Golf greenkeeper

Golf greenkeepers keep the playing surfaces of golf courses, and the surrounding grounds, in the best possible condition. Daily tasks include mowing turfgrass, irrigating, raking bunkers, spraying pesticides and repairing equipment. They also help to make new playing areas, and protect courses from vandalism and misuse.

Work activities

Golf greenkeepers are responsible for all the tasks needed to maintain and improve the playing surfaces of golf courses. They are responsible for the rough areas surrounding courses, where there can be important wildlife habitats. Apart from caring for courses, greenkeepers also help to make new playing areas, and sometimes whole new courses. For example, they could be sowing seed, laying turf, planting trees and building bunkers.

Golf greenkeepers have a number of daily maintenance tasks. One of the first is to brush the turf to remove morning dew and debris. They can move tee markers and change the holes on greens; these tasks help to spread the wear on the turfgrass. Raking bunkers to create a level surface is important, as is regular maintenance of the bunker edges.

Other tasks could include applying fertilisers, pest and weed control, and turf irrigation. Throughout the day, they also inform their course manager or head greenkeeper of any problems they have noticed, including damage from vandalism. They help to put problems right, for example, dealing with poor drainage in one of the bunkers.

Golf greenkeepers use hand tools for some maintenance tasks. They can also be using machinery and equipment such as ride-on mowers, tractors, chainsaws, fertiliser spreaders and strimmers. It can be the greenkeeper’s responsibility to service and maintain equipment; this can include doing some repairs (only after further training).

Golf greenkeepers might have contact with golfers. This could include listening to a complaint about the state of the course and dealing with it in a friendly, helpful way. Golf greenkeepers work outside in all types of weather. The work can be physically demanding, for example, bending, lifting and digging. For some tasks, golf greenkeepers need to wear protective clothing, such as boots, gloves and masks.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a golf greenkeeper, you’ll need:

• An interest in golf sports turf maintenance.
• Physical fitness.
• Willingness to work outside in all types of weather.
• Practical skills, to use a variety of tools, equipment and machinery. You might also repair and service equipment.
• Observational skills and attention to detail, to notice problems with the course, such as poor drainage.
• Number skills, for example, to work out how much seed or fertiliser to apply.
• Communication skills and a polite, friendly approach, for working with players and members of the public.
• Teamwork skills – and the ability to spend a lot of time working on your own.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate.  Golf greenkeepers earn in the range of £13,500 - £30,500 for supervisor roles.

Golf greenkeepers usually work a 39-41-hour week. During the summer months, they may start work at 6:00 am and finish at around 2:30 pm. They might have to work some weekends. They might work longer summer hours and shorter winter hours.

Employers are municipal and private golf clubs. Opportunities for golf greenkeepers occur in rural areas, coastal areas (links), and on the outskirts of towns and cities throughout the UK. Trained golf greenkeepers are also in demand throughout the world.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on the website of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and its magazine ‘Greenkeeper International’, in local newspapers and golfing magazines (including their websites), on the Government’s Find a Job service, and on job boards.

Entry routes and training

It’s possible to enter this career without qualifications as an unskilled groundskeeper. Alternatively, you could do a level 2 (intermediate) apprenticeship, with relevant programmes including:

• Golf greenkeeper
• Sports turf operative

You would then get training on-the-job, with day- or block-release to college to study for a relevant qualification.

It is also possible to enter this career after completing a relevant college course. These include Edexcel (BTEC) level 2 Firsts and level 3 Nationals in horticulture. A number of foundation degrees in horticulture are available. There are also degree courses in general horticulture.

As a trainee golf greenkeeper, you might work towards relevant work-based Awards, Certificates or Diplomas in areas such as the safe use of pesticides, machinery maintenance and tractor use. Your training could also include time off, for example, day- or block-release, to study for relevant qualifications at college. With training, experience and qualifications, there are opportunities to rise to more responsible positions, such as assistant greenkeeper, first assistant, head greenkeeper/deputy course manager, course manager and director of golf/operations manager.

There is a clear career path for golf greenkeepers. With the right level of experience, training and qualifications, you can enter, or work your way up to, higher-level posts such as first assistant, deputy course manager and head greenkeeper. From there, you could become a course manager and then director of golf/operations manager.

The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) awards its Master Greenkeeper Certificate to members of the Association who have reached the highest standards of greenkeeping and golf course management.

Qualifications

It’s possible to enter as an unskilled groundskeeper without qualifications, although some GCSEs, especially in science subjects, or another relevant qualification, would be an advantage.

If you wish to enter this career through an Apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Entry requirements for college courses vary depending on the college and the level of the course. You should contact colleges to find out more. Course providers will look to see that you have the potential to complete the course successfully.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have developed relevant skills and knowledge through experience in gardening or other outdoor work, either paid or unpaid.

Colleges will usually consider applications from adults who don’t meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

You can search for relevant courses on the website of Lantra, the sector skills council for the land-based and environmental sector.

The British and Irish International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) offers its members a small number of higher education scholarships.

Related careers

• Countryside ranger
• Groundskeeper
• Horticultural worker
• Park warden