There are around 15,000 greenkeepers working in the UK in private golf clubs, local authority leisure departments that operate public golf courses, hotels with golf facilities and in ground maintenance contractors.
A Head Greenkeeper is responsible for the management, maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course. It is their job to maintain a good and safe playing surface and make sure the course offers a consistent challenge and an enjoyable experience for golfers.
The four key areas on a golf course of tees, fairways, greens and areas of rough each require a different type of maintenance. Greenkeepers are often also responsible for the maintenance and planting of trees, shrubs and flower beds.
Greenkeepers tour the course at the start of the day to prepare it for play. This can require very early starts to ensure the best playing surfaces are available on a daily basis. Greenkeepers also need to be constantly aware of golfers on the course, making sure their work does not interfere with play, and must keep health and safety at the forefront of all their activities.
Their work will include:
- Communicating to staff, colleagues, other managers, golfers and the public
- Managing budgets, finance and resources
- Managing recruitment, selection and training of staff
- Motivating and enthusing staff
- Planning and monitoring the maintenance regime for the course
- Managing the environmental policy
- Managing projects and events.
Working Conditions
The hours worked by Head Greenkeepers can be longer in the spring and summer months. In summer, work may start at around 6am in order to complete various tasks before the course is open to golfers. As golf courses usually open seven days a week, weekend work is common.
Head Greenkeepers spend their time between outdoors on the course and dealing with all the management aspects of the golf course.
Salary
Salaries vary with experience, qualifications and between companies, but here's a guide to what you can expect.
£15,000
£23,000
Getting started
Relevant qualifications
You should be interested in sports turf, working outdoors, golf, and the challenges that players expect from a course.
Although this career is competitive, opportunities are available through an appropriate Modern Apprenticeship.
What experienced workers can do
- Give customers a positive impression of yourself and your organisation
- Support individuals to develop and maintain their performance
- Co-ordinate the management of planted areas
- Co-ordinate the establishment of planted areas
- Implement plans for the management of sports turf areas
- Plan, run and evaluate projects.
Personal qualities you should have
- Flexibility
- Likes working outdoors
- People person
- Safety aware.
Next steps
Some Head Greenkeepers may progress to manage several courses by becoming estate managers.
An understanding of the techniques and science of different playing surfaces can lead to employment opportunities in other sports. It may also be possible to move into agronomy or golf course design.
There may be opportunities to work overseas.
Useful links
British Association of Landscape Industries
British International Golf Greenkeepers Association
Greenkeepers Training Committee