This occupation is found in a wide range of golf courses and a broad variety of golf course settings which are open and maintained all year round.
Golf greenkeepers spend most of their time working outdoors. They work in all seasons and can work in a variety of settings. They may be employed on golf courses such as a links golf course along the coast, or they may work inland on a parkland, downland or a heathland course. All golf courses have an outdoor space environment which will support health and wellbeing.
Golf courses throughout the country can be members clubs, often run and owned by the members or committees. Alternatively, they can be, private, public or municipal courses, owned and/or managed by individuals, companies or a local authority.
Golf clubs can range in size and stature, from championship courses and venues that host large tournaments through to smaller, local courses serving the local community.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to improve and maintain good quality playing surfaces and ensure the golf course offers a consistent challenge and an enjoyable experience for golfers.
Golf greenkeepers typically begin work early in the morning and are responsible for the overall preparation, maintenance and management of the golf course. The greenkeeping team will maintain the course 365 days a year and whilst golfers are at play and members of the public are on the golf course.
There are four key turfgrass areas on a golf course; greens, tees, fairways and areas of rough, each of which requires a different type of maintenance. Golf greenkeepers also manage habitats and areas of biodiversity found on golf courses.
On a day to day basis, they will prepare and maintain the golf course ready for play, to the highest possible standard. They will be responsible for marking out areas and setting out equipment as well as maintaining golf course hazards, in line with the Rules of Golf and the employer’s requirements.
The golf greenkeeper is responsible for looking after all aspects of turf management. This can involve a range of tasks such as preparing the ground by monitoring soil and plant health to establish turf and plants; renovating and repairing turf surfaces; carrying out appropriate maintenance regimes such as mowing, aeration and top dressing; controlling weeds, pests, diseases and disorders on the golf course, through to preparing, using and maintaining golf course equipment and machines.
The golf greenkeeper may be involved in the construction, renovation, maintenance and presentation of bunkers.
They will be able to maintain irrigation and drainage to the standards required to ensure appropriate soil conditions and playability.
They may be required to maintain lakes, ponds, ditches, waterways and other golf course hazards.
They may also be involved in environmental and ecological operations which may include planting turf, trees, shrubs and developing wildlife habitats.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. They might typically report to an advanced or head greenkeeper, golf course manager, general manager, golf course owner or a committee. On a daily basis, the greenkeeper will interact with visitors, golfers and colleagues in the greenkeeping team and golf club. They may be required to liaise with contractors, the general public, golfing bodies, suppliers and delivery personnel.
The daily maintenance of the golf course is carried out by the greenkeepers whilst golfers are at play.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the overall maintenance, care and appearance of the golf course. They are required to adopt sound ecological practices, adapt to seasonal conditions and meet the employer’s requirements and the Rules of Golf.
They are required to use and maintain a range of grounds maintenance machinery and equipment safely. They must adopt safe and sustainable working practices on the golf course by observing relevant environmental, health and safety regulations and legislations and adhering to the golf club’s policies and procedures.
They know when, how and why the range of maintenance operations are carried out at different times of the year to achieve optimum playability and player satisfaction.
The greenkeeper may work alone or as part of a team and in all weather conditions. They have the autonomy to carry out specific maintenance across a large area and will typically report to a line manager or a head greenkeeper.
Entry requirements will be determined by individual employers. Typically apprentices may have a minimum of 5 GCSE’s at grades 3-9 or grades A-D (including maths, English and science) or other equivalent vocational qualifications.
| Duty | KSBs |
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Duty 1 Maintain golf greens, tees, fairways, surrounds, approaches and areas of rough and semi rough. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K9 K10 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K24 K26 K27 K28 K29 |
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Duty 2 Prepare the golf course for play, in line with the Rules of Golf and employer’s requirements. |
K1 K3 K5 K6 K7 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K18 K24 K26 K27 K30 |
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Duty 3 Prepare and setup golf course equipment to achieve required outcomes (e.g. hole changing equipment, bunker rakes, Stimpmeters). |
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Duty 4 Prepare the ground and establish turf and plants around the golf course and clubhouse. |
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Duty 5 Identify and control weeds, pests, diseases and turf disorders on the golf course playing surfaces. |
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Duty 6 Renovate and repair turf surfaces such as golf greens, tees, fairways and areas of rough. |
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Duty 7 Maintain and renovate bunkers. |
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Duty 8 Maintain and renovate non turf areas such as pathways, penalty areas (e.g. water hazards, ditches). |
K1 K3 K5 K6 K7 K11 K24 K26 K27 |
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Duty 9 Apply materials such as fertilisers, top dressing and seed across areas of the golf course. |
K1 K2 K3 K5 K6 K19 K22 K23 K24 K26 |
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Duty 10 Support the operation and maintenance of golf course drainage and irrigation systems. |
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Duty 11 Maintain wildlife habitats and environmentally sensitive areas within the golf course. |
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Duty 12 Collect information on golf course conditions and playability. Report information to team members and supervisors. |
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Duty 13 Prepare, setup and use golf course machinery to achieve required outcomes. |
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Duty 14 Carry out routine maintenance of golf equipment and machinery in line with organisational requirements and manufacturers' instructions. Report any faults to relevant team member. |
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Duty 15 Keep up to date with advances in golf greenkeeping working practices and technologies and maintain continuous professional development (CPD). |
K1: The environmental risks golf greenkeeping working practices present to people, animals, insects, plants, waterways and how these can be minimised.
