How much less ground are they mowing, irrigating and spraying?

The median total of maintained turfgrass acres on 18-hole U.S. golf courses declined 3 percent between 2005 and 2021, according to recently released survey data.

The survey was conducted by the GCSAA as part of its Golf Course Environmental Profile program, which began in 2005. The survey was funded in part by the USGA through the GCSAA Foundation.

The survey also found that course length from the back tees for 18-hole courses increased by a median of 56 yards from 6,649 yards in 2005 to 6,705 in 2021.

While the study found that the total number of maintained turfgrass acres on U.S. golf courses declined by 14 percent in 2021 compared to the acreage in 2005, primarily due to course closures, the maintained acres that remain are being managed more efficiently. Recently released studies from GCSAA show that 29 percent less water use occurred through operations, representing two-thirds of the result and course closures representing one-third of the results. In addition, a study from GCSAA shows application rates have declined by 31 percent for nitrogen, 46 percent for potassium and 64 percent for phosphorus over the same time period.

The study also provides data on energy use at U.S. golf courses showing the percentage of golf facilities using cleaner energy sources, such as natural gas and solar-electric, increased by 3.9 percent while the number of golf facilities using gasoline and diesel declined by 3 percent.

The survey is based on data collected from golf course superintendents and independently analyzed by scientists Dr. Travis Shaddox, Bluegrass Art and Science LLC., and Dr. J. Bryan Unruh, University of Florida and the National Golf Foundation, which published the findings for peer review before making the information public.

“The surveys show that superintendents continue to manage the golf course using less water and fewer inputs than before,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Through this, they are able to reduce the footprint of maintained areas while enhancing the natural beauty of the course.”

The property and environmental practices survey is the final report in the third series of GCSAA’s Golf Course Environmental Profile program.