Golf Course Reality Check: Parkinson’s and pesticides (#365)
- Rick LeCouteur
- Jul 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 8
Recently, I discovered that three people who lived on Fairway Drive (named for the golf course it leads to) in Davis California had developed Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Is this simply an unfortunate coincidence?
I lived on this street for over 20 years before retirement 10 years ago. Should I be worried?
Studies have shown:
Higher PD incidence among agricultural workers exposed to pesticides, especially those using paraquat and rotenone
Increased PD risk near pesticide-intensive environments, such as farms and golf courses, compared to urban settings with less pesticide use
Potential exposure pathways including air drift, contaminated groundwater, and household dust carried inside on shoes or pets
One study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that people living within 500 meters of pesticide application sites had a significantly higher risk of Parkinson’s disease compared to those without such exposure.
While farms are the focus of pesticide-Parkinson’s research, golf courses use even more pesticides per acre than agriculture. This is because of the aesthetic demand for flawless greens and fairways. Unlike farms that rotate crops and soil treatments, golf courses maintain the same turf year-round, requiring regular chemical treatments to control weeds, insects, and fungal diseases.
A 2025 study published in JAMA Network Open prompts caution:
If you're living within three miles of a golf course, your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD) may be significantly higher.
What the JAMA Study Found
1. Dramatic increase in PD risk near golf courses
A case-control study (1991–2015) involving 419 incident PD cases and over 5,000 controls from Minnesota and Wisconsin found that:
Living within 1 mile of a golf course was linked to a 126% increase in the odds of developing PD compared to living more than 6 miles away
A clear dose-response effect was observed:
1–2 miles away → 198% higher odds
2–3 miles away → 121% higher odds
3–6 miles away → 92% higher odds
2. Risk linked to contaminated drinking water
Individuals in water service areas with a golf course had nearly double the odds of PD
In regions with vulnerable groundwater (e.g., shallow soils, karst bedrock), the odds jumped by 82% vs. non-vulnerable areas
2. Proximity effect plateaus beyond 3 miles
Analytic models showed that PD risk decreased by about 13% per mile away from a golf course, up to around 18 miles, with a plateau within 3 miles, implying sustained higher exposure closer to golf courses
3. Pathways of exposure
Researchers suggest two likely routes:
Airborne drift of pesticides from fairways
Leaching into groundwater, contaminating drinking water
Why This Matters
Pesticide link to PD: Previous research has tied pesticide exposure, especially chemicals like paraquat and rotenone, to increased PD risk among agricultural workers
Golf courses use high levels of chemicals: In the U.S., pesticide use on these sites can be up to 15× higher than in Europe
Long-term environmental impact: These chemicals aren’t confined to greens and fairways. They can drift, leach, and end up in your home or tap water.
Important Caveats
The study is associational, not proof of causation.
The study used distance and water data as proxies for pesticide exposure, not direct chemical measurements
The study couldn't control for all other PD factors (e.g., genetics, occupational exposures, head trauma)
Study population was mostly white and geographically focused, so results might not generalize to other regions or demographics
What Can You Do?
If your home is near a golf course, here are practical steps you can take now:
Stay informed: Ask the golf course or local city authorites about pesticide schedules and monitoring
Protect your indoor air: Keep windows closed during/past application periods and use high quality air filters
Check your water source: Find out if your tap water comes from vulnerable groundwater zones overlapping golf course runoff
Minimize exposure: Avoid outdoor activities immediately after spraying or in water runoff zones
Advocate for safer alternatives: Push for integrated pest management, fewer toxic chemicals, and transparent disclosure from golf course managers
Final Thoughts
This JAMA study, reinforced by mainstream media reports in People, Times of India, Newsweek, and others, adds weight to a growing body of evidence about how environmental pesticide exposure can quietly affect neurological health.
Living on a golf course might seem idyllic, but this JAMA study sends a stark message:
Proximity to pesticide-heavy land can carry unseen, long-term risks.
Awareness, protective measures, and environmental responsibility are key.
How much do you know about the chemicals being used by your local golf course or by the farmers in the fields near your homes?
Shouldn’t you find out the answers to these questions?
Sources
Proximity to Golf Courses and Risk of Parkinson Disease.
Pesticides and Parkinson’s Disease: The Legacy of Contaminated Well Water
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