Are golf course chemicals harmful?
 

My new home is on a course. There seems a common knowledge on TOTV warning of the harm of chemicals to animals, but what about humans? My birdcage will jut against the course and I'm wondering if anyone has information on this subject and methods of possible contamination if that is a concern. Is there any data about harm to animals or humans?
Kitty

Only if you eat the grass in large quantities.

And don't munch the black fertilizer. That's milorganite....baked sewage sludge.

Let's put it this way, it can't be good for us. When I know that the outside of my house is being sprayed I shut down the air, fan and keep the windows closed; does it help, who knows but I feel better mentally having some real or imagined control over my enviornment. I'm sure the course has a schedule of when and what they spray. Just my two cents.

U can call the course mgt folks and ask what specifically they use, but it will not be good, U may not want to know.

Perhaps they can avoid them a certain distance from your property line, ask

All good advice from above posters. I wash my hands before eating when I play golf but have been playing golf for forty years and we have lived adjacent to golf courses for many years and our animals have lived very long. I close up the house and keep the kitties off the lanai when spraying is done to our yard or to nearby yards.

I don't think it is cause for worry.

Gracie, it would be nice to know what they spray with.

I believe some if not all the courses are certified by the Audubon Society which includes the safety of the chemicals used as well as water conservation and habitat preservation.

There is a sign posted when the courses are sprayed/treated that says NON_HAZARDOUS chemicals have been applied. I don't believe there is a problem as long as you use the ball washers and avoid licking them clean.

But that begs the ?
What is considered a NON_HAZARDOUS chemical and by who?

Bottom line what do they use?

No. Bottom line is if they sprayed with arsenic we aren't going to change things. Period. Amen.

What are you getting at Jimbo? We all moved into this community knowing that there are now 34 executive golf courses and 12 championship courses and that things are generally sprayed on golf courses.

Hard sayin', not knowin'. But I'll bet they're pretty careful, because the runoff in the water hazards is pumped onto your lawn.

It's worth noting that the chemicals are sprayed using equipment that sprays downward onto the turf rather than into the air. This reduces the amount of overspray into the air. I still beleive it is prudent to close windows and keep pets inside when spraying occurs.

Since there are courses here that have Audubon certification it means the chemicals used are not dangerous to fish and wildlife, so I suspect they have minimal danger to humans and pets. I expect they use the same chemicals on all the courses for a volume discount rather than different ones.

Don't lick the golf ball. Wash your hands after playing.

A call here should get you answers to your questions. Let us know what you find out.

Country Club Administration 753-3396 1000 Main St. Suite 248 32159

I think Kitty should call, I don't live on the GC.