Golfers ‘should pass etiquette test’

More than nine in ten greenkeepers believe that golfers should pass a test on course care before they are allowed to play the game.

That is the result of a survey of hundreds of members of the British and International Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), carried out by Today’s Golfer.

Nintey-one per cent anonymously said they would like golfers to pass a test on etiquette and course care before they play, as is the case in some European countries, because some golfers leave the course in an inappropriate state.

More than half of greenkeepers, 57 per cent, said golfers are bad or very bad at repairing pitch marks, although the majority of golfers, 71 per cent, are not bad or very bad at putting divots back. Seventy four per cent of the respondents said that despite the bad course management practice of some golfers, a lack of investment in course management by the club and issues out of their control such as heavy rain or course geology, golfers blame them if the course does not meet their expectations

The poll also found that 94 per cent of greenkeepers work at least 40 hours a week during summer – more than the UK full time average of 37 hours. More than one in three greenkeepers (36 per cent) work at least 50 hours a week, which is more than the European Union’s Working Time Directive of 48 hours, and 11 per cent work at least 55 hours per week.

On a summer’s day more than two-thirds of greenkeepers are at their club by 6am at the latest.

A spokesman for Greenkeeping magazine, which is read by 9,000 greenkeepers, said: “As well as showing how many hours greenkeepers work, which is more than most professions, this survey provides an interesting insight into what greenkeepers really think about golfers. On the whole, it’s a positive impression, but they would prefer golfers to be more educated about the golf course they are playing on.”