Interested in a Career in Golf Greenkeeping?

The Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) is the industry body set up to promote the career of greenkeeping within England, Scotland and Wales.

A Golf Greenkeeper is a skilled professional whose job is to maintain a good quality playing surface and ensure the course offers a consistent challenge and an enjoyable experience for golfers.  The greenkeeping team is responsible for the maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course in line with employer requirements.

Your job will include looking after all aspects of turf management, using a range of equipment and machinery safely and competently. Golf Greenkeepers are involved in hazard, environmental and ecological operations which may include bunker maintenance, planting turf, trees and shrubs and developing wildlife habitats.  If you would like to work outdoors and learn many new skills this could be the career for you.

Career Progression

As you progress in your career you can move into supervisory positions where you will manage staff, budgets and annual maintenance programmes.  The career of a Golf Greenkeeper can take you wherever the game of golf is played.  Working outdoors in a healthy environment and as new countries are embracing the sport and more golf courses are being built, there is no better time to consider joining this great profession.

Qualifications

Training courses and qualifications are available to students at all levels and they can be work-based or work-related courses. A school leaver aged 16yrs can take a National Certificate (NC) in Greenkeeping and then progress to the Higher National Certificate or Diploma or the same 16 year old could instead choose to begin work as an Apprentice Golf Greenkeeper and take a Level 2 qualification whilst working at a golf course.  A qualified Level 2 Greenkeeper can enrol on a Level 3 qualification and when this is completed would be able to apply for a supervisory position on a golf course.  Those wanting a career in the Golf Greenkeeping Industry and existing Golf Greenkeepers, Head Greenkeepers and Golf Course Managers have access to taking more academic work-related courses such as a Foundation Degree, Degree or Masters Degree which could provide access to managerial levels within the sportsturf industry.

To find out more about which course to take there are a range of courses available from GTC Approved Training Providers around Britain.  Discover where to take a course you are interested in by using the Course Finder located at the bottom of each of our website pages.