Frequently Asked Questions

The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are offered to assist those who have questions while submitting their survey. Note: There are also various “Tool Tips” throughout the survey to assist. Simply hover over the question mark for additional information. i.e., If you are unsure about a definition or calculation method.

Who should complete the survey?

Golf course superintendents should complete the environmental survey and the general manager, controller, golf professional, or owner should complete the economic survey, which was sent directly to those respective groups.  Information may need to be requested from another department for a specific question.

How many days can I leave the survey open in my browser while working on completing the survey?

Browsers and computers vary as to how they react to when they sleep or shut down.  Answers are not automatically saved as they are entered.  For answers to be “saved” you must hit the SAVE button at the bottom of the survey which can be done at any time. You can always add or modify information prior to the close of the survey period.

While not necessary, it may help to print the survey to assist with guidance on gathering 2023 data in order to calculate and then record so that you are ready to submit.  Again, the survey can be edited at a later date if data is missing or needs to be adjusted.

If there is information that is unknown or may take time to locate, submit the majority of the survey as soon as permitted and when the required information becomes available, you may log in and edit your response.

How do I save my work?

To ensure your progress is saved, click the ‘Save’ button at the bottom of the survey before stepping away. Our data collection portal is designed with security in mind and automatically logs users out after several days of inactivity. Saving your work regularly helps prevent any unsaved data from being lost due to a session timeout.

For added convenience, consider saving and submitting your survey in smaller sections. This approach not only saves time but also ensures your data inputs are securely stored. If you need to make edits or add information later, simply use the ‘Update Existing Survey’ feature to log back in and make changes as needed.

How do I edit my responses?

If you need to update any information or realize that additional details could be added, you can easily edit your responses. Simply log back into your account and navigate under My Account to “Update Existing Survey”. You'll be able to make changes to your responses or add new information as needed. This ensures that the data remains accurate and up-to-date, reflecting the latest developments at your facility.

If I don’t know the exact amount but have a good estimate, should I enter that amount?

Yes.  Nobody is perfect and all that can be asked is that you make a good faith and best effort to answer as accurately as possible. 

I normally calculate nitrogen in pounds/1000 for certain areas of the golf course.  Why am I only entering total pounds of N, P2O5, K20?

Getting more granular on this area (forgive the pun) might have pushed the limits of the time constraints of the survey.  Given participants are entering total areas, maintained areas, and areas of playing surfaces, final calculations will provide an accurate view of the fertility of golf courses compared to other land uses (parks, agriculture, commercial, residential, etc.) 

I don’t use electric mowers at this point, but I do use other electric equipment like rollers, backpack blowers.  Does that count as currently using electric mowers?

It counts in the list of Energy Conservation BMPs used, under “Other electric equipment”. The question regarding your five-year plan for electric mowers is specific to mowers.

How do I find and calculate the trash and recycling quantities for the waste management section of the environmental survey? Instructions for Calculating Annual Waste and Recycling Amounts:

Provider Data:
If your waste service provider gives you annual data, please consider the average fill level of your waste and recycling containers. For example, if your containers are typically 75% full, adjust the annual total by multiplying by 0.75 to avoid overstating.

Self-Calculation:
If you don’t have access to annual data from your provider, you can still estimate your waste and recycling amounts:

1. Determine your container size (in cubic yards or gallons).

2. Determine how often your containers are picked up.

3. Estimate the average fill level for each pickup.

4. Multiply container size by the fill level percentage and total number of pickups to estimate annual volume.

If you are composting green waste onsite and measuring exact volumes isn’t feasible, estimate the size of your compost pile by multiplying its length, width, and height (in feet), then convert this volume into cubic yards. For example, a compost pile that is 10 feet long x 5 feet wide x 4 feet high divided by 27 would equate to approximately 7.4 cubic yards. Use this and multiply by the pile replenishment frequency to calculate the annual amount.

I have an outside company remove organic waste for recycling.  Does that count as annual composting?

Yes, it does.

What information should I include in the survey feedback?

Thoughts on the following areas: ease of website navigation, usability, the sign-up process, and the survey questions. Why you chose to participate in this survey. Any qualifiers to your answers that you were unable to note in the survey but might be of importance. For example, maybe you put “0” for an answer, please explain the rationale.

Receive an Error Message? If you receive an error message that your log in could not be authenticated, then the password entered was incorrect. Please reset your password here.

Need Assistance? If you encounter any difficulties or have questions at any stage of the process, please contact us. Our support team is here to assist you with any technical issues, questions about the survey, or account-related inquiries. You can reach us through the "Contact Us" page on our website, where you'll find our email address and contact form. We're committed to providing you with the assistance you need to ensure your participation is as smooth and easy as possible.

Your input is critical to understanding the economic and environmental impacts from the golf and recreational industries for our states and communities.