An inside look at the USGA Water Conservation Playbook

By Golfdom staff| May 19, 2025 0 Comments

Golf courses face growing threats from rising water costs, unpredictable supplies and increased water restrictions. Proactive water management is essential to secure the sport’s future. The latest research, technology and conservation strategies offer a path forward.

The USGA has invested $30 million over 15 years to help courses reduce water use while maintaining playability and aesthetics. For more than a century, the USGA has supported golf courses through turfgrass research and resource management. Now, the organization is collaborating with agronomists, superintendents, architects, engineers and scientists to drive water conservation across the industry.

Golf courses depend heavily on supplemental irrigation to maintain turfgrass and playability, as rainfall alone is insufficient even in wetter climates. The challenges of applying water efficiently — across potentially vast acreage with varying needs and limited staff — are compounded by golfer expectations and the limitations of irrigation systems. Despite these challenges, it’s crucial to understand that golf courses are relatively efficient water users, accounting for only about 1.3 percent of the U.S. irrigation water use annually. Notably, golf course water use has decreased by almost 30 percent since 2005, mainly due to improved irrigation practices.

Water conservation is increasingly critical as water becomes more expensive and heavily regulated, even in traditionally water-rich areas. In arid regions like the western U.S., high costs and limited water availability pose significant threats to golf courses, with annual water budgets often exceeding $1 million. External factors such as drought, population growth and political decisions can impact water availability, requiring courses to adopt strategies for reduced water use and improved drought resilience. This universal need affects courses that typically receive adequate rainfall and those in drier regions.

Efficient irrigation contributes to better playing conditions and healthier turf, reducing the need for other resources such as fuel and labor for mowing and pesticide application. By irrigating fewer turfgrass areas, golf courses can lower maintenance costs, increase environmental benefits and better allocate limited resources.

Since 1920, the USGA Green Section has promoted water conservation in golf, invested in research and offered educational resources to help courses optimize water use. The playbook introduced by the USGA focuses on nine key water conservation strategies across three main categories, elaborating on the costs, benefits, limitations and implementation steps for each. These strategies range from simple, low-cost approaches to more advanced methods requiring significant investment and planning.

Fundamental irrigation stewardship

Irrigation system maintenance: A well-maintained irrigation system is essential for sustaining golf course turfgrass in a playable condition year-round across most parts of the U.S. These systems represent significant capital investments for golf facilities, sometimes exceeding $5 million. They require continuous maintenance and replacement as they age and become prone to issues. Developing a preventive maintenance program is crucial to minimizing problems, extending the system’s lifespan, conserving water, reducing energy use and enhancing playing conditions

The effects of chemical applications on water use and drought resistance: Turfgrass management practices such as mowing and fertilization directly impact water requirements. Extensive research and field experience supports the idea that applying certain chemicals helps turfgrass cope with drought.

However, the efficacy of many chemicals on water use and drought resilience remains unproven. Superintendents must continuously adapt their strategies to effectively manage turfgrass responses to water stress, promoting healthier, more resilient turfgrass.

Managing golfer expectations to help conserve water: Golfer expectations often influence irrigation practices, with many courses irrigating beyond agronomic needs to satisfy aesthetic demands. However, strategies like deficit irrigation can maintain healthy turf and offer a pleasant golf experience without compromising aesthetics too much. Adjusting golfer expectations and promoting conservation strategies are critical to successfully reducing water use while maintaining satisfaction.

Advanced irrigation techniques and conservation strategies

Site-specific irrigation scheduling: Estimating the water needs of various grasses poses significant challenges due to diverse growing environments and countless variables like soil type and sun exposure. New technologies, such as soil moisture sensors and weather data integration, enhance irrigation precision, yet costs and technical limitations hinder adoption. Still, these technologies have the potential for substantial water conservation and improved turf health.

Grassing strategies for golf course water conservation: Selecting appropriate grass species is vital for efficient golf course management, with increasing shifts toward water-conserving warm-season grasses. Converting to these grasses can reduce water usage by at least 25 percent and, despite high initial costs, pay off within several years. The choice of grass significantly affects water conservation efforts, maintenance needs and overall playability.

Reducing irrigated acreage: Minimizing the area of irrigated turfgrass is an effective water conservation strategy. Golf courses can significantly reduce water use by converting traditional turf areas to landscapes requiring minimal or no irrigation. However, this transition involves considerable investment and challenges in maintaining the desired aesthetic and playability standards.

Subsurface drip irrigation: Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems deliver water directly to the root zone, reducing losses from evaporation and runoff common in traditional sprinkler systems. While SDI is highly efficient, it remains underutilized in golf course settings due to installation costs and the potential for damage during maintenance activities like aeration.

Water sourcing and storage stewardship

Surface water optimization: Golf course water features provide aesthetic value, habitat for wildlife and stormwater management. However, they also pose challenges in water conservation due to evaporation and leakage. Optimizing these features involves careful planning to reduce water losses, which can be achieved through strategic redesign or better management practices.

Using recycled water: Utilizing recycled water for irrigation helps reduce reliance on freshwater sources, aligning with sustainable practices as demand for water increases. While recycled water is generally less expensive and less subject to restrictions, it presents challenges such as varying water quality and potential impacts on turfgrass health.

Effective management and regular testing of recycled water are essential for maximizing benefits and mitigating risks. Facilities can significantly enhance their sustainability by addressing these fundamental aspects of golf course irrigation and water management.

Addressing the challenge

The water conservation strategies presented in the playbook range from basic to highly sophisticated measures. Some can be quickly and inexpensively implemented, while others demand substantial investment and extended planning.

The appropriateness of each strategy for a particular golf course will depend on specific water-saving objectives, available resources, geographic location and numerous other factors. Although many courses may have already adopted some of these measures, there is always room for improvement.

Continuous advancements in turfgrass varieties, innovative technologies and enhanced irrigation management are opening new avenues for golf courses to reduce water consumption. The golf industry encounters numerous challenges regarding water usage, yet these challenges also present opportunities for significant improvements.

In recent decades, numerous golf courses have radically altered their water management practices, achieving notable improvements in playability and overall operational efficiency. Progress in golf course water conservation will necessitate a collaborative effort among superintendents, researchers, regulators, golfers and local communities.

The playbook is a valuable online resource supporting sustainable water management efforts, and it can help superintendents think about improvements they can undertake. To view the entire document, visit the website here.

Research Takeaways

Experts have outlined in the USGA Water Conservation Playbook nine key actions in three major areas

Fundamental Irrigation Stewardship

Monitor water use, schedule irrigation based on weather and maintain systems to prevent leaks.
Manage golfer expectations to balance playability and aesthetics with water conservation.
Use water-efficient products to maintain turf quality under reduced irrigation.

Advanced Irrigation and Conservation Techniques

Use soil-moisture sensors and remote sensing for precise, site specific irrigation.
Implement drought-tolerant turfgrass and reduce winter overseeding.
Minimize irrigated acreage by replacing unnecessary turf with low-water plants and hardscapes.
Install subsurface drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the roots and reduce waste.

Water Sourcing and Storage Stewardship

Optimize surface water use by minimizing evaporation and seepage.
Utilize alternative water sources, such as recycled wastewater, to reduce reliance on potable water.

USGA releases water conservation playbook

Evaluating PGR reapplication on annual bluegrass putting greens