Social responsibility requires engagement with, and positive contribution to, the wider, non-golfing community.

Golf courses are part of local communities and, as such, your management role carries with it a responsibility to prevent any negative impacts on local people and their environment.  The most effective way to develop good working relationships with your community is to increase and accentuate positive interaction.

The major concerns across society are water scarcity and pollution from pesticides and fertilisers.  It is also important to pay due attention to energy efficiency, your course’s carbon footprint, waste management and biodiversity.

Operating in an energy efficient manner and as a responsible water user will not only facilitate the development of positive relationships with your local society, but will also bring significant financial savings to your business operation over time.

Golf is a major land user.  Making parts of your course safely accessible to the non-golfing public for other recreational activities will enhance your reputation within the local community and foster the development of good relationships.

To assess your contribution, your business will benefit from keeping records such as water use, pollution risk, energy consumption and waste management. The R&A has compiled a list of evidence fields which it considers vital to the assessment of ongoing sustainability.