Off the Record: Milestones in USGA’s water history

As the golf industry navigates increasing water regulations, proactive conservation efforts have become more critical than ever. This month’s research article summarizes the recently published USGA Water Conservation Playbook with links to the nine ways you can help conserve water.

The challenges golf facilities face today are not entirely new and share similarities with those encountered in past decades. The USGA Green Section timeline offers a historical overview of the evolution of water use in golf dating back to 1931.

For example, in the 1930s, the USGA began addressing the challenge of watering turf. Articles from the time encouraged the installation of fairway sprinklers. As golf courses incorporated more turf, a complex water management issue emerged. By the 1950s, the importance of water conservation gained prominence. Golf courses, often under government restrictions, recognized the need to save water.

The 1960s brought significant advancements in irrigation technology. Automatic irrigation systems became more common, and courses began exploring water management strategies and the benefits of advanced irrigation.

In the 1970s, the USGA joined other allied associations by sponsoring the Proceedings of Wastewater Conference. The Chicago conference in November 1978 was planned to correct the lack of wastewater reuse on golf courses.

The 1980s brought a deeper understanding of water conservation and its long-term implications. Discussions revolved around coping with saline water, the efficient use of this natural resource and the relationship between water use and energy consumption. Turfgrass water conservation moved from art to more scientific decisions.

The 1990s saw an increased focus on the environmental aspects of water management. The USGA sponsored several university projects to evaluate pesticide and nutrient fate through runoff and leaching. The January/February 1995 issue of the Green Section Record provided results from this research effort. The American Chemical Society (ACS) followed up on the USGA environmental research on water quality with ACS Symposium Series 743 Fate and Management of Turfgrass Chemicals in 2000.

In the 2000s, the industry recognized the importance of not waiting until the well runs dry. Making every drop count became a mantra for golf courses seeking to reduce water use. Water regulators and the golf industry worked together to map the direction for regulating golf course water use.

The 2010s marked significant progress in water management strategies. The USGA continued to play a pivotal role by funding research to reduce water use. Developing water budgets became an essential aspect of golf course management. In 2012, the USGA sponsored a water summit and published Golf’s Use of Water: Solutions for a More Sustainable Game. The Water Summit brought together science, government, business, academia and golf experts to identify and discuss the most challenging issues regarding golf’s water use.

Now, golf courses are encouraged to engage with water authorities proactively to implement water conservation strategies. The goal is to showcase the industry’s commitment to responsible water use and demonstrate leadership in water conservation. To help with this initiative, the USGA Green Section published the Water Conservation Playbook in February.

Strategies to reduce water inputs include three sections: Fundamental Irrigation Stewardship, Advanced Irrigation Techniques and Conservation Strategies and Water Sourcing and Storage Stewardship. This month’s research article summarizes the playbook with links to the nine ways you can help conserve water

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