Golf Course Manager is responsible for supervising and directing the operation, management, and maintenance of a Golf Course. Work involves a variety of duties to manage and maintain the golf course. Duties include the supervision of personnel assigned to work in the pro shop, on the driving range, on the golf course, and the administration of rules and regulations established for the operation of the facility. Work is performed under general supervision of an administrative superior and is subject to review through inspection, discussion, and by the reaction and comments of those who use the facilities of the golf course.
Duties include to drive and sustain lessons and fittings sales intensity and profitability by setting high expectations and monitoring and measuring positive results. Employees are expected to meet or exceed sales goal objectives for lessons and fittings, give golf lessons and perform fittings, conduct preliminary interview with customer, record customer’s swing, provide swing analysis and provide feedback to customer, and schedule customer for on-going lessons. In addition, managers develop, design, recommend and implement instructional programs, customer clinics and other promotional activities as directed.
Managers are expected to maintain thorough knowledge of products, services, merchandise promotions, test merchandise and advertising, promote the company by participating in community organizations, PGA or LPGA of America and other service organizations to promote and enhance Golf Galaxy’s standing in the business community. Lastly, managers are responsible to create a climate in which staff are motivated to do their best, strong morale and spiriting in his/her team; share wins and successes; foster open dialogue; and create a feeling of belonging within the team.
There are a variety of possible jobs at golf courses, ranging from golf instructor to sales clerk to the laborers who cut the fairways and greens. These positions, like Recreational Attendants, help people enjoy golf or other outside activities.
Sources: Minnesota CAREERwise & CareerOneStop
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Gather information in order to provide services to clients.
- Develop plans for programs or services.
- Develop treatment plans for patients or clients.
- Communicate with management or other staff to resolve problems.
- Arrange facility schedules.
- Monitor recreational facility operations.
- Document client health or progress.
- Prepare operational reports or records.
- Evaluate employee performance.
- Administer first aid.
Typical Working Conditions
- Frequent contact with others.
- Working with a group or team.
- The freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals.
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- Responsibility for others’ health and safety.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Dealing with unpleasant or angry people.
Tools & Technology used by Golf/Outside Services
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
Most Important Skills for Golf/Outside Services
- Being Aware of Others—Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
- Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Helping Others—Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Managing People—Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Teaching—Teaching others how to do something.
- Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Most Important Knowledge Areas for Golf/Outside Services
- Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Psychology—Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Public Safety and Security—Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Therapy and Counseling—Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
- Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- Philosophy and Theology—Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
- Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Interests
- Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:
- Social—Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
- Enterprising—Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
Wages Per Hour For Golf Services (MN) | ||
Low$15.53 |
Median$18.28 |
High$22.74 |
Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.
Demand
This career is seeing moderate growth compared to other careers. There will be a 6.1% growth for Golf/Outside Services to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
This career requires at least a high school degree, and some professionals have some college. This career does not require a license but there are certifications are helpful for growth in some industries.
View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.
Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:
- Accounting
- Business Management
- Culinary Arts
- Economics
- Foods and Nutrition
- Health and Wellness
- Marketing
- Public Speaking
- Sociology
- Team Sports
- World Geography
- World Language
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
Step behind-the-scenes of a golf course with these 360 degree photos of a Golf Pro Shop and a Golf Cart Garage at Grand View Lodge’s The Pines Golf Course.
Videos
Golf and Club Management (Fanshawe College)
Careers in Turf Management (National FFA)
Jobs at a Golf Club (Langdon Farms Golf Club)
Greenskeeper (Primary ITO)
“Day in the Life” Videos
Golf Course Superintendent (Atlantic Golf Course Superintendents Association)
Groundkeeper for a Day (Weather Channel)