Back to Duty
K2: How golf course maintenance can interact with the natural environment to enhance biodiversity and conserve natural habitats.
Back to Duty
K3: The impact of climate change on golf course sustainability (including course condition and playability, materials, coastal change).
Back to Duty
K4: Typical components of golf course drainage and irrigation systems.
Back to Duty
K5: Methods of sustainable waste management on and around the golf course and facilities (including, storage, disposal and consideration of water course).
Back to Duty
K6: Health and safety legislation, regulations and polices relevant to golf greenkeeping, the golf course and surrounding facilities (including the Health and Safety at Work Act, Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurances Regulations, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Control of Noise at Work Regulations, Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, Food and Environmental Protection Act, plant protection products, Control of Vibration at Work Regulations, Manual Handling Operations Regulations, lone working).
Back to Duty
K7: Methods used to develop and maintain effective working relationships (including greenkeeper's Code of Practice and Code of Ethics).
Back to Duty
K8: How to keep up to date with advances in golf greenkeeping working practices and technologies.
Back to Duty
K9: The methods of verbal and written communication and how they can be adapted to suit the situation and audience.
Back to Duty
K10: The importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Back to Duty
K11: Markings for golf areas (including drop zones, hazard/ penalty areas, out of bounds, tee markers).
Back to Duty
K12: Golf green playing requirements and standards and how to measure green speed in line with United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter instructions.
Back to Duty
K13: Principles, methods and equipment used to change holes (including Rules of Golf, choosing position and required finish).
Back to Duty
K14: Rotary and cylinder mower types used on a golf course, their application and safe setup and operation.
Back to Duty
K15: Principles of mowing golf greens, tees, fairways and rough (including mowing patterns, importance of changing direction of cut, frequency of mowing golf course areas, heights of cut).
Back to Duty
K16: Ground conditions affecting mowing and typical mowing problems (including scalping, tearing, ribbing, wash boarding, nap to grain).
Back to Duty
K17: The features of a sand bunker and how they should be maintained and presented.
Back to Duty
K18: The methods used for switching and brushing turf.
Back to Duty
K19: The benefits of aeration, scarification, grooming and verticutting and typical equipment and methods used.
Back to Duty
K20: Typical turf defects and methods of golf course turf repair (including overseeding, pitch mark and divot repair).
Back to Duty
K21: Identification and control of weeds, pests, diseases and turf disorders (weeds including: Daisy, Dandelion, Slender speedwell, Yarrow, White Clover, Buttercup, Procumbent pearlwort, Great plantain, Ribwort plantain, Common chickweed, Lesser trefoil, Moss, Knotgrass, Creeping cinquefoil. Pests including: Earthworms, Chafer grubs, Leatherjackets, Bibionid Flies, Frit Flies, Moles. Diseases and disorders including: Microdochium Patch, Snow Mould, Red Thread, Anthracnose, Fairy Rings, Take-all Patch, Red Leaf Spot, Rapid Blight, Pink Patch, Dollar Spot, Brown Patch, Leaf Spot/Melting Out, Rust, Powdery Mildew, Yellow Turf. Turfgrass disorders including: Dry patch, Black layer, Drought, Scorch, Nutrient Imbalance, Cold Stress, Heat Stress).
Back to Duty
K22: Methods and materials used for top dressing and the effect that weather has on the frequency and timing of top dressing operations across the golf course.
Back to Duty
K23: What fertilisers do, the types that can be used, common application rates and how they are applied.
