Golf courses are responsible for just 1.3 percent of water used in the U.S., according to the USGA Green Section. The game, however, receives a disproportionate amount of blame for how much is required to keep turf playable.
The USGA has published a guide to help turf managers become better stewards of water with an eye trained on sustainability, as well as providing a valuable PR tool.
The Water Conservation Playbook is, says the USGA, "a comprehensive effort to provide courses with the latest tools and techniques to more effectively manage water utilization."
The guide, available as a free download, was written by Green Section personnel and several contributors, and is part of the USGA's 15-year, $30 million investment to help golf courses reduce their overall water usage.
"Golf is currently in a time of great growth, but the threat of water availability and cost, combined with changing weather patterns, poses long-term threats to our playing fields," said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA, in a news release. "We want to put the best intelligence into the hands of those who are making decisions and working on courses every day, and spur innovation toward a more sustainable game."
The tool focuses on nine water-conservation strategies in three categories:
Fundamental irrigation stewardship
- Irrigation system maintenance
- Effects of chemical applications on water use and drought resistance
- Managing golfer expectations to help conserve water
Advanced irrigation techniques and conservation strategies
- Site-specific irrigation scheduling
- Grassing strategies for golf course water conservation
- Reducing irrigated acreage
- Subsurface drip irrigation
Water sourcing and storage stewardship
- Surface water optimization
- Using recycled water
Each section includes information on:
- Implementation considerations
- Potential water savings and other benefits (such as improved turf quality)
- Regions where the highest impact can be made
- Photos that demonstrate installation and results
- Step-by-step implementation notes and tips for success.
Authors of the guide including Mike Kenna, Ph.D., Chris Hartwiger, Daniel O'Brien, Ph.D., John Petrovsky, CGCS, Matteo Serena, Ph.D., Cole Thompson, Ph.D., George Waters and Brian Whitlark all of the USGA Green Section; Dale Bremer, Ph.D., of Kansas State University; Jeffrey Danner of Pangaea Golf Architecture; David Pierce of Stellar Golf Advisors; Forrest Richardson of Forrest Richardson Golf Course Architects; and Marco Schiavon, Ph.D. University of Florida.
"The level of collaboration we've received to bring this to life has been incredible, and it's now our job to share this tool far and wide," said Matt Pringle, Ph.D., managing director of the USGA Green Section, in a news release. "If you work on a golf course, deliver or sell water, build irrigation systems, design facilities or are part of the golf community, we encourage you to download and distribute the link to your colleagues."
The guide was peer-reviewed by Mike Fidanza, Ph.D., Penn State University; Ali Harivandi, Ph.D., University of California Cooperative Extension; Mike Huck, Irrigation and Turfgrass Services; Craig Kessler, Southern California Golf Association; Bernd Leinauer, Ph.D., New Mexico State University; and Casey O'Callaghan, Casey O'Callaghan Golf Course Design.