. Golf facilities account for 2.3 million acres in the United States. Numerous turfgrass species are managed on US golf facilities, but golf facilities may change turfgrasses depending on numerous variables. Knowing which turfgrasses are grown and how turfgrass selection has changed would provide important information to scientists, turfgrass managers, and policymakers. The objective of this survey was to measure turfgrass use on US golf facilities in 2021 and to determine whether changes in turfgrass selection have occurred since 2005. A survey was developed and distributed via e-mail to 13,938 US golf facilities, with 1861 responding. From 2005 to 2021, the total projected area of maintained turfgrass on US golf facilities decreased by 14.2%, which was likely a result of course closures and maintenance operations. Nationally, bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) remained the most common warm- and cool-season turfgrasses, respectively. The area of winteroverseeded turfgrass declined by 60% between 2005 and 2021. The percentage of golf facilities that used zoysiagrass (Zoysia sp.) and seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) increased depending on region and specific playing surface, albeit a pragmatically minor increase. In general, turfgrass selection on golf facilities in northern climates did not change, whereas turfgrass selection in southern climates favored a change from cool- to warm-season species, depending on the playing surface. Whether in historically cool-season or warm-season regions, it appears that many golf facilities are exploring alternatives to their traditional turfgrass species.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is an important component of golf course maintenance and includes conventional chemical pesticide use as well as nonchemical cultural management practices. Determining how frequent pest management practices are used on golf courses is critical when developing educational and outreach programs. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of pest management practices and pesticide mixing and storage facilities on US golf courses. A survey was sent to 14,033 operational US golf facilities with 10% responding. Reliance on all conventional chemical pesticides increased from 2015 to 2021. The reliance on biological control products declined to 14% and reliance on the nonpesticide practice of using plant growth regulators remained equivalent to 2015. The most common pest management practices included monitoring weather patterns and scouting for pests, with 93% of golf facilities reporting the use of both. The use of written IPM and pesticide application plans increased from 44% to 63% of golf facilities between 2015 and 2021, respectively. Generally, mixing and storage facilities remained unchanged from 2015 to 2021. US golf facilities continue to use nonchemical pest management practices, but reliance on chemical pesticides has increased.

Golf facilities require a large area and consume energy to operate. As such, golf facilities have the potential to influence ecosystems and contribute to national and regional energy demands. The objective of this study was to document the land-use and energy practices of US golf facilities in 2021 and to determine if changes have occurred since 2005. A survey was distributed via e-mail to 13,938 US golf facilities, with 1861 responding. From 2005 to 2021, the projected acres of maintained turfgrass declined by 14.2%, whereas the median maintained turfgrass acreage declined by 3.0% indicating the decline in projected acres was likely a result of facility closures. In 2021, water features, turfgrass, and natural areas accounted for 92% of the total projected facility acres. More golf facilities used cleaner energy sources, such as natural gas and solar-electric, and fewer golf facilities used gasoline and diesel in 2021 than in 2005. The percentage of golf facilities at which behavioral changes were implemented to decrease energy use declined but design changes increased from 2005 to 2021. Golf facilities became more land and energy efficient from 2005 to 2021 by reducing the acreage of maintained turfgrass and increasing the use of clean energy sources, but room for improvement still exists in human behaviors that affect energy use.

Nutrient use on United States golf courses increases management costs and has the potential to influence ecosystems. Therefore, it is critical to assess nutrient use and management practices to develop and teach best management practices. The objectives of this survey were to measure nutrient use and management practices on United States golf courses in 2021, and to determine if changes occurred since 2006. A survey was developed and distributed via e-mail to 14,033 United States golf facilities, with 1444 responding. From 2006 to 2021, the total projected nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P2O5), and soluble potash (K2O) applied declined by 41%, 59%, and 54%, to 54,376, 13,761, and 41,386 tons, respectively. These reductions were attributed to course closures, reduced fertilized acres, reduced application rates, and nutrient use restrictions. The percentage of facilities that did not apply P2O5 increased to 21%, which is likely a result of P2O5 application restrictions. Soil testing was associated with greater application rates of N, P2O5, and K2O. Returning clippings, using precision fertilizer applications, reducing turfgrass acreage, and considering N release from soil organic matter were associated with reduced application rates of P2O5. Golf course superintendents have contributed to nationwide reductions in N, P2O5, and K2O, as evidenced by the reduction in fertilized acres and the reduction in nutrient use rates from 2006 to 2021.

