Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Golf Course Maintenance Worker

🎯 Role Definition

The Golf Course Maintenance Worker (groundskeeper / greenkeeper) is a skilled, safety‑focused turf and landscape technician responsible for day‑to‑day cultural practices that produce high‑quality playing surfaces. Core duties include mowing, edging, aeration, topdressing, irrigation operation and repair, pest/disease scouting, bunker and landscape care, equipment maintenance, and course setup for daily play and tournaments. This role requires knowledge of turfgrass science, irrigation systems, pesticide/fertilizer application (per label and regulations), and routine mechanical maintenance to support the superintendent and seasonal crew.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Seasonal Golf Course Worker or Course Attendant transitioning to full‑time Groundskeeper
Lawn care / commercial landscaping technician with turf experience
High school graduate or technical school graduate with turf/landscape coursework

Advancement To:

Assistant Superintendent (Greens or Turf)
Golf Course Superintendent
Irrigation Technician / Irrigation Manager
Equipment Manager or Fleet Technician

Lateral Moves:

Sports Turf Manager (athletic fields, stadiums)
Municipal Parks and Recreation Groundskeeper
Commercial Landscape Contractor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Mow greens, tees, fairways, collars and roughs using triplex mowers, reel mowers and rotary mowers with precision to maintain height of cut and presentation standards for tees, greens and fairways.
Perform daily course setup tasks including hole cutting, flag placement, tee marker placement, pin sheet preparation and bunker raking to ensure consistent playing conditions and excellent guest experience.
Operate, adjust and maintain automatic irrigation controllers, valves and pumps; monitor irrigation schedules and water usage to preserve turf health and conserve water resources.
Diagnose turfgrass health issues by scouting for signs of disease, insect pests, nutrient deficiencies and environmental stress; implement cultural and chemical control measures in coordination with the superintendent.
Mix, calibrate and apply fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides in accordance with label instructions and state/local regulations; maintain accurate application records and safety data sheets (SDS).
Perform aeration, core cultivation, slit seeding, overseeding and topdressing programs to improve soil structure, root zone and turf density across greens, tees and fairways.
Conduct regular bunker maintenance including sand redistribution, edging, drainage checks and sand replacement to maintain playability and course aesthetics.
Maintain drainage systems, ditches, culverts and French drains to prevent standing water, reduce turf stress and protect course infrastructure.
Service, inspect and perform routine mechanical maintenance on mowers, tractors, utility vehicles, pumps and hand tools (oil changes, blade sharpening, belt replacement, greasing) to ensure safe, reliable equipment operation.
Operate heavy equipment safely — tractors, loaders, skid steers and utility vehicles — for turf renovations, material transport and landscape projects while following OSHA and club safety procedures.
Monitor and adjust soil moisture through hand watering, irrigation adjustments and wetting agents to protect sensitive areas and support recovery after cultural operations or extreme weather events.
Repair turf damage from aerification, divots, carts, frost or play by performing sod replacement, slit seeding, patching and turf cultivation with attention to match existing turf textures and blends.
Maintain property landscapes: prune trees and shrubs, edge beds, mulch planting areas, install seasonal annuals and control invasive plants to preserve aesthetics and course sightlines.
Keep detailed turf and chemical application logs, maintenance checklists and inventory records to support compliance, budgeting and superintendent reporting.
Assist with seasonal projects such as overseeding, fairway renovation, irrigation winterization/spring start‑up, tee rebuilds and bunker reconstruction under superintendent direction.
Load, unload and manage fertilizer, seed, sand and topdressing materials; coordinate deliveries and maintain safe material handling practices and storage.
Inspect and maintain perimeter facilities including cart paths, bridges, signage, irrigation boxes and course furniture to ensure safety and a professional environment for members and guests.
Provide courteous, professional communication to members, guests and pro shop staff regarding course conditions, temporary closures and tournament set‑ups while representing club standards.
Participate in integrated pest management (IPM) practices, record keeping, scouting programs and sustainability initiatives to reduce chemical inputs and support environmental stewardship.
Assist in training and supervising seasonal crew members on safe equipment operation, mowing patterns, irrigation basics and course presentation standards to maintain quality and safety.
Implement and follow safety protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, MSDS/SDS practices and spill containment procedures for all chemicals and fuels to minimize risk and regulatory exposure.
Perform snow removal and winter weather response on driveways, walkways and operational areas when required by climate and club needs to maintain year‑round operations.
Collaborate with the superintendent on small capital projects, irrigation troubleshooting, and labor planning to improve efficiency and course quality.

