If you attended this year’s GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando, it was clear that autonomous mowing is no longer an emerging concept, but rather a rapidly expanding component of the modern golf course maintenance program. A recent USGA Course Consulting Service visit to Atlanta Athletic Club reinforced that reality. The club uses autonomous mowers on all the turf other than greens on its par-3 course, and expanded their use into the rough on the Riverside Course in late 2025, with plans to continue growing the program. While much of the industry conversation has centered on labor efficiency and more-consistent turf conditions and quality, one of the more practical challenges facing superintendents is how to store, charge and service these units on the golf course without disrupting play.
Visibility remains the primary concern for on-course storage. It is important to strike a balance between accessibility for staff and minimal disruption to the golfer experience. Many facilities are incorporating low-profile enclosures, or “mower garages,” that blend into the surrounding landscape and are often positioned in native areas, along tree lines or behind tee complexes, where they are mostly out of sight and outside normal lines of play. Superintendents are also using natural screening like ornamental grasses or shrub beds to hide charging areas, or integrating units near existing on-course structures like restrooms or halfway houses. At Atlanta Athletic Club, restroom buildings paired with a subtle berm covered with longer grass have proven effective for concealing mower stations while maintaining convenient access.
Reliable power for charging is fundamental to the success of any autonomous mowing program. As a result, power access often becomes one of the defining factors in system design, long-term scalability and the placement of charging areas. The ability to distribute power throughout the golf course directly impacts the efficiency of autonomous mowing because excessive travel distances to charging stations reduces productivity. Irrigation controllers, pump stations and maintenance outbuildings all have power sources that can potentially be used. Cart barns, on-course shelters and practice facilities may also have viable sources. In areas with limited direct access, extending low-voltage lines has proven an effective solution. Solar-assisted charging and battery storage systems are gaining traction, particularly in remote or less-accessible areas of a course where it is difficult to connect a direct power line.
Although autonomous mowers reduce labor demands, they still require routine service to maintain performance. Blade replacement, cleaning, software updates and periodic troubleshooting remain essential components of a successful program, making accessibility a key consideration when planning charging station locations. Well-designed installations position charging stations near cart paths or maintenance corridors, allowing staff to reach units quickly and safely. Providing adequate space around each station ensures that routine service can be completed without impacting surrounding turf conditions. Stations should also be installed on stable, level ground and be protected from excess moisture to promote reliable docking. At Atlanta Athletic Club, artificial turf has been used around docking stations to stabilize the surface and create a clean, consistent work area for technicians.
Autonomous mowing is not a passing trend, it is a meaningful operational shift. Getting the most from this technology will depend on how well it is integrated into the property. Thoughtful planning around storage, power distribution and service access will play an important role in how seamless and effective these mowing systems are.
Southeast Region Agronomists:
Jordan Booth, Ph.D., senior director, USGA Course Consulting Service – jbooth@usga.org
Chris Hartwiger, director, Agronomy – chartwiger@usga.org
Chris Neff, senior agronomist – cneff@usga.org
Mitch Leininger, agronomist - mleininger@usga.org