Technology in golf: an ethical approach to distance gains and sustainability

Purpose Increased hitting distance due to technological advancements in golf have rendered traditional courses obsolete for elite players. This has resulted in the lengthening of courses and expanding footprints. Therefore, technology has been directly linked to the increased ecological and environmental impact of the sport. We aim to address these concerns through an ethical lens to present recommendations for golf practitioners and scholars. Design/methodology/approach Following the Distance Insight Report (DIR) released by the USGA and R&A, the debate over increased hitting distance in professional and recreational golf has taken the sport by storm. Using a six-step document analysis, 24 of the 56 reports within the DIR were identified as connecting directly or indirectly to technology and/or sustainability. The research team employed this data through ethical theory to establish practical solutions for golf practitioners to increase the environmental sustainability of the game. Findings Through the document analysis we established concrete findings of increased distance and growing footprints of physical golf spaces. To better serve the environment and address climate change, we recommend the gradual rollback of equipment technology and for the greater promotion of sustainability efforts by courses and superintendents. Originality/value In modern sport management literature, environmental sustainability has been ubiquitous in a variety of research areas. However, the connection to technology in sport, and specifically golf, has not been directly addressed. As a global sport with increasingly popularity, it is prudent for sport scholars to include golf in the sustainability discussion.