Living Near a Golf Course Puts Your Brain Health at Risk

• Eye-opening results — After analysis, the team concluded that the closer you live to a golf course (especially within a mile), the greater your likelihood of developing Parkinson’s. Specifically, your odds nearly double — a whopping 126% — when residing less than a mile from these chemically maintained spaces compared to living further away.

• Even modest increases in distance help reduce your exposure — For example, at around 3 miles away, Parkinson’s risk still existed but dropped more notably, about 13% for every extra mile. However, the highest risk zone consistently hovered at the shortest distances, which, again, highlights the finding that proximity matters most.

• Drinking water drawn near golf courses heightened the risk — Residents dependent on groundwater within these contaminated zones also experienced nearly doubled risk of developing Parkinson’s. The researchers strongly believe that pesticide residues infiltrate local water supplies, becoming a direct threat to residents who consume this resource daily, unaware of the invisible chemical burden they face.

• Pesticides sprayed onto golf courses frequently drift in the air — This is particularly observed in densely populated areas. Apartment complexes and homes built close to golf courses effectively trap these airborne toxins, concentrating exposure around residential spaces. If the urban or suburban community you live in is near a golf course, your vulnerability increases not just through water, but via inhalation as well.

• The strongest effects are linked to urban communities — In relation to the point above, this specific demographic faces the highest increase in Parkinson’s risk. Such populations typically have fewer natural barriers like trees or open spaces to block pesticide drift, making them more susceptible to inhalation-based exposure and chemical residues settling in and around their homes.

• How pesticides exert their harmful effects — Pesticides commonly applied on golf courses, including chlorpyrifos and the weed killer 2,4-D, disrupt critical energy processes inside cells. These substances cross the protective blood-brain barrier, harming neuron health and function.³ As noted by the researchers:

“Pesticides such as paraquat and rotenone have been shown to induce Parkinson-like neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra, primarily through mechanisms involving oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dopaminergic neuron apoptosis.”⁴

• Europe has lower golf course pesticide use — Researchers looked at numerous courses from different countries, including the United States, Denmark, Norway, and other European nations. After calculating the pesticide risk using a special model, the study found massive discrepancies.

Courses in Florida had median pesticide risk scores topping out at 40,806. Meanwhile, courses in Denmark scored as low as 64, highlighting a shocking disparity based on the two continents.

• Pesticide risks in American courses dwarfed those of their European counterparts — As noted in the findings above, the median hazard-quotient score in Florida was hundreds of times greater than the score in Denmark.

Moreover, even comparing states within the U.S., northern golf courses (located in New York and Oregon) typically carried lower risks than southern states (located in Florida and Texas), again due to variations in pesticide regulation and choice of products rather than simply weather or budget considerations.

• The main driver of the differences was the strictness of pesticide regulations — Among U.S. courses, especially in Florida, maintenance staff tend to use pesticides far more due to relaxed or limited regulation. “Golf courses in Florida averaged over 60 fungicide area treatments on greens each year,” the researchers said. This is in contrast to Denmark, which has stricter regulations agreed upon by various stakeholders:⁶

“In 2005, an agreement to phase out the use of pesticides on Danish golf courses was signed by the Danish Golf Union (DGU), the Danish Ministry of Environment (MoE), and the Municipalities Organization in Denmark …

According to the MoE, pesticide risk on golf courses has been reduced 97% since the agreement was signed in 2005. Ninety-eight percent of golf courses are compliant in tracking their pesticide risk with values below the maximum allowable. To remain under this threshold, golf course superintendents must tolerate higher levels of disease, weeds, and insects.”

• Budget did have some impact, but it was less influential than regulations — Courses with lower budgets in colder northern U.S. states sometimes had reduced risk scores, but these findings were minimal compared to those achieved by robust regulatory measures. Essentially, even if a golf course spends less money on pesticides, if the chemicals allowed are particularly harmful or poorly regulated, the overall health risks for nearby residents remain high.

• The type of pesticides matters more than the amount — For instance, fungicides, which are chemicals used to prevent fungal growth on grass, turned out to be particularly problematic, with golf courses using more potent varieties drastically increasing their overall risk scores.

