Fungicides, Finances, and Other Fun Facts: Pesticide Use on the Golf Course Part 3 of 3

Parts #1 and #2 of this series focus on how golf course managers use pesticides to maintain golf turf, and to protect people and the environment. This article addresses questions sometimes raised by golfers and golf course decision-makers.

How are pesticides applied to the golf course?

Certified and credentialed Green and Grounds Staff apply pesticides in several ways. Pesticides are always applied in a targeted manner—either by area such as greens or fairways, or by pest such as “spot treating” invasive weeds. The application equipment includes riding sprayers, handheld sprayers, backpack sprayers, or rotary spreaders (for granular applications). Modern riding sprayers can be equipped with GPS tracking and individual nozzle controls that apply products only to the prescribed area and that minimize any overlap or overspray.

What pesticides are used on the golf course and how are they used?

In general, three types of pesticides are used on the golf course: fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. Throughout the season fungicides are applied to all closely mowed turf (greens, tees, and fairways), and are used in the greatest quantity because of the acreage that must be treated. Herbicides mainly are applied as both broadcast and spot treatments to closely mowed turf and rough—but typically less frequently than fungicides. Insecticides are applied as needed to specific areas of the golf course and are rarely needed to treat large areas.

How toxic are golf course pesticides to humans and the environment?

Obviously, pesticides can be hazardous to humans and the environment, particularly when the products are mishandled or improperly applied. These products are engineered to control the pests that cause economic and environmental disruption to a valuable facility. If used properly, the products should have no negative effects and cause no collateral damage to the environment. Responsible pesticide management thoughtfully addresses any possible hazard and continually monitors the impact of prescribed treatments.

Clearly, this is a complex and important issue. Every effort must be made to protect humans, groundwater, sensitive and protected species, as well as any off-target locations. Applicators, regulating agencies, and pesticide manufacturers make human and environmental safety a high priority, with the objective of safely preserving and enhancing everyone’s experience on the golf course.    

What are the financial costs associated with pesticides?

               The table below illustrates that fungicides account for the greatest portion of the pesticide expense on all golf courses, followed by herbicides, and finally by insecticides. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and pesticide use can vary greatly by location. The expense for fungicide applications alone is between 4% and 5% of the total operating budget for all golf courses.

What can be done to reduce pesticide use, and can a golf course be pesticide free?

Golf course managers are always evaluating methods and strategies to reduce pesticide use. (Managers are not looking for additional expenses or increased application events.) Immediate reduction of pesticide use can be accomplished by several methods including:

·        reducing treated area,

·        spot treatments,

·        using low-rate formulations,

·        improving environmental conditions—i.e., shade, pest harborage, excess moisture, and the like.

If golfers are willing to tolerate more weeds, different grass types, invasive species, dead spots, bare ground, and the like, then the golf course managers can significantly cut back on pesticide use. However, this reduced pesticide environment will not look or play like the golf facility that everyone has come to expect.

What is the vision for pesticide use on golf courses in the future?

Scientific research is ongoing. Key goals are to develop pest resistant grasses, as well as safe, low dose or biologically friendly products. This research is critical to the future of golf played on grass.

Golfers also will need to adapt to a changing environment. It is highly likely that golfer expectations will drive the evolution of golf course maintenance in the future as they have done in the past.

It is difficult to imagine acres of any monoculture (grass on golf courses) that will not succumb to pests. Therefore, the need for some sort of pesticide application may persist, but always with the objectives of human and environmental safety in mind.        

What are some tips for using pesticides around my personal property?

My first tip is…when in doubt, let a professional do it for you. The ecosystems and the life cycles of pests are complex. If you are not well versed or regularly engaged with pest management, coming up to speed may not be worth your time.          

However, if you do decide to do your own pest control at your personal property, be safe. The products that you purchase over the counter have the same active ingredients that professionals use. Follow all precautions and instructions.     

Unlike golf courses, you will almost never need a fungicide. You might, however, use insecticides for lawn damaging insects or pesky home invading bugs like spiders.

Timing is especially important when treating insects. For example, you may not know that you have a grub problem until the grass dies or until rodents dig up your lawn looking for a tasty morsel. The best thing to do in this scenario is wait until the following year, then apply and water-in the grub control at the appropriate time, before damage occurs. I share this example not only to keep you from wasting money, but also to encourage you to understand the life cycle of pests and the proper application of pesticides.

Control of weeds and woody plants is a common practice on personal property. If you cannot effectively or efficiently pull the weeds, you might want to use an herbicide to kill the unwanted plants. If you plan to use an herbicide, you will need to identify the plants you want kill, those you want to keep, and the products you want to apply. Read the product label before purchasing. Here are a few tips:

·        A product that contains “glyphosate” (aka Roundup), can effectively kill anything when applied to green foliage. A product containing glyphosate is not what you want if you are treating your lawn or flower beds.

·        To control crabgrass, apply a pre-emergent herbicide containing “pendimethalin,” “dithiopyr,” or “prodiamine” when forsythia blooms. Controlling crabgrass after it is actively growing is possible, but much more difficult and less effective.

·        To control brush and vines, like poison ivy, find a product that contains “triclopyr.” Be careful if using this product around trees or other sensitive plants.

It is always wise to do your homework and be safe. Hopefully, these examples illustrate the specificity of pesticide products and the environment they are designed to manage.