Measuring water use on U.S. golf courses is an essential component of measuring best management practice adoption. To provide timely and meaningful education regarding current water use, continued measurement of golf course water use is necessary. The objective of this study was to assess the current water use and related management practices on U.S. golf courses in 2020. A survey was developed and distributed electronically to 14,145 U.S. golf courses with 11% responding. Since the initial survey conducted in 2005, water applied as irrigation to U.S. golf courses declined by 29% from 2.38 to 1.69 million acre-ft. Factors contributing to this decline include a 12% reduction in golf facilities and a 25% reduction in water applied per acre since 2005. Reductions in water applied per acre were also measured in most regions except in the Southwest region, where an increase in water applied per acre was reported, which was probably a result of the increased stress the turfgrass may have experienced under the reduced precipitation and increased heat in the Southwest region. The responses indicate that golf course superintendents continue to use management practices associated with efficient water use. The use of technologies such as handheld moisture meters and drought-tolerant turfgrass has increased since 2013, indicating that golf superintendents are receptive to using both new and traditional technologies to reduce water use.

Core Ideas A survey of land‐use characteristics and environmental stewardship programs on US golf courses was conducted in 2015 as a follow‐up to an initial, 2005, study. There were significant acreage reductions in maintained turf, as well as in overseeded and irrigated turf. Trends in decreased acreage came about primarily through a combination of voluntary reductions in acreage and a net decrease in the number of golf facilities in the USA. Variations in land‐use allocations occurred regionally, as well as for public compared with private facilities and 9‐hole compared with 18‐hole facilities, suggesting that climate, economics, and even real estate values are involved in these decisions. Since an initial survey that documented land‐use characteristics and environmental stewardship programs for 2005, the acreage for an average 18‐hole golf facility has changed little, with a median acreage of 151 acres in 2005 and 150 acres in 2015. In contrast, the acreage of maintained turf on 18‐hole facilities has decreased significantly during that same period, from 99.2 acres (or 66% of 18‐hole facility acreage) to 95.1 acres (or 63% of 18‐hole facility). Natural or native vegetation comprises approximately 17% of 18‐hole facility acreage, while the remaining acreage is composed of water features (4.2%), buildings, (1.5%), bunkers (1.6%), and parking lots (1.6%). The acreage of winter overseeded turf in the Transition, Southwest and Southeast regions has decreased by 49% since 2005. Trends in turf‐type use have varied only slightly since 2005, with bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) making up 34% of all US acreage, followed by Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) (23%) and annual bluegrass (P annua L.) (11%). The observed reductions in golf course facility and maintained turf acreage since 2005 were the result of an interaction between a net decrease in the number of facilities in the United States and voluntary reductions in the size of facility features. The most commonly cited reasons cited for turf reductions included cutting the costs for water and labor, but also for fertilizers, pesticides, and energy.

Core Ideas Energy use on US golf courses has declined since 2008. The greatest decreases were in electricity consumption. Increased use of alternative energy sources, hybrid vehicles, and acreage reductions will result in further energy decreases in the future. Since an initial 2008 survey that documented energy use and environmental practices on US golf courses, there has been an 8.3% decrease in annual energy use on 18‐hole facilities, from 2623 million Btu (MMBtu) per facility in 2008 to 2405 MMBtu in 2015. This decrease was primarily the result of reduced consumption of electricity since 2008, including adoption of behavioral and physical or design features for the purpose of energy conservation, increased use of onsite solar panels, adoption of written energy plans, and use of energy audits. From 2008 to 2015, there was a small increase (2.2%) in diesel fuel use, but little change in the use of all other energy sources including gasoline, natural gas, propane, and heating oil on 18‐hole facilities. There was a 7.8% decrease in overall energy use in the golf course industry as a whole, which came about as a result of behavioral changes in energy consumption (accounting for 39% of the decrease) and the reduced number of golf facilities in the United States since 2008 (accounting for 61% of the decrease). Future energy conservation efforts should be focused on electricity and fuel use, especially in golf maintenance activities, increased use of alternative energy sources, hybrid vehicles, reduced maintained acreage, and regular energy audits on which energy conservation plans can be based.

