The USGA Green Section is dedicated to advancing the science and sustainability of golf course maintenance.
This mission is achieved through five primary programs:
Research: The firm and fast conditions on today's golf courses are the result of years of dedicated research. Since 1920, the USGA has funded more than $40 million on research projects conducted at universities across the country. The research program facilitates collaboration with allied associations and government agencies to promote golf course contributions to the environment. The scientific results advance the long-term viability of the game through sustainable resource management and environmental protection.
Course Consulting Service: For over 75 years, the USGA has been providing on-site consulting to courses nationwide, offering expert guidance to fine-tune management practices while optimizing budgets and resources. Our team of consulting agronomists provides impartial insights, research-backed education, and proven strategies to help improve the playing quality, environmental sustainability, and economic efficiency of your course.
Education and Outreach: The Green Section’s Education and Outreach Program provides education products and real-world solutions on golf course management, environmental responsibility, and economic sustainability to an audience both within and outside of the golf industry. Our Green Section agronomists combine their formal education with field experiences gained from working directly with golf course managers, industry experts and university scientists to help inform a wide variety of articles, videos, podcasts, and other multi-media materials available in the Green Section Record.
Data and Tools: One of the biggest trends in golf course maintenance is data collection, and no management system today makes collecting data easier than DEACON® from the USGA Green Section. Through our investments in research, we have developed these tools to help our agronomists manage and set up championship conditions, now available for daily use.
The DEACON management system connects seamlessly to cutting edge tools like our GS3™ ball and the new USGA Moisture Meter. Data from the GS3 ball and the Moisture Meter flows instantly into the DEACON platform, providing real-time data to support decision-making on maintenance activities that produce consistent playing conditions and improved playability.
Championship Agronomy: The Green Section provides active support of on-course preparations at all USGA championships. The USGA agronomists work with golf course management and other USGA staff before, during and after each championship to achieve the desired playing conditions for competition while using best management practices to preserve turfgrass health.