Golf and the environmental politics of modernization. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Millington, Brad; Wilson, Brian
• Is Part Of: Geoforum. Volume 66(2015)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Environment -- Golf -- Modernization -- Pesticides -- Sport -- Sustainability; Geography -- Periodicals; Human geography -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Sciences de la terre -- Périodiques; Géographie -- Périodiques; Géographie humaine -- Périodiques; Aménagement du territoire -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geography; Human geography; Regional planning; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 304.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2015.08.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-7185

Abstract

Highlights: Article recounts the golf's industry's pursuit of modernization across the 1900s. Early 1900s: modernizing beyond a 'primitive' past (e.g., in course design). Early post-war years: modernization as human exemptionalism (e.g., in use of DDT). Late 1900s: modernization as ecological modernization (e.g., 'safer' pesticides). Ecological modernization said to 'protect' against 'radically green' alternatives. Abstract: In this critical review we reflect on findings from a socio-historical study of golf's relationship with the environment. We focus especially on the golf industry's pursuit of modernization from the early 1900s to the present. Golf's quest to 'be' modern, we contend, has specifically constituted three particular 'turns': a first turn in the early 1900s involving the scientific rationalization of golf course development and maintenance; a second, 'exemptionalist' turn in the post-war years whereby science and technology fueled a perception of immense control over nature; and a third, more recent turn to ecological modernization (EM) whereby science and technology are leveraged toward environmental stewardship – or at least claims thereof. We ultimately argue that the golf industry's recent adoption of EM principles in their environment-related work has political implications, as it 'protects' the industry from more radical environmental alternatives.