land territory about the size Peru, there is considerable positive that the sport and its stakeholders can contribute to sustainability. Along with my colleague Jordan Moore, we do both scholarly and applied research (some with clubs) to help improve golf’s sustainability performance. In particular, we examine the intersections between golf and biodiversity, understanding the sustainability implications for course design and modification, and critically analyzing the different frameworks for sustainability that have been put forth by the game’s various governing entities. Spoiler alert: there’s ton's of potential for positive impact!
If you are interested in the broader relationships between sports and sustainability, I’d encourage you to check out the Sport Ecology Group (of which I am a member).
You can find links to our studies in this area below.
Howell, J. P., Moore, J., Petersen, L. A., & Crumrine, P. (2024). Biodiversity on golf courses: Role of sustainability certifications. International Journal of Sport Management, 25(4), 345-378.
And in the meantime, check out the virtual panel on biodiversity and golf that I organized a while back.
Rancho Las Palmas CC, photo by author