Eco Friendly Golf Courses Bucket List | Courses to Play Before you Die 2024

Looking for a definitive bucket list of eco friendly golf courses? Look no further.

Sustainability is a central point of focus for governments, businesses and individuals.

You might have heard about climate change, net zero targets and extreme weather events in the news. It can all seem rather complicated, but when it comes to golf, sustainability is as simple as golfers, course constructors and tournament directors factoring practical issues into decision making.

A golf course is not just about a tee box, fairway and green. Acres of land surround the scoring parts of courses which act as habitats and ecosystems for the wildlife that was around long before the courses were built.

Sustainable.golf is an initiative by the GEO Foundation: a non-profit dedicated to helping accelerate sustainability in and through golf.

Some of the top courses in the world have attained GEO certified™ labels, a comprehensive certification that celebrates environmental stewardship, climate action and community value. Others are working towards this goal, and are taking steps of their own to tackle climate change.

In this article we provide golfers with a definitive bucket list of eco friendly golf courses spanning different continents.

Costa Navarino Bay | Greece

Golden hour at Costa Navarino in Greece might be the most spectacular sight in all of golf.

18 holes playing the bay course is anything but linear– golfers are taken on a journey of landscapes. Surrounded by more that 1,000 mature olive trees that were saved during construction and transplanted around the perimeter, the grove holes meander through a lush, evergreen landscape.

Refresh yourself as you go– players are invited to sample ripe fruits that grow on the surrounding trees as they play.

Shoot your 7 iron past stunning box canyons as the course moves inland from the sea. And don’t let sparkling waters of the Bay of Navarino distract you on the fourth hole– a short, but challenging par 4 that is about as stunning visually as it gets.

After, retire to The Dunes Club House where the finest locally sourced meats are paired with herbs and vegetables from the restaurant’s own gardens.

Aside from the very obvious golfing and culinary appeal, Costa Navarino Bay’s parent company, TEMES S.A, has a set of core values that strongly align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). TEMES S.A honors annual goals of:

• Waste reduction through efficient use of resources, reuse and recycling
• GHG emissions minimization and optimization of energy consumption
• Sustainable water management

In addition, the company supports climate research and has its own initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality.

This eco friendly golf course is the perfect place to recharge your batteries after visiting one too many beach clubs in Mykonos.

TPC Scottsdale | Arizona, USA

Welcome to the greatest show on grass.

TPC Scottsdale was the 6th club to gain membership to the prestigious TPC network. It boasts two world class golf courses: the stadium course and the champions course.

The stadium course annually hosts the Phoenix Open, which has been won in recent years by players like Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler.

The great news is that for the other 51 weeks of the year when the Phoenix Open is not taking place, the course is open to the public. The green fees are chunky, but the experience is the stuff dreams are made of.

Both of the golf courses at TPC Scottsdale were designed to integrate with the native desert environment. Although they are not actually located in a designated wilderness or preserve, the two courses provide an appealing vista with the desert.

TPC Scottsdale was GEO certified™ in 2018.

Crans-sur-Sierre | Crans-Montana, Switzerland

Imagine striking a perfect drive that carries straight down the middle of the fairway. You take a deep breath of fresh air and look up against a backdrop of dramatic snow-covered mountains.

You’ve just imagined playing at Crans-sur-Sierre. The flagship course, named after the legendary Severiano Ballesteros has to be one of the most visually stunning golf courses ever created. It is also home of the Omega European Masters.

Recently achieving its GEO certification ecolabel, Crans-sur-Sierre takes sustainability seriously. Sustainability is also one of the six priorities of Swiss Golf’s 2020-2024 strategy. It is targeting all of its courses to be GEO certified™ by 2027 and for Swiss golf to be carbon neutral by 2035.

Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club | Mauritius

Nestled in one of the most picturesque and tranquil settings in the world, Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club is a haven for golfers of all levels.

I mean, seriously. Who wouldn’t want to play golf in the beautiful Mauritius? Those lucky enough to play this golf course are sure to be surrounded by crystal clear water, soft white sand and more palm trees than you can shake a stick at.

Margarita on the rocks after 18 holes anyone?

Designed by Bernhard Langer, this course snakes along tropically preserved areas of the island and can be accessed by private boat. Sign us up.

Not yet GEO certified™, Ile Aux Cerfs is committed to fostering nature, conserving resources, strengthening communities and taking climate action.

Ballybunion Golf Club | Ireland

“If sheer pleasure is the yardstick, then Ballybunion’s Old Course gets my vote as the No.1 in the world.” – Peter Dobereiner.

It will be challenging to heap greater praise than the words of Mr Dobereiner, but we will try.

Revered as an all-time favourite of Tom Watson, Ballybunion offers thrills and romance in the form of two rugged links courses set against the vast beauty of the Atlantic.

Bunkered greens, perfect fairways and strong winds will delight and challenge those that embark over a landscape of cliffs and dunes. When the round is over, old world charm and the warmth of its local customs can be felt by all who stick around for the night.

Ballybunion actively conserves the landscape into which its courses sit, ensuring perfect harmony between golf and the environment, placing particular emphasis in the value of indigenous wildlife. Golfers are welcomed to refer to hole-by-hole wildlife guides before they play.

