When most people think about sustainability and ethical permaculture design, a golf course is typically not the mental image we form in our minds. But why not? Are we limiting our capacity with such narrow views and limited perception of what sustainability and ethical permaculture design can be?
According to Napton, D. E., & Laingen, C. R. (2008) there are 16,000 golf courses across the United States, serving twenty five million players annually. The change in the value of nearby residential land is one of the biggest effects of golf course development. Country-club golf courses and the construction of privileged suburbs are frequently associated (Bale, J. 2003). All this to illuminate the obvious, golf courses cover large expanses of land. In fact Weinand, J. M. et al (2025) found that the United Kingdom and the United States were the two countries to boast the most golf courses using metadata from an application called Openstreetmap. Dr. Michael Hurdzan, in Building a Practical Golf Facility, explains the land requirements for golf courses. A typical 400-yard par 4 hole can take up to 10.4 acres, including necessary buffers and minimum width. A 10-acre parcel could fit one 400-yard hole or several shorter par 3 holes. With skilled design, an 18-hole course of all short par 3s could be built on as little as 30 acres, while an intermediate executive course might require 75-100 acres, and a full-size par 72 course could demand 120-200 acres, depending on the land's usability and restrictions. Furthermore, the number of actual golf courses identified by Weinand, J. M. et al (2025) was 38,400 (globally). Therefore, when considering the large expanse of land golf courses use, it’s worth exploring whether that land could be repurposed or designed more sustainably. Again, this is a lot of land being used for one recreational sport. Or is it?
When implementing ethical permaculture design, three fundamental ethics are followed: Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share. These ethics come from Bill Mollison, who is widely regarded as the father of permaculture. Could the vast expanses of land used on a golf course lend itself to Earth Care? Earth Care is the ethical responsibility to protect and nurture the planet. A golf course could serve as the ideal setting for demonstrating how to preserve ecosystems and encourage environmentally friendly, sustainable behaviors. Aranya (2024) and Mollison, B. (2016) both address the use of zones when designing a landscape. Most people are familiar with the zone concept; I set my mail down in this spot, I put my shoes on over here, I have my laundry in this area. A golf course is ready made to take the zone design used in permaculture and highlight opportunities for Earth Care. While the tee box, putting greens, and fairways have specified guidelines to adhere to for the game (Begin, L. 2021) general areas and the rough lend themselves to permaculture zones. Aranya (2024) points out that regularly used community spaces (the general areas) may be considered as zone 2 (small gardens and fruit trees), zone 3 (agroforestry), or zone 4 (managed woodland) and the rough, an area to be avoided in the game of golf lends itself to zone 5 (reserved for wildlife). Why couldn’t these areas of the golf course be managed to promote biodiversity and protect native species? To minimize resource depletion and environmental degradation, the general areas or community spaces and the aptly avoided rough on the golf course can be utilized to serve as more than just aesthetics. A shaded area, the back of the rough, a flower bed, a hedge along a cart path can all have interconnected roles that enhance soil health, biodiversity, and water management. The shaded area becomes an opportunity for both native tree species and fruit producing trees to coexist. Fruit trees provide organic matter through their dropped fruits and leaf litter, while native trees frequently have extensive root systems that aid in the cycling of nutrients. Soil fertility is improved by this combination. In addition, the diversity of planted trees can also support a variety of soil microorganisms. These microorganisms will enhance the soil's health and also promote much needed nutrients for the plants. Overall, biodiversity is promoted by a variety of native and fruit trees that offer habitats for a variety of fauna, such as birds, insects, and mammals. Planting different tree species increases genetic diversity, which in turn strengthens ecosystems' resistance. Pollinators of all varieties are frequently drawn to fruit trees, which benefits native flora as well as the fruit trees themselves and supports the local ecosystems. Tree root systems have the ability to filter pollutants from runoff, and can enhance the quality of the water in surrounding streams and groundwater. By lowering evaporation and preserving soil moisture, shade from the trees can help control temperature and humidity. Together these trees provide shade and create a cooler microclimate. Why couldn’t a combination of these purposeful actions champion and stimulate Earth Care on a golf course? By leveraging these attributes, golf courses are able to incorporate ethical permaculture design into their local environment as well as their culture. By focusing on the ethic of Earth Care we can foster harmonious relationships between the people enjoying the golf course and the golf course environment.