Secondary Functions

Assist with tournament and event setup logistics — pin placements, tee markers, temporary fencing and signage — ensuring timely and accurate course presentation for competitions and outings.
Support inventory management: track parts, chemicals, turf products and supplies; notify superintendent when stock levels require reordering to avoid interruptions in maintenance schedules.
Participate in sustainability and water‑use reduction initiatives such as moisture sensor implementation, drought‑tolerant turf trials and native plantings along rough edges and waste areas.
Help coordinate outside contractors for tree care, irrigation repairs or landscape projects and act as on‑site liaison to ensure work meets club standards and schedules.
Provide input to the superintendent on capital and operating budget needs for equipment repair, replacement parts and turf supplies based on observed wear and performance.
Maintain clubhouse and practice facility grounds (tees, short game area, practice tees, cart paths) to support overall facility appearance and guest experience.
Assist with basic mechanical troubleshooting (fuel systems, hydraulics, electrical connections) and escalate complex repairs to the equipment manager or external service providers.
Participate in workshops, manufacturer trainings and certification programs (e.g., pesticide applicator recertification, irrigation certification) to maintain technical knowledge and compliance.
Support emergency response for on‑course incidents (injured wildlife, flooding, broken mains) by following established protocols and notifying management immediately.
Contribute to continuous improvement projects such as greens speed consistency initiatives, renovation planning, and trialing new turf varieties or cultural practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Turfgrass management: mowing, rolling, topdressing, aerification and overseeding techniques for bentgrass, bermudagrass and poa/rye blends.
Irrigation systems operation and troubleshooting: controllers, solenoids, valves, pumps, lateral repairs and scheduling.
Licensed pesticide/applicator knowledge: calibration, safe handling, label compliance, and accurate application recordkeeping (state pesticide license preferred).
Fertility programs and soil testing interpretation: understanding nutrient programs, pH adjustment and soil amendment applications.
Heavy equipment operation: tractors, loaders, skid steers, aerators, topdressers and ride‑on mowers with safe operating certification where required.
Small engine and mechanical maintenance: blade sharpening, oil changes, belt replacement, hydraulic checks and daily equipment inspections.
Bunker maintenance and sand management techniques, including drainage installation and edging.
Drainage and irrigation repair skills: trenching, pipe repair, valve replacement and pump station troubleshooting.
Use of turf management software, basic GPS guidance systems and irrigation controller interfaces for scheduling and mapping.
Knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM), turf disease identification and cultural controls.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and pride in presentation to consistently meet course standards and member expectations.
Effective verbal communication and customer service skills to interact professionally with members, guests and co‑workers.
Teamwork and collaboration: ability to work closely with superintendent, crew leads and seasonal staff in a fast‑paced outdoor environment.
Time management and prioritization to balance daily maintenance, reactive tasks and long‑term projects.
Physical stamina and adaptability for prolonged outdoor work in varying weather conditions and physically demanding tasks.
Problem solving and initiative to identify turf issues, propose corrective actions and follow through with solutions.
Dependability and punctuality with a focus on safety, following checklists and reporting hazards immediately.
Willingness to learn and adopt new technologies, agronomic practices and certification standards.
Leadership aptitude for mentoring seasonal employees and enforcing safe work practices.
Environmental stewardship and commitment to sustainable, water‑wise maintenance practices.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; equivalent work experience in turf or landscaping acceptable.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or certificate in Turfgrass Management, Horticulture, Agronomy, Landscape Technology or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Turfgrass Science / Turf Management
Horticulture
Agronomy
Landscape Management
Environmental Science / Natural Resources

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands‑on turf maintenance, groundskeeping or landscaping experience; seasonal workers with progressive responsibility are considered.

Preferred: 2–4+ years specifically on golf course maintenance crews, experience operating ride‑on reel mowers and irrigation systems, and current state pesticide applicator licensure or willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe.