The Harris campaign has not proposed a golf tax, but perhaps they should.
There has been much made on social media in the last twenty-four hours of a supposed proposal by the Harris administration for a 20% excise tax on all things related to golf. As with so many things on the internet, it appears to have no basis in fact and originates from a parody account on Twitter/X.
However, golf courses carry with them myriad externalities, the cost of which are born by society writ large: from environmental impacts like water consumption, chemical fertilizer runoff, habitat disruption and soil degradation to waste generation and the taking up of valuable real estate.
While the Harris administration may have no plans to implement a golf tax—it may not be a bad idea.Social Externalities of Golf Courses
The environmental impact of courses is, perhaps, the most pressing concern. Maintaining the landscaping of a golf course requires vast amounts of water—often in regions facing water scarcity. In arid areas this can exacerbate drought conditions and put additional strain on local water reserves. In addition, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides results in runoff that can contaminate the water that does remain, harming aquatic life and the larger ecosystem.
Soil degradation is another issue exacerbated by the presence of courses. The constant mowing and use of heavy machinery, as well as additional foot traffic, can lead to soil compaction. This reduces the soil’s ability to support plant life, increases the risk of erosion and changes water runoff patterns.