St Andrews | Scotland

It wouldn’t be a golfing bucket list if we didn’t pay homage to the home of golf. With countless open championships, and unforgettable moments forged in history by Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus– it’s every golfer’s dream to play at St Andrews.

There are several golf courses to choose from, and they are all bookable with the exception of the old course.

To play the Old Course you will need to enter a ballot (lottery) on their website which is drawn two days ahead of play. It means everyone gets a chance to play, given the obviously overwhelming demand.

On top of this, each year St Andrews release a number of advanced tee times for which golfers can apply for the following year. This generally happens during a two week window at the end of August/beginning of September. Golfers can also secure guaranteed times through an Authorised Tour Operator.

The first ball may have been struck on the Old Course over 600 years ago, but St Andrews certainly moves with the times. It achieved its GEO certified™ ecolabel in 2011– boasting high quality surfaces with minimal fertilizer use, restoration of nearby landscapes and comprehensive energy efficiency within its facilities.

Eco friendly golf courses can be traditional as well.

Cape Kidnappers Golf Club | Te Awanga, New Zealand

Located on the North Island of New Zealand and designed by renowned architect Tom Doak, this championship golf course spans over 6,500 meters with 18 unique holes. The name is eye-grabbing and the course is consistently ranked among the top golf courses in the world.

Expect panoramic ocean views, a dramatic landscape, and meticulously manicured fairways and greens.

What sets Cape Kidnappers apart is its commitment to sustainability. Situated on a working farm, the course minimizes its environmental impact with state-of-the-art irrigation systems and energy-efficient technologies.

Cape Kidnappers is also involved in conservation initiatives to protect the local flora and fauna, including endangered bird species.

After a day on the course, guests can relax at the luxurious lodge with world-class amenities like a spa, fitness center, and gourmet restaurant.

The National Golf Club | Cape Schanck, Australia

A short drive from Melbourne, the National Golf Club is an absolute must visit course for golf enthusiasts.

Set on a stunning peninsula, it is widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest golf courses and is sure to challenge golfers with its windy links conditions.

Aside from the golfing appeal, The National Golf Club was Australia’s first course to achieve the GEO ecolabel. A dedicated bush management team and a native plant nursery means the club integrates seamlessly with its natural ecosystem.

The National Golf Club is also big on water conservation by investing in its irrigation system, while it saves energy by minimizing light consumption.

TPC Danzante Bay | Baja California Sur, Mexico

Voted as Mexico’s best golf course of 2022, TCP Danzante Bay is a masterpiece that showcases the stunning vistas of Loreto bay.

It does not get any more picturesque than this. Towering cliffs, mountain spires and just a touch of drama as you navigate the cliff holes that hang over the Sea of Cortez.

Designed by renowned Rees Jones, you can undertake an adventure of canyons in the morning before checking yourself in for luxury spa treatments in the afternoon with ‘stay and play’ packages.

Danzante Bay is located in a protected marine park, and was built whilst adhering to strict environmental rules.

PGA National Resort | Palm Beach Gardens, USA

Home of an outrageous SIX golf courses, the PGA national resort is heaven on earth for golfers. 18 of the 99 holes are found on the Champion course– home to the annual PGA Honda Classic and the 1983 Ryder Cup.

For those interested, the resort includes a state-of-the-art Sports & Racquet Club with 19 tennis courts and a 40,000-square-foot spa with outdoor mineral pools.

Book in for a luxury weekend, dinner in the country club or just a round of golf.

In addition to being GEO certified™, PGA National was awarded the 2016 “Sustainable Golf Course of the Year Award” for the Americas region by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). With free electric charging stations for guests, 100% of its green waste recycled and regular involvement in its local community– PGA National Resort is a must-visit destination for the eco-conscious golfer.

Honorable Mentions

There are environmentally friendly courses all over the world making strides in sustainable golf. Here are some others to check out.

• Kiawah Island Resort, South Carolina USA
• Laguna National Golf Resort Club, Singapore
• Remuera Golf Club, New Zealand
• Bryanston Golf Club, South Africa
• Jinji Lake Golf Club, China

What can golfers do to help?

It’s true that the responsibility for eco-friendly golf is mainly down to course developers, but the everyday golfer can certainly do their bit as well. Here are some simple actions you can take to make a difference.

• Bamboo tees instead of plastic.
• Do not litter– bottles or even human food can be harmful to surrounding wildlife in their natural environment.
• Avoid using carts where possible (Unless electric)
• Be careful of natural areas. If your ball goes into the trees or out of bounds, be conscious that these areas are often inhabited by wildlife and native plants.
• Bring your own plastic free water bottle
• Replace divots to maintain health of turf
• Car share with other players

We certainly hope you get to tick some of these golf courses off your list!

Our site aims to help golfers all over the world. We work to achieve this mission by producing thoroughly researched, honest product reviews that aim to decrypt the jargon often seen in equipment reviews written by golf professionals. Each article is the product of hours of research and editing.

We are not PGA pros, but every day golfers striving to ensure beginners and fellow intermediates can make well informed purchase decisions for what is often very expensive equipment.

Check out our latest review here.