Golf Greenkeeper Apprenticeship

ROYAL LYTHAM ST ANNES GOLF CLUB

LYTHAM ST ANNES (FY8 3LQ)

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 12 April 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 26 March 2026

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Summary

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the team as an Apprentice Greenkeeper at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. You will learn the theory and practice of greenkeeping, how to prepare, present, maintain and improve the golf course and you will develop skills and knowledge both on the job and through college.

Wage

£16,640 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The wage is dependent on age and experience.

Possible start date 1st May 2026 or later depending on whether finishing school term and exams.  

Training course
Golf greenkeeper (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 06.00 - 14.00 in the spring, summer and autumn, 07.00 - 15:00 in the winter.

40 hours a week

Start date

Friday 1 May 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

The Golf Greenkeeper is responsible for the maintenance and management of the golf course and surrounding environment. Preparing, presenting, and conditioning the golf course to the highest Championship standards and delivering a service that matches.

There are 6-key areas on a golf course - greens, tees, fairways, areas of rough, bunkers and natural habitats associated with coastal links environment.

The Golf Greenkeeper employs a range of skilled practical manual handling, methods and techniques. Requires competency in the safe use and operation of machinery and equipment, these specific skills are a focus within an apprentices training programme.

Practice and Theory - By the end of the programme, you will know when, how and why the range of maintenance operations are carried out.

A Golf Greenkeeper will be able to:

  • Maintain good standards of health and safety for self and others
  • Prepare the golf course for play which will include removing early morning dew and debris from the greens, raking bunkers, moving tee markers, cutting new holes on greens
  • Prepare and use equipment and machinery to maintain and renovate all turf surfaces within the golf course, including the use of tractors, ride-on machines, and specialist equipment
  • Apply turf treatments to help produce quality playing surfaces, including fertilisers and top dressing
  • Use a variety of integrated methods to control weeds, fungal diseases, pests and turf disorders
  • Maintain and renovate bunkers and other hazards such as water features
  • Maintain drainage and irrigation systems
  • Prepare ground to establish turf and plants when maintaining, renovating and constructing golf course features

An Apprentice Golf Greenkeeper will develop and learn to understand the following technical knowledge:

  • Identify their role in monitoring and maintaining health and safety within the workplace
  • Identify a number of grasses, weeds, pests, diseases, turf disorders, plants and trees
  • The primary aspects of soil and plant biology to include the process of germination - photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration
  • The principles of mowing and machine maintenance and their operation
  • The need and implications of rolling, verti-cutting, scarification and aeration
  • The strategies for controlling weeds, pests, diseases and turf disorders
  • How fertilisers, top dressing and chemicals affect playing surfaces
  • How course maintenance practices affect the environment
  • Be aware of the importance of the Rules of Golf and golf course etiquette
  • Recognise the importance of environmental and ecological best practice
  • The operation of irrigation, drainage systems and their maintenance

Where you'll work

LINKS GATE
LYTHAM ST ANNES
FY8 3LQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

