Golf courses use a variety of water sources for turfgrass irrigation including groundwater, surface water (lakes, rivers and reservoirs), recycled water, and municipal potable water supplies. The source of the water that a golf course uses is largely dependent on the location of the course in relation to local and regional water supplies. Often, courses will use multiple sources of water. According to a survey conducted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) approximately 12% of golf courses in the US use recycled water for irrigation, which preserves potable water for human uses.
The following links provide further information on the various sources of water used by golf courses: