The recently released New York Golf Economic and Environmental Impact Report provided fresh data on how golf courses and their caretakers in the Empire State positively steward resources and maintain their lands.
Overall, New York’s 833 golf courses provide nearly 103,000 acres of greenspace across the state. The land supports wildlife habitats, air quality, water filtration, flood mitigation, and urban cooling, providing a positive effect on the environment. Long Island and the Mid-Hudson stand as the two regions with the most space used by golf courses, at more than 20,000 and more than 15,000 acres, respectively.
The New York Best Management Practices (BMPs) Guide serves as a guide for state-approved protocols, helping superintendents promote water quality and conservation, habitat protection, and responsible land use to ensure long-term environmental sustainability.
Perhaps the most striking statistic from the report is that water use by golf courses in 2023 accounted for less than one-half of 1% of the state’s total water consumption. Nearly half of all golf course irrigation in New York is drawn from on-site wells, with another third from self-supplied surface water. Water use also continues to drop, as 36.4% of New York golf courses have reduced their irrigation footprint over the last five years, with 98% of courses using three or more water reduction strategies.
Other areas in which courses continue to excel include pollinator habitat and protection, energy conservation, Integrated Pest Management practices, and nutrient management practices.
Through widespread adoption of BMPs, commitment to habitat preservation, and ongoing continuous improvement efforts, the industry is demonstrating how golf can deliver ecological value while enhancing community well-being, resilience, and green infrastructure across the Empire State’s urban and rural landscapes.
Visit the MGA’s website to learn more and view the full report.