In discussion with Glenn Kirby, Research Director

Behind every round of golf is a profession that underpins the future of the sport. On this day, golf clubs and sports organisations worldwide will recognise that profession with ‘Thank a Greenkeeper Day’.

The day is more than a hashtag; it’s a chance to recognise one of the professions that quietly carries the weight of an industry worth billions and the positive impact they make on the industry and the global environmental landscape.

Most golfers notice the quality of the putting surface or the aesthetic appeal of a well-maintained course. Few appreciate that while they line up their first putt, a greenkeeper may already have been working for five hours. The team that started at dawn and made countless decisions before the players arrival on the green are the unseen foundation of the entire industry.

Propping up a major industry

It’s easy to think of turf as “just grass,” but greenkeepers support a significant industry. In the UK, golf generates over £5.1 billion in consumer spending annually. This figure encompasses activities such as memberships, green fees, retail, equipment manufacturing, tourism, and travel. According to an independent report*, the sport is one of the country’s most valuable participation activities and a major contributor to the wider leisure economy.

That spending creates jobs which equates to approximately 63,800 full-time equivalent positions or roughly 88,000 people, including part-time roles that get their income from golf. These roles range from course staff to retail employees and those working in hospitality and events. The livelihoods of thousands of households depend on the efforts of greenkeepers and grounds teams, whose impact goes well beyond maintaining the fairways.

Rising pressures: climate, footfall, and fewer tools

The scale of greenkeeping and grounds teams’ responsibility is only increasing. Climate change is reshaping the landscape. Hotter, drier summers followed by heavier downpours demand constant adaptation. Diseases like dollar spot and microdochium patch thrive on warmer nights, forcing regular monitoring and decision making.

Additionally, annual golf participation now exceeds pre-COVID levels by more than 12 million rounds. More play means more wear and less recovery time for turf, yet expectations for tournament-quality conditions remain high.

The greenkeepers toolkit is shrinking. With fewer fungicides and limited insect control options, turf managers now rely heavily on cultural practices, prevention, and foresight to stay ahead.

In short, greenkeepers are being asked to deliver more, to a higher standard, with fewer resources and under tougher conditions.

The modern greenkeeper, a precision profession

The traditional image of a greenkeeper mowing fairways at sunrise hides just how technical the role has become. An 18-hole course typically spans around 60 hectares, with about half of that intensively managed. Keeping turf healthy and playable isn’t guesswork, it’s science. Greenkeepers blend agronomy, ecology, irrigation engineering, machinery maintenance, and people management.

Most hold vocational qualifications, pesticide certifications, and many have degrees in turf science. Every decision, whether to roll rather than mow, or even the process of removing morning dew, affects surface quality, turf health, and resilience. This is a precision profession, every bit as skilled and technical as other trades — and like any trade, it demands continuous learning and development.

Our role at STRI

At STRI Group, we’ve supported the turf community for more than 90 years through independent research, trials, and practical solutions. Education is central to that support, which is why BASIS courses are held at STRI HQ every autumn as part of continuous professional development for the turf industry. Our own grounds and trials teams are as much a part of this story as any greenkeeper, delivering the science and insights the industry needs to move forward.

The tough reality of the job

For all their expertise, the work is demanding. Early starts, seven-day weeks, harsh weather, and heavy machinery are part of daily life, often under constant scrutiny from players. And beyond the course, the toll is personal: long hours mean missed family moments, birthdays, and weekends, sacrifices that too often go unseen.

The hidden value of natural turf

The benefits of natural turf stretch far beyond sport. Grass surfaces are typically 10–15°C cooler than tarmac, helping to reduce urban heat. A single hectare of well-managed turf can absorb up to 50,000 litres of rainfall, lowering flood risks and filtering pollutants. Managed turf also locks away carbon, around one to two tonnes of CO₂ per hectare per year, while providing vital habitats for pollinators, birds, and small mammals.

The value is social, too. Green spaces reduce stress, encourage physical activity, and strengthen community ties. They help define the character of towns and villages, from the local cricket square to the village bowling green, grassroots football pitches, and professional rugby grounds. These spaces are maintained by professionals and volunteers alike, and they all deserve recognition.

Why saying thank you matters

Saying thank you to any turf professional isn’t just courtesy, it’s an acknowledgement of their complex, skilled, and essential role. They protect our play, deliver sustainability, support thousands of livelihoods, and enhance our environment.

But this day shouldn’t only be about words. And it shouldn’t just be an annual acknowledgement.

  • Are you thanking them today, or all year round?
  • Are their working conditions fair?
  • Do their salaries reflect their skill and sacrifice?
  • How can you help them balance their professional life with their family life?

A true thank you goes beyond a handshake—it’s about respect, support, and recognition, every day.

So, when ‘Thank a Greenkeeper’ day comes around, take real action. Don’t just post a hashtag, review how your club values its team today. Commit to improving their conditions, support their development, and ensure they are truly recognised.

*A Satellite Account for Golf in the UK, an independent report by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, supported by The R&A.