Living Near Golf Courses May Double Parkinson's Risk, New Study Suggests

Picture a peaceful neighborhood where homes back onto the rolling greens of a golf course. The scenery feels like a gift, a slice of nature amid suburban life. But a study published in May 2025 in JAMA Network Open reveals a potential shadow over these communities. Residents living within a mile of golf courses in Olmsted County face up to twice the odds of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to those farther away. The suspected cause lies in pesticides used to keep fairways pristine, possibly contaminating groundwater or drifting through the air.

This news hit residents hard, especially those who chose these areas for their calm and beauty. Parkinson’s, a neurological condition causing tremors and movement challenges, affects about one million Americans. While genetics contribute, environmental factors like chemical exposure are gaining attention. The study’s authors call for more research to solidify the connection, but their findings prompt serious questions about the safety of chemicals in everyday environments.

What sets this research apart is its focus on suburban neighborhoods, not just farms or industrial zones where pesticide risks are better known. With roughly 16,000 golf courses across the United States, many sit close to homes. Chemicals like paraquat and maneb, used in course maintenance and linked to neurological harm, could reach nearby residents through water or air. For affected communities, the study feels deeply personal.

The Olmsted County study examined health records alongside residents’ distances from golf courses. It found a 126 percent higher chance of Parkinson’s for those within one mile, with the risk decreasing by about 13 percent per additional mile. Areas with porous groundwater showed stronger links, hinting that pesticides may seep into drinking water. Airborne exposure from spraying could also contribute.

Pesticides have long been tied to Parkinson’s. Research since the 1980s, sparked by a toxin-induced parkinsonism case, has flagged chemicals like paraquat and rotenone as culprits. These substances can impair neuronal function, mimicking early Parkinson’s changes. Beyond golf courses, farmers and rural residents face similar dangers, with environmental exposures tied to 10 to 20 percent of cases.

The environmental impact of pesticides reaches further. A 2023 Nature Communications review of 1,700 studies showed 471 pesticide types harming over 800 species, from insects to mammals. Runoff disrupts ecosystems, degrades soil, and pollutes water sources. Golf courses, with their regular chemical use, add to these concerns, raising questions about their broader ecological footprint.

The study has ignited discussions about balancing health risks with the value of golf courses. Some push for stronger oversight, citing recent actions like the 2024 ban on the pesticide Dacthal as proof that policy can protect public health. Ideas like monitoring course runoff or restricting harmful chemicals resonate with those focused on environmental and community well-being.

Others defend current practices, highlighting property rights and economic contributions. Golf courses support jobs and local tourism, and their operators argue that regulations under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act suffice. Some policymakers, aligned with groups like the Heritage Foundation, view stricter rules as excessive, favoring landowner autonomy. A 2025 House Republican Farm Bill proposal, for example, aims to limit state and local pesticide controls.

Both sides face practical challenges. Tight regulations could strain local economies, while lax ones might overlook long-term health and environmental costs. Residents near golf courses, often unaware of their exposure, find themselves navigating a complex debate, balancing their love for their neighborhoods with concerns about unseen risks.

The Olmsted County findings demand attention, but they’re a starting point. Scientists urge larger studies to confirm whether golf course pesticides directly drive Parkinson’s. In the meantime, communities and policymakers grapple with tough decisions. Could courses shift to organic practices? Might advanced water treatment reduce risks? These ideas require input from researchers, regulators, and residents alike.

Efforts to tackle water contamination provide some optimism. The EPA’s proposed limits on PFAS and other toxins in drinking water reflect growing concern about unregulated chemicals. State programs to monitor golf course runoff also hold potential. Still, challenges like outdated water systems and inequities in access to clean water, especially in rural and minority communities, call for focused action.

The study serves as a reminder that the places we hold dear, from golf courses to our neighborhoods, exist within a fragile environmental web. As research progresses, so must our commitment to safeguarding health while preserving the spaces that enrich our lives.