Greenkeeper Apprentice in Winchester, United Kingdom

Summary

Train as a Greenkeeper Apprentice at Avington Golf, learning turf care, machinery operation and course setup while working outdoors. You’ll gain hands‑on experience, full training and mentoring, with clear progression into qualified roles. Ideal for someone motivated, reliable and keen to build a career in sports turf.

Wage

£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

“Apprentice wage paid in line with government requirement

Training course

Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

Hours

You’ll work 39 hours per week, Monday to Friday, typically 7am to 3pm. Summer hours are 6am to 2pm. Some early weekend work may be required during busy periods or events.

39 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 December 2026

Duration

1 year 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

• Prepare greens, tees, fairways, bunkers and practice areas
  Operate mowers, strimmers, tractors and other turf‑care machinery
• Carry out irrigation checks and assist with minor repairs
• Maintain tidy, safe working areas across the course
• Support senior greenkeepers with seasonal and renovation work
• Monitor turf conditions and report any issues

Where you'll work

FARM OFFICE - PARK FARM
AVINGTON
ITCHEN ABBAS
WINCHESTER
SO21 1BZ

Training

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

Training provider

TRAIN TOGETHER LIMITED

Training course

Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

What you'll learn

• 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

Training will be delivered by Train Together through a mix of workplace learning and scheduled off‑the‑job training. The apprentice will complete practical skills development on the golf course alongside structured teaching sessions provided by Train Together. They will attend regular training days covering the Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper Standard, supported by assessor visits, progress reviews and guided learning tasks. All training is planned and monitored to ensure the apprentice meets the full requirements of the standard.

More training information

Train Together will deliver the apprenticeship through a structured blend of workplace learning, assessor support and scheduled off‑the‑job training. The programme includes regular training days, progress reviews and guided learning tasks, with assessor visits to monitor development and ensure the apprentice stays on track. Training is planned around the requirements of the Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper Standard and coordinated with the employer to support consistent learning and progression.

Requirements

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
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

Must be comfortable working outdoors in all weather. The role involves physical activity, including lifting and using machinery. Early start times are required, and occasional weekend work may be needed during busy periods. Reliable travel to the golf course is essential.