Green golf tourism: the golfer’s perspective

Abstract

The beautiful settings found on a golf course hide the true impact it have on the environment. It was important to establish whether golf tourists prefer a golf course and destination that sustain the environment over those that did not and whether they were willing to sacrifice some aspects of the game that traditionally made golf enjoyable in order to protect the environment. The population of this study was the members of and visitors to George Golf Club and Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay. A questionnaire was used to personally interview 277 respondents by means of the simple random sampling approach. Results indicated that respondents’ considered price an important factor when choosing a golf course and destination. Unfortunately, no conscious decision was made to select a golf course and destination that was environmentally friendly. Respondents clearly indicated that a golf course should be designed to conserve the environment, but they would not pay more to play on an eco-friendly golf course. The results implied that “green” golf is misrepresented and misunderstood in South Africa. Respondents associated “green” as an expensive lifestyle that only a few could afford. Golf tourists should know that “green” golf tourism could lead to a sustainable and responsible lifestyle.