Land-use and Energy Practices on US Golf Courses

Abstract

Golf facilities require a large area and consume energy to operate. As such, golf facilities have the potential to influence ecosystems and contribute to national and regional energy demands. The objective of this study was to document the land-use and energy practices of US golf facilities in 2021 and to determine if changes have occurred since 2005. A survey was distributed via e-mail to 13,938 US golf facilities, with 1861 responding. From 2005 to 2021, the projected acres of maintained turfgrass declined by 14.2%, whereas the median maintained turfgrass acreage declined by 3.0% indicating the decline in projected acres was likely a result of facility closures. In 2021, water features, turfgrass, and natural areas accounted for 92% of the total projected facility acres. More golf facilities used cleaner energy sources, such as natural gas and solar-electric, and fewer golf facilities used gasoline and diesel in 2021 than in 2005. The percentage of golf facilities at which behavioral changes were implemented to decrease energy use declined but design changes increased from 2005 to 2021. Golf facilities became more land and energy efficient from 2005 to 2021 by reducing the acreage of maintained turfgrass and increasing the use of clean energy sources, but room for improvement still exists in human behaviors that affect energy use.

Turfgrass Use on US Golf Courses

“…Bermudagrass accounted for 393,610 acres of turfgrass on US golf facilities in 2021, which was a reduction of 21% from 2005 to 2021 (Table 1). This reduction is likely a result of course closures (Shaddox et al 2023a). Of the total acres of bermudagrass on US golf facilities, 58% was reported in the Southeast region.…”

“…Fine fescue was the least common cool-season turfgrass reported nationally in 2021 at 25,922 acres, which was a 46% reduction from 2005 (Table 1). The cause of this reduction is unknown, but is, at least in part, a result of course closures (Shaddox et al 2023a). Tall fescue was the second least common cool-season turfgrass, but golf facilities reported having 15% more acres in 2021 than in 2005. Notable increases in tall fescue acreage were reported in the North Central region (32%) and Northeast region (73%); however, all other regions reported reduced acreage.…”