Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper

This course is suitable for individuals working, or aspiring to work, as golf greenkeepers, who enjoy practical, hands-on outdoor work, in all weather conditions. The course is delivered as a day release program, allowing apprentices to develop their knowledge and skills while gaining real workplace experience.

Golf Greenkeeper apprentices will learn how to use and maintain a range of grounds maintenance machinery and equipment safely and carry out specific maintenance across a large area. They must adopt safe and sustainable working practices on the golf course by observing relevant environmental, health and safety regulations and legislations and adhering to the businesses policies and procedures. The apprentice will report to a line manager or a head greenkeeper.

The daily maintenance of the golf course is carried out by the greenkeepers whilst golfers are at play.

You will complete your Apprenticeship with a suitable employer based at a golf course. Your role will be an apprentice Golf Greenkeeper. 

Length of Programme

The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months

GCSE Maths and English – grade 4 and above.

A strong work ethic and good communication skills.

The apprentice will follow a training programme to complete the apprenticeship requirements and meet the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for them to be fully competent:

• The apprentice works and trains with the employer and/or training provider
• The apprentice will create and maintain a mandatory portfolio to provide supporting evidence that will be needed to supplement the knowledge, skills and behaviours observed by the Independent Assessor at the End Point Assessment. The portfolio will be used as evidence for the professional discussion.
• A record of off-the-job training – this is training that must occur for a minimum of 20% of the time the apprentice is paid to work and is training delivered outside of their normal working duties – to develop a wider understanding of the industry.

The qualification consists of learning including:

• Maintain, renovate and repair turf surfaces such as golf greens, tees, fairways, surrounds, approaches and areas of rough and semi rough.
• Prepare the golf course for play, in line with the Rules of Golf and employer’s requirements.
• Prepare and setup golf course equipment to achieve required outcomes (e.g. hole changing equipment, bunker rakes, Stimpmeters).
• Prepare the ground and establish turf and plants around the golf course and clubhouse
• Identify and control weeds, pests, diseases and turf disorders on the golf course playing surfaces.
• Maintain and renovate bunkers.
• Maintain and renovate non turf areas such as pathways, penalty areas (e.g. water hazards, ditches).
• Apply materials such as fertilisers, top dressing and seed across areas of the golf course.
• Support the operation and maintenance of golf course drainage and irrigation systems.
• Maintain wildlife habitats and environmentally sensitive areas within the golf course.
• Collect information on golf course conditions and playability. Report information to team members and supervisors.
• Prepare, setup and use golf course machinery to achieve required outcomes
• Carry out routine maintenance of golf equipment and machinery in line with organisational requirements and manufacturers’ instructions. Report any faults to relevant team member.
• Keep up to date with advances in golf greenkeeping working practices and technologies and maintain continuous professional development (CPD).

Learning will take place in a variety of ways, which could include workplace training, formal courses, work shadowing, industrial visits, research, self-study, attendance at college for classroom/workshop activities and time spent completing assignments set by the assessor.

You will attend Derby College Broomfield Campus, one day a week.

You will be expected to undertake off-the-job training within the workplace and spend time completing additional work and evidence towards your portfolio.

You will be required to wear PPE in the workplace, and in college during practical tasks. You will also be required to bring along writing materials e.g. books, pens, laptops to enable you to complete your learning.

The apprentice will undertake their End Point Assessment when the employer, training provider and apprentice all consider that they are ready to do so.  This stage of the apprenticeship is known as the gateway and will not be reached until the apprentice has completed their entirety of their portfolio and required off-the-job training hours, typically no earlier than 12 months.

An End point assessment (EPA) is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.

The assessment methods are as follows:

Multiple-choice test

You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials. The test will have 50 multiple-choice questions. You will have 75 minutes to complete it.

Practical assessment with questions

You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 3.5 hours. They will ask you at least 6 questions.

Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 10 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

• fail
• pass
• merit
• distinction

When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.

Following completion of your Apprenticeship, you could be employed full time into a Golf greenkeeping role within the industry. 

Professional recognition

This apprenticeship aligns with The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA). Completion of the apprenticeship will enable qualified apprentices to apply for full membership

Please contact the professional body for more details.

For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk