The picture of water-hungry, over-managed, chemical-heavy landscapes nonetheless shapes public opinion, however Aaron Bowen, assistant estates supervisor at The Gog Magog Golf Membership in Cambridgeshire, is aware of the reality may be very totally different. Right here, he challenges eight frequent myths about golf and the atmosphere.
Fable 1: Golf programs are ecological deserts
That is in all probability some of the frequent criticisms golf receives as a result of folks assume programs are sterile grass environments with little ecological worth. The fact may be very totally different. Folks typically image solely the greens and fairways, however the enjoying surfaces are often a comparatively small share of the positioning.
At Gog Magog, we glance after round 500 acres and solely about 75 are intensively managed. The remainder is ecological tough, bushes and habitat for bugs, birds and bats.
Fable 2: Each a part of a golf course is intensively maintained
The fact is that totally different areas of a course are managed in very other ways. Greens, tees and key enjoying corridors want shut consideration as a result of they straight have an effect on the standard of the golf.
Different areas might solely want occasional slicing, thinning or focused work at sure occasions of 12 months, whereas some components will be left largely alone as a result of minimal intervention is one of the best administration selection.
Good greenkeeping is about realizing which areas want precision, which want light-touch administration and that are higher left undisturbed.
Fable 3: Golf programs at all times waste water
Golf has to get entry to sustainable water sources, retailer that water correctly after which use it effectively. The reply is to not flood a course purely for presentation.
At Gog Magog, now we have invested £2m in a brand new irrigation system to make use of much less water, which was a tough promote however the schooling helped get it over the road.
Moisture meters, water mapping, surfactants and trendy irrigation methods imply we will goal the areas that want water and make higher use of what’s already within the soil.
Fable 4: Golf programs are soaked in chemical substances
A few of the misconceptions round golf are nonetheless based mostly on what the trade appeared like 15 or 20 years in the past. Again then, there have been some fairly nasty merchandise getting used and the purpose was typically to create sterile environments.
That has modified massively. Pesticide laws has moved issues on, and rightly so. We’re utilizing safer merchandise at decrease charges, extra organic-based supplies and higher greenkeeping practices. We now perceive that wholesome microbial exercise within the soil is one thing to help, not take away.
Fable 5: Golf programs are worse for the atmosphere than any various land use
A poorly managed golf course can completely have detrimental impacts, however so can intensive agriculture, city enlargement and industrial improvement.
A well-managed golf course can present actual environmental advantages, from flood mitigation by ditches and reservoirs to habitat creation, cooler inexperienced house and carbon storage.
At Gog Magog, we sit on chalk downland, and open grassland can lock carbon into the soil very successfully when it stays undisturbed. You wouldn’t get that stage of habitat from roads, hardstanding or housing.
Fable 6: Golf programs solely assist wildlife if they’re left wild
A few of the finest ecological outcomes come from energetic administration fairly than abandonment. I spent 10 years at a heathland course, and in case you left that unmanaged it could ultimately flip again into woodland, with seedlings and gorse taking on and heather being misplaced.
The land is at all times attempting to transform into probably the most profitable plant. Wildflower meadows want cautious slicing regimes, ponds can silt up and tough grass or woodland wants ongoing administration to take care of habitat and species variety.
Fable 7: Golf and nature are at all times in battle
The most effective golf programs more and more see environmental administration and enjoying high quality as a part of the identical dialog.
Wholesome soils, resilient turf and functioning ecosystems all contribute to raised long-term enjoying circumstances. Golf is dependent upon nature, particularly once we undergo durations of drought, warmth or heavy rain.
Typically the issues we face are out of our management, so now we have to work with nature and clarify these challenges to members. Schooling is a big a part of serving to golfers perceive what is going on.
Fable 8: Environmental enchancment means worse golf
Quite a lot of sustainable practices can truly enhance enjoying high quality. Firmer, drier turf is commonly extra resilient, and higher soil administration and extra environment friendly water use assist the course deal with stress.
Expectations do nonetheless want to alter as a result of golfers watch event golf and see tender, inexperienced, completely offered programs.
The R&A has helped by championing a extra pure, sustainable method at main championships. If that look is seen as acceptable on the high of the sport, then it turns into a lot simpler to clarify at membership stage.
This text seems in Your Course, from the British and Worldwide Golf Greenkeepers Affiliation. Your Course invitations golfers to achieve a deeper appreciation of what getting ready and sustaining a golf course actually entails. Head to www.bigga.org.uk to search out out extra.
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