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Golf course superintendent vs turf manager

The differences between golf course superintendents and turf managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a golf course superintendent and a turf manager. Additionally, a golf course superintendent has an average salary of $38,861, which is higher than the $29,494 average annual salary of a turf manager.

The top three skills for a golf course superintendent include mowing, GRASS and course maintenance. The most important skills for a turf manager are mowing, GRASS, and weed control.

Golf course superintendent vs turf manager overview

Golf Course SuperintendentTurf Manager
Yearly salary$38,861$29,494
Hourly rate$18.68$14.18
Growth rate6%-
Number of jobs12,772599
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

Golf course superintendent vs turf manager salary

Golf course superintendents and turf managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Golf Course SuperintendentTurf Manager
Average salary$38,861$29,494
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $67,000Between $21,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityClifton, NJ-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyMiddlebury College-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between golf course superintendent and turf manager education

There are a few differences between a golf course superintendent and a turf manager in terms of educational background:

Golf Course SuperintendentTurf Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorApplied HorticultureApplied Horticulture
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Golf course superintendent vs turf manager demographics

Here are the differences between golf course superintendents' and turf managers' demographics:

Golf Course SuperintendentTurf Manager
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 93.2% Female, 6.8%Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 1.3% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 1.3% White, 68.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between golf course superintendent and turf manager duties and responsibilities

Golf course superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Manage nursery and landscape surrounding campus center, leading maintenance and management projects.
  • Operate various equipment, including: riding and push mowers, weed trimmers, chainsaws, bunker rakes, etc.
  • Resolve customer complaints while maintaining budgets and staff payroll.
  • Experience with marking and measuring of fields to NCAA regulations.
  • Mow, weedeat and edge all turf areas as needed.
  • Maintain time and attendance payroll records, and department records management.
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Turf manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage nursery and landscape surrounding campus center, leading maintenance and management projects.
  • Up sale services and products to maintain high quality turf grass and trees/shrubs in landscape beds.
  • Trust to operate large equipment such as commercial mowers, trucks, dump trucks and wood chippers.
  • Assist with landscape maintenance including mowing, pruning, planting, mulching, seeding, and weed management.
  • Execute facility turf management program including fertilization, aeration, herbicide application, watering and mowing.
  • Accept various temporary assignments for property maintenance, cleaning vacant apartments, & minor electrical, plumbing and mechanical repair
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Golf course superintendent vs turf manager skills

Common golf course superintendent skills
  • Mowing, 13%
  • GRASS, 11%
  • Course Maintenance, 10%
  • Fairways, 9%
  • Golf Courses, 5%
  • Pro Shop, 4%
Common turf manager skills
  • Mowing, 21%
  • GRASS, 18%
  • Weed Control, 16%
  • Lawn Care, 12%
  • Athletic Fields, 11%
  • NCAA, 6%

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