Increasing restrictions on the use of plant protection products in many EU Member States hasled to concerns over how pests will be managed on golf courses (e.g. EU Plant Protection Products Directive 91/414/EEC). Golfers will still crave perfectly manicured, blemish free puttingsurfaces that may be difficult to maintain without pesticide input. However, much of the research into the most important pests in Europe has not been collated to determine what work hasbeen done and so what further work is required. Therefore, existing research on the most important pests affecting European golf courses was reviewed. The aims of this work are to identifygaps in current knowledge and, in so doing, provide information to aid in the prioritisation offuture research. Overall it is concluded that traditional greenkeeping could reduce the severity of damage caused by many pests. However, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to completely control pests in the absence of plant protection products andstill maintain excellent year-round turf surfaces. When severe problems occur (and until reliable alternatives are widely available) plant protection products may be required to maintain turf surfaces at acceptable levels.
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