A Head Greenkeeper is responsible for ensuring that every part of the golf course is maintained to the highest possible standard by supervising a team of greenkeepers who carry out maintenance and renovations. They will have the support of a Deputy Head Greenkeeper at larger golf courses and will manage the budget and liaise with the club’s committee and members.
The four key areas on a golf course comprise tees, fairways, greens and areas of rough, each of which require a different type of maintenance. Head Greenkeepers are also responsible for the maintenance and planting of trees, shrubs and flowerbeds around the course.
You’ll need:
an interest and knowledge of golf - if a Head Greenkeeper can play golf, they can see the course from a golfer’s view as well as their own
great practical knowledge of greenkeeping, plant and soil science
a knowledge of irrigation/draining methods and equipment
patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure
good management and budgetary skills
good administrative skills and attention to detail
good communication skills and able to connect with different audiences
good IT skills, as a lot of equipment is computer operated
A full DBS, Disclosure Scotland or Garda Vetting check may be required if the role involves working with children or vulnerable people. A driving licence can be useful if covering a large site or travelling between several sites.
You’ll need to have achieved qualifications and certificates of competence to apply pesticides safely - these will include a mandatory Safe Use of Pesticides qualification, followed by the method of application being used e.g. hand held equipment, etc. You'll also need to take courses and gain certificates of competence to operate equipment and use machinery.
Around 37-40 hours a week. The hours worked can be longer in the spring and summer months - work may start at around 6am to complete tasks before the course is open to golfers. As golf courses usually open seven days a week, weekend work is common.
Ensure the playing surface is maintained to the requirements of the sporting body regulations and safe for players
Tour the course/pitch each day – this will often be early morning to not interfere with play
Oversee the construction of new surfaces in line with design plans
Manage budgets, finance and resources
Manage recruitment, selection and training of staff
Direct and motivate staff and contractors
Present information on the course at committee/course owner meetings
Compose and manage the course environmental policy
Manage specific projects and events
You’ll spend your time between outdoors on the green, in all weathers, and the office dealing with all management aspects of the golf course.
Training is an essential part of any job, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to do your job safely and correctly. It also helps to strengthen your current skill set and prepares you for the next stage in your career.
Apprenticeships help you build the experience and skills that employers want to see. No matter what stage you’re at, they’ll help set you up for a bright future. There are lots of ways to get involved.
You may progress to manage several golf courses or move into golf course design. There may also be opportunities to work overseas or becoming self-employed, offering advice to private courses.
After gaining three years’ experience at Head Greenkeeper level, you could become a candidate for the BIGGA Master Greenkeeper Certificate.
Head Greenkeeper will usually work in one of the following industries. Click below to find out more about possible career paths.
The world of horticulture and landscaping is fast-moving, ever-changing and leading the way in combatting climate change.
Growing and harvesting plants for financial, environmental or social benefits not only helps the environment, it can also boost wellbeing – and from lawn mowing to landscaping, greenkeeping to scientific research, horticulture offers a huge range of rewarding careers.
Humans have been been growing plants and maintaining the natural environment since ancient times and horticulture has never stopped changing and adapting. As we learn more about the impact of climate change and weather extremes, horticulturalists are dealing with some of the biggest issues of the day: what will we plant in the future if resources like water and nutrients become limited? How do we make the most of the rapid advances in growing techniques, machinery, and cultivation?
Horticulture and landscaping plays an important part in our economy. It’s a dynamic industry, with continuous research and development and a focus on using technology to make growing more sustainable. That has created a range of exciting job opportunities for people who are passionate about plants, science and growing solutions.
The UK horticulture industry is worth over £9 billion each year
The industry supports the employment of almost 340,000 people, with landscapers and retailers accounting for 83% of the total
Private gardening is an important activity for UK citizens, with households spending £7.5bn on gardening goods, including cut-flowers, a year
The Republic of Ireland's horticulture industry is valued at €477m; it is the fourth largest industry after dairy, beef and pigs in terms of gross agricultural commodity output value
The industry employs approximately 17,000 people in the Republic of Ireland - an estimated 6,600 people directly employed full-time and another 11,000 indirectly employed in value-added and downstream businesses
These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
To find out more about qualification levels in England please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) .