A well-managed golf course can serve as a model for integrating the permaculture ethic of People Care, creating a positive impact on the community while promoting environmental stewardship. People Care promotes social justice, health, and community resilience (Aranya. 2024 and Mollison, B. 2016). Caring for people is going to require looking at the golf course from a couple of different views, or lenses. However, the golf course is the quintessential entity to foster a balance between human needs and environmental stewardship. A well-managed golf course can provide jobs for local residents, from maintenance and landscaping to hospitality and management roles. Both the golf course's employees and the local vendors that supply the golf course with goods and services have job prospects that offer economic stability and growth potential. The 14,725 golf courses countrywide in 2003, up from 13,258 in 1999, according to a recent analysis of the U.S. golf business (Watson, P., Davies, S., & Thilmany, D. 2008), brings in $20.5 billion in direct revenue and $62 billion in all related economic activity. For the individuals who work for the golf course as well as for the local vendors this is well earned money, creating a positive impact on the community. Is that all there is to People Care? Employment opportunities? Of course not. A golf course is designed to offer players an engaging recreational experience as they navigate through the game. The experience of playing a round of golf promotes physical health through walking, playing, and engaging with nature. In addition, the diverse landscapes of golf courses, including hills, water features, and natural obstacles, provide an engaging environment for physical activity. This variety can enhance the experience and encourage more dynamic movement. Sure, you didn’t mean for your ball to end up in that sand trap… but now you get to hone those balance skills as you attempt to free your ball from the sand. This of course, as Murray et al., (2016) implies, actually walking the course as opposed to using a golf cart. Murray et al., (2016) also noted that often golf is enjoyed by middle-aged and older individuals who tend to be less active than younger adults. Playing golf promotes cardiovascular health, improves stamina, and supports overall fitness. The average round of golf involves walking several miles, which can contribute significantly to daily exercise recommendations. Sauls et al., (2023) noted that golf, being considered a moderate intensity activity, allowed for more frequent participation in the game and as a result increased the physical activity of the golfers on a more frequent basis. It is not just the physical activity that is promoting People Care, natural environments have been shown to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. Golf courses can serve as green spaces for relaxation and socialization. According to research, encouraging physical activity can assist in developing a good rapport with colleagues and the company alike (Kim et al., 2013). Physical activities can reduce stress and enhance employee well-being by addressing typical stressors like unreasonable demands. Furthermore, stress can have a detrimental impact on children's mental health and family life (Bhui et al., 2016). What does this mean? Take it out onto the golf course. Golf courses are often designed with green spaces, trees, and water bodies, providing a serene setting that fosters a connection with nature. Spending time in natural environments has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, contributing positively to mental health (Stuart-Smith, 2021). The calm and picturesque surroundings of a golf course can promote mindfulness and relaxation and that can be categorized as People Care. In today’s increasingly urbanized and technology-driven world, the disconnect between people and nature is more pronounced than ever. Richard Louv’s concept of "Nature-Deficit Disorder" (NDD) explores the consequences of this alienation, highlighting how a lack of direct interaction with the natural environment can negatively impact both individual health and society as a whole. Louv, R. (2005) insights into the growing disconnection from nature align with the permaculture principle of "people care," which emphasizes the importance of nurturing human well-being through sustainable and nature-centered practices. Louv, R. (2005) introduces the term "Nature-Deficit Disorder" (NDD) to describe the human costs associated with alienation from nature. Coined in the 2005 book Last Child in the Woods, the term serves as a metaphor aiming to address the growing concern over children's disconnection from the natural world. The factors contributing to NDD, such as overreliance on technology, urbanization, and lack of outdoor spaces, directly challenge the principle of People Care in permaculture, which advocates for designing systems that nurture human needs. Creating environments that allow people to engage with nature, whether through accessible green spaces, community gardens, or outdoor education, or as addressed in this article, though a well-managed golf course, directly supports the People Care ethic by promoting healthier lifestyles and social well-being. By addressing the factors that lead to disconnection, permaculture design within existing green spaces, such as golf courses, can help integrate nature more effectively into daily life. In addition to the health and wellness benefits offered by playing a round of golf, many golf courses offer programs and activities that are geared toward family and community. Educational programs, guest speakers, family-oriented programs, events and tournaments. All of these components working together create systems that nurture human well-being, People Care, while promoting ecological health and sustainability.
