Environmental Attitudes on the Golf Course

There is no doubt that the 21st century has brought many new concerns to many old industries. Golf is one industry that new concerns need to be resolved using solutions based on the ancient traditions of the game.

The general attitude surrounding the golf course industry is that it is unsustainable due to the fact that most anti-golfers view Augusta National as the rule instead of the exception. Unfortunately that perception is followed by many of todays golf club members who expect Masters Sunday type conditions all season long. This of course is not only unrealistic but also environmentally irresponsible.

As I visit golf courses to talk to the superintendent about joining the Audubon Program in order to attain and demonstrate environmental responsibility I get most telling me that members will not go for it because it will change the playability of the golf course.

This may be true to a certain extent but it does not have to be a done deal. A major part of the environmental movement is about educating those who refuse to change.

The biggest concern is buffer zones surrounding water bodies on the golf course. Golfers are concerned that by extending unmaintained areas around water bodies the golf course will become more difficult resulting in higher scores. To this I say "balderdash"! These people are more concerned with whether or not they shoot 100 or 103.

The fact is that extending buffer zones can mean raising mowing heights from 1/2 inch to 3 inches. Golf ball wise the result will mean balls being held up in the longer rough to be played out of instead of balls going into the water and a 1 stroke penalty being assessed.

Golfers who are true students and lovers of the game know that when the golf was first played in Scotland the maintenance was non-existent. Of course these days there does need to be some maintenance performed but to have it manicured wall-to-wall is not necessary nor is it sustainable.

At the end of the day it is golfers that will determine the fate of the game. Short sighted attitudes that superintendents encounter on a daily basis demanding perfectly manicured courses are what is ultimately giving golf the bad rap in the public eye.

Golf is a game that is supposed to be played in the "natural" environment and by definition nature is imperfect; "Not artificial or imitation." Tracks that are maintained wall-to-wall such as Augusta are more like TV studios than golf courses.

The fact of the matter is that as an industry (golfers included) we have set ourselves up for the disappointments that we must now face. In reality we never should have been maintaining fairways down to the water or cutting grass in out-of-play areas such as between greens and the next tee deck. It is a waste of time and money at the expense of the environment.

There is no question that golf courses and the environment can co-exist but it is going to take concessions on the part of everyone in the industry to make it work.

If a golfer hits their ball too far so it rolls into the water or goes too far right so it enters into no-maintenance areas the rules of the game will dictate the punishment.

At a lot of golf courses now, balls that roll to the edge of a water body are played as though they landed in the middle of the fairway. This is not the way the game was ever intended to be played.

If the game of golf is going to survive so our children and grandchildren can enjoy it, concessions are going to have to be made. Respect and care for the environment must come first instead of the ego-centric club level rules that have been adopted by weekend warriors that are more concerned with saving a few strokes than they are about preserving the game and the environment for future generations.

For those golfers who are stuck on wall-to-wall maintenance because it looks pretty it is time to realize the damage that has been done to our environment and accept the fact that unsustainable development and maintenance practices have brought on the environmental concerns we must deal with today. Lets stop the selfish insanity and understand the fact that you're handicap is really a 27 not a 24.