Core Ideas Pest management practices on golf course turf have changed since an initial survey was conducted in 2007. There is increased reliance on nonpesticide approaches to pest control. Pest management decision‐making is most influenced by information obtained from personal interactions, followed by websites and print publications. Since the initial 2007 survey on pest management practices at US golf courses, superintendents have reported increased reliance on nonpesticide approaches to pest control, including cultural practices (+66% increase), plant growth regulators (+44%), and biological control (+25%). Reliance on conventional pest control chemistries has increased slightly for fungicides (+4%) and herbicides (+2%), and has decreased slightly for insecticides (−4%) and, more dramatically, for nematicides (−15%). Pest management decision‐making is most influenced by information obtained from personal interactions (98% of respondents), followed by websites (87%) and print publications (79%). Superintendents reported relatively low impact of regulations on pest management programs in both 2007 and 2015, with even less impact reported in 2015 than in 2007. The most frequently cited local government regulations were for record keeping, storage, and pesticide posting–notification. Development of written pest management plans was largely a voluntary effort, with <15% initiated due to regulatory requirements. Since 2007, participation in costly projects such as development of written pesticide plans, improved pesticide storage facilities, and improved mixing–loading stations has decreased. Further improvements in pest management efficacy and safety will rely on greater investment by: (i) golf courses in staff education, as well as safety‐related facility improvements; (ii) universities and superintendent associations in research, outreach, and education on new pest management strategies; and (iii) companies in continued development of new, environmentally compatible, and efficacious pest management products.

Between an initial survey in 2007 and a follow‐up in 2014, US golf courses have decreased their nutrient use, with annual reductions of 34% (30,970 tons) for N, 53% (17,867 tons) for P2O5, and 42% (37, 419 tons) for K2O (potash). Reductions in the number of fertilized acres, golf course closures, and reductions in nutrient use rates were responsible for the observed trends. There is dramatic, climate‐driven regional variation in nutrient use across the United States, with the lowest rates in the cool climates of the Northeast and North Central regions and the highest rates in the warm climates of the Southeast and Southwest regions. Future reductions in nutrient use on golf courses will be facilitated by continued adoption of conservation measures, adoption of lower nutrient use guidelines, additional governmental regulation, and cutbacks in the number of golf courses.

To develop a national golf course environmental profile, a survey was sent to 16,285 superintendents at golf facilities in the United States to determine their electricity use, fuel used for heating and other purposes, fuel used for equipment and vehicles, and conservation practices at golf facilities and its agronomic regions. The response rate was 9.6%. Summed over all golf facility types and agronomic regions, estimated electricity use in 2008 was 6,714,000,000 kWh; propane use was 17,000,000 gallons; natural gas use was 17,500,000 Mcf; heating oil use was 4,400,000 gallons; gasoline use was 77,000,000 gallons; and diesel use was 50,400,000 gallons. For 18-hole golf facilities, 77% have incorporated one or more behavioral changes to their standard practices, and 71% have incorporated one or more design, physical, or mechanical changes as part of their energy conservation measures. Golf industry programs are needed to raise awareness of energy use and the opportunities for conservation at golf facilities. These results provide an accurate portrayal of golf facility energy use and establish a reference point for comparison with results from future surveys to monitor industry change over time. Data could be useful in estimating carbon use within carbon footprinting equations for the golf industry.

