Thursday 17 May 2012

Online Golf Course Management Courses and Classes Overview

Online golf course management classes can focus on grounds management in a horticulture or turfgrass program, or on the business side of golf courses in a hospitality management program. Through online classes, students can earn a certificate, associate's degree, bachelor's degree or master's degree in golf course management.

Overview of Online Golf Course Management Courses

Business or hospitality management programs in golf course management can lead to awards such as an associate's degree in hospitality management with a golf management emphasis or a bachelor's degree in golf course enterprise management. Online golf course management classes in these programs train prospective golf resort or club managers to oversee client services and clubhouse management.
Horticulture programs, which may lead to a certificate in golf course management or turfgrass management, bachelor's degree in turfgrass management or master's degree in agronomy, offer the broadest range of online golf course management class offerings. Online turfgrass courses prepare students for careers overseeing the physical golf course and groundskeepers, and the classes may be accepted as continuing education by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Course Requirements

Online golf course management classes generally do not require proficiency playing golf, as some campus-based golf programs do. Online students must have e-mail and an Internet-connected computer running a recent version of a Web browser compatible with the school's virtual classroom platform, such as Blackboard, for class correspondence and online testing. Many turfgrass classes are graphics-intensive, requiring a system capable of downloading larger files and displaying full-color graphics sharply. Some courses use RealPlayer or QuickTime to deliver audiovisual content such as lecture webcasts, and some assignments may require word processing software or specific programs from the Microsoft Office suite.

List of Online Golf Course Management Courses

Golf Course Clubhouse Management Course

Taken at the beginning of a business-oriented golf course management program, this class introduces the etiquette of golf and business principles for operating a golf course. Daily fee, private and resort golf course management topics are covered, emphasizing a golf course manager's responsibilities to both employees and golfers.

Golf Course Operations Course

This class builds on clubhouse management courses with a discussion of daily operations of the courses, driving range, lessons and pro shop. Operations courses get into the nitty gritty of policies and procedures, as well as management strategies.

Golf Course Event Planning Course

This advanced golf course class in the hospitality management curriculum teaches students how to organize and mount a large-scale event at a golf course, such as a tournament, as well as private events like weddings hosted at the golf course facilities. Additional clubhouse amenities, like food and beverage service, are covered.

Turfgrass Management and Maintenance Course

The basic turfgrass culture class introduces types of turfgrass for golf courses in different climates and the equipment to maintain a golf course. Fundamentals of turfgrass maintenance, including cultivating, aerating, mowing, fertilizing and irrigating, are discussed as they apply to caring for fairways and roughs. Students learn how to create a healthy turfgrass environment and a management plan for a golf course.

Insect, Disease and Weed Control Courses

Weeds, bugs and turfgrass diseases on a golf course can hamper enjoyment of a friendly game or affect play of a competitive tournament. These intermediate turfgrass management courses - they're usually offered as a series of at least three - use full-color slides and other visuals to identify perennial and broadleaf weeds, insects, nematodes, fungus and bacteria that invade golf course greens. Online discussions and written assignments explore the life cycles of golf course pests, along with chemical and non-chemical management strategies.

Golf Course Design, Construction and Renovation Course

This advanced turfgrass management course takes a close look at maintaining the condition of the soil on which golf courses are built. Lessons in this course look at renovating courses for better performance. Tests cover golf course geography and how the lay of the land affects drainage and play.

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