what does a groundskeeper do at a golf course

What does a golf course groundskeeper do?

• Landscaping. The primary duty of a golf course groundskeeper is to maintain the landscaping. ...
• Course maintenance. Golf course groundskeepers are also responsible for checking the courses for any deterioration or hazards that may occur.
• Managing teams. ...
• Equipment maintenance. ...
• Event preparation. ...
• Animal control. ...

Full Answer

What does a groundskeeper do?

Golf course groundskeepers are responsible for achieving and maintaining those lush landscapes, and for ensuring the safety and accessibility of the course's grounds to all users.

Do you thank the groundskeepers on your golf course?

If you appreciate the conditions of your golf course, don't forget to thank the groundskeepers. When a typical golfer steps up to his ball, chances are he's thinking about the configuration of the fairway ahead of him, or how far he is from the green, or where the pin has been placed that day.

What education do you need to become a groundskeeper?

An entry-level groundskeeper needs a high school diploma or GED. Someone interested in a career in outdoor work might want to take high school or postsecondary courses in field biology, geology, business and communication to gain skills and scientific knowledge that can help in groundskeeper work.

How do groundskeepers keep the grass green?

The green is a particular challenge, as the short, firm grass must be kept perfectly weed-free. Groundskeepers not only cut and trim the grass, but apply pesticides, weed prevention chemicals and the proper amount of irrigation to make sure the grass thrives.

What are the duties of groundskeeper?

Duties/ Responsibilities:Mows lawns, trims weeds, and rakes leaves as assigned.Picks up and removes trash prior to mowing a designated area.Empties trash and recycling containers.Trims bushes, shrubs, and hedges.Prepares soil and plants flowers, bushes, hedges, or shrubs.More items...

What does a greenskeeper do at a golf course?

Greenskeepers maintain golf courses. Their work is similar to that of groundskeepers, but they also periodically relocate holes on putting greens and maintain benches and tee markers along the course and provide more intense turf maintenance.

What skills do you need to be a grounds keeper?

Groundskeeper Skills and QualificationsAbility to lift 50 pounds.Familiarity with sprinkler systems and other landscaping equipment.Knowledge of gardening techniques.Knowledge of gardening products such as fertilizers and pesticides.Physical stamina and the ability to stand for long periods of time.More items...

What do you call a person who maintains a golf course?

A golf course superintendent (or greenkeeper) is a person responsible for the care and upkeep of a golf course or a sport turf playing surface.

What is a greenkeeper salary?

The average salary for a greenkeeper is £24,330 per year in London.

How do I become a golf groundskeeper?

There are many routes into a career in greenkeeping. You might start with an apprenticeship, on-the-job training or you might undertake a full time college course. Each Golf Club has its own recruitment process, ranging from a single interview to a series of interviews and assessments.

What is the difference between a landscaper and a groundskeeper?

Other landscaper duties include planting trees and shrubbery, fertilizing and watering plants and constructing patios and walkways. And groundskeepers' work isn't confined to greenery; they might maintain swimming pools and fountains or ensure picnic areas and public spaces are free of litter.

What's another word for groundskeeper?

What is another word for groundskeeper?parkkeepergroundsmanpark rangerpark warden

What is groundskeeper mean?

Definition of groundskeeper : a person who cares for the grounds of a usually large property (such as a sports field)

Who would manage the golf course grounds?

A golf course superintendent is a person who professionally manages the labor, time, materials and financial resources needed to care for the turfgrass and landscaped grounds on a golf course. Golf course superintendents have also been referred to as greenskeepers and turf managers.

What are the job titles at a golf course?

List of Golf Course CareersOverview. ... General Manager. ... Head Golf Professional. ... Staff Professional. ... Course Superintendent. ... Caddy Master. ... Starters and Rangers. ... Food and Beverage Manager.

What skills do you need to work at a golf course?

Top 12 skills to get a super jobAgronomy skills. “Clubs are looking for an individual with good agronomic skills. ... Strong leadership abilities. ... Good writing and communication skills. ... Strong character and decisiveness. ... Team player. ... Approachability. ... Sound financial and administrative skills. ... Experience with improvements.More items...

What is a golf course groundskeeper?

A golf course groundskeeper is the person who maintains the land and plant life on a golf course. Golf courses can comprise over 50 acres of land covered with grass and aesthetically pleasing foliage. They also have golf pins—holes in the grass—and a variety of obstacles that characterize the course, like ponds or sand pits.

Job requirements for golf course groundskeepers

Here are some general job requirements if you're interested in becoming a golf course groundskeeper:

Average salary

The national average salary for a groundskeeper is $42,564 per year. The average overtime compensation for this position is $4,000 a year as well.

Work environment

A golf course's work environment may differ depending on its location. Groundskeepers mostly work outside and, because of golf course standards, they typically work in grassy and foliage-heavy environments. This may be a benefit for someone who prefers to be outside, wants to work with their hands and enjoys gardening.

What do groundkeepers do?

Groundskeepers not only cut and trim the grass, but apply pesticides, weed prevention chemicals and the proper amount of irrigation to make sure the grass thrives. They also repair areas where the ground has been damaged, so they must know how to prepare soil and seed it, or how to lay new sod.

When do groundskeepers work?

Very early in the morning -- before play begins for the day -- groundskeepers are typically hard at work. They may also work after dark, once the players have left the course.

What is required to maintain a golf course?

A variety of machines are required to maintain a golf course’s grass. Groundskeepers must know how to operate different types of mowers and trimmers, and learn the proper procedures for trimming around areas such as bunkers, cart paths, fences and trees.

What is the importance of grass in golf?

Grass and Ground Maintenance. Grass is, obviously, a key foundational element of any golf course. Grass on the tee area, fairway, green and rough must all be kept healthy and maintained at the correct height. The green is a particular challenge, as the short, firm grass must be kept perfectly weed-free. Groundskeepers not only cut and trim the ...

