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Apprenticeship training course

Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

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Information about Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • The environmental risks golf greenkeeping working practices present to people, animals, insects, plants, waterways and how these can be minimised.
  • How golf course maintenance can interact with the natural environment to enhance biodiversity and conserve natural habitats.
  • The impact of climate change on golf course sustainability (including course condition and playability, materials, coastal change).
  • Typical components of golf course drainage and irrigation systems.
  • Methods of sustainable waste management on and around the golf course and facilities (including, storage, disposal and consideration of water course).
  • 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).
  • Methods used to develop and maintain effective working relationships (including greenkeeper's Code of Practice and Code of Ethics).
  • How to keep up to date with advances in golf greenkeeping working practices and technologies.
  • The methods of verbal and written communication and how they can be adapted to suit the situation and audience.
  • The importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
  • Markings for golf areas (including drop zones, hazard/ penalty areas, out of bounds, tee markers).
  • Golf green playing requirements and standards and how to measure green speed in line with United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter instructions.
  • Principles, methods and equipment used to change holes (including Rules of Golf, choosing position and required finish).
  • Rotary and cylinder mower types used on a golf course, their application and safe setup and operation.
  • 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).
  • Ground conditions affecting mowing and typical mowing problems (including scalping, tearing, ribbing, wash boarding, nap to grain).
  • The features of a sand bunker and how they should be maintained and presented.
  • The methods used for switching and brushing turf.
  • The benefits of aeration, scarification, grooming and verticutting and typical equipment and methods used.
  • Typical turf defects and methods of golf course turf repair (including overseeding, pitch mark and divot repair).
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • What fertilisers do, the types that can be used, common application rates and how they are applied.
  • Safe setup and operation of powered equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
  • Maintenance requirements for golf course tools, equipment and machinery and the importance of carrying out routine maintenance in accordance with required procedures.
  • The processes and safety checks appropriate for preparing and operating tractors with attachments for use on playing surfaces.
  • Maintenance requirements for lakes, ponds, ditches, waterways, pathways and other golf course hazards.
  • Soil texture and the methods used to obtain and record soil and plant health condition.
  • Ground preparation requirements to establish turf and plants.
  • 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).

Skills

  • Identify and maintain natural habitats and areas of biodiversity.
  • Apply irrigation to achieve appropriate soil conditions and golf course playability.
  • Handle, store and dispose of golf course waste materials in accordance with environmental or waste management policies.
  • 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.
  • Establish and maintain working relationships with greenkeeping staff, colleagues and others within the golf club environment.
  • Keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies to maintain and develop personal performance.
  • Communicate golf course related information to stakeholders, including greenkeeping staff, colleagues and golfers.
  • Mark and maintain golf areas in line with the Rules of Golf (including drop zones, hazard/ penalty areas, out of bounds and tee markers).
  • Measure, record and communicate green speeds applying the United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter instructions.
  • Position and change golf holes to the required finish and in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
  • Set up mowers and mow areas of the golf course in accordance with golf course standards.
  • Maintain and present bunkers for play.
  • Switch and brush golf course turf.
  • Set up equipment and aerate and scarify areas of the golf course.
  • Repair damaged golf turf in play (for example, by turfing, plugging or patching).
  • Use a range of integrated methods to control weeds, moss, fungal diseases, pests and turf disorder
  • Apply top dressing in accordance with golf course requirements.
  • Apply fertiliser to playing surfaces.
  • 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.
  • Carry out routine maintenance to tools, equipment and machinery used for greenkeeping practices, in line with manufacturers' instructions and company policies and procedures.
  • 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).
  • Maintain and renovate non-turf areas such as pathways, penalty areas.
  • Monitor and record soil and plant health data.
  • Prepare ground and establish turf and seed.
  • Identification of grass type through seed inspection and physical inspection of the plant using either common or botanical names.

Behaviours

  • Puts health and safety first for themselves, colleagues, golfers and visitors.
  • Has a flexible and positive attitude to work.
  • Team-focussed and works effectively with colleagues, others and as a lone worker.
  • Committed to keeping others informed and communicating accurately in a timely and positive manner.
  • Takes ownership of their own continuing professional development.
  • Has a strong work ethic, demonstrates integrity and is respectful of others.
  • Acts using own initiative to solve problems and make effective decisions within levels of own authority.
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Agriculture, environmental and animal care
Qualification level
2
Equal to GCSE
Course duration
24 months
Maximum funding
£6,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Golf greenkeeper

View more information about Golf greenkeeper (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.