History of Golf course in Timeline

A golf course is a dedicated area for playing the sport of golf. It comprises a sequence of holes, each featuring a tee box, fairway, rough, hazards, and a green with a 'cup' and flagstick. A typical golf round involves 18 holes, making most courses 18-hole courses. However, 9-hole courses and those with shared fairways or greens also exist. Some courses deviate from the standard with hole counts like 12 or 14.

1988: Diazinon Use Prohibited on Golf Courses

In 1988, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prohibited the use of Diazinon on golf courses and sod farms because of its negative impact on bird species.

2009: Nullarbor Links Established

In 2009, Nullarbor Links, the world's longest golf course spanning 1,365 kilometres, was established along the Eyre Highway in Australia.

2010: Conversion of golf courses into public parks and natural areas

In the United States, the American Society of Landscape Architects reported that since 2010 at least 20 defunct courses have been turned into public parks and natural areas.

2012: Golf Course Irrigation Water Usage Reported

In 2012, the United States Golf Association (USGA) reported that in the U.S. golf course irrigation used approximately 2.08 billion gallons of water per day to irrigate its golf courses. The United Nations estimates that, worldwide, golf courses consume about 2.5 billion gallons/9.5 billion litres of water per day.

2014: PGA Champions Tour Event at Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf

In 2014, the PGA Tour held a Champions Tour event on a nine-hole par-3 course, the Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf in Ridgedale, Missouri, with four (regular division) or three (over-65 division) rounds played over the par-3 course, and one round played on a nearby regulation 18-hole course with par of 71.

2018: Rancho Vistoso Golf Club converted into a nature preserve

In 2018, the Rancho Vistoso Golf Club in Oro Valley, Arizona, which closed, was converted into a 202-acre nature preserve with hiking trails and native vegetation.

2019: Worldwide Golf Course Statistics

As of 2019, there were 38,864 golf courses around the world. A 2019 study revealed that 78% of the world's supply of golf courses are located in 10 countries: the United States, Japan, Canada, England, Australia, Germany, France, South Korea, Sweden, and Scotland.

November 2022: Saudi Arabian Golf Courses Certified by GEO Foundation

In November 2022, four Saudi Arabian golf courses were certified by the GEO foundation. This certification solidifies those courses' pledge to improve sustainability and economic output, supported by strict laws in Saudi Arabia, including stewardship, carbon and climate footprint reduction, and restoration of the economy as well.

2022: Utah Golf Courses Water Usage

In 2022, the U.S. Geological Survey reported that the state of Utah uses about 38 million gallons of water on its golf courses per day - enough water to fill almost 58 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

2023: Golf Course integrated into Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

In 2023, the golf course at Moundbuilders Country Club was integrated into the world heritage-listed Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.

2025: Golf Courses Water Usage Decreases

In 2025 a survey data by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America that was funded in part by the United States Golf Association Golf courses used 31% less water compared to 2005, with two-thirds of the reported decline likely being caused by operational golf facilities applying water more efficiently, through the use of new watering technology as well as through increased use of best management practices to water courses.