Golf courses have always worked in partnership with nature, but increasingly they must also adapt to it.
Few recent examples illustrate that reality better than the experience of Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club in west London. Situated beside the River Thames in Richmond, parts of the course sit within a natural floodplain — a beautiful setting that also brings the occasional challenge of rising water levels.
Following significant flooding that affected sections of the course, the club embarked on an extensive recovery programme. What began as a response to an extreme weather event gradually became something wider — a story about sustainability, landscape stewardship and how golf courses can strengthen their resilience for the future.
That work was recognised nationally when Royal Mid-Surrey was named UK Environmental Golf Club of the Year 2025, an award recognising clubs that demonstrate outstanding commitment to environmental management.
The recovery required close collaboration between the club’s course management team, agronomists and environmental specialists. As floodwaters receded, attention shifted from immediate repairs to strengthening the course for the future. Drainage systems were reviewed and improved in key areas, while turf management programmes focused on restoring healthy playing surfaces capable of withstanding periods of stress.
At the same time, the club used the opportunity to refine its wider environmental approach. Water management practices were reassessed, habitats around the course were protected and enhanced, and maintenance methods were adapted to support the long-term health of the landscape.
For the wider golf industry, the experience offers an important reminder. Extreme weather events are becoming more common, and many golf courses sit within landscapes — floodplains, coastal environments and sensitive ecosystems — that require careful management.
Andrew Cooke, CEO of Golf Tourism England, believes this approach is becoming increasingly important for the global reputation of golf destinations.
“For golfers travelling to play great courses, the landscape is part of the experience. Clubs that invest in environmental stewardship and resilience are protecting not only their courses, but also the future of the game itself.”
For destinations such as England, this perspective is particularly relevant. Many of the country’s most celebrated courses sit within historic landscapes where thoughtful environmental management is essential. Clubs that demonstrate responsible stewardship help strengthen England’s reputation as a destination where great golf exists in harmony with the landscapes that define it.
Royal Mid-Surrey’s experience therefore represents more than a recovery from flooding. It reflects a wider shift in how golf courses are managed — one that recognises resilience, environmental care and long-term thinking as central to the future of the game.