THE OLDHAM COLLEGE

Training course

Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Identify and maintain natural habitats and areas of biodiversity.
  • Apply irrigation to achieve appropriate soil conditions and golf course playability.
  • Handle, store and dispose of golf course waste materials in accordance with environmental or waste management policies.
  • Monitor and maintain standards of health, safety and security for oneself, colleagues, golfers and visitors on the golf course and surrounding areas, in line with legislation and company policy and procedures.
  • Establish and maintain working relationships with greenkeeping staff, colleagues and others within the golf club environment.
  • Keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies to maintain and develop personal performance.
  • Communicate golf course related information to stakeholders, including greenkeeping staff, colleagues and golfers.
  • Mark and maintain golf areas in line with the Rules of Golf (including drop zones, hazard/ penalty areas, out of bounds and tee markers).
  • Measure, record and communicate green speeds applying the United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter instructions.
  • Position and change golf holes to the required finish and in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
  • Set up mowers and mow areas of the golf course in accordance with golf course standards.
  • Maintain and present bunkers for play.
  • Switch and brush golf course turf.
  • Set up equipment and aerate and scarify areas of the golf course.
  • Repair damaged golf turf in play (for example, by turfing, plugging or patching).
  • Use a range of integrated methods to control weeds, moss, fungal diseases, pests and turf disorder
  • Apply top dressing in accordance with golf course requirements.
  • Apply fertiliser to playing surfaces.
  • Prepare, set up, operate and store tools, equipment and machinery in line with manufacturers' instructions and to the required specifications, to ensure their safe and effective use on golf turf surfaces and surrounding areas.
  • Carry out routine maintenance to tools, equipment and machinery used for greenkeeping practices, in line with manufacturers' instructions and company policies and procedures.
  • Prepare and operate a tractor with attachments in line with manufacturers instructions, legislation and company policies and procedures (including risk assessment, hitching, and safe stop).
  • Maintain and renovate non-turf areas such as pathways, penalty areas.
  • Monitor and record soil and plant health data.
  • Prepare ground and establish turf and seed.
  • Identification of grass type through seed inspection and physical inspection of the plant using either common or botanical names.
  • Identify and maintain natural habitats and areas of biodiversity.
  • Apply irrigation to achieve appropriate soil conditions and golf course playability.
  • Handle, store and dispose of golf course waste materials in accordance with environmental or waste management policies.
  • Monitor and maintain standards of health, safety and security for oneself, colleagues, golfers and visitors on the golf course and surrounding areas, in line with legislation and company policy and procedures.
  • Establish and maintain working relationships with greenkeeping staff, colleagues and others within the golf club environment.
  • Keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies to maintain and develop personal performance.
  • Communicate golf course related information to stakeholders, including greenkeeping staff, colleagues and golfers.
  • Mark and maintain golf areas in line with the Rules of Golf (including drop zones, hazard/ penalty areas, out of bounds and tee markers).
  • Measure, record and communicate green speeds applying the United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter instructions.
  • Position and change golf holes to the required finish and in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
  • Set up mowers and mow areas of the golf course in accordance with golf course standards.
  • Maintain and present bunkers for play.
  • Switch and brush golf course turf.
  • Set up equipment and aerate and scarify areas of the golf course.
  • Repair damaged golf turf in play (for example, by turfing, plugging or patching).
  • Use a range of integrated methods to control weeds, moss, fungal diseases, pests and turf disorder
  • Apply top dressing in accordance with golf course requirements.
  • Apply fertiliser to playing surfaces.
  • Prepare, set up, operate and store tools, equipment and machinery in line with manufacturers' instructions and to the required specifications, to ensure their safe and effective use on golf turf surfaces and surrounding areas.
  • Carry out routine maintenance to tools, equipment and machinery used for greenkeeping practices, in line with manufacturers' instructions and company policies and procedures.
  • Prepare and operate a tractor with attachments in line with manufacturers instructions, legislation and company policies and procedures (including risk assessment, hitching, and safe stop).
  • Maintain and renovate non-turf areas such as pathways, penalty areas.
  • Monitor and record soil and plant health data.
  • Prepare ground and establish turf and seed.
  • Identification of grass type through seed inspection and physical inspection of the plant using either common or botanical names.

Training schedule

Level 2 Golf Greenkeeping Standard.

Your Oldham College Tutor/Assessor will visit you regularly to deliver underpinning knowledge.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade Grade 9-4/A*-C or equivalent)
  • Maths (grade Grade 9-4/A*-C or equivalent)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Reliable and punctual
  • Positive attitude
  • Enthusiastic and helpful
  • Self-motivated
  • A willingness to listen/learn

Other requirements

You must have a strong work ethic including pride in work, attention to detail, integrity and time management Have a passion for the outdoors. Have a flexible positive attitude to work. Ability to work as a lone worker (once trained) and as a member of a team. A willingness to learn and contribute to their own continuing professional development. Having a safety mindset for self, colleagues and golfers. A clear and effective communicator who can use a variety of communication methods to give/receive information accurately and in a timely and positive manner. Problem solving and effective decision making. Please do not contact the employer direct.

About this employer

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club is one of the premier links courses in the World, host to 11 Open Championships, the Ryder Cup, The Women’s Open, The Senior Open, The Amateur Championship, The Walker and Curtis Cup and annual Lytham Trophy.

https://www.royallytham.org/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Potential to progress to a Level 3 Greenkeeping Apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE OLDHAM COLLEGE

Andrea Kearns

andrea.kearns@oldham.ac.uk

0161 785 4072

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000023364.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 12 April 2026 at 11:59pm)