Golf – a sport rooted in nature and communities
Golf has always been more than a sport — it’s a celebration of nature, community, and wellness. For centuries, players and fans have enjoyed the game’s beauty amid lush fairways and scenic landscapes, finding health and connection in every swing.
But as courses, tournaments, spectators, and fan excitement grew, so did scrutiny around golf’s environmental and social footprint as well as the rise in environmental expectations.
Today, the sport is looking more closely at its impact on the environment, communities and in general society.
The main goal is clear: to minimize environmental and social impacts while enhancing the positive contributions golf can make to communities and ecosystems.
The International Golf Federation (IGF) is working vigorously to support this movement, collaborating with its National Federation members, various partners and stakeholders in both amateur and professional golf, many of which recognize the responsibility and opportunity golf has to make a significant difference.
Moreover, IGF partnership with the GEO Foundation marks a significant step towards advancing sustainability initiatives in golf. By collaborating with GEO, IGF intends to integrate best-in-class environmental practices into the sport, focusing on reducing carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development. This partnership will provide IGF with expert guidance, resources, and tools to implement effective sustainability measures across all levels of golf, from grassroots to professional tournaments. Together, we are committed to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, aligning our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and ensuring a positive impact on communities and the planet.
A sustainable development is crucial for golf's future success.
A sustainable development is essential for golf’s long-term success. Strengthening resilience, streamlining operations, while boosting its global appeal. By positioning golf as a leader in sustainability among sports, the game can proudly stand as a driving force in restoring natural ecosystems, contributing to climate protection, and building more equitable, sustainable communities around the world.
The International Golf Federation (IGF) has officially introduced its 2025-2028 sustainability strategy, marking a significant step toward promoting environmental responsibility within the sport. This initiative reflects the IGF’s commitment to aligning golf with global sustainability goals, including the UN Sports for Climate Action and the IUCN Sport for Nature initiatives. The strategy is designed to embed sustainable practices across all levels of the sport, from grassroots development to major international events like the World Amateur Team Championships and the Olympic Games. Through this effort, the IGF aims to reduce golf’s environmental impact and foster a culture of ecological awareness throughout the global golf community.
The International Golf Federation (IGF)'s sustainability strategy is built around several key pillars that aim to embed environmental and social responsibility throughout the sport. Here are the main elements:
- Environmental Stewardship: Golf courses are encouraged to operate in harmony with nature, enhancing landscapes and ecosystems while conserving biodiversity. This includes responsible land use, habitat protection, and ecological restoration
- Water Management: The strategy promotes efficient and innovative water use practices, recognizing water as a critical resource. Golf facilities are urged to adopt sustainable irrigation systems and conserve water wherever possible
- Energy and Resource Efficiency: Golf operations are expected to reduce their carbon footprint by using low-resource turfgrass, energy-efficient clubhouse systems, and sustainable machinery
- Sustainable Products and Supply Chains: The IGF encourages mindful procurement practices, ensuring that products and services used in golf are environmentally friendly and ethically sourced
- Community Integration and Social Impact: Golf is positioned as a contributor to local communities, offering employment, recreation, and educational opportunities. Courses are seen as green spaces that support public well-being and social cohesion
- Climate Action and Advocacy: The IGF aligns with global initiatives like the UN Sports for Climate Action, aiming to reduce climate impact and promote sustainability through education and communication
International Golf Federation's sustainability strategy
Key action areas for the strategy include:
- leading by example on our operations, procurement, and events;
- supporting National Federations and Delivery Partners by collaborating on common solutions that serve the amateur and professional game; and
- helping promote golf’s progress and contributions, including through the visibility of Olympic Golf values.
Efforts will be guided by a new IGF Sustainability Advisory Group; our partners at the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation – an international non-profit that supports sustainability in and through multiple parts of golf – and also with a number of our other partners and stakeholders.
Our sustainability priorities and goals are structured around the Sustainable Golf Framework – a well-researched, collaboratively developed, and practical agenda of priority environmental and social issues for the sport of golf.
A growing movement
"There’s a powerful surge of momentum across the golf world, marked by growing commitment, dynamic action, and significant results. From inspired leadership at the Association and Tour levels to enthusiastic engagement at grassroots facilities, bold strides in new golf developments, world-class tournament staging, and vibrant media involvement—golf is thriving like never before."
Some of the leading programs and initiatives being delivered by international partners across the sector include:
Further Resources and Information
In addition, there is an upswell in the number of National Federations and other industry groups (greenkeepers, club managers, owners, golf architects etc) which are embracing sustainability through their own strategies, member engagements, educational support and communications activities.
This page provides links to several of these organisations for further information on their actions and commitment to enhance golf’s social and environmental value.
Grass roots Golf
- Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)
- British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association BIGGA
- Federation of the National Greenkeeping Associations in Europe FEGGA
- OnCourse® Facilities
Golf Developments
- American Society of Golf Course Architects ASGCA
- The European Institute of Golf Course Architects EIGCA
- Society of Australian Golf Course Architects SAGCA
- OnCourse® Developments
In turn this Framework aligns directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular 8 SDG’s that golf can most directly and significantly deliver against:
Find out more about how golf contributes across the SDGs here.
