HOW GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE AFFECTS ENVIRONMENT
- General reduction of the biodiversity. Only a few species are allowed to grow on golf lawns. All the unwanted grass is eliminated by using particular chemical substances. However, we must admit that the subsoil water is not polluted, as confirmed by researches developed during the past years by the relevant bodies.
- Underbrush eradication. In order to let players pick up balls avoiding to dirty their hands, the underbrush is completely removed from large part of golf woods. Result is a desert covered with plants.
- Increased water consumption. According to an estimate of the European Golf Course Association, a 18-hole golf course can use up some 2,000 cubic metre water per day. In other words, a golf course can "drink" as much water as a town of 8,000 people in a timeframe of 24 hours. In addition, it must be noticed that water consumption for leisure purposes is strictly regulated by law. Art. 28 of national law no. 36 dtd Jan 5, 1994 reads: During drought and however whenever water resources are poor, … priority is to be given to human consumption besides farming.