At Greener Golf, one of our central goals is to lead and inform the conversation around sustainability within the golf industry. While environmental awareness is growing, the industry is still only beginning to tap into the full potential that golf courses can play as community assets, delivering meaningful ecological and social benefits far beyond the game itself. With Virtually Certain, we aim to help lead this next chapter by bringing scientific clarity, thoughtful analysis, and a long-term perspective to the conversation, highlighting how golf can become a model for environmental and community stewardship

Why Virtually Certain?

The name Virtually Certain comes from a phrase used in both the rules of golf and scientific reporting. These two worlds might seem distant at first glance, but they operate on shared principles of observation, judgment, and action.

In Golf

you have played golf before, you may already be familiar with the phrase virtually certain. According to the United States Golf Association (USGA), a situation is deemed “virtually certain” when “there is conclusive evidence that the event in question happened to the player’s ball, such as when the player or other witness saw it happen.” The standard still applies when “all reasonably available information shows that it is at least 95% likely that the event in question happened,” even if a sliver of doubt remains.

In short, the event is more than just possible or probable. This rule calls for confidence. The kind built on careful observation and all available evidence. It reflects a principle that extends beyond golf and into the scientific world, where confidence levels are used to communicate how likely something is to be true, even when absolute certainty is out of reach.

In Science

In the scientific world, virtually certain carries a precise meaning. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it represents a 99–100% likelihood that a given outcome is true or will occur, based upon robust evidence and expert judgment. This language is commonly used in climate science to express confidence in observed environmental trends, causal relationships, and projected future changes.

The golfer’s instinct and the scientist’s data-driven approach both require confident action, even in the face of uncertainty. That mindset captures how we operate at Greener Golf: guided by what we know, grounded in evidence, and always open to learning more. It is this blend of curiosity, judgment, and purpose that drives our work and the spirit behind Virtually Certain.

What to Expect

Every week, a new post will be shared that reflects Greener Golf’s mission: to facilitate positive change in golf and society through a renewed partnership with nature. We will share updates on current projects, case studies from courses we have worked with, and insights into how our services can help courses maximize the environmental and social benefits that thoughtful, sustainability-driven golf design and management can deliver.

Some posts will take a closer look at key sustainability issues like water use, biodiversity, and energy. Others may explore eco-conscious course design, community engagement, or innovations shaping the game's future. Through it all, we aim to amplify the visibility of golf’s environmental and social potential.

Whether you are a longtime environmental advocate or someone who just loves the game of golf, Virtually Certain welcomes you to the conversation.