Water conservation on New Zealand golf courses isn't about doing more, it's about doing smarter. With simple maintenance steps, even older irrigation systems can deliver huge efficiency gains. It starts with a well-maintained irrigation system.
Rising water costs, regional allocation limits, and public expectations around environmental responsibility are pushing superintendents to optimise every drop.
For many clubs, the greatest opportunity for saving water lies not in grand system overhauls but in doing the little things. Routine irrigation maintenance, is one of the most powerful tools available to reduce waste and improve turf quality across the board.
A worn nozzle delivers uneven coverage and excess runoff. Over time, sprinkler nozzles degrade due to wear, UV exposure and pressure fluctuation. This is especially true if drawing from groundwater or untreated sources like effluent or ponds.
A 2003 California study found that upgrading nozzles cut water use by 6.5%.
NZ context: In areas with iron-rich bore water (e.g., Canterbury Plains), inspect nozzles more frequently for mineral build-up and corrosion.
Sprinkler heads often become buried due to turf growth or sand splash, particularly around bunkers and high-traffic greens. When this happens, water is blocked and fails to reach target areas—leading to both dry spots and wasted spray.
Quick win: Raising and levelling low heads can dramatically improve coverage.
A common cause of water waste is sprinklers watering paths, trees, or other non-turf areas. Sprinkler arcs shift over time, especially on part-circle heads, and need rechecking.
Converting full-circle heads to part-circles in border zones (such as next to cart paths) can significantly reduce overwatering.
Don’t irrigate by guesswork. Leverage weather-based scheduling tools, ET data, and portable soil moisture meters to align watering to actual turf needs.
NZ context: In areas like Hawke's Bay and Marlborough, where summer temperatures soar and rainfall is variable, shifting from timer-based irrigation to sensor-guided scheduling can reduce usage by up to 30–40%.
Far too often, Kiwi clubs only fix irrigation issues when they become urgent, like a broken mainline. But preventative maintenance is the key to long-term savings.
Audit key zones like greens and surrounds.
Stock spare parts so small problems don’t escalate.
Train staff to spot wet/dry patches and report issues
Keep software updated for central control systems to prevent programming errors and hydraulic strain.
Pro tip: Schedule visual system walkthroughs every fortnight in-season. Watching your sprinklers run during the day is one of the easiest ways to detect issues.
Need help choosing the right nozzles or moisture sensors?
At Parkland, we’re experts in precision irrigation tools for golf course environments. Get in touch to discuss how we can support your water-saving goals.
GIVE US A CALL: 09 415 0300
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