Golf facilities serve as recreational, environmental and financial assets to their communities – and sustainable management of facilities serves to extend that relationship.

The Environmental Institute for Golf has identified three primary focus areas as key issues facing golf facilities today and into the future:

• Water Conservation
• Water Quality Protection
• Energy Conservation

A commitment to improvements within these key areas will advance sustainability of individual golf facilities.

Many facilities are already taking positive steps. Here are some success stories from facilities that provide examples of a sustainable approach.

Success Stories

On water conservation:

• Santa Cruz, Calif.: Water Conservation in Response to Drought Has Many Positive Benefits
• Payson, Ariz.: Water Conservation at The Rim Golf Club

On water quality protection:

• Virginia Beach, Va.: Collaborating Golf Course Environmental Stewardship to Ensure a Healthy Watershed
• Salina, Kan.: Salina Country Club and The Groundwater Guardian Green Site Program

On energy use and conservation:

• Plaquemine, La.: Alternative Energy and Conservation at The Island Golf Club
• Rochester, Mass. Harnessing the Wind at Rochester Golf Club

Golf’s Economic Value

Golf 20/20 published its first national report in 2002, which demonstrated that golf in 2000 was a $62 billion industry, bigger than the motion picture and recording industries combined. A follow-up report in 2007 confirmed that golf had grown to become a $76 billion industry. Golf 20/20’s economic research provides a clear documentation of golf’s effect on the economy. Read the complete research report.