The Fair Share ethic provides golf courses with the unique opportunity to become a valuable community resource. Mollison, B. (2016) explains that with Fair Share there is the need to distribute resources, opportunities, and benefits equitably among all individuals and communities. Fair Share encourages the idea that we should not take more than we need and should ensure that surplus resources are shared to support others. How can a golf course embrace this Fair Share ethic? With the exception of municipal golf courses, most golf courses are located behind the gates of country clubs, gated communities or high end resorts. The location of the golf course has social inequality built in. While many golf courses have already boarded the sustainability train; implementing water conservation practices and using organic or sustainable landscaping methods. There are opportunities to share this knowledge about these practices with the community at large to promote a wider adoption and increase the sustainability footprint. Furthermore, many of the aforementioned communities have recycling and composting programs that benefit both the golf course and the local community indirectly. However, sharing this knowledge and these practices with a broader audience could again promote a wider adoption. Revisiting some of the broader ideas introduced when addressing People Care, Fair Share on a golf course would also have initiatives and events with a focus on engaging the community and family. As well as tournaments, events, family-friendly programming and activities, educational programs, and guest lecturers. While the goal when addressing the ethic of People Care is more geared towards the health and well-being of the individuals, the ethic of Fair Share enhances the golf course's role beyond recreational spaces to a community focal point, a resource that supports both people and the local environment. There are opportunities for golf courses to partner with local nonprofits, schools, as well as environmental groups and to collaboratively develop programs that benefit the community. Some examples may include conservation projects or educational initiatives. In addition to projects and initiatives, golf courses could recognize and host events to celebrate the diversity within the community by putting together events that honor various cultural festivals, creating an inclusive environment. Tying back to some of the examples provided for the Earth Care ethic, Fair Share purposefully incorporates fruit trees, vegetable gardens, or community gardens into the golf course design, strategically placing these items in accessible zones that do not interfere with the golf game. Community involvement opportunities are created and events can be organized where excess fresh produce from the golf course is donated to local food banks or community organizations, addressing food insecurity. There are also opportunities to creatively address the social inequalities that are tied to golf courses. Community days with designated spaces and areas on the golf course could allow for the golf course to be open to the public and include walking trails, picnic areas, or garden spaces that are accessible to all. Creating programs that cater to families, such as having monthly family day, educational workshops, and special events that promote inclusivity. Finally, offering scholarships, subsidized or free golf programs for low-income families or youth provides access to the golf course and removes financial barriers. Many well established and well-managed golf courses find creative ways to establish mentorship programs and youth leagues that provide opportunities for children and young adults to learn the game and develop life skills. These are just a few ideas golf courses could implement to play a significant role in addressing social inequalities as well as to foster a sense of community while addressing the Fair Share ethic.
Golf courses do indeed require a lot of land. However, as we have just revealed all this land that is being used has the potential to positively impact the local community. Offering countless opportunities to address sustainability and ethical permaculture design through Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share. A well-maintained golf course holds the potential to connect people to natural spaces and foster a deeper relationship between individuals and the environment. By implementing ethical permaculture design, golf courses can encourage a sense of belonging and responsibility toward nature.
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