Giovanni Finocchiaro, Daria Gorozhankina, Silvia Iaccarino
Among the infrastructures for tourism activities, golf courses have a strong impact on the surrounding environment. The consumption of resources (e.g., water extraction, land occupation, etc.) and the pollution produced, for example, by the use of pesticides, are the main concerns. In response, the Italian golf movement is increasingly directing its development toward an environmentally friendly approach through certifications (GEO) or environmental recognitions. In 2022, the total number of golf courses was 367.
Tourism activity infrastructures, particularly golf courses, have a strong impact on the surrounding environment. The consumption of resources (e.g., water extraction, land occupation, etc.) and the pollution produced, for example, by the use of pesticides, are among the major concerns. In recent years, at the European level, the popularity of golf tourism has increased, and consequently, the number of golf courses has grown.
Golf courses require an enormous amount of water every day and, as with other causes of excessive extraction, this can lead to a water deficit. Golf resorts are increasingly located in protected areas or in regions where resources are limited, further exacerbating the generated pressure.
The indicator records the number of Italian golf clubs and some environmental characteristics of interest, including those that have obtained environmental certifications.
To quantify golf tourism and the related facilities in order to monitor their potential impact on the surrounding environment.
The indicator has no direct references to specific regulatory elements, nor are there any regulatory obligations to comply with. However, it falls within the context of European and national policies on sustainable tourism, European regulations related to marine-coastal ecosystems (e.g., Marine Strategy Framework Directive and/or Habitats Directive), and national and/or local planning regulations.
-Gössling, S., Peeters, P., Hall, C.M, Ceron, J.P., Dubois, G., Lehmann, L.V. & Scott, D. (2012): Tourism and water use: Supply, demand, and security. An international review. Tourism Management 33 (1): 1-15.
-Tanner, R.A. & Gange, A.C. (2005): Effects of golf courses on local biodiversity. Landscape and Urban Planning 71 (2-4): 137-146)
-Regione Puglia - POR 2000-2006 "GOLF e AMBIENTE - Impatti ambientali e indicazioni per la sostenibilità"
Lack of precise knowledge of the surface area of each golf club.
Federgolf
http://www.federgolf.it/
National, Regional
September 2023
The indicator reports: The number of golf clubs distributed by region; The number of clubs with GEO environmental certification; The number of clubs "Impegnati nel verde"; The number of courses using reclaimed water; the number of courses built on former degraded areas; The number of courses using clean energy; The ratio between the estimated surface area of golf clubs in each region and the total area of that region
The number of golf facilities in Italy reached 367 in 2022. The number of facilities adhering to "green" initiatives has increased. From an environmental perspective, this allows us to classify the status as "medium", both in terms of lower infrastructure impact and greater environmental awareness.
It is not yet possible to identify a trend; however, the Italian golf movement is striving to develop while taking environmental conservation into account. This is demonstrated by the many "green" initiatives and certifications activated in the sector.
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Table 1: “Eco-certified” golf clubs (30/09/2023) Fonte
ISPRA processing based on Federgolf data Legenda
Certifications are updated to October 2020 |
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Table 2: “Eco-friendly” golf courses Fonte
ISPRA processing based on Federgolf data Legenda
Updated as of September 2020 |
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Table 3: Golf courses developed on former degraded areas Fonte
ISPRA processing based on Federgolf data Legenda
Updated as of February 2019 |
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Table 4: Golf clubs located within protected areas Fonte
ISPRA processing based on Federgolf data Legenda
Updated as of January 2021 |
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Figure 1: Number of golf clubs in Italy (2022) Fonte
ISPRA processing based on Federgolf data |
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dati per figura 1 numero golf club |
At the global level, the "cradle of golf" is represented by English-speaking and Northern European countries, thanks to their long tradition and favorable climatic conditions, particularly high rainfall. In Mediterranean countries, however, the low rainfall and high risk of desertification have hindered expansion at the same rate, as the construction and maintenance of golf courses are much more expensive, compromising their economic and environmental sustainability.
The growth of golf in Italy, in terms of facilities, has seen almost exponential increases. Those with GEO certification represent 4.4% of the total (Table 1). The Italian golf movement, with its facilities, is mostly concentrated in Northern Italy, especially in the Po Valley, where about 53% of golf structures are located in Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna (Figure 1). In Central Italy, golf facilities are more widely distributed in Tuscany and Lazio, while about 12% are in the South and the Islands.
The number of golf courses located in protected areas has also been calculated (Table 4). Among the registered golf courses, about 80% are in a Regional Park.
The construction of a golf course increases land use. For example, a medium-sized 18-hole golf course occupies approximately 60 hectares, of which about 50% requires medium to high-intensity maintenance, a disadvantageous feature for protected areas.
Other environmental concerns include:
From a biodiversity perspective, the construction of a golf course inevitably modifies existing vegetation and habitats, negatively impacting flora, fauna, ecological chains, and the landscape.
Despite these environmental concerns, the Italian and international golf movement is increasingly steering its growth toward an "eco-friendly" approach.
Additionally, sustainability efforts include:
These initiatives demonstrate that the Italian golf movement is working towards a more sustainable approach, balancing sport and environmental responsibility.