Golf course management is a lot more than keeping the greens green and the course playable. Golf course management involves all aspects of running a golf facility, from landscaping to marketing. With the recent growth in new golf courses, there are business opportunities for help with golf course management as private country clubs and public golf courses now seek golf course management advice for general operations and specific issues.

A golf course management consultant needs a range of skills, from gardening and landscaping to event management, and most are quite technical. As your company develops a business plan for golf course management, keep the following factors in mind:

1. Many courses hire golf course management companies to run their facilities.

2. Special training in golf course management is available in person, through software and online.

3. Much of golf course management today focuses on the environmental impact of the course and its maintenance. Almost every function of the course affects the local environment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take the steps to start a professional golf course management business

Investigate existing golf course management companies to help you create a golf course management program and gather other golf course management information. You might include management, design and reconstruction services. Develop a relationship with club professionals or management committees.

I recommend: American Golf Corporation is a leading outside manager, with more than 100 golf courses as clients. Make a list of the services they offer for public course and private country clubs. Add event services to your list. Among the golf course management services offered by Meadowbrook Golf is "agronomy," the tending of a course's grass and plants. Contact a local college or agricultural school for guidance on the agronomy of your locale.

Get training for your staff in the technical aspects of golf course management

Managing a golf course means being familiar with the life cycle of grass, irrigation techniques, contour landscaping, office management, sales and merchandising and a dozen other topics. Colleges and schools now offer training in some or all of these golf course management services. Enroll members of your staff in golf course management training courses for their areas of responsibility.

I recommend: The Golf Academy of America offers an intensive curriculum in golf course management and operations. Active Golf offers software programs that cover all golf course management services, from forms design to tournament management.

Learn the environmental guidelines of golf course management

A golf course can have a major impact on the local environment. The contour of the ground affects water run-off patterns, fertilizers and other chemicals enter water supplies and special events increase traffic with related environment issues. It is important to stay within local environmental parameters on all these fronts.

I recommend: The United States Golf Association, or USGA, has environmental recommendations and environmentally friendly mini-courses. The mission of Golf and the Environment is eco-friendly golf. Their website contains recommendations and guidance for golf course managers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Golf course management isn't just about the course itself. It also covers the pro shop, snack bar, carts and equipment and tournaments. Prepare your staff to oversee all of these functions as well.