9.15am 21st March 2025 - <a href="https://golfbusinessnews.com/news/environment-and-sustainainability/">Environment & Sustainability</a> <br>The United States Golf Association has released its Water Conservation Playbook to the golf industry, a comprehensive effort to provide courses with the latest tools and techniques to more effectively manage water utilization.<br /><br />The digital publication, written by the USGA with 12 contributing experts, can be downloaded at <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdayxbUBkMcHa-2F818-2Fn0V4pSOLAZcOw8G6jADfrFZjEbFRELY_-2F6-2B98zQGXWgQBhizjcgwWw-2BMwKfQozuAq174TjOruTlwizkQVJ-2F-2B7oNys5yubEV7-2BCG59WfY-2FlTU-2BxwRiIydnxask7oGrWGjOgWA05R39ryYOsO-2BGonyWKhgpTFMTrIIz6Yg0fZqWzvmrzSY0V5EHYncVlFmOvF3ZdoK-2FiC1Nbq-2BNReqFFz0gS1U7XSOlivO9PnTwRoDb4bbDKMHa0OiL6Yc4-2B52JAn9CyWW8N7WXZokwXHihzqHipuYF12Y6a3-2FdoIfogHy9S4dkhm7hbBDtlBo7t6yNnKZj0u3JQoO5pf067x0Gdb-2FkJ7T-2F5R3L9-2B0DBie9qRft4pgyK-2FOvQxj5Q3LOrrBs0XgIqQZevs4UFA-3D">usga.org/water</a>, free of charge. It is a noteworthy, tangible outcome of the USGA’s 15-year, $30 million investment to help golf courses reduce their overall water usage. <br>“Golf is currently in a time of great growth, but the threat of water availability and cost, combined with changing weather patterns, poses long-term threats to our playing fields,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “We want to put the best intelligence into the hands of those who are making decisions and working on courses every day, and spur innovation toward a more sustainable game.” <br /><br />The book combines the USGA Green Section’s 100+ years of expertise in agronomy with research from leading universities and the working knowledge of superintendents, architects and golf course maintenance workers. Its practical approach gives operators insight to better inform decision-making at every level, while maintaining the best possible playing conditions. <br>“Golf courses account for about 1.3% of irrigation water use in the US annually, and total golf course water use has declined by almost 30% since 2005, mostly due to improved irrigation practices,” the book’s introduction reads. “However, there is no question that many opportunities exist for golf courses to use less water and there are many potential benefits in doing so. Continuing to advance water conservation in golf will require collaboration between superintendents, researchers, regulators, golfers and communities. It is a constant but necessary pursuit, and we hope this playbook will help.”<br /><br />It is structured in three sections: fundamental irrigation stewardship (basic maintenance best practices that every golf course could employ); advanced irrigation techniques and conservation strategies (including sensor and irrigation technology) and water sourcing and stewardship (including irrigating with reclaimed or recycled water). <br /><br />Each section includes: <br>“The level of collaboration we’ve received to bring this to life has been incredible, and it’s now our job to share this tool far and wide,” said Matt Pringle, managing director of the USGA Green Section. “If you work on a golf course, deliver or sell water, build irrigation systems, design facilities or are part of the golf community, we encourage you to download and distribute the link to your colleagues.” <br /><br />The USGA currently has <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC10Q9cXLxOpNikVl37hV8DxNxV0h600vD7nZJ6c0pNUdI-2BMglJ4cHb38ryV2Z0nr2DT6O-2BgNZmSMxPszs5HAnUsAZa6tKrN96xdWLtVHwONCOtWBSLf6bX-2FkWavVOfuA5Q-3D-3Dwf8K_-2F6-2B98zQGXWgQBhizjcgwWw-2BMwKfQozuAq174TjOruTlwizkQVJ-2F-2B7oNys5yubEV7-2BCG59WfY-2FlTU-2BxwRiIydnxask7oGrWGjOgWA05R39ryYOsO-2BGonyWKhgpTFMTrIIz6Yg0fZqWzvmrzSY0V5EHYncVlFmOvF3ZdoK-2FiC1Nbq-2BNReqFFz0gS1U7XSOlivO9PnTwRoDb4bbDKMHa0OiL73irZ0w5wZy0wEkseYENmWFCRQz0yvRjX6xL3AortrXjduK8pPb0W-2B1M-2BwCnQM-2F3d-2BuBbJh9hoODVei0Go0T7dDUm2TKOxOik6RrllrYWVhdF-2BM-2F1FAnp0PMdXTRZdeKQ7bZnEXCog-2FtlgQYTShuIg-3D">47 ongoing projects that advance water conservation</a>. They include research on topics such as precision irrigation, drought-resilient grassing, reducing irrigated acreage, mitigating water quality challenges and subsurface drip innovation. <br /><br />“It is critical to the long-term sustainability of the game that golf demonstrates its commitment to the responsible use of resources,” said Rhett Evans, CEO of the GCSAA. “The USGA’s water playbook is a great tool that provides our members effective, practical solutions to conserve water through best management practices.” <br>Trailblazing American golfer and Honorary University of St Andrews graduate Dr Renee Powell returned to the Home of Golf this week.<br>England Golf has been named one of six finalists in two categories at the FEVO Sport Industry Awards, with the national governing body nominated for Sport Organisation of the Year and the Wellness at Work award.<br>Pacesetter Technology, a leading innovator in mobile technology for private clubs, has announced a strategic partnership with 59club, the industry’s customer service management specialist. <br><a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=https://golfbusinessnews.com/news/environment-and-sustainainability/ugsa-publishes-water-conservation-guide/" rel="noopener" data-via="eGolfBusiness" data-hashtags="GolfBusinessNews">Share on Twitter</a> <br><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://golfbusinessnews.com/news/environment-and-sustainainability/ugsa-publishes-water-conservation-guide/&title=USGA+publishes+water+conservation+guide&source=GolfBusinessNews.com" rel="noopener">Share on LinkedIn</a><br>GolfBusinessNews.com (GBN) is for the many thousands of people who work in the golf business all around the world.<br>We cover the full range of topics both on and off the course. 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