Saving Millions in Water: How SoCal Golf Courses Are Leading the Sustainability Charge

At sunrise in Long Beach, sprinklers arc across the fairways. To the casual golfer, it looks like any other morning routine. But beneath the surface, a quiet revolution is underway. These greens are sustained not by drinking water, but by recycled wastewater — part of a growing movement across Southern California to keep golf courses lush while conserving one of the region’s most precious resources. 

The Pressure to Innovate in a Drought-Prone Region

For decades, golf has been criticized as a “water-hungry” sport. In drought-prone California, that reputation has forced courses to innovate or risk losing community support.

Long Beach has become a leader in this shift, investing in reclaimed water infrastructure that supplies municipal courses and parks. Prime examples irrigated with non-potable water that keeps them playable while meeting strict conservation mandates include:

• Recreation Park

• Heartwell

• Skylinks

• Eldorado Park

The Science of Sustainable Greens

The science behind this transformation is both practical and cutting-edge. Reclaimed water systems treat wastewater and repurpose it for irrigation, dramatically reducing reliance on potable supplies.

Courses are implementing a range of innovative practices:

• Smart Irrigation Controllers: These systems measure soil moisture and weather forecasts, adjusting watering schedules in real time.

• Drought-Resistant Landscaping: Courses are experimenting with drought-resistant turf and native landscaping, cutting water use without sacrificing playability.

The sustainability push doesn’t stop at irrigation — solar-powered golf carts and electric maintenance equipment are also becoming part of the equation, reducing the overall environmental footprint.

Los Serranos: A Benchmark for Conservation

One standout case is Los Serranos Golf Club in Chino Hills, which recently overhauled its irrigation system.

The result: millions of gallons saved annually. By tapping into recycled water, Los Serranos exempts itself from residential watering restrictions, proving that golf can be both environmentally responsible and economically smart.

Their success has become a benchmark for other SoCal courses looking to balance tradition with sustainability.

A Wider Community Impact

The impact extends beyond golf. Parks and recreational spaces that share reclaimed water systems benefit from the same conservation practices, ensuring that families and junior golfers have access to vibrant green spaces. In this way, golf courses are not just leisure destinations — they are laboratories for conservation, setting examples for other industries in Southern California.

Southern California golf is redefining what it means to be “green.” From Long Beach’s reclaimed water systems to Los Serranos’ pioneering irrigation overhaul, courses are proving that sustainability is not just possible — it’s essential. For golfers and communities alike, the fairways of the future will be as much about conservation as competition.