by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Golf Course Operation & Grounds Management explores Golf Course Operation And Grounds Management. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Manage The Operation Of Golf Courses. Includes Instruction In Turf Grass Science And Management, Golf Course Design And Construction, Grounds Equipment And Operation, Pest Control, And Grounds Management. Read on to learn the important information every golf course operation & grounds management major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering golf course operation & grounds management programs.
In the U.S., golf course operation & grounds management is a popular field of study, with 161 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Golf Course Operation & Grounds Management Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for golf course operation & grounds management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of golf course operation & grounds management programs later in this article.
Programs in Golf Course Operation & Grounds Management build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations golf course operation & grounds management graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a golf course operation & grounds management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a golf course operation & grounds management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several golf course operation & grounds management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 105 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 34 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 20 |
People currently working in careers related to golf course operation & grounds management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 12.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 12.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.6% |
| Some college courses | 10.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.1% |
| Master’s degree | 1.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in golf course operation & grounds management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in golf course operation & grounds management prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to golf course operation & grounds management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to golf course operation & grounds management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | 276,926 | 4.4% |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | 141,428 | 4.2% |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 139,205 | -2.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of golf course operation & grounds management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,229 |
| 4 years | $42,118 |
| 5 years | $48,563 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for golf course operation & grounds management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers golf course operation & grounds management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $170,172 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $43,138 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $24,378 |
With 8 different golf course operation & grounds management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased golf course operation & grounds management school rankings to help you.
Students interested in golf course operation & grounds management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, General | 2,129 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, Other | 1 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
