Study at Home Turf Course
"Become a turf worker! Work on golf courses, for councils, sports fields"!
*700 hour course designed for turf workers.
Work at golf courses, bowling greens, council facilities, golf courses and more….
Study in your own home at your own pace.
Highly qualified and knowledgeable tutors.
An excellent course for anyone interested in working in turf care.
Course Structure:
The course involves six modules split into two parts, structured as follows:
Part I
- Horticulture I
- Turf Care
- Machinery and Equipment
Part 2.
- Sports Turf Management
- Turf Repair and Renovation
- Irrigation (Gardens)
Module Outlines
Horticulture
There are twelve lessons in this course, as follows:
- Plant Identification: Naming plants; distinguishing the taxonomic divisions of plants including family, genus, species and variety or hybrid; identifying the different parts of a flower; distinguishing the morphological characteristics of leaves.
- Planting: Planting methods used for different types of plants including annuals, perennials, evergreen and deciduous plants; influence of environmental factors on planting techniques.
- Soils: Classifying soils; sampling and testing soils; chemical and physical properties of soils; soil improvement techniques; composting; potting mixes.
- Nutrition: Major and micro elements necessary for plant growth; nutrient deficiencies and toxicities; fertilisers.
- Water Management: Irrigation systems – characteristics, advantages and disadvantages; drainage systems; waterwise gardening.
- Pruning: Pruning techniques; importance of pruning to growth, flowering and fruiting; pruning tools.
- Weeds: Identifying common weeds; characteristics of weeds; control techniques; herbicides.
- Pests and Diseases: Identifying common insect and disease problems; control methods; Integrated Pest Management; pesticides; hygiene procedures; chemical safety.
- Landscaping: Stages of landscaping; design procedures; collating pre-planning information; preparing plans; selecting plants for specified sites.
- Propagation: Asexual and sexual propagation; taking cuttings; sowing seeds; aftercare of propagated plants.
- Lawns: Turf grass varieties; laying a new lawn; cultural techniques including watering, fertilizing, topdressing, aerating, pest and disease control.
- Arboriculture: Tree management techniques including pruning, removal and tree surgery; identifying tree problems.
Turf Care
There are eleven lessons as follows:
- Introduction - Turf Varieties
- Turf Grass Physiology
- Turf Establishment
- Soils
- Turf Weed Problems
- Turf Pests & Diseases
- Turf Maintenance Techniques
- Irrigation - An Overview
- Playing Fields & Bowling Greens
- Managing Established Turf
- Establishing Ornamental Turf
Machinery and Equipment
There are eight lessons as follows:
- Engine Operation
- Hydraulics
- Machinery Components
- Hand Tools
- Power Tools
- Tractors
- Equipment Maintenance
- Specific Workplace Requirements
Sports Turf Management
Ten lessons are as follows:
- Turf Variety Selection
- Mowing - selection, use and maintenance of equipment.
- Cultivation Techniques -spiking, coring, thatch removal and other techniques.
- Preparing for Play on Sports grounds - rolling, marking, etc.
- Preparing for Play of Greens - rolling, marking, etc.
- Turf Protection & Preservation
- Irrigation & Drainage
- Soil Treatment & Sprays - pesticides, fertilisers, etc.
- Evaluate Maintenance Facilities
- Develop a Management Plan
Turf Repair and Renovation
Ten lessons are as follows:
- Understanding Turf Deterioration - physiological and biological responses.
- Repair & Renovation Equipment - use and repair of applicable equipment.
- Turf Cultivation Techniques
- Health Improvement Techniques -pest control, feeding, watering, etc.
- Optimising Turf Usage
- Replacing Damaged Turf - techniques for replacement.
- Renovation of Degraded Turf - techniques to repair and renovated turf.
- Eradicating Turf Weeds
- Treating Aeration & Drainage Problems - compaction, etc.
- Managing a Turf Nursery.
Irrigation (Gardens)
There are 10 lessons as follows:
- Introduction to Irrigation
- Soil Characteristics & Problems
- Estimating Plant Needs & Irrigation Scheduling
- Drainage
- Types of Irrigation Systems
- Trickle Systems
- Design Specifications
- Pumps & Filters
- Selecting the Right System for a Plant
- Design & Operation of Systems.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
Distance Learning Turf Certificate
"Become a turf worker! Work on golf courses, for councils, sports fields"!
700 hour course designed for turf workers.Work at golf courses, bowling greens, council facilities, golf courses and more….Study in your own home at your own pace.Highly qualified and knowledgeable tutors.An excellent course for anyone interested in working in turf care.
A 700 hour course designed principally for turf workers at golf courses, bowling greens, sports fields, or councils. This course is similar to other VHT002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to turf culture, species and management. Accredited through the International Accreditation & Recognition Council.
