Much of the western United States was facing a drought in 2002. Wild fires, fed by the dry conditions, roared across miles. Flames of one blaze licked the land not too far from my home in Colorado.
As we played golf, my buddies and I watched the firefighting helicopter fly over the course on its trips between the blaze and its water supply. We imagined our course’s man-made ponds that were used for water hazards and irrigation being helpful in the firefighting efforts. In truth, we wanted a close-up look at the helicopter.
During droughts like the one that fed those wildfires, golf courses are scrutinized for their water usage. Depending on the climate, a golf course may require a great deal of water to keep the grass green. Extended periods without rainfall demand even more water. When officials ask residents of a community to make adjustments in their lifestyles to conserve water, they typically ask local golf course managers to change their level of water usage, as well.
While this may seem more than reasonable to local officials because golf is a recreational activity, golf course owners are aware that the quality of the grass can have an impact on the course’s bottom line—and ultimately on the community’s economy. Even small golf courses employ several people: the club pro, greens keeper, and maintenance crew. Other businesses depend on golfers for their survival, such as merchants of golf carts, golf clubs, and related equipment. Clearly, it is in the course’s best interest to be prepared for droughts.
Courses that conserve water now will be ahead of the game in case of possible drought, and will set an example for responsible care of the environment. Consider these solutions:
- Replace grass in between the fairways or in other areas with native vegetation that requires less water.
- Install weather stations, which determine precisely how much water the grass requires, ensuring little or no water is wasted.
- Use sprinkler heads that are designed to conserve water. For example, some allow easy adjustment of their trajectory to avoid spraying water on areas that don’t need it.
- Use types of grass on the fairway that require limited watering. If you live near the ocean, you may even be able to take advantage of saltwater; some types of Bermuda grass can survive on saltwater.
Another way to conserve water is by collecting runoff—water that would not otherwise be used by the golf course for irrigation—and storing it in a pond for later use. This is like having a savings account for a non-rainy day. A runoff pond can also provide a water hazard for the golf course, beautifying the course and providing an interesting challenge for the golfers.
One caution, however: Runoff water from the golf course or from neighbors can become contaminated, making the pond unappealing or a potential health hazard. If bacteria and fungi grow, they multiply quickly, killing the fish and other animals in the pond with little warning.
Taking some steps now to conserve water will help ensure that golfers enjoy an attractive, lush course in any weather condition—and that you enjoy success on your course.
