The Environmental Benefits of Golf Courses

April 05, 2024 | Brandi Merrick, Cole Thompson | USGA

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“Key Takeaways

• The total land area devoted to golf in the U.S. is relatively small, but courses can offer substantial environmental benefits – especially in developed areas where green space is increasingly limited.
• Turfgrass and other vegetation on a golf course help cool highly developed areas during hot weather.
• Golf courses provide important habitats for native wildlife and vegetation and can help support threatened species.
• Golf courses can help manage stormwater runoff, aiding in flood prevention. They also recharge groundwater supplies and filter surface runoff.
• The vegetation on golf courses sequesters atmospheric carbon and helps improve air quality, especially in urban areas.”