Golf Course Environmental Profile Measures Pesticide Use Practices and Trends

Abstract

To develop a national golf course environmental profile, a survey was sent to 16,194 superintendents at US golf facilities to determine pesticide storage and mixing and loading practices; use of written pesticide emergency plans, integrated pest management plans, and pesticide application plans; restrictions to pesticide operations; number of certified pesticide applicators; pest management tactics; trends in pesticide use; and pesticide use. The response rate was 20.5%. Analysis of data indicated responses were received from a representative sample of golf facilities in the US with the exception of facility type. Data were weighted for facility type. Almost all golf facilities had at least one certified pesticide applicator on staff. Superintendents used multiple tactics to manage pests, and they used these tactics on a routine basis. Data from pesticide use records did not accurately reflect the active ingredients used on specific components of the golf course (greens, tees, fairways, rough). Results from the pest management tactics provide a baseline for comparison with results from future surveys to monitor industry change over time.