Watering is an expense; even if you have drilled on-site wells with enough daily allocation permitted to keep your facility ANGC green in the toughest of summer conditions. Well pumps typically run on electric; and unless you have solar or on-site wind turbines, electric isn't free.
if you have to purchase either potable or reclaimed water for irrigation, the cost of irrigation is an even more significant portion of your annual operating budget. Who wouldn't want to save money based on the above costs?
Well, the simple bugs & bunnies tree hugging response is to not water golf courses during the time of year where where is a more valued commodity, like a residential lawn. My lawn (and attached residence) pay real estate taxes if the turf is green, brown or dirt. A golf course, a taxed commercial venture tax, generates tax income sales of greens fees, balls, gloves, food beverages, etc. Altering significantly the delivery of a private good and services supplier isn't healthy for the long term tax rate base of a community, especially if that user of water pre-existed most of the newer residential development.
I'm all for brown/green fast & firm; water logged turf isn't what the game is about. Most locations, even those not in an arid climate, require irrigation to cool the turf down on hot days so it can survive. Let's just be logical on how we discuss this.