Leading Courses founder and COO, Jeroen Korving, says golf courses are getting greener.

As our planet faces the pressing challenges of climate change and dwindling resources, more and more sectors are pivoting towards eco-conscious practices, and the world of golf is no exception. GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf helps golf clubs to accelerate and make the change towards sustainability. To promote GEO Certified® clubs and raise awareness for ‘sustainable golf’, this article highlights the top 10 clubs in Continental Europe with a GEO certification.

Embracing Change on the Golf Course
As water scarcity looms large and unpredictable weather patterns become the new norm, the imperative to adopt eco-friendly practices in golf course management has never been more urgent. From reducing water consumption to preserving natural habitats and minimising chemical usage, these certified courses are setting the standard for a greener future in golf. Golfers in Europe will need to adjust to changes, recognising that golf courses might appear different and probably less lush in the coming years. As water scarcity becomes a concern in many European regions, an increasing number of golf courses are transitioning to alternative grass types, such as Bermuda grass. These varieties require less water and can better withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring the sustainability of the courses amidst evolving environmental challenges.

On top of that, biodiversity is essential for the health of golf courses. It supports various plant and animal species, maintaining a delicate balance and contributing to environmental resilience. By preserving habitats and native flora, courses attract beneficial wildlife and improve soil stability and water quality. Ultimately, promoting biodiversity ensures the long-term viability of golf courses amidst environmental challenges.

Bats are among Europe’s most endangered mammals due to the disappearance of their natural habitats and breeding/hibernation sites, which is why since the end of 2022, Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort has been installing bat shelters and refuges in various strategic locations.

The Top 10 Best Golf Clubs with a GEO Certificate in Continental Europe

The listed clubs below all are GEO Certified® by the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf. Leading Courses has been a partner of the GEO Foundation almost since Leading Courses was founded as we believe it is vital to take good care of our environment. The ranking is based on the review score given by golfers to GEO Certified® golf clubs.

The ranking does not indicate how sustainable a golf club is, it is the ranking of the best-rated golf clubs in Continental Europe that have been GEO-certified. So it does not mean that the number 1 is the most sustainable, as this is very difficult to determine.

1. Finca Cortesín Golf Club – Spain
Finca Cortesín, being close to the continent of Africa, wants to serve as a place of rest for migrating birds. They also want to increase the number of local birds by supplying special feeding stations around the course. (photo credits: GEO Foundation)

Finca Cortesín Hotel, Golf & Spa is at the forefront of European golf’s drive to become more eco-sustainable after revealing that it is using up to 30% less water since becoming the first course in Spain to feature a new, environmentally-friendly variety of Bermuda grass on all its greens. As well as needing less irrigation, the greens require less pesticide and staff hours to maintain optimum condition all year round, with the new, improved, uniform putting surfaces earning widespread praise from both players and the golf industry alike. The resort obtained the highly respected GEO Certified® label in July 2023, showcasing its commitment to sustainability.

2. Costa Navarino (Bay & Dunes) Greece
Costa Navarino prioritises environmental and social responsibility, striving for sustainable tourism development in Messinia. Adhering to strict environmental guidelines from construction to operation, approximately 8% of the budget is dedicated to sustainable infrastructure. Some examples are their olive tree-transplanting program with over 7,000 trees and the Bay Clubhouse, one of the first earth-sheltered clubhouses, boasting 27,500 plants, seamlessly integrating into the natural surroundings. With a commitment to reducing emissions, Costa Navarino achieved an impressive 80% reduction by 2022 compared to 2019 levels. Costa Navarino became GEO Certified in Jan 2024.

3. Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort France
Terre Blanche has been built on a set of measures aimed at minimising its impact on the environment while developing the biodiversity within its extraordinary ecosystem. Much more than a simple business concept, Terre Blanche is the result of a true philosophy of life. The resort is not only respectful of the environment but also has a major social and economic dimension in its beautiful region. Terre Blanche is the reference in France in terms of eco-responsible commitments both on the course and on their resort. They have been ‘GEO certified’ since 2016 and also have a ‘Green Key’ certification. On top of that, they also have the ‘Silver Label’ for biodiversity set up by the French Golf Federation.

