Energy Conservation
Energy plays a central role in golf course operations, powering clubhouses, irrigation, and turf fleets, while also offering opportunities for leadership in efficiency and conservation. Across New York, facilities are adopting BMPs that reduce costs, integrate innovative solutions, and demonstrate environmental stewardship. These efforts align closely with New York State’s ambitious Climate Act goals and NYSERDA’s 10-Point Renewable Energy Action Plan, underscoring golf’s role as a proactive partner in advancing clean energy and building a sustainable future.
Golf facilities across New York are advancing this agenda at the ground level. Courses are cutting energy use, investing in solar arrays, electrifying fleets, and embedding BMPs to reduce energy demand. These efforts mirror the state’s priorities - demonstrating how local actions in golf align with statewide policy to build a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Fuel Mix & Renewable Uptake
Electricity is nearly universal on New York courses, with courses tapping grid power for pump stations, lighting, clubhouse operations, and electric equipment. Diesel remains the next most-common fuel at 81%, closely followed by gasoline at 80%, reflecting widespread use in utility vehicles, small engines, and auxiliary equipment. Propane fuels boilers and backup generators, while natural gas heats clubhouses and heating oil still powers 23% of facilities. On-site renewable energy is in its early stages with 5% of courses harnessing solar, mirroring New York State’s overall solar share of electricity generation. Courses incorporate solar via rooftop arrays, canopy-mounted panels over cart barns, or small ground-mounted installations to help offset clubhouse and pump-station loads, shrink utility expenses, and visibly signal a commitment to renewable energy.
Fleet Electrification Trends
Electric-drive equipment is moving toward mainstream. As of 2023, 45% of courses operate electric golf carts, and another 25% plan to add them within five years driving the total of “already or soon-to-be” electric cart fleets toward 70%. Electric mowers are on a similar trajectory with 16% of facilities use battery-powered units now and 36% planning adoption, pushing the combined electrification rate to more than half of New York golf facilities. This shift lowers fuel and maintenance costs, reduces noise, improves air quality, and positions the New York golf industry as a leader in sustainable, low-emission outdoor recreation.
New York Golf Energy Conservation
All ten regions report implementation of core measures LEDs, VFDs, and advanced pump controls indicating that course size or locale does not constrain participation.
There are no regions where any primary BMP falls below roughly 10 adopters per practice, demonstrating statewide engagement.
Top four energy conservation efforts include use of indoor and outdoor LED lighting (85%), Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) in pump stations (82%), lithium battery golf carts (55%), and automated light schedulers (54%).
Courses are utilizing next-generation practices:
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations: 14.7% providing charging points prepares facilities for electrified fleet vehicles and guest EVs, integrating golf into broader decarbonization trends.
Carpooling Programs: 14.0% organized ridesharing reduces staff commute emissions and parking congestion.
Electric and Energy-efficient Equipment: 47% using hybrid mowers and utility vehicles, 25% using electric mowers, and 30% utilizing electric tools like rollers and backpack blowers.
What is Assessed & How it is Measured
Golf facility energy conservation BMP data comes from the 2024 New York golf facility survey conducted by Radius Sports Group. Adoption percentages are benchmarked against national studies, with regional extrapolations applied to the statewide facility base.
