Golf Course Technician

Description

Working outside on a beautiful stretch of green grass in the sunlight, ahhh! It sounds great, but a golf course technicians job is not all play. Golf has become the fastest growing recreational sport in North America and the rise in players has created the need for more workers.

Golf course technicians are involved with all facets of golf course maintenance and management. They work outdoors under the direction of a supervisor where they will work alone or with others. They perform various maintenance duties from cutting and trimming the grass, to soil testing. Golf course technicians also use fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides and they must have a good working knowledge of these potentially hazardous materials as well as be aware of any chemical sensitivities or allergies that they might have.

They must also have physical stamina to do the outdoor work and lifting required as well as an interest in and understanding of the identification and treatment of turf grass diseases.

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Interests and Skills

Golf course technicians must have knowledge to be able to identify and treat plant and grass diseases. They need to be able to make recommendations of correct fertilizers and seeds for the turf grass. They must also be able to use and maintain mowing equipment and other tools and golf carts. Knowledge of watering and irrigation systems is also necessary for these workers. Golf course technicians require the knowledge to test soils, apply herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. They must be physically fit and enjoy interacting with the public and they must also have good writing skills in order to prepare work reports, contract orders and stock orders.

Typical Tasks

Perform the maintenance and construction on the golf course to maintain the greens, tees, fairways and roads
Use and maintain tools and mowing equipment
Operate and maintain pumps and irrigation systems
Seed, fertilize and aerate the golf course
Test soil conditions, diagnose disease, and apply herbicides and pesticides
Trim, cut and maintain turf
Recommend appropriate seeds and soil solutions
Prepare work reports and orders
Although a day in the life of a golf course technician may sound like play, there is a lot of work involved. Golf course technicians work outdoors in all sorts of weather. They will perform routine maintenance such as cutting and watering the turf and more involved work such as diagnosing and treating soil and grass disease. They work alone often under the direction of a supervisor. Golf course technicians may work varied hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays but they generally will not work more than a 40-hour week.

Workplaces, Employers and Industries

Golf course technicians generally find employment at golf clubs and resorts.

Long Term Career Potential

With experience golf course technicians may move into supervisory positions or move into self-employment in related fields such as landscaping.

Educational Paths

As it is a newly emerging field there is no set path for golf course technicians. It is sometimes required and highly recommended that individuals take a two-year college program or a university degree in turf grass science, agronomy, arboriculture, horticulture, landscaping or landscape technology. Individuals may also choose to complete 60 college hours of classwork in; soils and fertilizers, fundamentals of turf grass science, pest control, irrigation and drainage and landscape design. These classes in addition to experience as a landscaper's helper or ground maintenance crew may also enable individuals to obtain employment.

For all individuals a license to apply chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides may be required.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2002, http://www.bls.gov/oes/2002/oes_nat.htm

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