Golf Greenkeeping Apprentice
Bishopswood Golf Course
Tadley (RG26 4AT)
Closes in 22 days (Friday 10 April 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 18 March 2026
Contents
Summary
An exciting opportunity has become available for an apprentice greenkeeper at Bishopswood Golf Course. You will be trained in all aspects of Golf Course Maintenance at one of the best-ranked 9-hole golf courses in the South of England.
- Wage
-
£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Golf greenkeeper (level 2)
- Hours
-
5.30am - 1.30pm Summer
6.30am - 2.30pm Winter
Some weekend working will be required.
From September, you will attend Sparsholt College day release during term time.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 27 April 2026
- Duration
-
2 years 3 months
- 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
Our nine superb holes of golf, carved through natural woodland and meandering water hazards, prove to be a suitable challenge for all golfers. Some golfing experience is required to really appreciate the golf course. It offers a stern test to the low handicap player but also a chance for up-and-coming players to experience all aspects of the golf environment.
This is a fantastic opportunity to kickstart your career in the greenkeeping industry, learning from an experienced course manager and gaining valuable hands-on experience in all aspects of course maintenance.
This will include:
- Maintain good standards of health and safety for yourself and others
- Preparing 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 - Preparing and using 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 - Using 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 - Preparing the ground to establish turf and plants when maintaining,
renovating and constructing golf course features - Maintain and renovate bunkers and other hazards such as water
features
The ideal candidate:
- Have a strong work ethic including pride in work, attention to detail,integrity and time management
- Have a flexible positive attitude to work
- Having a safety mindset for self, colleagues and golfers
- A willingness to learn and contribute to their own continuing professional development
Where you'll work
The Clubhouse
Bishopswood Lane
Tadley
RG26 4AT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SPARSHOLT 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
You will attend Sparsholt College on a day-release basis starting in September 2026. Prior to starting college, you will be trained in the workplace by the course manager.
More training information
Once you have completed your End Point Assessment, you will have achieved a Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard and a Level 2 Diploma in Golf greenkeeping.
The EPA consists of three distinct elements:
- Online knowledge test
- Professional discussion on the golf course
- Practical assessments
- You will also have achieved your Pa1 Handling and Application of Pesticides Training
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C(4) or above)
- Maths (grade C(4) or above)
Other in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- An interest in Golf
- Punctual
- Hard working
- Reliable
Other requirements
For insurance purposes, a full driving licence is required. This is a physically demanding role where you will be required to work outside in all weathers. Very early starts.
About this employer
Bishopswood is a nine hole course that is set in 70 acres of mature parkland on the Hampshire Berkshire border. It measures 6350 yards with a par of 72. It was rated by “Today’s Golfer” as “One of The best nine hole courses in the south”. With its tree lined fairways and superb greens it represents a challenge for every level of player.
Ranked as one of the best 9 hole courses in the South of England.
https://www.bishopswood.golf (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Company pension scheme
- Free golf membership
- 10% off all food and drink in the clubhouse
After this apprenticeship
A permanent position may be offered upon successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SPARSHOLT COLLEGE
Karen Jackson
karen.jackson@sparsholtservices.ac.uk
01962 797452
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000021837.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Friday 10 April 2026 at 11:59pm)