4. Bernardus Golf The Netherlands
Bernardus aims to create world-class playing surfaces in the most sustainable way possible, and the health of its site is more important than anything else. Therefore, they are proud to possess the GEO certificate. Bernardus selected a grass species named fescue because they require less water and nutrients to survive, and also, they grow at a slower rate in comparison to other species, which results in less frequent mowing which reduces engine emissions and noise pollution.

5. Real Club de Golf Sotogrande Spain
A recent golf course restoration laid the foundations for much more efficient and sustainable maintenance management at RCG Sotogrande. They utilised Bermuda grass on tees, fairways and rough areas, reducing the turf area by 1.9%. Drainage channels spanning 37 kilometres direct water to lakes, maximising rainwater usage. Additionally, 75 tons of silica sand prevents Bermuda grass reseeding in winter. These efforts, alongside reclaimed water irrigation, and fertigation (the injection of fertilisers) led to a 20% water consumption reduction and a 25% decrease in CO2 emissions, waste generation and noise.

6. Koninklijke Haagsche G&CC The Netherlands
Koninklijke Haagsche G&CC prioritises environmental stewardship through its ‘Committed to Green’ initiative, managing the golf course and nature sustainably. By setting goals and optimising greenery and environmental management, The Hague promotes eco-conscious practices. Recognised as the inaugural champion of green initiatives in Europe, the club received the prestigious ‘Champions of the Green – Europe’ award from the Golf Environment Organization (GEO) in 2017, affirming its commitment to sustainability.

7. Camiral Golf & Wellness Spain
Camiral Golf & Wellness has long emphasised biodiversity preservation and well-being activities while fostering a sustainable lifestyle. Through recent initiatives, including on-site power generation, solar panels and advanced air conditioning, the resort slashed energy consumption by an impressive 50%, reducing over 362 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

8. Golf Club Villa d’Este Italy
Golf Club Villa d’Este holds the conviction that exceptional hospitality should intertwine with a mindful awareness of the environment. Acknowledging our industry’s inescapable influence on the environment and society, we commit to managing our impact and implementing sustainable and responsible initiatives. Villa d’Este is GEO Certified and is a partner of Clean the World Global, an organisation committed to improving environmental conditions worldwide.

9. Antognolla Golf Club Italy
Antognolla Resort and Residences is operated by Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas – a leading international hospitality brand with a focus on sustainability and wellbeing. Food comes from local farmers and fishermen. An organic garden is maintained to give back to the earth through composting and building healthy soil. The estate has local and non-invasive plant varieties, many of which are fundamental ingredients for the resorts’ restaurants and spa treatments. Attaining GEO Certified status has been a long but very rewarding process, which validates the hard work and commitment to be recognised as one of the sustainability leaders in Italy.

10. Noordwijkse Golf Club The Netherlands
De Noordwijkse is located in a unique nature reserve, the Natura 2000 area Kennemerland-Zuid. The course and its environment can’t be seen as separate entities. Attention to nature, or rather a responsibility to nature, has been in their genes since the beginning. They were one of the first clubs to be ‘Committed to Green’ certified and GEO Certified. If the course needs to be changed, De Noordwijkse has to come up with an overall plan for both golf and nature. De Noordwijkse and its members are just temporary tenants of this beautiful terrain.

The GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf

The GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf is an international not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping accelerate sustainability and climate action in and through golf. It works collaboratively across the amateur and professional parts of golf to help the sport embrace and address key environmental and social issues, so that it can become widely acclaimed for its role in fostering nature, conserving resources, strengthening communities and taking climate action. GEO provides the OnCourse® programmes and solutions for sustainable golf facilities, new developments and tournaments, each of which can lead to the internationally accredited, endorsed and independently verified GEO Certified® label.