A new study is highlighting a surprising threat found in some of the country’s green spaces: golf courses.
Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open indicates that living within a mile of a golf course could increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 126%. This condition currently affects over a million people in the U.S.
The major concern here is pesticides.
What’s going on?
Scientists from the Barrow Neurological Institute examined Parkinson’s diagnoses in Olmsted County, Minnesota, over a 24-year period, comparing these with the locations of 139 golf courses. Their findings showed a distinct correlation: the nearer someone resided to a golf course, the greater their chances of acquiring Parkinson’s.
It’s not just about the air, either. Those whose drinking water came from groundwater sources close to golf courses had almost double the risk of developing the disease. Particularly, those in “vulnerable groundwater regions,” where chemicals can easily infiltrate through the rock, had even higher risks.
“This isn’t about golf,” stated Dr. Michael Okun, national medical adviser for the Parkinson’s Foundation. “It’s about pesticides, environmental exposures, and noticeable risks that we often overlook.”
Why should we care?
Parkinson’s disease is a serious, progressive disorder that affects movement, speech, and cognitive abilities, with no known cure, and its prevalence is increasing.
In a recent post on X, formerly Twitter, Dr. Okun emphasized the alarming rise in Parkinson’s cases—now affecting around 11.8 million globally—and criticized the minimal funding spent on prevention. He argued that this situation needs to change.
While genetic factors carry some weight, environmental aspects, particularly pesticide exposure, are increasingly linked to the disease. Substances like paraquat and rotenone, commonly used for maintenance on golf courses, have demonstrated the ability to induce Parkinson’s-like symptoms in animal studies.
Moreover, the use of pesticides on U.S. golf courses poses risks that can be up to 15 times higher compared to those in European countries, as noted by Beyond Pesticides.
This evidence contributes to a growing understanding that our outdoor environments, especially in suburban and urban areas, may not be as safe as they appear—particularly when the focus is more on visual appeal than on health.
What can be done?
Although the study doesn’t specifically advise relocating from golf courses, experts advocate for a reassessment of pesticide usage in public areas. Cities and states could take proactive steps by implementing stricter regulations on chemical applications near residential zones and improving municipal water treatment in high-risk locations.
If you live near a golf course, it might be worthwhile to connect with local environmental health agencies to understand pesticide regulations and groundwater safety initiatives.
As Dr. Okun pointed out, “This is a warning we cannot disregard. Prevention must be incorporated into our strategy.”