Back to Duty
K24: Safe setup and operation of powered equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
Back to Duty
K25: Maintenance requirements for golf course tools, equipment and machinery and the importance of carrying out routine maintenance in accordance with required procedures.
Back to Duty
K26: The processes and safety checks appropriate for preparing and operating tractors with attachments for use on playing surfaces.
Back to Duty
K27: Maintenance requirements for lakes, ponds, ditches, waterways, pathways and other golf course hazards.
Back to Duty
K28: Soil texture and the methods used to obtain and record soil and plant health condition.
Back to Duty
K29: Ground preparation requirements to establish turf and plants.
Back to Duty
K30: Plant, tree and shrub identification and characteristics (Plants (herbaceous, bedding, wildflower and invasive) including: Himalayan Balsam, Marsh marigold, Fern, Ornamental yarrow, Purple loosestrife, Marigold, French marigold, Fuschia, Busy Lizzy, Petunia, Common poppy, Ornamental daisy, Ragwort, Bluebell, Harebell, Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed. Trees including: Pine, Oak, Silver birch, Beech, Ash, Hawthorn. Shrubs including: Broom, Cotoneaster, Gorse, Laurel, Dogwood, Heather, Photinia).
Back to Duty
S1: Identify and maintain natural habitats and areas of biodiversity.
Back to Duty
S2: Apply irrigation to achieve appropriate soil conditions and golf course playability.
Back to Duty
S3: Handle, store and dispose of golf course waste materials in accordance with environmental or waste management policies.
Back to Duty
S4: Monitor and maintain standards of health, safety and security for oneself, colleagues, golfers and visitors on the golf course and surrounding areas, in line with legislation and company policy and procedures.
Back to Duty
S5: Establish and maintain working relationships with greenkeeping staff, colleagues and others within the golf club environment.
Back to Duty
S6: Keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies to maintain and develop personal performance.
Back to Duty
S7: Communicate golf course related information to stakeholders, including greenkeeping staff, colleagues and golfers.
Back to Duty
S8: Mark and maintain golf areas in line with the Rules of Golf (including drop zones, hazard/ penalty areas, out of bounds and tee markers).
Back to Duty
S9: Measure, record and communicate green speeds applying the United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter instructions.
Back to Duty
S10: Position and change golf holes to the required finish and in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
Back to Duty
S11: Set up mowers and mow areas of the golf course in accordance with golf course standards.
Back to Duty
S12: Maintain and present bunkers for play.
Back to Duty
S13: Switch and brush golf course turf.
Back to Duty
S14: Set up equipment and aerate and scarify areas of the golf course.
Back to Duty
S15: Repair damaged golf turf in play (for example, by turfing, plugging or patching).
Back to Duty
S16: Use a range of integrated methods to control weeds, moss, fungal diseases, pests and turf disorder
Back to Duty
S17: Apply top dressing in accordance with golf course requirements.
Back to Duty
S18: Apply fertiliser to playing surfaces.
Back to Duty
S19: Prepare, set up, operate and store tools, equipment and machinery in line with manufacturers' instructions and to the required specifications, to ensure their safe and effective use on golf turf surfaces and surrounding areas.
Back to Duty
S20: Carry out routine maintenance to tools, equipment and machinery used for greenkeeping practices, in line with manufacturers' instructions and company policies and procedures.
Back to Duty
S21: Prepare and operate a tractor with attachments in line with manufacturers instructions, legislation and company policies and procedures (including risk assessment, hitching, and safe stop).
Back to Duty
S22: Maintain and renovate non-turf areas such as pathways, penalty areas.
Back to Duty
S23: Monitor and record soil and plant health data.
Back to Duty
S24: Prepare ground and establish turf and seed.
Back to Duty
S25: Identification of grass type through seed inspection and physical inspection of the plant using either common or botanical names.
Back to Duty
B1: Puts health and safety first for themselves, colleagues, golfers and visitors.
Back to Duty
B2: Has a flexible and positive attitude to work.
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B3: Team-focussed and works effectively with colleagues, others and as a lone worker.
Back to Duty
B4: Committed to keeping others informed and communicating accurately in a timely and positive manner.
Back to Duty
B5: Takes ownership of their own continuing professional development.
Back to Duty
B6: Has a strong work ethic, demonstrates integrity and is respectful of others.
Back to Duty
B7: Acts using own initiative to solve problems and make effective decisions within levels of own authority.
Back to Duty
English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | End-point assessment plan, standard and funding band revised | 01/11/2023 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 26/03/2015 | 31/10/2023 |
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