Imagine living in a picture-perfect neighborhood with rolling green fairways just steps from your front door.
Now imagine that might, surprisingly, faintly, raise your odds of a Parkinson's diagnosis.
Nearly 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) each year, and more than 10 million people worldwide live with the condition.
While aging remains the strongest predictor, research increasingly suggests that environmental exposures, including pesticides, air pollutants, and contaminated water, may also be potential contributors.
A recent study found that people within a mile of a golf course had 126 percent higher odds of developing Parkinson's compared to those living more than six miles out.
That figure, that sense that something serene could also be a health risk, is enough to give anyone pause.
Are pesticides and fertilizers used on golf courses silently shaping neurological health?
Could something as routine as tap water be a hidden risk factor?
And what can individuals and clinicians do about it today?
Keep reading to explore the data, the science behind it, and how diagnostic testing can bring clarity.
Access Labs makes it simple to test for hidden exposures, helping clinicians turn research into answers patients can trust.
Researchers tapped the Rochester Epidemiology Project to review medical records from 1991 to 2015 in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
They matched 419 Parkinson's patients with 5,113 peers who were similar in age, sex, race, income, and location.
Drawing from geocoded addresses, groundwater data, and water service maps, the results were clear:
Living within one mile of a golf course nearly doubles your odds of developing Parkinson's.
Wondering how environmental exposures may affect health? Access Labs makes it simple for clinicians to order tests that bring patients clearer answers.
The closer the home, the higher the odds.
People living within a mile of a golf course were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson's compared to those farther away.
That distance effect matters. The risk begins to taper off once you get beyond three miles, suggesting a clear link between proximity and exposure.
When neighborhoods share a municipal water supply with a golf course, exposure extends beyond the greens.
Pesticides and herbicides used to maintain fairways can leach into the water system, potentially affecting every household connected to that source.
Compared with residents on private wells, individuals using shared water systems that included golf courses showed approximately 50% higher odds of developing Parkinson's disease.
Some regions are naturally more at risk.
Areas with shallow bedrock or sandy soil make it easier for surface chemicals to seep into aquifers.
In these vulnerable zones, researchers found an 82% increase in Parkinson's odds for residents living near golf courses.
Risk isn't static. It shifts with distance. Every mile farther from a golf course lowered Parkinson's odds by about 13%.
That kind of dose–response curve is a hallmark of environmental exposure studies, strengthening the argument that this is not a coincidence but a measurable pattern.
While the findings sound alarming, researchers and advocacy groups caution against jumping to conclusions.
David Dexter, Director of Research at Parkinson's UK, put it plainly:
Other experts echoed similar points:
Still, the patterns were consistent across multiple variables—distance, groundwater, and water systems, which makes the signal hard to ignore.
Groups like the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) and the Parkinson's Foundation emphasize that while causation has not been proven, this research highlights areas where public health monitoring could be improved, particularly in water safety in communities adjacent to large golf courses.
Living next to a golf course doesn't automatically mean you'll develop Parkinson's.
But being proactive can reduce potential exposure and give you peace of mind.
Clinicians can order Heavy Metal Testing from Access Medical Labs. These panels help detect toxic elements that may accumulate through water, soil, or environmental exposure, giving patients a more complete picture of potential risks.
Here's the silver lining: for those diagnosed with Parkinson's, golf isn't necessarily off the table.
Playing golf can be beneficial for people already diagnosed with Parkinson's.
In fact, many find it helpful:
Even with all the attention on pesticides and golf courses, it's worth remembering: age remains the greatest single predictor of Parkinson's.
In other words, living near a golf course may increase the baseline risk; however, it's just one piece of a larger puzzle.
Yes, studies suggest people within one mile of a golf course have over twice the odds of developing Parkinson's compared with those living farther away.
No. The research points to environmental exposures (pesticides, fertilizers, groundwater contamination), not the sport itself. In fact, golf can be beneficial for those already diagnosed.
Test and filter your water, reduce pesticide tracking indoors, and consider periodic lab testing with your physician.
Panels that measure toxin exposure and neurological biomarkers may give a clearer picture of risk for patients concerned about environmental factors.
The research linking golf courses, pesticide use, and the risk of Parkinson's disease is still changing.
However, the research highlights a larger reality: the environment matters.
Where people live, the water they drink, and the chemicals to which they're exposed may all shape neurological health in ways we're only beginning to understand.
For clinicians, the takeaway is awareness.
Asking patients about their environment, considering community-level exposures, and pairing that information with lab testing creates space for more personalized care.
Environmental toxin panels and neurological biomarker tests can help translate broad research trends into actionable insights for individual patients.
By approaching Parkinson's disease through both population data and individual diagnostics, practitioners can move beyond statistics to provide clarity, reassurance, and early support.
The goal is not to create fear, but to provide patients with a clearer understanding of how their everyday surroundings may impact their long-term health.
When research uncovers potential environmental contributors to neurological risk, it offers a compelling opportunity for patients and clinicians to act with insight.
Turn research into patient insights with advanced diagnostic panels from Access Labs.
Disclaimer: Content on the Access Labs blog is for informational purposes only and reflects the views of individual contributors, not necessarily those of Access Labs. We do not endorse specific treatments, products, or protocols. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns.