The greening of golf: Sport, globalization and the environment | Manchester University Press

Global sport, global responsibility

Golf is a truly global pursuit, enjoyed by millions and hosted on thousands of courses across dozens of countries. The greening of golf examines how power and relationships around the game shape environmental decisions and the implications for landscapes, communities, and health. Rather than a broad moral claim, this book asks you to consider how leadership is exercised within a highly interconnected sport industry and what that means for real-world outcomes.

Written with depth and care, the work synthesizes historical materials and fieldwork into a coherent portrait of a sport that operates at the scale of global industry. It draws on interviews with course superintendents, activists, and health professionals to illuminate different perspectives on environmental management, resource use, and community impact. By situating golf within wider scholarly conversations—environmental sociology, global social movements, institutional change, corporate environmentalism, and the sociology of sport—the book offers a multifaceted lens on how globalization shapes ecological choices in sport.

What makes this study distinctive

• First comprehensive look at the varied responses to golf-related environmental issues.
• Bridges sport, industry, and environment through empirical research and historical context.
• Interdisciplinary approach drawn from sociology, environmental studies, and sport studies.

Real-world relevance and practical takeaways

For readers who work in or around golf, energy, land use, or public health, the book translates complex ideas into approachable insights. It highlights how everyday decisions—on course maintenance, water use, and turf management—intersect with ecological realities and stakeholder concerns.

• See how on-the-ground choices affect local ecosystems and community concerns.
• Understand how different groups influence environmental agendas, from staff to protesters.
• Explore how historical shifts in global sport dynamics shape present-day governance and policy questions.

Why this matters in today’s world

As golf continues to expand across regions, questions about environmental leadership and accountability become increasingly visible. The text offers a balanced, evidence-based view of what the sport could achieve, presenting possibilities without promising outcomes. It invites readers to weigh governance, economics, and ecological stewardship within the broader context of globalization.

Practical notes for readers and educators

An electronic edition is freely available under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC-ND), supporting teaching, research, and informed discussion while protecting authors’ rights.

Key benefits at a glance

• Evidence-based perspective on global golf’s environmental leadership.
• Accessible synthesis for students, professionals, and policymakers.
• Rich qualitative data from practitioners, activists, and health professionals.
• Cross-disciplinary relevance for sociology, ecology, and sport studies.