6% of English golf courses ‘at high risk of flooding’

A new report has found that 117 golf clubs in England, about six percent of the total number, are at high risk of serious flooding.

The white paper ‘Securing the Future of Golf’, by Custodian Golf, looks at how drought and flooding are set to affect golf clubs in the UK over the next few years.

The report states that many golf courses along the east coast of England are facing the very real threat of disappearing beneath rising tides and coastal erosion. It adds that courses at risk of less severe flooding can have a devastating financial impact on clubs already struggling with the rising costs of maintenance and insurance. If a partial area of the course is flooded, members may seek drier alternatives.

In addition to flooding, the issue of drought poses another pressing concern. The south and east of England are particularly vulnerable, with warnings of potential restrictions on water usage for golf courses. Some clubs may soon face limits on both mains water and their own borehole supplies, further underscoring the need for clubs to proactively plan for water resilience. Clubs are urged to engage with water authorities now to secure their water future, as waiting could lead to devastating consequences for the turf quality and course playability in just a few short years.

Phil Grice, head of Venues at Custodian Golf, comments, “Water resource management has become a costly endeavour, with outdated irrigation systems leaving many clubs ill-equipped to deal with prolonged dry spells. Custodian Golf’s analysis highlights that the installation of  modern irrigation technology — necessary for  minimising the impact of drought conditions — can exceed one million pounds, a prohibitive expense for most clubs. In many regions, the imbalance in rainfall across Great Britain has further widened the gap between those clubs able to adapt and those at risk of closure.

“We are at a critical juncture for golf in Great Britain, the climate challenges are exacerbating an already tough economic environment for golf clubs. A proactive and data-driven approach is vital to help clubs navigate these challenges effectively.”

The R&A’s Golf Course 2030 initiative highlights how clubs can prepare for these climate impacts. Current research focuses on water management strategies, integrated pest and disease management, and coastal management techniques to ensure a more sustainable future for golf. These projects include solutions like developing drought-tolerant turf varieties, establishing best practices for water usage, and implementing coastal protection measures to mitigate the risk of erosion

Professor Jacob Tompkins OBE, water consultant at Ecoprod, commented: “Floods and droughts pose a direct threat to the game of golf. Golf clubs should pay attention to this report as they have a stark choice. They can either play a part in tackling flood and water resources by being more efficient with their water use and by managing their land to accommodate intense rainfall and providing enhanced habitats, or they can face an uncertain future where they are seen as a burden on the environment and compete with business and domestic properties for dwindling water supplies. Golf courses should embrace sustainable water management immediately”.

Custodian Golf advocates for strategic changes, such as implementing smart irrigation systems that target specific areas of the course, and only as needed, and developing flood-resilient course designs. Additionally, embracing environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles is key to the evolution of golf clubs into community-focused venues that offer more than just traditional golfing experiences.