What to Expect

Turf management students know their green stuff. They learn how to keep playing fields and golf courses looking green and attractive.

The typical day for a turf management student is much like that for other majors. There are lecture classes to attend and labs to go to. Afternoons and evenings are spent studying. Degree students usually are required to take other non-turf courses as prerequisites for their degree.

Many students also join student chapters of professional turf management associations, also called turf clubs. Such organizations enhance your studying efforts, says Matt DeDoncker. He studied turf management at Iowa State University.

"This helps everyone and usually you can work out problems together. For the most part, you understand it better because you are able to teach each other."

DeDoncker adds that group study was particularly helpful when he had his organic class. "This class is extremely difficult. I spent almost six to 10 hours a week studying for that class alone, and even more for test weeks."

How to Prepare

Playing even an occasional game of golf will give you some indication of all the work that goes into a golf course, says DeDoncker.

He suggests students work in some aspect of the industry while in high school. "If you have never had any experience with what you are getting into, it is a rude awakening once you're actually working. Make sure you have worked with a golf course, lawn care, nursery, sports field or sod farm."

Taking biology and advanced biology classes in high school should give you a strong science base. Of course, if your school offers any type of horticulture or botany classes, DeDoncker says that would be even more helpful. "But the best way to learn is to get out in the industry and experience it."