Don't overlook golf course water testing

Water has always been one of the most valuable resources on any golf course, but as individuals who moved from day-to-day superintendents into full-time consulting, we can confidently say that nothing influences turf health more consistently — and more quietly — than water quality. Fertility programs, equipment upgrades, labor efficiency, even plant protection programs all matter, but poor-quality water can undermine all of them at once.

Yet water quality is still one of the more overlooked aspects of golf course management, and it surprises us how many golf courses we visit that do not test their water regularly — or even at all! Many superintendents test soil religiously, monitor ET daily and scout turf weekly, but test water only when something goes wrong. In today’s regulatory environment, with increasing pressure on water use, reclaimed sources and environmental stewardship, that approach is simply too risky.

During our years as superintendents, we recognized and truly appreciated that water brings its own chemistry to the table. Every irrigation source — whether well, surface, municipal or reclaimed — has a distinct fingerprint. That fingerprint shapes:

• The pH of soil and rootzone solutions
• Nutrient availability and solubility
• Soil structure and infiltration rates
• Sodium and chloride accumulation
• Disease pressure and stress tolerance
• Performance of fertilizers and wetting agents

In consulting, we routinely visit courses battling chronic turf decline, hydrophobicity or salt stress — issues that superintendents try to solve culturally, only to discover later that the root cause began with what was coming out of the irrigation heads.

Routine water testing is the superintendent’s best insurance policy. A quarterly or seasonal testing schedule provides a baseline that helps you:

• Track trends, such as increasing salinity during summer drawdown
• Identify changes in source water, especially when multiple wells or storage ponds are involved
• Predict soil problems before they appear, such as SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio) creep
• Adjust fertility programs to compensate for bicarbonate or pH issues
• Improve product performance, especially foliar applications and wetting agents
• Meet regulatory requirements for reclaimed water or effluent irrigation
• Communicate clearly with boards, owners and regulatory authorities

Data empowers decision-making. Without it, changes in turf health often feel mysterious. With it, they become manageable.

One of the biggest lessons we learned after leaving the superintendent’s chair is how expensive untested water can be. High bicarbonates can lock up fertilizers, forcing higher application rates. Excess sodium can destroy soil structure, requiring wetting agents, gypsum and increased labor. Chlorides can wipe out sensitive turf varieties and demand overseeding or renovation.

Every superintendent knows that budgets are closely scrutinized. Water testing allows you to justify inputs with science and anticipate costs. In a profession where surprises are rarely good, this is invaluable.

If there’s one message we emphasize in every consulting engagement, it’s this: test your water like you test your soil. Ideally:

• Test every major water source at least twice per year
• Test more frequently during peak-irrigation season
• Track results in a simple log so trends are visible
• Review tests with an agronomist or consultant who understands turf-specific thresholds

Better water equals better turf — and better communication with stakeholders.

As individuals who have lived the challenges of golf course management and now help superintendents navigate them, we can say unequivocally: water quality is not a minor issue — it’s a foundational one. It influences plant health, soil chemistry, product efficacy, labor efficiency and long-term budget stability.

Superintendents who understand their water, test it regularly and manage it proactively will always be better positioned to deliver consistent, high-quality playing conditions in an increasingly unpredictable world. Water can be your greatest ally or your toughest adversary. Testing is what makes the difference.