Knowledge

We can consider knowledge as consisting of two parts, or two stages: knowledge and understanding.

Having the ability to ‘know what’ or ‘know that’ of something, which provides some good general awareness of the subject matter; this can sometimes be thought of as shallow knowledge and is often an essential building block to developing ones learning capabilities. It is also referred to as declarative knowledge, which is well defined factual knowledge. This general knowledge can be readily applied, through ‘know-how’, to the carrying out of practical skills.

This general awareness of something provides the base knowledge from which applied context specific knowledge is developed. This latter aspect can be better described as ‘understanding’, which is the ‘know-why’ and the ‘know-when’ of things; and can often be thought of as a depth of knowledge. The know-why is also sometimes referred to as procedural knowledge. The application of understanding leads to competence.

Examples of the knowledge requirements expected from occupations involved with turf maintenance are:

1. The Sports Turf Operative (Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard) (2025) requires an individual to have the following knowledge:
“K1: Environmental, health, and safety legislation and regulations (e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, principles of risk assessment).
K2: Governing body rules and regulations relevant to the particular sports turf surfaces.
K3: Materials, tools, equipment and machinery used in maintenance and renovation activities.
K4: Soils structure and texture (including amended rootzones and top dressings).
K5: Sports turf reinforcement methods (including hybrid surfaces) and artificial turf materials.
K6: Common names of turf-grasses (vegetative and seed). (Including, perennial ryegrass, smooth stalk meadow grass, annual meadow grass, fescue grass (fine), bent grass).
K7: Common threats to turf health :- Weeds: Daisy, Dandelion, Yarrow, Mosses, Procumbent pearlwort, White clover, Greater (Broad leaved) plantain, Ribwort (Narrow leaved) plantain, Knotgrass, Creeping buttercup, Creeping cinquefoil, Slender speedwell Pests: Cockchafer grub, Earthworm, Leatherjacket grub, Nematode Diseases: Anthracnose, Leaf Spot, Fairy rings - (Type 1 or Type 2 or Type 3) – (acceptable example of a correct Genus name only required, e.g. Type 1: Marasmius spp; Type 2: Lycoperdon spp; Type 3: Hygrophorus spp), Microdochium (Fusarium) patch, Red thread, Take-all patch. Turf disorders: Fertiliser scorch, Hydraulic oil scorch, Black layer, Drought.
K8: Processes for setting up sports turf surfaces in line with relevant governing body requirements (including line marking, the 3-4-5 squaring technique, and marking arcs and semi-circles).
K9: The principles of plant science (including photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration in the growth and development of plants).
K10: The principles of plant nutrition and impact on sustainability (including Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Sulphur, Iron).
K11: The impact of climate, weather and ground conditions on the maintenance and use of sports turf surfaces.
K12: Different methods to sustainably and safely dispose of waste to minimise and reduce environmental impacts.
K13: Methods to assess the condition of sports turf surfaces (including thatch content, root depth, uniformity of cover, weed/pest/disease content).
K14: The principles of sports turf irrigation and drainage systems (including layouts, components, and basic maintenance).
K15: How to calibrate equipment to apply a range of materials associated with sports turf surfaces (e.g. grass seed, granular fertilisers, bulky top-dressing, turf and root zone).
K16: Maintenance operations required to ensure the quality of sports turf surfaces.
K17: Operations and techniques required for general day-to-day maintenance of sports turf surfaces.
K18: Operations and techniques required to repair damaged sports turf surfaces.
K19: The application of integrated prevention and control methods to reduce the threat to sports turf health (e.g. weeds, pests, diseases, disorders).”
(Sports Turf Operative (Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard), accessed 3rd October 2025)

