Sports turf management is the science and practice of maintaining and improving the playing surfaces of sports fields. Online courses in sports turf management can provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work in this field and ensure that sports fields are safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.
Some of the topics that may be covered in a sports turf management course include:
- Soil science and the properties of different types of turf grasses
- Turf grass selection and establishment
- Turf grass nutrition and fertilization
- Irrigation and water management
- Pest management and disease control
- Mowing and turf grass maintenance
- Turf grass renovation and repair
- Turf grass maintenance equipment and safety
- Professional ethics and legal considerations in sports turf management
Sports turf management courses may be suitable for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in sports turf management, or for professionals working in the sports industry who want to expand their knowledge in this area. Before enrolling in a sports turf management course, it’s a good idea to research the course content and instructor to make sure that it aligns with your goals and interests. You may also want to consider whether the course is accredited by a professional organization, such as the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA). Completing an accredited course may help you meet the requirements for certification or licensure in your region.
1. Sports Turf Management- The Ohio State University
The subject area is broad enough to be applicable to turf conditions globally. The online lectures were developed by leading turfgrasses researchers and educators at The Ohio State University specifically for athletic field management.
Regardless of location, the program was created for individuals to work at their own pace and at a time most suited for them. Course presentations, references, faculty interaction, and testing are completed on-line. The only requirement is that the course be completed within a 1-year period
Course Highlights:
- An Introduction to Sports Turf Management
- Sports Field Construction
- Turfgrasses
- Field Maintenance
- Field Problems
- Baseball Fields
- Sports Turf Administration
Course Duration: 30 hours
2. SPORTS TURF MANAGEMENT
This Sports Turf Management online course assumes a basic knowledge of turf care, either through experience or prior study. From there the course develops your ability to manage the maintenance of sports turf.
Course Highlights:
- The requirements needed for keeping turf in tip-top condition – this is a learnable and very valuable skill.
- Understanding the essential practices required to successfully manage sports turf grasses, on different sports grounds surfaces, is the key component to a successful career in Sports Turf Management.
- How to develop a sound foundation of knowledge in preparing various turf surfaces ready for use. This would include a knowledge of what fertilisers to use, what watering systems would be appropriate, and how to grow and maintain sports surfaces to a high professional level.
- What machinery selection criteria to use when choosing the correct machinery for the appropriate surface, and how to maintain and use that machinery, in order to keep the sports turf at its best?
Course Duration: 100 hours
3. Lawn Mowing and Turf Care
Managing turf is more than just keeping the grass short however in some cases (as contractors) that is all we are asked to do, just mow the grass. When dealing with finer lawns or turf that is used for specific purposes such as sporting grounds or those in large and elegant gardens, we need more information and more knowledge. In those instances we need to be able to assess lawns and how the soil, light, temperature, air, water and traffic affect the quality of the turf. In any situation, we will do a better job if we know more about the turf and techniques for it’s care – then apply that knowledge. Study the Lawn Mowing and Turf Care course from Warnborough College to gain more knowledge.
Course Highlights:
- Turf Quality
- Mowing
- Maintaining Turf Quality
- Turf Equipment and Tools
- Turf Business Management
Course Duration: Self Paced
4. Sports Turf Management BHT202
Specialise in maintaining sports turf. This course assumes a basic knowledge of turf care, either through experience or prior study (eg. Our Turf Care course) From there it develops your ability to manage the maintenance of sports turf. It is relevant to the maintenance of all sports turf including golf courses, bowling clubs, playing fields, cricket wickets and other sporting facilities.
Course Highlights:
- Select turf varieties to suit different sports surface requirements; including different climates & soil types
- Select turf varieties to suit different sports surfaces (eg. lawn bowls, fairways, greens, league football, cricket)
- Identify turf blends, their application and reason for use
- Explain alternative procedures for sports turf maintenance, used for different types of facilities
- Explain specific wear problems and solutions for the five types of turf facilities
- Evaluate procedures being used to maintain different types of facilities
Course Duration: 100 hours
5. Sports Turf Management
Study this course to learn about the differences between sports turfs and ornamental ones. Learn about a range of different grass species used in sports turf and reasons to choose them. Find out about different types of mowers and other turf care equipment and their use in maintaining sports turf. Learn about cultivation methods and timing, special techniques to prepare surfaces for play, methods to minimise damage and repair sports turf, fertilisers, drainage and irrigation, control of pests, as well as how to plan a maintenance program.
