Husqvarna brought together leading figures from across golf and turf management at its inaugural Turf & Tech Conference to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the sport. Although a relatively recent entrant to the golf sector, the 337-year-old manufacturer has a long history of developing innovative solutions for green space professionals and is using that expertise to support a more sustainable, resilient and technology-led future for golf course management.
Held at The Belfry on the eve of the 2026 Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo and opened by Husqvarna CEO, Glen Instone, the conference featured representatives from The R&A, DP World Tour, British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), Golf Course Association of Europe (GCAE), leading European golf venues, influential media and the international research community.
Husqvarna is determined to go beyond the role of a traditional corporate sponsor, using the platform afforded by its DP World Tour partnership to facilitate thought leadership and meaningful discussion across golf, ultimately contributing to a stronger and healthier industry. Discussions explored the changing role of the greenkeeper, the agronomic impact of lightweight robotic mowing, the future use of course data and the role technology can play in addressing the industry’s recruitment and sustainability challenges.
Yvette Henshall-Bell, President of Husqvarna Forest & Garden, highlighted the rapid adoption of autonomous turf-management technology. “Four years ago, our first robots built for golf courses rolled off the production line at Husqvarna’s UK centre for robotic mower manufacturing in Newton Aycliffe,” she said. “Today, they are cutting at more than 2,000 golf courses globally, including the fairways at The Belfry for the DP World Tour’s Husqvarna British Masters.
A central theme throughout the conference was the wider impact autonomous technology can have on course maintenance, including turf quality and playing conditions. Andrew Lees, Global Segment Manager for Professional Robotics at Husqvarna, highlighted findings from the company’s survey of golf courses already using the technology. “What really stood out was the impact on turf quality and playing conditions. We saw strong results across overall turf quality, density, uniformity and quality of cut, but more importantly, we also saw improvements in playability, which ultimately comes back to the golfer’s experience.”
The discussion also explored how autonomous technology can complement the expertise of greenkeeping teams. Jim Croxton, CEO of BIGGA, highlighted the potential for technology to create more productive and highly skilled roles within greenkeeping. “We aren’t seeing the technology replace people,” said Croxton. “We’re seeing people get more opportunities to be productive, collaborative and innovative while the robots get on with cutting the grass.”
Among these is a study led by Professor Paul Koch of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, investigating whether autonomous overnight dew removal can disrupt the development of dollar spot, a turfgrass disease becoming increasingly prevalent as climatic conditions change.
“We feel this research can reduce reliance on synthetic fungicides, which are becoming more expensive and harder for greenkeepers around the world to use,” said Professor Koch. “Because of the increasing prevalence of dollar spot, we need to look at alternative strategies.”
The discussions were given further relevance by the activity taking place on The Belfry’s Brabazon Course, where Husqvarna autonomous technology was helping prepare and maintain the playing surfaces for the 2026 Husqvarna British Masters.
Jonathan Snowball, Head of Pro Sales UK and British Masters project manager at Husqvarna, said: “These machines are proving themselves at championship level. If we can deliver this standard here, we can deliver it on any golf course around the world.”
During tournament week, 16 fairways were maintained using Husqvarna CEORA robotic mowers, supported by autonomous solutions across the driving range and short-game practice area. The overnight programme was designed around the specific demands of a DP World Tour event, including precise cutting heights, consistent fairway definition and presentation tailored to television camera angles.
Daniel Lightfoot, Director of Sustainable Golf at The R&A, said: “Tournament golf provides one of the greatest opportunities to showcase the very best in sustainable turf management. It demonstrates how today’s course managers can deliver world-class playing surfaces that challenge the best players in the world while embracing responsible, efficient, and environmentally sustainable practices. The use of low-carbon, automated technology is just one example of how modern golf course managers are helping to deliver a sustainable future for the game.”
Henshall-Bell concluded: “This conference demonstrated that the future of turf management will not be shaped by technology alone. It will be shaped by technology working alongside the expertise, experience and ambition of the people responsible for managing golf courses.”
