Research suggests that some chemicals used on golf courses may raise risks of lymphomas and other health problems. One study, published in 1996 in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, specifically addressed this concern.
“The golf industry is pretty much underwritten by the chemical industry so they continue to use their products,” Nisker said. Brian Wilson, who studies sports and culture at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, noted the close relationship between the golf and chemical industries.
The game of golf has long brought friends and families outside to spend time together. But behind the highly manicured, weed-free greens and fairways of golf courses often sit storage sheds filled with a toxic assortment of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
“Golf course superintendents utilize pesticides as part of a system of integrated pest management (IPM) to control pests and maintain healthy turf,” the association told FairWarning. “The latest technology in application equipment is used on golf courses which allows for precise application of pesticides.”
Chemical Safety on the Golf Course. March 30, 2021. October 16, 2018 by golfsafety. While pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers, nematicides and all the other substances you may use are extremely helpful in managing your golf facility, they are also dangerous.
Chemical Protective Clothing There are various types of chemical protective clothing, including: While the chemical label and SDS sheets provide information and guidelines regarding the hazards, it’s important that you develop your club’s policy as it relates to chemical protection.
Factors such as the thickness of the material and exposure times need to be taken into consideration when evaluating equipment, and no materials can provide permanent and complete protection from all chemicals. An important note about gloves – the thicker they are, the more protection they provide.
An important note about gloves – the thicker they are, the more protection they provide. However, do not use latex or polyethylene gloves to handle chemicals. These types of gloves can actually absorb the chemical and allow it to continue to damage the skin.
Keep in mind that overprotection can be just as bad as under protection. OSHA states that chemical clothing must be used anytime a worker is exposed to a chemical. This means that all crew mixing or applying chemicals must wear some level of protective clothing.
“Golf course superintendents utilize pesticides as part of a system of integrated pest management (IPM) to control pests and maintain healthy turf ,” the association told FairWarning.
Wilson said that, during that time, managers were “essentially mass-spraying golf courses.”. “Then, move ahead to 2001, and in the same magazine they celebrate Rachel Carson,” he said in an interview. “The industry has changed their practices. They’ve become more targeted with the way they use chemicals.”.
In the beginning of his book, “ The Greening of Golf ,” Wilson cites a 1964 issue of a magazine for golf course superintendents that includes what he called a “scathing review” of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring,” the 1962 book largely credited with spurring the modern environmental movement.
Harold Nisker, who died of a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, played golf on vacation in 1988 in Banff. Courtesy Andrew Nisker home video. A former school groundskeeper who won one of those Monsanto lawsuits, Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, has been actively supporting Nisker’s film.
Research suggests that some chemicals used on golf courses may raise risks of lymphomas and other health problems. One study, published in 1996 in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, specifically addressed this concern.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, named 2,4-D a possible human carcinogen and studies also have found that the weed killer may disrupt the normal functioning of hormones in the body.
Jay Feldman speaks at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Common Ground Country Fair in September 2012. Courtesy of Beyond Pesticides. “Clover became a weed overnight,” said Feldman. “The issue is broader than golf.
But behind the highly manicured, weed-free greens and fairways of golf courses often sit storage sheds filled with a toxic assortment of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
This work is not easy. While the methods used to maintain an organic golf course are similar to those used to maintain an organic lawn, the high expectations placed on golf courses require significant time, attention, and willingness to experiment. Soil health must be prioritized.
Increasingly, golf course superintendents are making this connection, and working with environmental experts and local residents to improve the public health and ecological footprint of their greens and fairways. This work is not easy. While the methods used to maintain an organic golf course are similar to those used to maintain an organic lawn, ...
If you swing the club too hard or too fast, you may stress your joints. Relax and take a nice, easy swing at the ball. The best golfers have consistent — not necessarily fast — swing tempos. If you want to reduce the risk of golf injuries, consider taking lessons.
Understanding the mechanics behind your golf swing can help you prevent golf injuries. Try to: 1 Use proper posture. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and rotated slightly outward, and with your knees slightly bent. Hold your spine relatively straight. Your trunk should be tilted forward, but most of that movement should come from your hips. Avoid hunching over the ball, which may lead to neck and back strain. 2 Stay smooth. The power of a golf swing comes from force transferred smoothly through all the muscle groups, from your ankles to your wrists. If you depend on one part of your body for your hitting power, you may be more likely to have injuries. For example, overemphasizing your wrists during your swing can lead to golfer's elbow — a strain of the muscles on the inside of the forearm. 3 Don't overswing. If you swing the club too hard or too fast, you may stress your joints. Relax and take a nice, easy swing at the ball. The best golfers have consistent — not necessarily fast — swing tempos.
Stretch your hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, spine and pelvis. Swing your golf club a few times, gradually increasing your range of motion and swing speed. Start slowly. You might start out by practicing your swing for hours, believing it's helping your game.
Other tips to keep you on the course. There's more to golf than your golf swing. Consider other ways to lower your risk of golf injuries: Warm up. Before you practice your swing or play a round of golf, warm up for at least 10 minutes with a brisk walk or a set of jumping jacks. Stretch your hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, ...
Wear sunglasses to filter out UVA and UVB rays. Wear a hat with a visor to shade your eyes and face. Watch for signs and symptoms of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Drink plenty of water, whether you feel thirsty or not, and cut your game short if necessary.
Use proper posture. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and rotated slightly outward, and with your knees slightly bent. Hold your spine relatively straight. Your trunk should be tilted forward, but most of that movement should come from your hips.
The power of a golf swing comes from force transferred smoothly through all the muscle groups, from your ankles to your wrists. If you depend on one part of your body for your hitting power, you may be more likely to have injuries.