Arizona’s golf course industry has grown rapidly over the last fifteen years, and it is likely to continue to grow in response to increasing numbers of winter visitors and of retirees who choose to live here throughout the year. As more people use Arizona’s golf courses, and more golf courses are built, concern about pesticide use on these courses increases.
This survey was initiated to provide the golf course industry, the pesticide industry, and the public with much- needed baseline data. Specifically, it was conducted (1) to identify major and minor pests on golf course turf, and to assess the damage being done by these pests; (2) to estimate the types and amounts of pesticides being used on golf courses; (3) to determine whether or not golf courses use integrated pest management (IPM) and best management practices (BMP’s); and (4) to verify safety and environmental practices used on golf courses (i.e., safety training, use of personal protective equipment, proper disposal of pesticides and pesticide residues)