Industry Standard Skill Sets
The following three sets of skill sets have been developed and agreed by industry for the industry. A range of qualifications, both work-based and work-related are available to compliment these skill sets.
Golf Course Greenkeeper
A fully trained, qualified golf course greenkeeper must be competent in the following tasks:
1. Promoting the health and safety of self and others in accordance with relevant policies
Maintaining health, safety and security in the workplace
Responding to emergencies
Promoting the security of the workplace
2. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with managers, colleagues and golfers
Communicating effectively
Offering advice and help as appropriate
Dealing with conflict
Honouring commitments
Keeping management informed
Understanding roles and responsibilities
Understanding the values and characteristics of the golf club
3. Maintaining the golf course playing surfaces
(This should be in accordance with golf’s environmental policies and practices)
Switching and brushing
Mowing banks
Mowing rough
Mowing semi rough
Mowing fairways
Mowing surrounds and approaches
Mowing tees
Mowing greens
Scarifying/verticutting turf
Aerating turf
Applying top dressing
Applying nutrition
Repairing divots
Irrigating turf
Identifying and controlling weeds
Identifying and controlling pests
Identifying and control of turf diseases and disorders
Preparing ground to establish turf
Establishing turf
Identifying grasses on the golf course
4. Preparing the golf course for play
Marking of hazards, out of bounds and ground under repair
Moving tee markers
Maintaining bunkers
Maintaining golf course furniture
Changing holes
Rolling turf
5. Operating and maintaining machinery
(This should be in accordance with golf’s environmental policies and practices)
Driving a tractor with implements
Undertaking routine machine maintenance
Preparing machinery fro use
Preparing machinery for storage
6. Maintaining plants other than turf on the golf course
(This should be in accordance with golf’s environmental policies and practices)
Preparing ground to establish plants on the golf course
Establishing plants on the golf course
Maintaining trees and shrubs on the golf course
Identifying plants on the golf course
Golf Course Supervisor
The person supervising golf course greenkeepers must be a competent greenkeeper and must also be competent in the following tasks:
1. Supervising golf course greenkeepers
Promoting, monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security of self, team and others
Hold team meetings
Communicating information to staff, management and golfers
Briefing teams
Allocating work
Motivating staff
Training staff
Reviewing staff performance
Implementing the values and characteristics of the golf club
2. Survey and report on the condition of the environment
Collect and record data on the golf course environment
Report on the condition of the golf course environment
3. Supervising the construction and/or renovation of golf course greens, tees and bunkers
Supervising construction/renovation projects
Estimating resource requirements and programming work
4. Supervising the maintenance of a golf course
Supervising the greenkeeping staff
Supervising turf maintenance
Planning and ensuring the maintenance of a golf course in accordance with the golf course policy document
Supervising the preparation of machines fro use
Supervising the maintenance of machines
Supervising the preparation of the machines for storage
Operate and maintain irrigation systems
Maintain drainage systems
Controlling weeds, pests and diseases
Golf Course Manager
The person managing golf course supervisors must be a competent golf course supervisor and must also be competent in the following tasks:
1. Managing the golf course business
Making decisions and recommendations in accordance with employment law, health and safety law
and environmental policies and practices
Make recommendations on an implement a golf course maintenance policy
Manage the golf course environment
Managing meetings
Communicating to staff, colleagues, other managers, golfers and others
Briefing teams, managers and golfers
Managing budgets and finance
Manage the recruitment, selection and induction of staff
Managing the performance, training and development of self and staff
Manage conflict, discipline and grievance
Promoting the values and characteristics of the golf club
2. Managing the development of the golf course
Managing the construction of golf course features
Recommending and managing golf course development policies
Managing projects
3. Managing the maintenance of the golf course
Manage golf course maintenance in accordance with the golf course policy document
Managing the greenkeeping team
Managing the process of health and safety on the golf course
Managing the use of physical resources
Managing teams and individuals to enhance performance
Managing, implementing and evaluating golf course maintenance and the environment
Plan and manage the control of weeds, pests and diseases
