Hidden Chemicals Found on Golf Courses: Common Pesticides and Their Environmental Impact
How do golf courses maintain the perfect green grass?
The manicured landscapes found on golf courses rely heavily on chemicals to maintain their flawless appearance, but those chemicals can seep into the soil, water, and air around them. A 2023 study provides a detailed look at pesticide risks on golf courses, and by comparing it with other research, there's plenty of studies that show how the most common pesticides are used, how they spread, and why they’re a concern for anyone living nearby—whether you’re in a bustling city or a quiet rural area.
Why Golf Courses Use Pesticides
Golf courses aim for perfect fairways and greens, free of weeds and pests. To achieve this, superintendents apply a mix of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.
Common Pesticides Found on Golf Courses
The 2023 Science of the Total Environment study analyzed 22 golf courses in Wisconsin and New York and found that courses use an average of eight pesticides, with fairways posing the highest risk due to their large treatment areas. Here are the most prevalent ones:
1. 2,4-D (Herbicide)
This herbicide, used to eliminate broadleaf weeds like dandelions, is a golf course staple. A 2024 study in ACS Agricultural Science & Technology found 2,4-D residues on golfers’ hands and clothing, showing it clings to turf grass but can transfer through contact. Its high water solubility means it can wash into groundwater or nearby streams during rain or irrigation. In regions like Florida, with sandy soils and heavy rainfall, 2,4-D has been detected in surface water near golf courses, raising concerns for aquatic ecosystems.
2. Chlorothalonil (Fungicide)
Used to combat fungal diseases on turf, chlorothalonil is another frequent player found in the ACS 2024 study. While it’s less likely to become airborne, it can persist in soil and move into water bodies through runoff, especially in sandy soils like those in Florida or Ontario’s Precambrian Shield. A 2008 study in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found chlorothalonil in watersheds near golf courses, where it harmed aquatic organisms.
3. Cyfluthrin (Insecticide)
This insecticide targets pests like grubs and is less toxic to humans than older chemicals like chlorpyrifos. The 2024 ACS study noted cyfluthrin residues on turf, with minimal risk to golfers but potential impacts on soil organisms like earthworms. It tends to stay in soil due to low water solubility, but heavy irrigation can carry it into nearby water sources.
4. Atrazine (Herbicide)
Atrazine, used for weed control, is often detected in golf course environments, particularly in water. A 2009 study in Science of the Total Environment found atrazine in surface water near coastal golf courses, even at low levels, due to its persistence and mobility. In areas like Florida, with abundant golf courses and shallow aquifers, atrazine raises concerns about groundwater contamination.
5. Imidacloprid (Insecticide)
This neonicotinoid insecticide, used against turf pests, was studied in a 2020 Science of the Total Environment article for its effects on living creatures within the soil. It suppressed decomposer organisms in golf course soils, disrupting nutrient cycling. Imidacloprid can leach through sandy soils and has been found in groundwater and surface water, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems.
How Pesticides Spread Beyond the Fairway
Pesticides move through the environment in three main ways: runoff, leaching, and spray drift. Runoff occurs when rain or irrigation washes chemicals off the turf into nearby streams or ponds. Leaching happens when water carries pesticides through soil into groundwater, especially in porous soils common in golf-heavy regions. Spray drift, where wind carries pesticide particles during application, can deposit chemicals in nearby yards or water bodies.
Why This Matters for You
If you’re near a golf course, especially if you rely on a well, consider using a certified lab for targeted pesticide testing to check for chemicals like 2,4-D or atrazine.