Chasing Birdies, Catching Disease: Golf and the Parkinson’s Link
Updated
Nestled between rolling fairways and immaculately kept greens, golf courses appear as oases of calm. Yet beyond the allure of their carefully sculpted landscapes, a quieter danger has taken root. A recent study in JAMA Network Open has raised a provocative question worth examining: could living near a golf course increase your risk of Parkinson’s disease? The answer, according to this growing body of research, is yes—and the reason (which should come as no shock) lies in the very chemicals that keep those greens so green.
In the study, which was conducted across 27 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, researchers analyzed the medical records of over 5,500 individuals. Their findings were eye-opening, revealing that participants living within a mile of a golf course had double the chance of developing Parkinson’s compared to those living at least six miles away. Moreover, in areas where groundwater is particularly susceptible to contamination, the correlation appeared to be even stronger.
Adding yet another layer to the broader, unsettling pattern of toxins in all aspects of our lives, this isn’t an isolated concern. As we’ve often reported, the routine application of toxic chemicals is a running thread throughout modern life, touching everything from agriculture to household pest control to clothing, cosmetics, and so on. Golf courses are often overlooked in this assessment, yet their chemical footprints can be tremendous. In the U.S., the study noted that golf courses use pesticides at rates dramatically higher than those allowed in parts of Europe. Among the toxic substances often found in golf course maintenance regimens are known neurotoxins—chlorpyrifos, 2,4-D, maneb—each of which has been studied for potential links to Parkinson’s.
And the danger doesn’t just exist for those playing a round of golf. There are numerous ways these chemicals contaminate nearby residents. Like other contaminants, they seep into the water supply, especially in regions with porous soil and shallow aquifers. One well-documented case in Cape Cod revealed multiple pesticides lingering in the groundwater beneath local courses—one at a concentration hundreds of times higher than recommended health limits. Likewise, airborne drift from spraying and volatilization can carry toxins from the fairway to a neighboring front porch, to be inhaled or absorbed by residents. Meanwhile, those working or spending time on the courses (such as caddies, landscapers, or maintenance crews) are even more directly and intensely exposed.
Lawsuits related to this have already begun to emerge. A former golf caddy in Illinois maintains that his Parkinson’s diagnosis is the result of long-term exposure to Paraquat, a particularly hazardous pesticide he argues was sprayed at his workplace. While legal proceedings are still underway, his story reflects a growing public awareness of the risks posed by routine chemical exposure in the places of work, with even outdoor golf courses posing a risk.
There are alternatives to using toxic chemicals to keep golf courses looking immaculate. Still, a July 2021 article in GOLF, titled “What is an ‘organic’ golf course, and why aren’t there more of them?”, immediately pointed out that the golf industry and synthetic pesticides “go way back.” The article explained that, for decades, courses have relied on “a cocktail of chemicals to maintain their playability and visual appeal.” Despite some courses changing their approach as far back as the 1970s to be more responsible long-term, the article pointed out that “fast forward to today’s era of ‘responsible golf’ and pesticide use is still mainstream.” Noting that it is the consensus that pesticides are safe if applied correctly, the article stated:
“It is the industry consensus that pesticide use is necessary to maintain a golf course. In many ways, this is true — there are a number of barriers to pesticide-free golf. For superintendents whose livelihoods depend on how their course looks, the decision to eliminate pesticide use and maintain a course organically presents a huge financial risk. That pressure comes, in part, from golfers’ expectations for pristine course conditions, which have never been higher.”
Hmmm… the more we know about all the poisonous contaminants being dumped into our natural environment, the easier it is to deduce that pristine-looking golf courses must be incredibly toxic. And now Parkinson’s Disease has entered the game. To help rectify the problem, some golf courses have embraced organic or low-impact maintenance course models, showing that it’s possible to achieve a playable, visually appealing course without resorting to high doses of synthetic chemicals. Approaches such as Integrated Pest Management emphasize prevention and selective treatment over blanket spraying of poisons. Other mitigation strategies—like establishing chemical-free buffer zones, alerting residents to spraying schedules, or filtering water supplies—can reduce the potential for exposure.
Indeed, it is past time for a viable solution, especially for the communities bordering these manicured lawns, where the stakes are more than aesthetic. The new study reinforces the sentiment held by many aware of the toxic world forced upon us, which holds that the environments designed for rest and relaxation should not endanger the health of those who use them or who live nearby. The study serves as another reminder that chemical-intensive beauty comes at a detrimental cost. It also reminds us that we have options, both in how we manage the landscapes of our communities and how we advocate for the safety of our neighborhoods.
Indeed, as we review the hazardous chemicals we accept as routine in our lives, golf courses offer a poignant example of the often-contaminated world presently before us. Golf courses may look pristine from a distance, but up close, the story behind the aesthetics is far more complicated, riddled with toxins that, like the many other toxins infiltrating all aspects of daily life, silently cause disease.
