Insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are used very selectively to protect the health of turf, trees and other living things on the course. Fertilizers provide much-needed nutrition for the course's plant life. It is very important to note that pesticides and fertilizers are not used primarily for aesthetic reasons. First and foremost, they are tools that help ensure a healthy playing surface for the game. Furthermore, they help protect a valuable and ecologically important piece of land.
Golf courses are tremendous economic assets, as well as vital greenspaces for communities.
They employ hundreds of thousands of people, enhance local economies through tax revenues and tourism, and provide many ecological benefits. Pest problems on golf courses are often relatively predictable or can be diagnosed as part of an ongoing monitoring program. Once the problem has been identified, the superintendent considers the available options. Once the problem is diagnosed and the right treatment has been selected, the superintendent waits for the ideal time to treat the problem in the most effective and environmentally sound manner available. Most people are surprised to find out that the majority of the pesticide products used by superintendents are identical or closely related to those used by homeowners.