Florida, renowned for its year-round golfing season and stunning courses, has always been at the mercy of nature's unpredictable forces. With over 1,200 golf courses spread across the state, from the coastal gems of the Gulf to the lush greens of Central Florida, the Sunshine State is a golfer's haven. However, as hurricanes increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change, golf courses are facing significant challenges. The recent arrival of Hurricane Milton is the latest reminder of how vulnerable these sprawling greens are to extreme weather events.
In this blog, we’ll dive into how hurricanes like Milton are reshaping the golf landscape in Florida, the damage they cause, and what course managers are doing to adapt and safeguard their future.
1. The Physical Toll of Hurricanes on Golf Courses
Hurricane Milton, which tore through Central and Northern Florida in September 2024, left a trail of destruction in its wake. Wind speeds exceeded 120 mph, uprooting thousands of trees, including some on golf courses that have stood for decades. Many courses saw fairways and greens flooded as torrential rainfall submerged low-lying areas. This isn’t a one-off event; as hurricanes become more frequent, the physical toll on golf courses is mounting.
In Milton’s case, courses in Jacksonville and along Florida’s Space Coast experienced severe damage. Trees crushed cart paths and shelters, sand bunkers were eroded beyond recognition, and entire greens had to be regraded. One notable example is the damage at Sawgrass Country Club, where nearly a quarter of the course was left underwater, requiring major restoration efforts.
2. Flooding and Saltwater Intrusion
The flooding caused by hurricanes like Milton is a long-term issue for Florida's golf courses. Heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems, leading to standing water on fairways and greens that can linger for days or even weeks. Prolonged exposure to water causes the soil to compact, making it harder for turfgrass to recover. Milton dumped over 15 inches of rain in some areas, flooding the iconic TPC Sawgrass and Hammock Beach Golf Resort near Palm Coast. Both courses had to close for several weeks to address water damage.
For coastal courses, the problem doesn’t end with rain. Hurricane Milton's storm surge pushed saltwater inland, inundating low-lying courses and causing saltwater intrusion. This damages freshwater ecosystems and grass that isn't salt-tolerant, such as Bermuda grass, which is commonly used on Florida courses. Restoring a course after saltwater intrusion requires extensive flushing of soil and the replacement of affected turf, which is both costly and time-consuming.
3. Operational Shutdowns and Revenue Losses
The immediate aftermath of hurricanes like Milton extends beyond the damage to the greens and fairways. Operational shutdowns can last for weeks or even months, especially for courses in the storm's direct path. Pre-storm preparations—securing clubhouses, protecting valuable equipment, and evacuating staff—are costly, and post-storm cleanup requires an immense labor force.
During Hurricane Milton, several private and public golf courses along Florida’s coast closed their doors as the storm approached. After the storm passed, the recovery efforts took weeks, leading to significant losses in revenue. The closures during the busy fall season, which attracts golfers from across the country, resulted in a drop in tourism and a loss of income for both courses and their local economies. Florida’s golf tourism industry is a billion-dollar sector, and even a single storm like Milton can put a dent in annual revenue projections.
4. Damage to Turf and Landscaping
Maintaining a golf course’s pristine landscape requires constant attention, and hurricanes add another layer of complexity. While turfgrasses like Bermuda are resilient, they can still suffer from overwatering, root rot, and fungal infections after hurricanes. Hurricane Milton’s heavy rains caused widespread turf loss due to standing water, and the strong winds uprooted trees that had been a part of the courses’ design for years.
Many courses were forced to deal with landscape alterations after Milton. Uprooted trees, eroded bunkers, and damaged irrigation systems meant some courses had to undergo major re-landscaping efforts to restore their natural beauty. Course managers are increasingly turning to salt-tolerant grasses and stronger turf varieties that can handle flooding, but the costs of switching are high, and the adjustments don’t happen overnight.
5. Rising Insurance Premiums and Financial Strain
As hurricanes like Milton become more frequent, golf courses are seeing skyrocketing insurance premiums. The increasing risk of damage is leading insurers to either raise their rates or drop coverage entirely for high-risk areas, especially coastal courses. Milton, which hit both coastal and inland courses, emphasized the importance of comprehensive insurance coverage—but that coverage is becoming less accessible.
For smaller golf courses or those already operating on tight margins, the financial strain can be overwhelming. Some courses that suffered damage during Milton may not be able to afford repairs or may even close down if the insurance doesn’t cover the full extent of the damage. This financial burden could reshape Florida’s golf industry as it struggles to keep up with mounting climate risks.
6. Adapting to the New Normal
Despite the devastation of hurricanes like Milton, golf course operators across Florida are finding ways to adapt. Several courses are installing improved drainage systems and incorporating more sustainable design elements that make courses more resilient to flooding. Courses near the coast are embracing salt-tolerant turf varieties and planting vegetation that can help buffer against storm surges.
After Hurricane Milton, many courses also began adopting more proactive strategies, such as using satellite technology and drones to assess storm damage quickly and efficiently. By leveraging weather tracking tools, course managers can better prepare for incoming storms, reducing the amount of recovery time needed after a hurricane strikes.
Some courses are also embracing nature-based solutions. Restoring wetlands around golf courses can act as natural flood buffers, absorbing excess rainwater and reducing the severity of floods. These environmental adaptations offer a win-win solution—protecting the courses while promoting sustainability.
7. Conclusion: Resilience in the Face of Hurricanes
Hurricanes like Milton are a stark reminder that Florida’s golf courses exist at the mercy of nature’s wrath. The increasing frequency and intensity of storms have forced course managers to rethink how they operate, from improving drainage systems to considering insurance alternatives. While the damage from Hurricane Milton is still being assessed, it’s clear that Florida’s golf industry will need to continue evolving to survive in a hurricane-prone future.
Yet, despite these challenges, Florida’s golf courses are finding ways to bounce back. With investments in resilient infrastructure, eco-friendly landscaping, and advanced technology, courses can better withstand the impacts of hurricanes. The road to recovery after storms like Milton may be long, but Florida's golf community remains resilient, determined to preserve its iconic courses for future generations.
As climate change continues to shape the future of hurricanes, both golfers and course operators must adapt to an unpredictable new normal. But with careful planning, Florida’s golf industry can continue to thrive, even in the face of nature’s most powerful storms.
