What does a typical 18-hole golf course look like?

Until recently, it was anyone’s best guess. But thanks to a survey conducted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), interested parties now know more about golf’s playing fields.

According to the survey, the total acreage of an average 18-hole golf course is 150 acres, but only 100 acres of it are maintained turfgrass. On most courses, intense maintenance is limited to only six acres (three acres each for tees and greens). From an environmental management perspective, during the last 10 years an 18-hole facility has on average implemented five environmental improvements to enhance golf course stewardship.

GCSAA’s Golf Course Environmental Profile is a collection of data on property features, management practices and inputs associated with golf courses across the United States. The project is actually a series of five surveys that will be completed by 2009, focusing on property features, management practices and input associated with golf courses and golf course maintenance. The process will be replicated in the future to document change and identify key issues for potential future research.

Results from the first survey have been compiled and were published in the November 2007 edition of the online scientific journal, Applied Turfgrass Science. The article, “Golf Course Profile Describes Turfgrass, Landscape, and Environmental Stewardship Features” was written by GCSAA Director of Environmental Programs Greg Lyman, Director of Research Clark Throssell, Ph.D., Senior Manager of Environmental Programs Mark Johnson, Senior Manager of Market Research & Data Greg Stacey and National Golf Foundation Director of Research Clark Brown. Non-subscribers of Applied Turfgrass Science can receive a copy of the article by contacting Lyman at glyman@gcsaa.org.

An article complementary to the one published online by Applied Turfgrass Science appears in the December 2007 edition of Golf Course Management magazine. A full report of the study, including narrative, graphs, charts and tables is accessible via GCSAA’s Web site at gcsaa.org. Additional reports on the second (water use and conservation) and third (nutrient inputs) surveys are expected be compiled and released in the Spring and Fall of 2007, respectively.

A fourth survey will be distributed in early January to GCSAA members and non-GCSAA member golf course superintendents to collect data on pesticide use on golf courses. Funding for the project has been through The Environmental Institute for Golf and a grant provided by The Toro Foundation.

“We are pleased with the project on many fronts,” Throssell said. “First, the participation we have received from GCSAA member and non-member superintendents is appreciated and crucial to the project’s success. Second, we are pleased that editors at Applied Turfgrass Science reviewed the work and accepted the manuscript for publication. Third, the information of this first survey provides a strong foundation for creating a golf course profile that will assist in identifying research, programming and communication that will enhance golf course management. Lastly, this project could not have been undertaken without the support of The Environmental Institute for Golf, its donors and The Toro Foundation.”

The National Golf Foundation was contracted to conduct the survey, manage the recruitment of participants and complete the analysis of the data in collaboration with GCSAA. The property profile survey was distributed to 16,009 golf courses in March 2006 and accepted until earlier July 2006. A total of 2,981 usable surveys were returned (18.6 percent return rate), and all types of courses (daily fee, municipal, private) were adequately represented across seven agronomic regions of the nation.

“The success of the project lies squarely on the shoulders of the facilities in providing data,” Throssell said. “It is important that the leadership at these facilities and golf’s allied associations support the golf course superintendent in this project. This is an intense process and we appreciate their efforts.”

While the results of the first survey did not surprise Lyman, he did indicate he was encouraged by the environmental stewardship that superintendents are displaying on the golf course. He is hopeful that the data supporting the positive contributions of formal, voluntary environmental stewardship programs will increase from the current 29 percent participation rate nationally.

GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.

The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA, is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For more on The Institute, visit www.eifg.org.

For more information contact:
Clark Throssell, Ph.D, GCSAA director of research, at cthrossell@gcsaa.org or 800-472-4429