Golf is a sport predicated on nature, and many golfers will tell you that spending time outdoors is one of their favorite aspects of the game. While there are many steps your golf course can take to protect wildlife and steward the environment, there are also steps individual golfers can take to limit harm to the natural world and ensure that golfers will be able to play among nature for many years to come. Below, we’re rounded up 10 ideas of how you can be a more sustainable golfer.
1. Say no to 'big polyester' with natural fibers
Much of modern sportswear is made from synthetic fibers like polyester or its sister weaves, nylon and spandex. All of these are derived from petroleum, which has been shown to not only be bad for the wearer’s individual health, but damaging to the environment. As you wear these fibers, clothes shed microplastics that pollute the course and harm the animals and plants that make homes on golf courses.
Thankfully, there are alternatives to polyester that are just as durable, breathable, stretchy, moisture-wicking and antimicrobial for golf and other sports. Natural, plant-based fibers like cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp and jute make for safe, comfortable and just as practical alternatives. Brands like Radmor, Galvin Green and Tentree offer ethical performance wear for men and women in golfer styles while taking the environment into consideration. Some are interwoven with limited amounts of recycled polyester to give petroleum-based threads already in the ecosystem a second life.
2. Re- and up-cycle your clubs, clothes and accessories
If you’ve outgrown your golf clothes or gear, or simply aren’t vibing with the styles anymore, there are options to donate or recycle, both of which extend the lives of the materials and limit waste and landfill accumulation.
For clubs, consider donating to the First Tee, a non-profit that supports youths and grows the game, through their 2nd Swing donation program. You can also reach out to your local chapter for donating other golf items such as equipment, clothing and accessories.
If the lives of your goods can’t be extended, then responsibly recycle the materials through companies like Ridwell, Green Golf (Australia) or H&M, which offers a free recycling and donation program. Look up your local government for other recycling and donation opportunities for clothes and equipment.
3. Take stock of your game
Today, nearly every aspect of your game has a sustainable alternative. Tees? Try wood or bamboo instead of plastic. Golf balls? There are biodegradable or recycled alternatives. Interrupt your game with exciting new textures and materials that are also better for the planet. Pro tip: These make for great gifts for the golf lover in your life.
4. Abandon leather and animal-based products
Leather requires a lot of water and resources to make, and synthetic leathers are often polyester-based. Leather production globally has been linked to deforestation and other environmental crises around the world. Wherever you might commonly see leather in your golf wardrobe, whether in the form of golf bags, gloves, headcovers, belts or shoes, look for leather-free (and animal cruelty-free) replacements that also take the environment into account. Here are some ideas to get you started. If you’re hesitant to abandon leather, shop for brands like Karibe that source their leather from farms raising stock for food and use all parts of the animals to limit waste.
5. Walk the course if you can
In terms of golf bags, look for lightweight, sustainable fabrics in slim, easily carried styles to hold just what you need. Look for manual push carts that don’t use electricity, or renewable energy-based carts if your game requires it. If you’re in the market for a golf cart, consider purchasing a pre-owned electric to save money and the earth’s resources.
6. Bring your own snacks and drinks in reusable packaging
Everyone in your foursome will love your preparedness. Just still tip the service staff!
7. Invest in fit & care
Shopping online can be convenient, but it often leads to unnecessary waste in packaging and shipping. Shopping in person can also ensure you can prioritize fit and comfort so you’re buying clothes and equipment you will actually get a lot of mileage out of. To extend the life of your golf clothes and gear, make sure to take items to be tailored or fit as needed, and be sure to properly clean and care for your goods. Waterproof bags, jackets and more can be re-sealed to extend their lives, and shoes, gloves and other accessories can be cleaned and repaired.
8. Inventory your skincare
The devil’s in the details. Many of the points on this list come down to research, and spending more time considering how every element of your game, from your skin care to your golf socks, carries an environmental footprint. For golfers, reef-safe, mineral-based sunscreen in plastic-free or minimal packaging is a great place to start. Brands like True Botanicals, cocokind and OSEA offer eco-conscious, safe and effective alternatives to other toiletries in your gym bag from deodorant to cleanser.
9. Streamline your game
Gadgets are fun, but technology uses a lot of resources in powering and manufacturing. Opt for a minimalist approach to golf, which might also encourage more mindful, analog time on the course. Resist the urge to follow trends; shop for timeless, well-cut, tailored, high-quality designs that are fad-proof so you’ll want to wear them over and over, through all the years of golf to come. Our editors recommend resisting phrases, prints or over-saturated colors that might go out of style quickly or grow tired.
10. Become an environmental steward
Ask your club about encouraging native plants or meadowed areas on the course, which require fewer resources to upkeep (hello, cost cuts!) and encourage local wildlife. Organizations like Monarchs in the Rough will freely send milkweed seeds to your superintendent to plant so monarch butterflies can safely continue their migration across the country. Educate yourself on other creative solutions through resources from the USGA, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses or the GEO Foundation—all of which you can also share with your clubs. You can also look for citizen science opportunities near you, often through organizations like the National Park Service or the Cornell Lab, and your local government.
No matter how you choose to incorporate some of the ideas on this list into your own golfing practice, cultivating a love for and knowledge of nature is a great way to start, and getting out on the course is an excellent entryway.