To find out more about qualification levels in Northern Ireland please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
To find out more about qualification levels in the Republic of Ireland, please visit National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland (NFQIE)
To find out more about qualification levels in Scotland please visit Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
To find out more about qualification levels in Wales please visit Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
| Title | Level |
|---|
These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
Whether you’re just starting out in the workplace, want to upskill or are considering changing direction, Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to build your career. Apprenticeships combine work with on-the-job training, so if you want to earn as you learn, there’s an apprenticeship out there for you – you can even start an apprenticeship if you already have a degree.
Work, earn and learn – no matter where you are in your career, an apprenticeship can set you up for a bright future.
Let’s get started!
Want to take on an apprentice? Employers start here.
An apprenticeship is a unique blend of work experience and study to help build the skills and knowledge you need for your career. Apprentices are employees – they have a contract, are paid and get the same benefits as everyone else. But the difference between an apprenticeship and a normal job is that apprentices are regularly released from work for training. Sometimes that’s a day a week, sometimes it’s for a longer block – it all depends on the job and the apprenticeship.
Apprentices work for all kinds of people at all kinds of stages in their lives. Most apprentices fall into one of three categories:
Previously restricted to school leavers and young people, apprenticeships are now a dynamic way of retraining people of all ages - there’s no upper age limit. The minimum age to become an apprentice is 16 and candidates can’t be in full-time education.
Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of paid work and study. They’re an exciting option for anyone who wants to gain experience, upskill or change career while working.
They offer a chance to work, learn and earn:
Interested in becoming an apprentice? Search for current opportunities and apply here.
Find your apprenticeship
You can also check vacancies on employer websites or get in touch with your local careers service.
What’s it like to work, earn and learn? Find out what apprentice life is really like.
Explore apprenticeship stories
British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA)
Find out more
The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH)
Find out more
Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC)
Find out more
Horticulture Wales
Find out more
Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (The Caley)
Find out more
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
Find out more
Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH)
Find out more
Horticulture Forum NI
Find out more
Horticultural Trades Association (HTA)
Find out more
Thinking about your finances is important when you're looking at courses and training - different types of funding support is available depending on what type of course you're interested in and where you are located. We recommend you contact the training provider for more information on course costs and financing, but here are some links to connect you to support available:
Skills Hub Scotland is an online skill sharing marketplace creating new opportunities to learn and share skills. Wherever you are located - if you have a skill to share, or a skill to learn, Skills Hub Scotland can help.
Initially founded as a response to the Scottish Government’s CivTech 5 programme in 2020 and aiming to offer a platform for those in rural or remote locations, Skills Hub Scotland has been developed into an important sectoral resource. If you have a skill to share with others or are a training provider, list your workshop or course (all skills from all sectors are welcome). If you are a learner, use Skills Hub Scotland to search for and book a course!
STEM is an approach to learning and development that incorporates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Learning in STEM connects to Education for Sustainable Development/Learning for Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals – this helps learners to understand that STEM plays a vital role in finding solutions to real world issues or challenges such as protecting biodiversity and tackling climate change. There are multiple pathways into a land-based STEM career including apprenticeships, further and higher education. This means that a career in STEM is open to everyone!
STEM Learning is the largest provider of STEM education and careers support in the UK. Their STEM Ambassadors programme sees volunteers representing a vast range of STEM-related jobs work with young people to bring STEM subjects alive through real life experiences. They help to open the doors to a world of opportunities and possibilities which come from pursuing STEM subjects and careers. To become a STEM Ambassador, you can register via the STEM Learning website: https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/join-stem-ambassador-programme
Lantra have worked in collaboration with STEM Ambassadors in Scotland to create two specific UK-wide Ambassadors schemes - Forestry and Aquaculture. Through these schemes, we want to make sure that those working in forestry and aquaculture have the support materials they need to take part in STEM activities. To find out more and register for the schemes, please follow the links below:
Smart Futures helps young people in Ireland discover the STEM subjects and careers that might be right for them. Co-ordinated and managed by Science Foundation Ireland, their programme allows young people to connect with people that are working in STEM, the organisations they’re working in and what their interests and skills are.
Why not take a look at the Industries Explorer as an introduction to the different areas you could work in.
If we can support you with any specific information, please click the button below to get in touch.