Course Highlights:
- Determine appropriate applications for different turf cultivation techniques, including spiking, coring, thatch removal, and other common practices
- Develop skills in preparing different types of sports grounds for play, including both major and minor events
- Prepare different types of greens for play, including both major and minor events
- Determine appropriate procedures for minimising deterioration of a sports turf; maximising its use and keeping the cost of maintenance at an acceptable level
- Explain the irrigation and drainage requirements for sports turf fields
- Determine appropriate treatments for the management of soil condition, including fertility, in sports turfs
- Explain alternative procedures for sports turf maintenance, used for different types of facilities and evaluate procedures being used to maintain different types of facilities
Course Duration: 100 hours
6. Sports & Commercial Turf Management
The Sports and Commercial Turf Management certificate program is for students who have a high interest in sports and enjoy working outdoors. Students in this program will be learning at Michigan State University, a university with an international reputation in turfgrass research and education.
The program consists of both on-campus learning and hand-on experiences through a professional internship.
Course Highlights:
- Soil and landscape science
- Plant biology
- Turfgrass management
- Pest management
- Pesticide and fertilizer technology
- Performance turf design and construction
- Landscape management
Course Duration: Self Paced
7. Green Keeping B (Sports Turf Management) BHT202 Online Course
This course assumes a basic knowledge of turf care, either through experience or prior study (e.g. Green Keeping I) From there it develops your ability to manage the maintenance of sports turf. It is relevant to the maintenance of all sports turf including golf courses, bowling clubs, playing fields, cricket wickets and other sporting facilities.
Course Highlights:
- Select turf varieties to suit different sports surface requirements; including different climates & soil types.
- Select turf varieties to suit different sports surfaces (e.g. lawn bowls, fairways, greens, league football, cricket)
- Identify turf blends, their application and reason for use.
- Explain alternative procedures for sports turf maintenance, used for different types of facilities.
- Explain specific wear problems and solutions for the five types of turf facilities
- Evaluate procedures being used to maintain different types of facilities.
- Determine the resources required to maintain a selected sports turf
Course Duration: Self Paced
8. Sports Turfgrass Management Certificate
The course covers all the fundamentals of turfgrass management for all types of sports turf, from little league fields to golf courses. The course also explains what grasses work best for different sports and regions. Upon completion of the course, you will understand the principles of warm- and cool-season turfgrass establishment, growth, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Course Highlights:
- What turfgrass is best suited for a golf course, a soccer field, or a baseball field in your area?
- How are these grasses established?
- What types of fertilizers should be used, when, and how much should be applied?
- What pests can be expected? How can they be identified and controlled?
Course Duration: 140 hours
9. Turfgrass Science Curriculum
This free self-paced training provides continuing education opportunities for anyone who has not been formally educated in turfgrass science and is interested in entering the industry. Completing the course will build a solid foundation in the science and practices of turfgrass management so students can successfully care for a turfgrass surface and be prepared to enter a position in sports field management. Those who complete the course can be hired for seasonal and crew assistance at sports facilities.
Course Highlights:
- Build a solid foundation in the science and practices of turfgrass management so secondary students can successfully care for a turfgrass surface.
- Introduce students to community, environmental, and economic benefits of turfgrass.
- Introduce students to career opportunities in the turfgrass industry.
- Provide a competitive edge to students interested in pursuing higher education in the turfgrass industry
- Provide a comprehensive curriculum that can be easily implemented in secondary agriculture education classrooms regardless of teacher experience and background.
Course Duration: Self Paced
10. Certificate of Turf Care
Take the uncertainty out of managing turf for a successful career in landscape gardening or to build a profitable business in the turf industry with this turf care course. Certificate of Turf Care is an online professional development course that will provide you with the basics in turf grass varieties, soil management, cultivation techniques and irrigation.
Throughout this turf care course, you will learn to plant, establish, maintain and repair lawns for various establishments, including homes, golf courses, sports grounds, bowls clubs. On completion of this course, you will feel confident to plant, establish and maintain quality lawns and sports turf.
Course Highlights:
- History of turf
- List of turf varieties
- Lawn mixes
- What to grow where
- Important lesson notes
- Turf varieties reports
Course Duration: 50 hours
11. Certificate Sportsturf Science
This certificate will develop your understanding of the construction and maintenance of turf and artificial surfaces used for sports. The Certificate in Sportsturf Science will be of benefit to candidates who seek to increase their scientific knowledge of the turf-based surfaces they establish and maintain. It would be of great benefit to greenkeepers, irrigation and lighting specialists, stadium managers, and landscape contractors already working in the area, or indeed to candidates who have specialised in other areas of Horticulture but seek work in the sportsturf industry.
Course Highlights:
- Determine and specify appropriate soil types and root zones for specific sportsturf construction.
- Interpret the principles of drainage and irrigation and describe appropriate methods for sportsturf.
- Distinguish the main turf grass species and a range of pests, diseases and weeds associated with turfgrass.
- Explore the factors influencing pests of turfgrass and propose appropriate IPM control methods in response to turfgrass pests, diseases and weeds.
- Explore maintenance techniques and equipment required for turfgrass maintenance.
- Demonstrate a range of turfgrass maintenance techniques
Course Duration: 12 weeks
