what is golf course management

by Travon Olson 6 min read

That ‘other way’ does exist, and it is commonly known as golf course management. That is the name given to making smart decisions as you work your way around the course, whether it is picking the right club for a certain shot, or picking a safe target line to keep your ball out of harm’s way.

Golf course management is very much how we golfers can consider our approach to around or a course and how we want to actually manage our way round the course. It is about planning, about knowing your game and having an honest discussion with yourself about how that fits with whatever course you are playing.

Full Answer

What does a golf course manager do?

A golf management company is tasked with managing a golf course and making it thrive economically. These groups are paid a fee each month to turn around a course’s fortunes and make them profitable.

How to score better through golf course management?

Golf course managers are responsible for making sure the fairways are kept in peak condition, as well as managing all business functions of the course, from finances to food and beverage. Check out the pros and cons of greens keeping to decide if it's the right course for you. Pros of a Golf Course Management Career.

What colleges offer golf management?

Golf course management degrees, which are often labeled turfgrass science or turfgrass management, prepare students for careers maintaining a golf course. This is not to be confused with a Professional Golf Management degree, which trains students to manage the golf operations of a facility or golf organization.

What is a golf course manager?

Why is course management important in golf?

So what does this have to do with golf course management? Simply put, it's your job to position your ball below the hole as often as possible throughout the round. Try picking targets that error on the side of being below the hole, so you can enjoy the benefit of chipping and putting uphill more often.Aug 4, 2018

What is a golf course manager called?

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 can you do with a golf management degree?

What can you do with an golf management degree?Head Golf Professional.Assistant Golf Professional.Director of Instruction.General Manager of a Country Club or Resort.Golf Coach (University)

What is the responsibility of the golf course manager?

As a golf course manager, you'd be in charge of supervising and directing all operations at the golf course. This may include hiring and firing personnel as well as training them. You may also coordinate schedules of tournaments, lessons, golf teams and regular tee-off times.

What are golf course employees called?

Staff Professional 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.

How do you become a general manager of a golf course?

General Manager Education and Training Many golf course GMs have bachelor's degrees in business management, hospitality or administration, and some have pursued courses of study specifically in managing golf courses, including courses in finance and/or accounting.

How do I start a career in golf management?

How to start a career in golf course managementEarn a bachelor's degree. While some golf course management jobs accept individuals with a high school diploma, it may be helpful to earn a bachelor's degree as well. ... Gain professional experience. ... Obtain a professional certificate. ... Find a management position.May 20, 2021

Do professional golfers have managers?

The agenting may come in more specific times of the year when we're doing contract renewals or we're negotiating a new deal, whereas the management side is more day to day: actually being there and supporting the wishes and the goals of a player and trying to take as much off of his plate as possible so he can perform ...Mar 22, 2017

How do you become a PGA?

In America, there are two ways to gain PGA membership – through the Professional Golf Management (PGM) Associate Program or via one of the 18 colleges and universities that offer the PGA-accredited Professional Golf Management Program.Jun 30, 2021

Build A Conservative Plan

Many golfers choose to use a more-aggressive golf course management strategy simply because it sounds like more fun. After all, who doesn’t want to...

Harness The Power of Uphill

Once you are inside 50 yards or so from the green, ideally you want to be playing uphill as often as possible. Short shots are almost always easier...

Avoid The Dreaded Short Side

Just like the idea that you want to be playing chip shots downhill as little as possible, you also want to avoid chipping from the short side of th...

Start Thinking Two Shots Ahead

Often it can be our tendency to try to cover as much ground as possible with every single shot. The problem with this strategy is that it can lead...

What is golf course management?

At the heart of the matter, golf course management is really about putting yourself in situations that play to your strengths, and avoiding situations that expose your weaknesses. Think about the golf course like the defense of a football team. The bunkers, water hazards, slopes, trees, etc., are all defenders that are trying to stop you ...

How to improve your golf game?

To commit to improving your game through course management , the first step is to quit working on your swing for a while. That doesn’t mean you should stop practicing, just stop tinkering or making any technical changes (at least for the time being). For now, stick with the swing you currently have, and get to work lowering your scores through better thinking on the course.

What is the short side of the green?

For those who are not familiar with the term, the short side of the green is the side which is closest to the location of the pin that day. Without much green to work with, you will likely have a harder time chipping the ball close to the hole, and therefore a harder time getting up and down to save your par.

What do golf course managers need?

They need knowledge of finance and accounting principles for setting and maintaining budgets and properly handling revenues. They must be skilled in sales and marketing for promoting the course and the sport of golf and encouraging community involvement in events.

What is the job of a golf course manager?

The general manager of a golf course oversees day-to-day operations, including course and facilities maintenance, pro shop administration, food and beverage service, customer relations and event management. At any given moment, you must answer to the demands of the course or club owner, members of the board of directors, ...

How many years of experience do you need to be a golf course manager?

A degree in golf course, business administration or hospitality management and, on average, five years of management experience in a service-oriented industry are generally the minimum requirements for becoming a golf course manager.

What is a PGA member?

PGA members are certified golf instructors who have the business expertise necessary to manage all types of golf facilities. Along with the prestige that comes with membership, the PGA offers 100% job placement for members as well as continuing education and professional certification options.

What is the most penal shot in golf?

Landing in fairway bunkers is one of the most penal shots in golf, and any stats expert would tell you that avoiding them will save you strokes over time. Here are two examples of important fairway bunkers at my course.

Who is Jon Sherman?

Jon Sherman is the owner of Practical Golf, a website dedicated to being an honest resource for the everyday golfer who is looking to enjoy the game more, as well as improve. He is the author of the bestselling book 101 Mistakes All Golfers Make (and how to fix them).

How do I get a good score in golf?

A good score comes from managing your way around the golf course. Giving yourself the best opportunity to play to your strengths, whilst steering away from danger should you hit the ball a little fat or experience a wayward drive. This is called course management, or having a golfing strategy.

What is the short side of the green?

Tip #10 – Avoid the dreaded short side of the green. Being short-sided is when you have the least amount of green available, between the ball and the flag. For example, if a hole is located in the middle of the green but to the left hand side. And the golfer misses the green to the left.

Is golf a game of perfect?

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “golf isn’t a game of perfect”, or “there’s no pictures on the scorecard”. A good score doesn’t come from stringing together lots of great drives and amazing approach shots. That’s how a great score is born. A good score comes from managing your way around the golf course.

What is golf course management?

Golf course management is a degree that can be attained at a number of accredited universities around the country. This undergraduate degree teaches students how to design, construct and manage a golf course. With thousands of golf courses around the country and the world, management opportunities are plentiful.

Where is Augusta Technical College?

The Augusta Technical College in Augusta, Georgia, near the famed Masters Tournament course, offers golf management degrees in 18 months and over six quarterly semesters.

Where is Matthew Fortuna?

Matthew Fortuna is a full-time freelance writer with a journalism degree from Wayne State University, living in the Detroit metropolitan area. He has written about a wide range of topics across varying publications, including Demand Studios, wiseGEEK.com and Suite101.com, among others. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Wayne State ...

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