This past week, I had two interesting conversations that highlighted a common misconception about golf: the belief that golf courses harm the environment. These encounters reminded me how important it is to share the positive story of golf — its environmental, social and financial benefits — with a broader audience. Here’s a recap of those enlightening moments.

While waiting at the Salt Lake airport, I spoke with a young couple from Montana. As we chatted about our travel plans, the topic of golf came up. They expressed a belief that golf courses are major polluters, harming ecosystems and wasting water.

I saw this as an opportunity to share a different perspective. I explained that modern golf course management practices prioritize sustainability. Many courses use reclaimed water for irrigation, incorporate native plants to reduce water and pesticide use, and serve as havens for local wildlife. Golf courses also function as green spaces in urban areas, improving air quality and reducing the heat island effect.

As I shared these points, I could see their skepticism give way to curiosity. They were especially interested in learning about Audubon-certified golf courses that actively engage in conservation efforts. By the end of our conversation, they thanked me for the insights and expressed a desire to learn more about sustainable golf practices.

Later in the week, my Lyft driver shared a similar perspective, mentioning that they had heard golf courses are detrimental to the environment. Once again, I had the chance to challenge this misconception.

I highlighted the broader benefits of golf, starting with its social impact. Golf courses are community hubs, hosting events, fundraisers, and educational programs like First Green, which introduces students to STEM concepts through hands-on experiences on the course. Financially, golf contributes significantly to local economies, creating jobs and driving tourism.

From an environmental standpoint, I emphasized how many golf courses are leaders in innovative water management and habitat preservation. For instance, many courses maintain buffer zones around water features, which filter runoff and protect aquatic ecosystems. This resonated with the driver, who mentioned a local course they’d heard about that doubles as a bird sanctuary.

By the end of the ride, the driver expressed a newfound appreciation for the industry and thanked me for broadening their perspective.

Both of these conversations reinforced how easily misconceptions can take root, but also how receptive people are to new information when it’s presented in an engaging and relatable way. As someone passionate about the golf industry and its positive impacts, I see these interactions as opportunities to educate and inspire.

Golf’s story is one of environmental stewardship, community connection and economic vitality. The more we share this narrative, the more we can shift public perception and highlight the valuable role golf plays in creating a sustainable future.