Super’ s Corner ►
The Evolution of Beautiful, Brown, Golf Courses – Pesticides, Fertilizers, and Water, Oh My!
by Jacob Rockhold, superintendent
Much about the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and water in the golf industry is a topic of interest. The business of golf requires superintendents and staff to work with pesticides and fertilizer seemingly daily. My father-in-law believes golf courses glow in the dark because of the amount of chemicals we use. Although comical, that is far from the truth.
Pesticides are highly regulated and very expensive. Even golf courses with extensive budgets still try to reduce their chemical footprint every year. The demands for conditions at every golf course vary, and many factors are involved, such as the amount of play, membership / public demands, weather, and, in my opinion, the biggest factor: budget.
green conditions with thick native grasses in the rough. In many ways, the economy in a given area and industry standards force golf courses to evolve with the changing environment.
Speaking from experience, many courses I’ ve worked at have added new native areas. Here at Stone Canyon, we have worked with many naturalists and wildlife management agencies to incorporate native flowers and grasses that will reduce the need for irrigation and chemical inputs, as well as become more beneficial to the wildlife in the area.
The prettiest of courses can be lush-green with crisp, straight mowed lines, which is truly eye-pleasing, but today’ s trend for superintendents is to be“ lean and mean.” One of the best examples of this trend was the 2014 U. S. Open Championship at Pinehurst— talk about“ lean and mean” and brown!
Renovations to Pinehurst began years before the championship, by architects Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore. They stripped the course back to its original design. Irrigation only ran around the greens and through the middle of each tee complex and fairway. Many native areas and bunkers were reclaimed— without irrigation. Pinehurst was a very raw course, but it proved an extremely difficult experience for professional golfers.
Another example of“ lean and mean” was at Chambers Bay— the host of the 2015 U. S. Open. Brown is beautiful? It was a very different look from what we saw on TV in April at Augusta National. And the 2026 U. S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, NY, June 18-21, will likely offer golfers plush,
Tall native grasses boarder the fairways at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
Golfers may not love native grass areas, but adding native areas reduces the need to mow large areas, saving on water, fuel, labor, and ultimately the price of a round of golf. Native areas in the right locations can enhance a golf course’ s beauty and save money. Native areas are not maintenance-free but require significantly less work to maintain. As urban areas expand, especially around newer golf courses, adding native areas can provide habitat for local wildlife. Rabbits, deer, birds, honeybees, and many other critters thrive in these areas. Golf courses in urban areas provide a natural retreat for golfers to escape the concrete and enjoy the outdoors.
14 May 2026 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE