Why golf course sustainability certification pays off

For the modern golf course superintendent, committing to and achieving environmental certification alongside a proven partner such as Audubon International is not just good stewardship, it’s good business.

Across the U.S. and abroad, more than 2,000 golf course operators and owners have dedicated resources to standardized, vetted and neutral certification programs such as Audubon Certified Sanctuary Program (ACSP) for Golf. As each year brings new innovations in how courses are maintained sustainably, operators find even more financial value with every sustainable best practice they employ.

Let’s look at three ways certification saves dollars, labor and time.

Maintenance and natural resources

Implementing and maintaining sustainable standards in turf reduction and disease abatement, water use and pest control soon offset the up-front costs of enrollment and certification. As these practices become more efficient, savings build.

For instance, scouting programs for insect, weed or disease problems with established thresholds streamlines the application and re-application of necessary chemicals or organic solutions. Superintendents can build relationships with local labs to identify and properly treat turf disease, while modern GPS-enabled sprayers can cut coverage applications by 20 percent or more.

Using the latest sensor technology also vastly reduces watering costs. At one partner course in Connecticut, precision irrigation saves about 100,000 gallons of water per day during summer; sensors highlight dry and wet spots, which saves time and labor by leading hand watering staff to the areas in need.

Employee retention and training savings

Creating a culture of sustainability throughout the workplace — maintenance, food and beverage, retail, hospitality and, of course, management — assures that everyone on payroll is invested in contributing to a truly noble cause. Educating them in sustainable practices, whether it be waste disposal methods, product sourcing or golf course inputs, engenders confidence, enthusiasm and retention. Some courses also establish internship programs with local colleges, which leads to even more invested and environmentally-minded employees down the road.

This culture change spills over into a course’s customer base, too. According to several recent surveys, an overwhelming majority of golfers, including millennials whose passion for the game got a big boost during the pandemic, want to play, stay and spend at demonstrably sustainable businesses. Showing that you have a sustainability plan that benefits the natural environment and the surrounding community is a big positive for these new demographics. They want to feel connected and contribute to the cause.

Outreach and education

Speaking of community, a course’s return on investment for certification gets even stronger when it spreads the stewardship message into the world. In fact, outreach is a key component of every Audubon International certification program; partners are encouraged to promote their certification via prominent signage on property, e-newsletters, local media and by establishing partnerships with regional environmental organizations such as wildlife sanctuaries and horticulture societies. 

The more customers see the breadth and depth of a course’s commitment to sustainability, the better they feel about making a tee time or becoming a club member — and helping to spread the word.

In the face of rising costs in equipment, materials, labor and energy, today’s golf operators are constantly on the lookout for ways to get the most out of their annual budgets. As the 2026 season approaches, exploring, implementing and completing an effective sustainability program makes fiscal sense on every front.