How much do golf course mechanics make?

Overall, facilities with full-time mechanics budget, on average, around $27,500 annual for equipment maintenance and pay mechanics an average salary of $42,900, with around $70,000 on the high-end of the compensation spectrum and $27,000 on the low-end, the data says.

How much do superintendents of golf courses make?

The average golf superintendent salary was just over $89,000 per year as of 2017, according to the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Superintendents who are certified by the GCSAA earn average salaries of $109,620.

How do you become a golf course superintendent?

To become a golf course superintendent, you need to earn an undergraduate certificate or bachelor's degree in golf and turf management. Either of these programs equips you with the technical skills to maintain functional turf grass environments and the human relation skills to manage golf course workers.

How much does a manager of a golf course make?

The average salary for "golf course management" ranges from approximately $56,458 per year for General Manager to $94,902 per year for Superintendent.

How much money does a MLB Groundskeeper make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics published a median annual salary of $28,110 or, $13.51 per hour, in 2017. Salaries for high-level professional stadium groundskeepers may be higher.

What do you call someone who works at a golf course?

PGA teaching professionals are sometimes called assistants and work underneath the head pro. Many of them teach, work in the golf shop and coordinate golf course events and tournaments. These staffers are many times certified PGA professionals or in the PGA apprentice program.

How do you maintain a golf course?

Prioritize Sustainability. It takes a lot of water, electricity and fertilizer to maintain all that vibrant green turf.

What is a groundskeeper?

Groundskeeper is required to be able to complete a large variety of tasks throughout the day. Groundskeeper tasks can be generally categorized as manual labor and are related to landscaping. Landscape maintenance tasks include: operating different types of walking lawn mowers, raking of debris, use of string trimmers, operation of powered debris blowers, use of chainsaw, and operation of other motorized equipment. Tasks specific to golf course maintenance include: raking bunkers, mowing greens, changing hole locations, hand watering, blowing debris, filling ball washers, filling water coolers, moving tee markers, etc. Groundskeepers must have a valid driver license and be able to drive various types of golf carts and utility vehicles in order to complete the above tasks. In addition, Groundskeepers are often called upon to complete or assist in all tasks on the course including: special projects, irrigation repair, fertilizer and chemical applications, and other general maintenance tasks. Groundskeepers primarily work under the supervision of the Golf Course Superintendent and Assistant Superintendents. Occasionally groundskeepers may work under the supervision of a Foreman or Equipment Operator.

What is outdoor work?

Outdoors working environment subject to pre-dawn hours and adverse conditions such as heat, cold, rain and in awkward and confined spaces. Complete manual labor for long periods of time, walking on uneven surfaces, bending, crouching, or kneeling, pushing/pulling of levers on equipment and machinery, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time. Work in and around potentially hazardous substances, including pesticides, herbicides and motor fuel. Physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment, ability to drive an automobile.

What is a groundskeeper?

A groundskeeper is responsible for the outdoor areas of a business or facility. Companies with large properties typically use a team of groundskeepers who work with landscape architects, head gardeners and other maintenance workers to maintain a clean yard and outdoor area. Government-owned parks also employ groundskeepers to maintain the grass, ...

What are the duties of a groundkeeper?

Groundskeepers are typically responsible for the following tasks: 1 Performing regular tasks for basic lawn care 2 Maintaining lawn equipment 3 Keeping an inventory of maintenance equipment and materials 4 Ordering materials, such as mulch and soil and arranging for delivery or pickup 5 Operating vehicles, such as riding lawn mowers, tractors and pickup trucks 6 Controlling weeds and pests 7 Performing some janitorial duties, such as trash pickup and gutter cleaning to maintain a healthy property 8 Planting flowers and plants for ground cover 9 Laying and spreading mulch 10 Watering plants and grass

What do groundskeepers need to keep up with?

Keeping up with a healthy lawn requires many materials, such as gardening soil, mulch and flower seeds or bulbs. A groundskeeper must be skilled in keeping track of inventory and ordering materials as needed.

What is needed to maintain a healthy lawn?

Organization. Keeping up with a healthy lawn requires many materials, such as gardening soil, mulch and flower seeds or bulbs. A groundskeeper must be skilled in keeping track of inventory and ordering materials as needed.

How does a groundskeeper communicate?

A groundskeeper uses verbal communication to provide instructions and report on progress with fellow maintenance workers and supervisors. They may use written and verbal communication when ordering new supplies and interacting with suppliers. They should use active listening to fully understand instructions to ensure they complete tasks correctly.

How much does a groundskeeper make an hour?

Common salary in the U.S.: $13.28 per hour. Some salaries range from $7.25 to $22.25 per hour.

What are some janitorial duties?

Performing some janitorial duties, such as trash pickup and gutter cleaning to maintain a healthy property. Planting flowers and plants for ground cover. Laying and spreading mulch. Watering plants and grass.

Groundskeeping Duties

An assistant groundskeeper at a public course will have very different responsibilities than the head groundskeeper at an elite country club.

Professional Management Program

As of 2012, there are 20 PGA-accredited universities in the United States that award degrees in golf management. Programs include groundskeeping courses, but also focus on areas such as golf course management, marketing and teaching. North Carolina State, for example, offers classes in golf course turf management and golf course architecture.

Turfgrass Management

Aspiring groundskeepers looking for a more focused curriculum can pursue a degree in turfgrass management or turfgrass science.

PGA Tour Staff

PGA Tour agronomists visit courses about eight to 10 weeks before a tour event and work with the local groundskeepers to prepare the course for tournament play. PGA Tour agronomists typically have degrees in agronomy or turf grass management.