Climate change is making golf hotter, drier and more challenging

Symptoms of climate change, including rising global temperatures, are increasing the frequency of extreme heat and negatively affecting the game of golf. Extreme heat during professional tournaments can pose health risks for players, caddies, officials and spectators, according to the International Golf Federation. Heat stress, dehydration, and heat illness are growing concerns, particularly during multiday events that require hours of walking and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, rhabdomyolysis, heat syncope, heat cramps, and heat rash. Climate change is also affecting golf in other ways, according to various sources, including the Environmental Protection Agency. Extreme weather events, including thunderstorms, high winds, and torrential rainfall, are increasing the frequency of tournament delays and schedule changes.

Changing temperature and precipitation patterns can alter how championship courses play and appear. Increased rainfall can damage bunkers, wash out fairways, and leave greens unplayable for days or weeks. At the elite level, these changes can affect competitive outcomes by reducing predictability in course setup.

More: Georgia football's Kirby Smart says playing Augusta is 'humbling' Climate-driven pest and disease pressure is also increasing turf maintenance challenges, raising costs and altering course aesthetics. Professional golf relies on water-intensive course maintenance, making the sport especially vulnerable to drought and tightening water regulations. Research shows climate change-driven water scarcity has already forced golf courses, particularly in arid and semiarid regions, to reduce irrigated acreage, experiment with drought-resistant turf, or accept less visually pristine playing conditions, according to the United States Golf Association.