In regions where powerful fungicides are heavily regulated or outright banned, such as much of northern Europe, the courses showed far lower hazard scores. In short, it isn’t necessarily about how frequently pesticides are applied, but rather what specific pesticides are used.

• Pesticides stay in the environment for a long time — The researchers discussed that the reason fungicides and certain herbicides (weed killers) are harmful is their ability to persist in the environment and interact with wildlife, groundwater, and ultimately humans. These chemicals stay active long after application, leaching into groundwater and becoming airborne, presenting continuous and chronic health risks to anyone exposed over time.

• Stronger regulations will help curb pesticide overuse — One key point raised by the researchers is that improving your local environment requires stricter regulations. European models show clearly how legislative action drastically reduces pesticide exposure.

If you live near a golf course and worry about chemical exposure, advocating for better local and national regulations could significantly decrease your personal health risks. Policy changes represent one of the most effective and immediate ways to improve community safety from harmful pesticides.

1. Exercise regularly to sweat out chemicals — Engaging in activities that make you sweat, such as interval walking training (IWT), cycling, or sauna sessions, is one of the most powerful tools for eliminating pesticides and heavy metals that have accumulated in your body.

Furthermore, there’s plenty of evidence showing that regular exercise boosts overall health, so there’s no downside to sweating. Best of all, exercise is essentially free and available any time you want to do it.

2. Filter your drinking water — Because pesticides easily contaminate groundwater, filtering your tap water becomes crucial if you live near a golf course. There are many water filters available on the market, so choose one that fits your budget and needs. Just remember that the filters need to be able to have the capability to remove toxins such as pesticides, fluoride, and heavy metals.

3. Support stricter local regulations — Getting involved at the community level matters. Advocate for tougher pesticide policies with local legislators. Stricter rules on pesticide use, like those in Europe, translate into safer neighborhoods and less exposure for you and your family.

4. Improve your indoor air quality — Airborne pesticides can drift indoors, settling in your home. Use air purifiers equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, keep windows closed when pesticide spraying is scheduled, and frequently clean surfaces. Cleaner indoor air reduces direct exposure, protecting your respiratory system and your brain health.

5. Choose organic food whenever possible — Switching to organic fruits and vegetables greatly reduces your body’s pesticide burden, helping you detoxify effectively. Nonorganic produce often contains residues from the same pesticides golf courses use, increasing your total chemical load.

To find the best organic food, it’s important to carefully read and understand the labels printed on the food you’re buying. For an in-depth explanation of this topic, read “Organic Food Safety — Navigating Labels and Finding Local Sources.“

• American Grassfed Association — The goal of the American Grassfed Association (AGA) is to promote the grass fed industry through government relations, research, concept marketing and public education.

Their website also allows you to search for AGA-approved producers certified according to strict standards that include being raised on a diet of 100% forage; raised on pasture and never confined to a feedlot; never treated with antibiotics or hormones; born and raised on American family farms.

• EatWild.com — EatWild.com provides lists of farmers known to produce raw dairy products as well as grass fed beef and other farm-fresh produce (although not all are certified organic). Here you will also find information about local farmers markets, as well as local stores and restaurants that sell grass fed products.

• Weston A. Price Foundation — The organization has local chapters in most states, and many of them are connected with buying clubs in which you can easily purchase organic foods, including grass fed, raw dairy products like milk and butter.

• Grassfed Exchange — The Grassfed Exchange has a listing of producers selling organic and grass fed meats across the U.S.

• Local Harvest — This website will help you find farmers markets, family farms and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area where you can buy produce, grass fed meats and many other goodies.

• Farmers Markets — A national listing of farmers markets.

• Eat Well Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals — The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, hotels and online outlets in the U.S. and Canada.

• Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) — CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.

• The Cornucopia Institute — This website maintains web-based tools rating all certified organic brands of eggs, dairy products and other commodities, based on their ethical sourcing and authentic farming practices separating CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) “organic” production from authentic organic practices.

• RealMilk.com — If you’re still unsure of where to find raw milk, check out Raw-Milk-Facts.com and RealMilk.com. They can tell you what the status is for legality in your state, and provide a listing of raw dairy farms in your area. The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund also provides a state-by-state review of raw milk laws.⁷ California residents can also find raw milk retailers using the store locator available at RAW FARM.⁸