Drought forces golf resorts in Austria and Germany to restrict water use

Ongoing drought and low water levels are forcing golf resorts in Austria and Germany to implement strict irrigation restrictions.

In Stegersbach, Austria, the Golfresort Stegersbach—one of the largest in the country at 190 hectares—has been prohibited from extracting water from the Lafnitz river since August 10 due to low water levels. Greenkeeper Kilian Reisinger reported that only one percent of the area, specifically the greens, is currently being irrigated to prevent the grass from dying. The fairways have largely turned brown and entered a dormant state to survive the dry period.

Similar challenges are being faced by golf clubs in Germany, where facilities are limiting water use to essential areas like greens and tee boxes to maintain playability while managing limited resources during heatwaves.