In 2018, Forbes stated that a whopping 9 million tons of plastic infiltrate the ocean every year. With this in mind, golf courses all over the world are making conscious decisions to eliminate plastic. From the preservation of wildlife to promoting a low-carbon future, the golf community is making strides to contribute to the worldwide initiative to put the environment first.
Here are ten that have joined the movement:
Arabella Golf Mallorca, Spain
Arabella golf course in Mallorca
Arabella Golf Mallorca is one of the only golf courses in Spain with official sustainability certifications. Part of their extensive environmental plan is to go plastic-free and reduce water consumption. By providing mineralised water fountains on the course, golfers can use refillable water bottles to quench their thirst during their round.
Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah
Al Hamra golf club
Al Hamra Golf Club is the first golf club in the Middle East to go fully plastic-free. By eliminating plastic items and introducing high-quality water filtration solutions, Al Hamra sets a new industry standard and joins the global movement to conserve the environment.
Osprey Point at Kiawah Island Resort, US
Osprey-point
At Osprey Point, they have cleverly looked to nature to provide a way to manage water. All their playing surfaces are made up of the low maintenance turf grass Paspalum. This type of grass leads to the use of natural groundwater without having to add chemicals or other treatments.
Mission Hills Haikou, China
Mission Hills
China’s Mission Hills Haiku golf resort is the largest in the world and implements sustainable measures. The resort is committed to low-carbon, ecology, and environmental protection and use of solar golf carts, artificial lakes to collect rainwater for future irrigation and waste management practices.
Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore
Sentosa Golf Club
At Sentosa Golf Club, turned mangrove swamps and kampongs into rolling greens that make up their golf course. In the 40 years since its inception, they have won several accolades including Sustainability Gamechanger and Sustainability Innovator. Part of their sustainable initiative is the recycling rainwater and the use of bio-friendly products to lithium-ion buggies and reducing their plastic footprint.
Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
Emirates golf club
Emirates Golf Club promotes sustainable measures by transitioning towards a low-carbon future and enhancing energy savings. As one of the latest destinations to house the EV Green Chargers in the city, golfers can leave their cars to charge while playing a round of golf. The club is the first in the region to stimulate daylight to create a unique night golf experience with LED light technology.
Silver Lakes Golf & Wildlife Estate, South Africa
Silver Lake animals
Not just a golf course but a wildlife park too, Silver Lakes is home to a myriad of birds and wildlife. Floating islands have even been created to provide the animals with more breeding space. Their sustainability routine includes recyclable waste, organic fertilisers, and the use of variable speed drive (to improve water consumption).
Laguna Golf Lang Co, Vietnam
Laguna uses greenkeepers and water buffalos
Laguna Golf Lang Co has come up with an ingeniously natural way to maintain their environment; they have put a group of greenkeepers into place alongside water buffalos. From bio-mowers to protecting the traditional Vietnamese landscape by eating excess weeds, these buffalos play an essential role at the golf course – sustainably and innovatively.
Handara Golf Resort, Bali
The Handara Golf Club
The Handara Green Initiative encourages guests to participate in a Green Lifestyle by contributing to the preservation of the natural environment on the course. Handara Golf Resort s the only place where guests get to harvest their salads from Handara’s vegetable garden.
Troia Golf, Portugal
Troia Golf Course, Portugal
One thing that differentiates Troia Golf from the rest of the golf courses is its biodiversity. With over 600 species present in the peninsula, Troia is a haven for wildlife. Since each species has a significant role to play in the ecosystem, the conservation of the environment is a priority at Troia Golf.