To develop a national golf course environmental profile, a survey was sent to 16,194 superintendents at US golf facilities to determine pesticide storage and mixing and loading practices; use of written pesticide emergency plans, integrated pest management plans, and pesticide application plans; restrictions to pesticide operations; number of certified pesticide applicators; pest management tactics; trends in pesticide use; and pesticide use. The response rate was 20.5%. Analysis of data indicated responses were received from a representative sample of golf facilities in the US with the exception of facility type. Data were weighted for facility type. Almost all golf facilities had at least one certified pesticide applicator on staff. Superintendents used multiple tactics to manage pests, and they used these tactics on a routine basis. Data from pesticide use records did not accurately reflect the active ingredients used on specific components of the golf course (greens, tees, fairways, rough). Results from the pest management tactics provide a baseline for comparison with results from future surveys to monitor industry change over time.

The golf industry lacks comprehensive national data on the property features, management practices, and inputs associated with golf courses. To develop a national golf course environmental profile, a survey was sent to 16,386 superintendents at US golf facilities to determine their nutrient use, trends in nutrient use, nitrogen sources used, soil amendment and turfgrass supplement use, and fertilizer restrictions, storage, and equipment calibration. Of these surveys, 15.6% were returned. Analysis of data indicated a representative sample of golf facilities in the US was received with the exception of facility type. Data were weighted for facility type. Summed over all golf course components and all golf facilities, a total of 101,096 tons nitrogen were applied to 1,311,000 acres; 36,810 tons phosphate were applied to 1,131,000 acres; and 99,005 tons potash were applied to 1,260,000 acres in 2006. Only 9% of 18-hole golf facilities reported restrictions on fertilizer use required by a government or tribal authority, and 18-hole facilities calibrated their fertilizer application equipment before application 67% of the time. These results provide an accurate portrayal of golf course nutrient use and establishes a baseline for comparison with results from future surveys to monitor industry change over time.

The golf industry does not have comprehensive national data on property features, management practices, and inputs associated with golf courses. As part of the effort to develop a national golf course environmental profile, The Environmental Institute for Golf sent a survey to superintendents at 16,797 golf facilities in the United States to determine their number of irrigated turfgrass acres, water use, water cost, water sources, recycled water use, water quality, irrigation system characteristics, and water management and conservation strategies. Of these surveys, 15% were returned. Golf course data were stratified by agronomic region, course type, and number of holes. The analysis indicated proportional representation of all types of golf facilities in the results. Golf courses comprise an estimated 1,198,381 acres of irrigated turfgrass in the United States, and their total annual water use averaged over 2003, 2004, and 2005 is estimated at 2,312,701 acre-feet. Water cost and water source vary by agronomic region. Recycled water is one of the water sources for 12% of golf facilities. Nearly all 18-hole golf facilities use one or more techniques for irrigation scheduling, and they use multiple management practices such as hand-watering to conserve water. These data provide an accurate portrayal of golf course water use that establishes a baseline for comparison with data from future surveys to monitor industry change, and the data can serve as a guide for industry agronomic and environmental initiatives.

The golf industry does not have comprehensive national data on the property features, management practices, inputs, and outputs associated with golf courses. A series of surveys will be conducted to collect the data necessary to develop a national golf course environmental profile. This was the first survey of the series and the objectives were to determine total acreage of a golf course, land-use characteristics, acres and grass species of each component of the golf course, acreage dedicated to natural resources and environmental stewardship practices. The survey was sent to 16,009 golf course facilities’ superintendents in the United States. Golf courses were stratified by agronomic region, course type, and number of holes to ensure all types of golf courses were represented in the results. Results indicate the total acreage of an average 18-hole golf course is 150 acres, of which 100 acres (67%) is maintained turf. Cool-season grasses are grown on 66% and warm-season grasses are grown on 34% of all maintained turf acreage on golf courses. The remaining acreage is comprised of non-turfgrass landscapes (16%), water bodies (7%), buildings (4%), bunkers (3%), and parking lots (3%). Approximately 44% of golf courses have increased the non-turfgrass landscape areas by nearly 10 acres over the last 10 years. Over the last 10 years, an average of five environmental improvements have been made on 18-hole golf courses, while those golf courses that participated in voluntary environmental stewardship programs have made an average of seven improvements. These data provide an accurate portrayal of golf course land use to guide golf industry agronomic and environmental initiatives and establish a baseline that can be compared to data from future surveys to monitor industry change.