Saltford Golf Club: A greener course for the future
With help from a Green Business Grant, Saltford Golf Club was able to make some quick, cost-saving changes. These not only improved energy efficiency, but also made their facilities better for members.
Driving positive change
Nestled just outside Bath, Saltford Golf Club has been welcoming members since 1904. Today, it offers not only an 18-hole course and modern practice facilities but also a forward-thinking approach to sustainability. The club recently made some smart, eco-friendly upgrades that are already paying off—both environmentally and financially.
They’d already made the move to solar panels, but they wanted to go further. So, they reached out to the West of England Combined Authority for expert advice.
“Everyone has a role to play in reducing their environmental impact. The free report from the Combined Authority gave us clear, detailed ideas—plus estimates of how much money we could save.”
Nicholas Hunt, Business Development Director
Turning a Green Business Grant into real improvements
A free carbon survey revealed several simple changes the club could make without disrupting day-to-day activities. With a £6,500 Green Business Grant, they were able to take action straight away.
The old sodium lights on the driving range were slow to warm up, so they’d often be left on longer than needed. These were replaced with LED floodlights, along with motion sensors and timers. LED lighting was also installed throughout the clubhouse, outbuildings, and car park. It’s not just about saving energy—motion sensors also reduce light pollution while keeping the area safe and secure.
The clubhouse insulation was upgraded from 100mm to 300mm to help keep the building warmer and more energy efficient.
Saving energy - and money
Thanks to these upgrades, the club expects:
Over £2,400 in annual energy savings
Around 10% less energy used overall
A reduction of 7 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year
Members have already noticed the benefits—from better lighting on the range at night to a warmer, cosier clubhouse.
Looking ahead
Saltford Golf Club isn’t stopping here. They’re already exploring the next phase—installing solar panels on the driving range (which could even generate income by selling energy back to the grid in summer) and replacing the old clubhouse boiler with a more sustainable option like an air source heat pump, ground source heat pump, or thermal solar panels.
“You don’t need a huge budget to start making a difference. Even small upgrades like changing light fittings can cut your environmental impact. The grant meant we could make these improvements up to three years earlier than we’d planned. We’d definitely recommend looking into the support available and thinking about the long-term savings.”
Over £2,400 in annual energy savings 
Around 10% less energy used overall 
A reduction of 7 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year 
