Energy & Resources

The world is at a crossroads. The global population and its demand for energy increases every day. How we meet that demand is the critical issue given that the type and amount of energy we use, and the emissions that arise from that use, have an impact on our environment, climate and our quality of life.  Which road will we take? The decision affects all of us and will play a large part in determining golf’s future too.

The shape of things to come

Traditional sources of energy are peaking or declining. In a volatile world they’re proving increasingly difficult to deliver. Costs will spiral. In the face of climate change and environmental degradation it’s also clear that they will come under increased regulation and legislative constraint. Sustainable, secure renewable energy sources are the way forward, but the reality is that the transition will take decades. In the interim we’ll see a hybrid mix of traditional fuels overlaid by cleaner, renewable technologies. Embracing this change and adapting to the new order makes commercial and environmental sense.

For most golf courses, day-to-day management of turfgrass is the single, largest resource consumption area. From 'embodied' energy in products such as maintenance machinery, fertilizers and pesticides, to the treatment of water and the use of non-renewable fuels, reductions in the resource requirements of turfgrass will unlock significant economic and environmental gains. At its heart, the future health of the golf industry rests on a combination of economically managed turfgrass and a smooth transition to cleaner and cheaper energy.

Getting ahead of the curve

As an industry golf is in pole position to lead from the front and ride the coming wave of change.

• Many golf facilities are well placed to harness geothermal heating and cooling, and solar and wind-power generation.
• Passive design (avoiding use of inefficient, energy squandering, mechanical systems) can be utilised by architects to reduce or remove energy loads of buildings and landscapes. These technologies can be retrofitted into courses and clubhouses.
• Renovations to courses offer huge opportunities for energy and resultant cost savings across long term maintenance.

Reducing energy use and introducing renewable sources will empower golf businesses to transition seamlessly into a future where traditional energy will be expensive.

Learn how GEO Certified™ golf clubs are taking action to reduce their consumption of energy and resources: