When you’re house-hunting, maybe an inspection ensures that the foundation is solid, the water heater’s good, and there’s been no flooding, among other considerations. But, of course, it’s all the extras that really sell a property—like good schools, green space nearby, or a bustling local community.

For some buyers, a close golf course is a major plus…though the green may have its downsides. A new study suggests that living close to a golf course increases the chances of developing Parkinson’s disease, a neurological condition that impacts muscle control, balance, and movement, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic.

A research team from neurology departments at multiple hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic, compared patients who were newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease with matched controls gathered from the Rochester Epidemiology Project from 1991 to 2015.

Publishing their results in JAMA Network Open in May 2025, researchers suggested that living within three miles of a golf course significantly raised a person’s odds of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Specifically, their results indicated:

  • People living within one mile of a golf course were 126% more likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s compared to those living more than six miles away.
  • People living within water service areas with a golf course were almost twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s than those in water service areas without a golf course, and 49% more likely than those residing on properties with private wells.
  • Residents of water service areas with a golf course in “vulnerable groundwater regions” were 82% more likely to develop the disease than those living in nonvulnerable groundwater regions.

Researchers theorize that pesticides applied to golf courses could be responsible for the increased risk. They suggest it’s possible these chemicals could contaminate water supplies or contribute to air pollution.

Over one million Americans have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, says the Parkinson’s Foundation, and that number is expected to inflate to 1.2 million by 2030.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s been confirmed that Parkinson’s can be caused by genetics. It’s also thought that pesticides could be a contributing factor to the disease in some cases, but this hasn’t been proven.

While more research is needed to better understand potential causes, if you live near a golf course, it wouldn’t hurt to be mindful of how you’re feeling. Early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may include anxiety or depression, a mild tremor in one hand, slurred speech, and lack of facial expression, per the Mayo Clinic. The loss of typically automatic movements like blinking or swinging your arms while walking could also be a sign.

If you notice any changes, contact your doctor and share your concerns. And, we might add: anything that inspires you to get outside, move, and grab some fresh air is often still on-par for your health.

For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading: