Documenting Trends in Nutrient Use and Conservation Practices on US Golf Courses

Between an initial survey in 2007 and a follow-up in 2014, US golf courses have decreased their nutrient use, with annual reductions of 34% (30,970 tons) for N, 53% (17,867 tons) for P2O5, and 42% (37, 419 tons) for K2O (potash). Reductions in the number of fertilized acres, golf course closures, and reductions in nutrient use rates were responsible for the observed trends. There is dramatic, climate-driven regional variation in nutrient use across the United States, with the lowest rates in the cool climates of the Northeast and North Central regions and the highest rates in the warm climates of the Southeast and Southwest regions. Future reductions in nutrient use on golf courses will be facilitated by continued adoption of conservation measures, adoption of lower nutrient use guidelines, additional governmental regulation, and cutbacks in the number of golf courses.