Most all publicity related to chemicals and their use on golf courses is negative in nature. Golf course chemicals are seen as destructive to people, animals and plants.
Golf courses themselves can use procedures that reduce chemical exposure to golfers. Courses should leave chemically treated portions of the course closed for a conservatively sufficient time, based upon what is known. In order to know precisely the length of time, more research studies data are needed.
Although carefully conducted studies have measured dislodgeable residues during some golfing activities, little data exists on the frequency with which golfers actually engage in activities that increase their level of chemical contact during a round. There is also a lack of data regarding the variability of these behaviors among golfers.
Having multiple soil compositions throughout any landscape will test the best of any agronomic professional. Having one or two soil types on a golf course that are consistent from the first to the 18th hole is the goal.
Toxic Fairways Golfers, often playing shortly after pesticides have been applied, can be exposed directly to the pesticides on the turf, as well as to pesticide vapors and mists. People living near a golf course may be affected by sprays and dusts blown from the golf course onto their property and into their homes.
According to the research team, in general, when used according to the label directions, chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers approved for use on golf course turf are not believed to pose a real health risk to either the workers who apply the chemicals or to others who may come into contact with them after ...
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 average golf course uses 312 gallons of water per day for maintenance of the grounds. As this water flows through the property, it can pick up contaminants such as petroleum, pesticides, and fertilizers.
However, “Toxic Fairways” calculated that golf courses applied about 50,000 pounds of pesticides in one year, which can be anywhere from four to seven times more than the average amount utilized in agriculture on a pound/acre basis (Feldman).
“We get into periods here where I will spray my tees and greens every seven to 10 days and the fairways every two weeks,” he says. “We usually spray three days out of seven, so combining chemicals to get more bang for the buck is a necessity.”
Golf courses offer numerous opportunities to not only provide pleasant places to play, but also to protect drinking water, improve the water quality of on-site and surrounding lakes, streams, and rivers, support a variety of plants and wildlife, and protect the environment for future generations.
Farms and golf courses use a variety of chemicals and pesticides that can kill fish and other aquatic animals if sprayed near or in water. Sometimes the chemicals -- even those properly applied -- can be flushed into a canal or pond as run-off during a torrential rainstorm.
Emissions of GHG for the two golf courses were 1.0 and 1.6 Mg CO2e ha−1 year−1 as an area-weighted average, while the energy use was 14 and 19 GJ ha−1 year−1. Mowing was the most energy-consuming activity, contributing 21 and 27% of the primary energy use for the two golf courses.
Environmentalists argue that golf course land is not only a waste of space, but also harbors harmful impacts to the earth and environment, such as pesticide use. This negative impact occurs by using large quantities of water and destroying habitats for wildlife species.
Golf courses can provide habitat for land and aquatic animals. In a study of 10 golf courses in North Carolina, researchers were surprised to find that golf courses provided a wonderful environment for stream salamanders, an amphibian that they say played an important ecological role in the area's food chain.
Golf courses account for more than 5.1 million acres of land worldwide. That land that could be used as wooded areas, farmland, animal habits, wetlands and countless other activities that are far more useful to society than golf. Golf courses use 13 trillion gallons of water every year.
Golf courses typically have 25-30 acres of tee, fairway and green grasses and another 40-60 acres of rough and native grasses.
Each and every golf course that exists is this world has some form of vegetation. Vegetation comes in many different forms: turfgrasses, trees, agricultural crops, etc. One element all vegetation requires for establishment is soil.
There are many soil types, but for growing purposes there are three main soil compositions: sand, silt and clay. Soil content affects soil behavior, including the retention capacity for nutrients and water. Clay soils are heavier and tend to stay wet. Sandy soils are lighter and dry out quicker.
If there is concern about an entire green, the green can be divided into four to eight segments. Subsamples are then taken from each of the segments. The subsamples can be collected with a cup cutter, soil probe or shovel and combined in a plastic bucket.
A composite sample is comprised of material obtained from multiple locations that are combined to create a single sample. Golf greens should be divided into sampling subunits based on topography or directional areas. If there is concern about an entire green, the green can be divided into four to eight segments.
Communicating with the lab can often help the lab to better tailor tests and reports to address golf course needs or concerns. Lab test reports typically include an explanation of tests results and recommendations for action. Therefore, samples should be sent to laboratories that specialize in the demands associated with growing ...
A composite sample should be comprised of at least eight sampling locations. The eight locations should vary from the top to bottom and all around the pile. At least half of the samples should be taken from the lower third of the stockpile. Most tissue samples are collected from mower clippings.
In this study, we evaluated soil conditions at six randomly selected Iowa golf courses located in three different landform regions of the state.
In a similar fashion to the inherent nature of soil texture, TC content may also be primarily dependent on the soil parent material and may be highly spatially variable (Huang et al., 2007).
Herbicide and pesticide storage and use. One exposure that is unique to golf courses is the storage and application of herbicides and pesticides which require proper certification of all employees engaged in applying these substances.
The tanks serve a variety of purposes, including storing diesel for the golf carts, as well as herbicides and pesticides used to maintain the grounds. Golf courses also contain various ponds and water features which require maintenance, and can also carry harmful contaminants throughout the property. Storage facilities onsite holding chemicals and fertilizers are also cause for concern. All of these golf course pollution scenarios are highlighted further below.
Preventing the loss can be far less costly than the clean up cost and fines that may be incurred due to spills. The average golf course uses 312 gallons of water per day for maintenance of the grounds. As this water flows through the property, it can pick up contaminants such as petroleum, pesticides, and fertilizers.
While Financial Assurance may not be a requirement for the size and contents of the tanks used for golf courses, a pollution policy is an excellent way to protect assets if a release occurs from the tanks or other storage containers at a location.
Any leak or mixing of materials could lead to a significant pollution event. Faulty or damaged storage tank equipment. Aboveground storage tanks can present an exposure in the event of a spill or leak, causing harm to the golf course environment as well as a hefty cleanup bill.
With his soil tests, Certified Golf Course Superintendent Jim Ramey, who oversees four golf courses as Director of Agronomy at Sunriver (Ore.) Resort, looks for more than the soil’s basic nutritional needs of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. He also tests for micronutrients and pH levels.
Marra tests irrigation water for suitability, and ponds for nutrient loading from fertilizer runoff. Hugen conducts water tests three times during Poplar Creek’s golf season, which runs from March to November. He tests once shortly after the course opens, once in the summer, ...
A property might also add lime if pH levels are low, or gypsum if pH levels are high, to create more balance. Ramey relies on a reputable lab to obtain accurate test results, and takes soil samples in the fall each year. “We’re always looking for trends,” he reports.
They regularly conduct soil tests to help them improve turf health or resist disease, and water tests to gauge plant nutrition uptake, or ensure they’re not harming the water supply with their maintenance inputs. These test results are not the end game in the process, however.
Gribble conducts soil tests at least once a year, usually in the fall, on six greens, six tees and six fairways at the 36-hole property. “We apply our fertilizers based on our soil testing,” he says. “If things change from one year to the next, we’ll manipulate our program.
Soil tests help spot trends so superintendents can adjust their chemical and fertilizer inputs. Water-quality tests ensure that water is suitable for irrigation and that chemical and fertilizer applications are not leaching into the water table.
To ensure that its turf has the proper nutrient levels, the Niagara Falls maintenance staff tests tees and fairways at least once a year, and greens several times a year.
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.
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.