Expert Dr Tom Young sounds a warning over water security, which is now a business-critical issue for golf clubs.
If you haven’t already made water security a top priority at your golf club, now is the time. The future of your course — and, ultimately, your club’s viability — depends on it.
That’s the compelling message delivered by Dr Tom Young, a recognised expert in sustainable agronomy and water management, during a panel discussion on water at the recent Golf Club Management Conference & Exhibition.
Dr Young has spent his career advising golf clubs, engaging with industry bodies, and delivering practical strategies for resilience and sustainability in UK golf. Drawing on in-depth research and hands-on experience across the sector, Dr Young is a leader in the drive for more sustainable, efficient stewardship of water resources in golf.
He joined a line-up of renowned industry voices to address one of the most existential topics facing golf clubs today: water use. With tightening regulations, climate change, and increasing competition for resources, the question is not whether we need to change, but how quickly.
“The UK golf industry is extremely reliant on mains water, with around 65% of courses dependent on it in some way,” he said. “And it may shock some people that golf is far from the top of the water-user priority list. When push comes to shove, the needs of people, the environment, and large-scale industries will always take precedence. Golf will remain at the bottom of that pecking order for the foreseeable future.”
This means that relying on “what has always worked” is a risk no club can afford to take. Dr Young emphasised that water is not just an operational concern, it is business critical.
“If you don’t have a water source, you don’t have a golf club,” he warned. “It’s as simple as that. Yet too few clubs have water at the top of their agendas or properly factored into their long-term planning and finances.”
Dr Young called on club managers to change their mindset and treat water as a recurring board-level issue, not a once-in-a-generation investment.
He said: “Water has to have its own item on the board. It needs to have money put aside, and be spoken about regularly — not every 30 years. Without this approach, even clubs with recently refurbished clubhouses might find themselves without a playable course in just a few years.”
Understanding your club’s water profile is fundamental. Dr Young urges all managers to know where their water comes from, how much is used, and what it costs.
“If you don’t know the numbers, that tells me you’re not taking water seriously,” he said. “Get to know your green staff, audit your irrigation system, and start collecting and using data on water usage and costs.”
Relying on a single water source is increasingly dangerous as licenses tighten and restrictions become more common.
“Having a borehole doesn’t automatically mean you’re safe,” said Dr Young. “Licenses can be cut. Mains water can become too expensive, or simply unavailable. The future is diversification — store water on site if possible, and always have contingency options.”
So what can clubs do right now? Dr Young advocates a holistic approach, beginning with a thorough water audit and ongoing collaboration with neighbors, local authorities, and the wider golf community.
“Speak to your neighbors. Maybe there are shared challenges — or solutions,” he said. “Make proactive contact with environmental agencies and water companies armed with good data about your club’s water use. Collaboration is just as important as technology.”
But what about investment? With few pots of funding available for water projects, clubs are encouraged to look at biodiversity net gain opportunities. As Dr Young explained: “Biodiversity net gain is now a mandatory component of many planning processes, and golf courses have a real chance to benefit. With careful management and the right approach, you could even turn your land into a resource for other developers, creating a new income stream while improving your environmental credentials.”
Long-term planning is essential, says Dr Young, and must outlive the tenure of any individual manager or board.
“This isn’t about pumping money in every five years and starting again from scratch,” he said. “Think 25-to-50 years ahead. Create a water masterplan — integrate it with drainage, irrigation, biodiversity, and site development, and make sure every board, every manager, and every member knows it’s a shared legacy.”
Golf clubs that act now — who get to grips with their water use, invest in resilience, and champion environmental stewardship — will be far better placed to weather the challenges ahead and secure their club’s future. The time to act is now.
Key takeaways
- Water security is business-critical – Clubs must reduce reliance on mains or single sources to protect long-term viability.
- Treat water as a strategic priority – Audit usage, understand costs, and embed water planning and budgeting at board level.
- Use collaboration and new opportunities – Work with neighbours and agencies, and explore biodiversity net gain to support investment.
