This is a topic that is important to me as golf and dogs rank very highly on my priority list.
However, because of that, I choose to RARELY combine them. Let me explain.
This is an important topic to me as well. I'm a golf course superintendent and a pet fanatic. I also have 2 little girls who have been visiting the golf course since birth.
I can only speak about the US, but - from being on our club's grounds and greens committe in the past - I know there are just too many chemicals on the grass that present a very clear health hazard to my beloved yellow lab. In short, the grass ain't that green purely due to Mother Nature.
I can only speak to the US as well. I am glad you have taken the time to serve on your club's greens committee, I am sure you are committed to your club and the advancement of golf. But making a blanket statement that there are too many chemicals on a golf course that present a health hazard to pets and the public is ignorant at best. Perhaps you can dig through the minutes of your meetings and let me know which chemicals you are talking about so I can stop applying them, they sound awful. Perhaps you should suggest that parks and lawns are also unsafe for children and pets. It is much more likely that an untrained, unlicensed homeowner would be more likely to mis-use pesticides or fertilizers on their home lawn than a golf course. In short the grass is green because of the dedication of a group of people that have your best interests and the best interest of the public and environment as a major focus.
I would LOVE to be able to walk and play with my dog but I only venture on the course with her before April 1 and after November 15 when all the growth regulators, fertilizers, grub spray, insecticides, etc, are no longer used.
That seems like a reasonable strategy. You must live in a cooler climate. I hope they don't use salt on the roads where you live. If so please stay out of the streets. After all most of the cancer causing fertilizers that are applied to a golf course are simple salts.
True story: my wife and I visted my best friend's father 5years ago when I was back in my home town. He taught me the game when I was a kid. They live just off the 3rd green at a course in Princeton, NJ. I was petting their 4 year old golden retriever and felt a huge bump on its throat. The dog had a tumor and was given 6 months to live. The family went on to tell us that their last two dogs met a similar fate. We were shocked and could not believe that they still took their dog out on the course every day.
I'm sorry to hear about your friends Golden Retriever. I am on #'s 3 and 4 for goldens. While I agree that 4 yrs old is very young to lose a dog, it happens all the time. A fact that you can verify is that Goldens are more suceptible to cancer than many other breeds of dog, and it is often the cause of their demise. My last 2 Goldens died of cancer both at 10 years of age and lived a very happy life exploring the golf course on a regular basis. I must be using less of the cancer causing chemicals. If your friend keeps losing dogs to cancer at 4 yrs old maybe he should have his house checked for lead paint, or radon, or something that actually does cause cancer.
US golf courses are not places for dogs and small children!!
Or ignorant self proclaimed chemical and public health experts.
On a different note. Playing golf with my dogs is nerve wracking. I'm much more worried about them getting hit with a bladed shot or walking around into my backswing.
Cheers,
Chris Strange
Superintendent-Minot Country Club