Golf Course 2030 – Priorities and Pressures for Golf Course Design

In 2019, The R&A launched Golf Course 2030 – an initiative to bring together the industry and address the threats and opportunities facing golf courses now and in the future.

In 2020 this was followed by the awarding of projects across topics as diverse as integrated management of turf, aggregate use in golf courses and sustainable water management.

Global Growth, Consistent Issues

Whilst the programme was initially focused on Great Britain and Ireland , as these first projects commenced Golf Course 2030 was quickly adopted by more regions and countries. National golf federations and industry bodies from Europe and Asia set about producing their own Golf Course 2030 National and Regional plans.

Now, with 13  plans covering 22 countries, and work progressing in Africa and Asia, Golf Course 2030 is a truly global programme that has engaged more than 200 key bodies and organisations in golf course management and development, and thousands of practitioners working in the industry.

Whilst the countries and regions involved in Golf Course 2030 are diverse and global, the issues identified in their plans and the need to act in specific areas are consistent. Wherever in the world you look, the industry has clearly identified topics critical to the future of golf courses and where increased research, innovation, practical solutions and more communication are needed.

Evolving Pressures, Increasing Urgency

Not only has the industry’s engagement in GC2030 increased since its launch, but the pressure to take action with the key issues has also increased.

At the launch of GC2030 a survey of the industry showed a stark difference between how golf course industry professionals – course managers, greenkeepers, architects and consultants – viewed sustainability challenges, and how those working in other fields in the industry saw them.

Golf club committees and boards, owners, and even general managers of clubs stated they were less concerned and less ready to take action in areas such as pesticide restriction, water shortage, extremes of climate and investment in practical solutions.

This was reflected in the level of publicity provided to these topics. Sustainability as a subject was frequently relegated to the inside pages of trade publications, and technical articles on greenkeeping and sports turf websites.

However, nearly five years later, the reality of sustainability pressures are being recognised by all involved in the industry. Climate extremes bringing playability issues through a dearth or excess of water, increasing regulatory pressure, changing condition of golf courses, increased costs of building and maintaining golf courses.

Sustainability issues in golf are now common talking points across those working in the industry and golfers in the clubhouse after their game. Golfer publications are featuring articles discussing sustainability in golf through the eyes of the many millions who play the game globally, television coverage of golf includes discussion about management of courses, and even wider media outlets are seeking to tell stories – positive or negative – about our game.

The urgency, and the opportunity, for sustainable golf courses has never been more important to our audiences.

Golf Course 2030 Linked to Golf Course Design

Increasingly consultants to golf courses – whether agronomic or architectural –  are being contracted by clubs to address specific sustainability issues and provide innovative solutions with increased urgency. Golf course architects have a critical role in considering the sustainability of  new designs and work to renovate and improve existing golf courses.

Sustainable Agronomy

Sustainable agronomy focuses on golf course management producing enjoyable playing surfaces now and in the future. In particular, Golf Course 2030 focuses on areas related to integrated turf management, alternatives to pesticides, and course conditioning and playability.

The relationship between golf course architects and those who maintain the final design has always been important. However, increasingly architectural decisions must interlink with the creation of an environment suitable to produce enjoyable playing surfaces.

Resources

Golf course management and construction sees the use of finite resources. Under this theme, Golf Course 2030 is focused on enhancing the efficient use of natural and manufactured resources such as water, sand, materials and energy.

Golf course architects must increasingly consider the resource requirements of their design decisions. Construction specifications for playing surfaces, the number and size of playing features such as bunkers, and critically the holistic approach to water management – drainage, storage and efficient use.

Biodiversity

Golf is good for nature, providing natural value, and helping to conserve and protect species and landscapes. Golf Course 2030 aims to demonstrate the valuable role golf courses have in nature conservation, as well as identifying what best practices should be considered in the development and management of golf courses.

Research suggests that more than half of the average golf course is non-playing or natural areas. This provides an extraordinary opportunity for golf courses to increase the diversity and quality of natural habitats and the range of species found in the golfing landscape. Better nature on golf courses has been proved to increase golfer enjoyment and also attract positive interaction with external non-golf audiences.

Climate

Golf courses need to adapt too, and can have a positive role in taking climate action. This programme theme focuses on exploring the adaptions needed for golf in response to a changing climate, as well as the opportunities to be a contributor to society’s wider climate goals.

Golf course construction and renovation can be a resource-intensive process, as can the maintenance of unsustainable designs. Architects must consider the lifetime impact of design decisions and champion the use of innovative technology to reduce our impact, whilst adapting to a changing climate.

To review the range of publications, resources and materials produced, and underway, by Golf Course 2030 projects visit: Golf Course 2030 Projects Homepage

The Future

Golf Course 2030 continues to support and produce practical solutions for the industry to use.

2023 saw a range of projects launched in Europe – bringing the total number of Golf Course 2030 projects to 25, and The R&A investment to £1.5million to-date. Further global Golf Course 2030 projects are forthcoming – working with national  federations to identify their priorities and what can be produced.

Golf Course 2030 is about much more than projects. The global discussion and exchange of information continues between all stakeholders. EIGCA are part of that and have joined The R&A at events ranging from education classes, multi-day conferences and seminars hosted by Golf Course 2030 and our collaborators.

The role of golf course architects in supporting a sustainable future for the places our game is played cannot be understated, and the whole industry must work collectively to help the sport  thrive.

Find out more about the projects, national and regional plans, and wider work of The R&A in Sustainable Golf here: randa.org/what-is-gc2030