The R&A has provided an update to its Golf Course 2030 Water Portal to offer golf course operators with the latest guidance, data and practical solutions to help address sustainable water management.

Water management – including sustainable sourcing, efficient use and the management of extreme weather events – continues to present challenges for golf courses globally. Launched in 2023, the portal has now been updated by environmental consultant and subject expert Dr Tom Young (TEP) to reflect the latest legislation, industry guidance and best-practice approaches for water management.

An interactive mapping tool enables users to explore how climate change could affect their golf course over time, including projected changes in rainfall patterns and temperatures.

“The Water Portal is one of most popular resources produced by the first Golf Course 2030 projects. It provides a practical insight into how climate change will affect golf courses year-round and suggestions for golf course managers, club managers, committees and owners to explore how to make their course more resilient,” says John Kemp, Assistant Director – Sustainable Golf Development.

The portal also features a wide range of sustainable management solutions that golf courses may wish to consider, with indicative information on potential costs and levels of disruption associated with implementation. These include guidance and resources covering areas such as water use monitoring, borehole abstraction, drainage solutions and a range of additional water management practices designed to help facilities plan for a more resilient and sustainable future.

In addition, the site includes 22 case studies from golf courses primarily across the UK, alongside examples from Europe, showcasing practical approaches and real-world experiences from facilities already implementing sustainable water management strategies.

The updated portal also includes a dedicated legislation section, providing links and guidance relating to key water legislation and regulatory considerations relevant to golf courses and course managers.

Users can also access a downloadable PDF report for offline reference and planning purposes, while further case studies and resources will continue to be added over the coming months.

The Golf Course 2030 Water Portal has been developed to provide golf courses with an informative and interactive resource that supports better decision-making around water management and long-term sustainability.