• Skip to main content

Environmental Best Management Practices for Virginia's Golf Courses

☰
Home
Who We Are
Introduction
Introduction Overview
Best Management Practices
Pollution Prevention
Water Conservation
Protecting Habitat
Pollinators
Individual Facility BMPs
Conclusion
1 Planning, Design, and Construction
1 Planning, Design, and Construction Overview
1.1 Regulatory Considerations
1.2 Overview
1.3 Wetlands and Floodplains
1.4 Drainage
1.5 Stormwater Management
1.6 Habitat Considerations
1.7 Turfgrass Establishment
1.8 External Certification Programs
1.9 Planning, Design, and Construction Best Management Practices
2 Irrigation
2 Irrigation Overview
2.1 Regulatory Considerations
2.2 Water Conservation and Efficient Use Planning
2.3 Drought Resistance
2.4 Irrigation Water Supply
2.5 Irrigation System Design
2.6 Irrigation Pumping Stations
2.7 Irrigation System Installation
2.8 Irrigation System Maintenance and Performance
2.9 Irrigation Management Decisions
2.10 Irrigation Best Management Practices
3 Water Management
3 Water Management Overview
3.1 Regulatory Considerations
3.2 Stormwater Management
3.3 Flood Recovery
3.4 Wetlands
3.5 Floodplains
3.6 Lakes and Ponds
3.7 Groundwater Management
3.8 Water Management Best Management Practices
4 Water Quality Monitoring
4 Water Quality Monitoring Overview
4.1 Existing Water Quality Information
4.2 Developing a Water Quality Monitoring Program
4.3 Interpreting Water Quality Testing Results
4.4 Water Quality Monitoring Best Management Practices
5 Nutrient Management
5 Nutrient Management Overview
5.1 Regulatory Considerations
5.2 Soil Testing
5.3 Soil pH
5.4 Plant Tissue Analysis
5.5 Fertilizers Used in Golf Course Management
5.6 Nitrogen
5.7 Phosphorus
5.8 Potassium
5.9 Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur
5.10 Micronutrients
5.11 Managing Soil pH
5.12 Nutrient Application Programs and Strategies
5.13 Application Equipment
5.14 Nutrient Management Best Management Practices
6 Cultural Practices
6 Cultural Practices Overview
6.1 Mowing
6.2 Aeration
6.3 Surface Cultivation
6.4 Topdressing
6.5 Overseeding
6.6 Rolling
6.7 Wetting Agents
6.8 Plant Growth Regulators
6.9 Cultural Practices Best Management Practices
7 Integrated Pest Management
7 Integrated Pest Management Overview
7.1 Regulatory Considerations
7.2 IPM Overview
7.3 Monitoring Pests and Recording Information
7.4 Identifying and Understanding Pests
7.5 Determining Threshold Levels
7.6 Control Methods
7.7 Evaluation and Record Keeping
7.8 IPM Best Management Practices
8 Pesticide Management
8 Pesticide Management Overview
8.1 Regulatory Considerations
8.2 Human Health Risks
8.3 Personal Protective Equipment
8.4 Environmental Fate and Transport
8.5 Water Quality
8.6 Pesticide Application Equipment and Calibration
8.7 Pesticide Record Keeping
8.8 Pesticide Storage and Handling
8.9 Transportation
8.10 Mixing/Washing Station
8.11 Disposal
8.12 Pesticide Container Management
8.13 Emergency Preparedness and Spill Response
8.14 Pesticide Management Best Management Practices
9 Pollinator Protection
9 Pollinator Protection Overview
9.1 Regulatory Considerations
9.2 Pest Management Practices
9.3 Preserving and Enhancing Habitat on the Course
9.4 Managed Hives
9.5 Pollinator Protection Best Management Practices
10 Maintenance Operations
10 Maintenance Operations Overview
10.1 Regulatory Considerations
10.2 Storage and Handling of Fertilizers
10.3 Equipment Washing
10.4 Equipment Storage and Maintenance
10.5 Fueling Facilities
10.6 Waste Handling
10.7 Maintenance Operations Best Management Practices
11 Landscape Design and Management
11 Landscape Design and Management Overview
11.1 Planning and Design
11.2 Site Inventory and Assessment
11.3 Plant Selection
11.4 Installation
11.5 Irrigation
11.6 Use of Mulch
11.7 Pruning
11.8 Pest Management
11.9 Native Areas Establishment and Maintenance
11.10 Landscape Best Management Practices
12 Energy
12 Energy Overview
12.1 Energy Audits and Evaluation
12.2 Energy Efficiency Improvements
12.3 Green and Alternative Energy
12.4 Energy Best Management Practices
GCSAA BMP Planning Guide
Facility BMP Guide

 

Environmental Best Management Practices for Virginia's Golf Courses

vabmp_slider3x
vabmp_slider3x
vabmp_slider6x
vabmp_slider6x
vabmp_slider5x
vabmp_slider5x
vabmp_slider1x
vabmp_slider1x
vabmp_slider4x
vabmp_slider4x
vabmp_slider2x
vabmp_slider2x
 

Overview

Virginia’s golf course superintendents are dedicated to protecting the state’s natural resources. As a demonstration of this commitment, superintendents have partnered with Virginia Tech scientists to develop and document best management practices (BMPs) for golf course management. BMPs help golf course superintendents protect our state’s surface and groundwater resources, provide habitat for wildlife, reduce pesticide usage, and conserve energy.

Introduction Planning, Design and Construction Irrigation Water Management Water Quality Monitoring Nutrient Management Cultural Practices Integrated Pest Management Pollinator Protection Maintenance Operations Landscape Design and Management Energy

We have developed these research-based, voluntary guidelines specifically for our state. By documenting and implementing these practices across the state, we hope to showcase our role as environmental stewards and inform stakeholders about our commitment to this role.

– Virginia BMP Steering Committee Members

Publication Date: June 2020
The full Virginia BMPs document is available for download.

acknowledgementsAcknowledgements
referencesReferences
acronymsAcronyms
contactContact
The full Virginia BMPs document is available for download
Copyright © 2025 · Environmental Best Management Practices for Virginia's Golf Courses