Water shortages are an unfortunate reality for many courses, and not just those located in the southwestern United States. Planning and preparation should be a priority, whether a water shortage is imminent or not. The priorities should focus on three main areas:
1. Develop a drought contingency plan: Designate which areas of the course receive the highest priority for irrigation. For example, 1. Greens; 2. green banks; 3. fairway landing zones; 4. remaining fairway areas; 5. Tees; 6. trees and landscape; and 7. rough.
2. Establish a formal irrigation, best management practice, document that can be shared with water regulators and golfers with regard to the specific practices employed to maximize water use efficiency.
3. Maximize irrigation system efficiency. Every effort should be made to monitor the efficiency of your irrigation system and make necessary adjustments, including replacing sprinkler nozzles, repairing leaks, adjusting coverage, and taking advantage of the latest irrigation technology.