The Difficulty with Golf

Versions of golf have been played for over six hundred years, and since conceptualization, it has spread to become a popular sport across the world. Developed on the eastern coast of Scotland, golf has been a source of controversy throughout its history, though much of said controversy is its banning in 1457 after Scotsmen were not properly executing military training to play instead. However, recently a new dilemma has arisen. 

Because of the nature of the game, golf harms both ecosystems and natural resources. First, it requires large amounts of clear space for the course to be placed. This means that what previously may have been a diverse ecosystem with various plants and organisms is destroyed to make way for a field of only short-cut grass. Additionally, to maintain this grass, an extreme amount of water is required for irrigation. Both pesticides and fertilizers are also needed to support a green course, resulting in pollution of ground and surface water. Furthermore, these chemicals can harm wildlife even though they are not the target. 

All of these damaging practices are driven by golfers' unrealistic expectations for the courses they play on. As the climate changes, so will the state of outdoor spaces, like forests and parks, but also golf courses. As conditions continue to intensify, the problems they cause cannot be solved by simply using more water and adding more chemicals. 

However, golf cannot only be portrayed as the sport that will kill the planet, as there are multiple ways that it can either improve or already provide a positive impact. For example, courses can be home to many species of birds and bugs that would not have been able to settle in urban areas without a green space. To potentially lessen their environmental impact, they can begin with the planting of more native grasses, flowers, and trees and convert portions of the land into a form of wildlife sanctuary.

Overall, it can be determined that golf is not amazing for the environment. Although it can be done more sustainably with better practices, the same things can be done by public parks, the only difference being that parks are multi-purpose. However, it cannot be denied that for some, golf is a way to engage with the outdoors and make connections with others. So while golf should not be allowed to continue to cause harm, the switch to sustainability can allow for both the Earth and golfers to be honored.

Citations

“Golf and The Environment.” Audubon International, auduboninternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/GE-Golf-and-the-Environment.pdf.

“Climate Change Crisis: Golf Courses on Borrowed Time as Earth’s Weather Patterns Become Wilder.” CNN, Cable News Network, 14 Dec. 2021, www.cnn.com/2021/12/08/golf/climate-change-sustainability-spt-intl-cmd/index.html. 

Johnson, Ben. “The History and Origins of Golf.” Historic UK, 15 Nov. 2023, www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-History-of-Golf/.