2. Golf Greenkeeper (Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard) (2025) requires an individual to have the following knowledge:
K1: The environmental risks golf greenkeeping working practices present to people, animals, insects, plants, waterways and how these can be minimised.
K2: How golf course maintenance can interact with the natural environment to enhance biodiversity and conserve natural habitats.
K3: The impact of climate change on golf course sustainability (including course condition and playability, materials, coastal change).
K4: Typical components of golf course drainage and irrigation systems.
K5: Methods of sustainable waste management on and around the golf course and facilities (including, storage, disposal and consideration of water course).
K6: Health and safety legislation, regulations and polices relevant to golf greenkeeping, the golf course and surrounding facilities (including the Health and Safety at Work Act, Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Control of Noise at Work Regulations, Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, Food and Environmental Protection Act, plant protection products, Control of Vibration at Work Regulations, Manual Handling Operations Regulations, lone working).
K7: Methods used to develop and maintain effective working relationships (including greenkeeper's Code of Practice and Code of Ethics).
K8: How to keep up to date with advances in golf greenkeeping working practices and technologies.
K9: The methods of verbal and written communication and how they can be adapted to suit the situation and audience.
K10: The importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
K11: Markings for golf areas (including drop zones, hazard/ penalty areas, out of bounds, tee markers).
K12: Golf green playing requirements and standards and how to measure green speed in line with United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter instructions.
K13: Principles, methods and equipment used to change holes (including Rules of Golf, choosing position and required finish).
K14: Rotary and cylinder mower types used on a golf course, their application and safe setup and operation.
K15: Principles of mowing golf greens, tees, fairways and rough (including mowing patterns, importance of changing direction of cut, frequency of mowing golf course areas, heights of cut).
K16: Ground conditions affecting mowing and typical mowing problems (including scalping, tearing, ribbing, wash boarding, nap to grain).
K17: The features of a sand bunker and how they should be maintained and presented.
K18: The methods used for switching and brushing turf.
K19: The benefits of aeration, scarification, grooming and verticutting and typical equipment and methods used.
K20: Typical turf defects and methods of golf course turf repair (including overseeding, pitch mark and divot repair).
K21: Identification and control of weeds, pests, diseases and turf disorders (weeds including: Daisy, Dandelion, Slender speedwell, Yarrow, White Clover, Buttercup, Procumbent pearlwort, Great plantain, Ribwort plantain, Common chickweed, Lesser trefoil, Moss, Knotgrass, Creeping cinquefoil. Pests including: Earthworms, Chafer grubs, Leatherjackets, Bibionid Flies, Frit Flies, Moles. Diseases and disorders including: Microdochium Patch, Snow Mould, Red Thread, Anthracnose, Fairy Rings, Take-all Patch, Red Leaf Spot, Rapid Blight, Pink Patch, Dollar Spot, Brown Patch, Leaf Spot/Melting Out, Rust, Powdery Mildew, Yellow Turf. Turfgrass disorders including: Dry patch, Black layer, Drought, Scorch, Nutrient Imbalance, Cold Stress, Heat Stress).
K22: Methods and materials used for top dressing and the effect that weather has on the frequency and timing of top dressing operations across the golf course.
K23: What fertilisers do, the types that can be used, common application rates and how they are applied.
K24: Safe setup and operation of powered equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
K25: Maintenance requirements for golf course tools, equipment and machinery and the importance of carrying out routine maintenance in accordance with required procedures.
K26: The processes and safety checks appropriate for preparing and operating tractors with attachments for use on playing surfaces.
K27: Maintenance requirements for lakes, ponds, ditches, waterways, pathways and other golf course hazards.
K28: Soil texture and the methods used to obtain and record soil and plant health condition.
K29: Ground preparation requirements to establish turf and plants.
K30: Plant, tree and shrub identification and characteristics (Plants (herbaceous, bedding, wildflower and invasive) including: Himalayan Balsam, Marsh marigold, Fern, Ornamental yarrow, Purple loosestrife, Marigold, French marigold, Fuschia, Busy Lizzy, Petunia, Common poppy, Ornamental daisy, Ragwort, Bluebell, Harebell, Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed. Trees including: Pine, Oak, Silver birch, Beech, Ash, Hawthorn. Shrubs including: Broom, Cotoneaster, Gorse, Laurel, Dogwood, Heather, Photinia).
(Golf Greenkeeper (Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard), accessed 3rd October 2025)

As a contrast a Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard (the Advanced Sports Turf Technician) (2025), which is for supervisory and skilled operatives, requires an individual to have the following knowledge:
“K1: Relevant health, safety, environmental legislation, and regulations to ensure a safe environment including their impact and benefits on the business and sport turf surfaces (including but not exclusively, the Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, principles of risk assessment, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, and the Noise at work regulations).
K2: Common aspects of plant, soil science and plant growth regulators to promote best practice and sustainable sports turf surfaces (for example, photosynthesis, nutrient assimilation, calculating/modelling plant growth, abiotic and biotic stressors, and root zone principles).
K3: The importance of collecting and evaluating agronomic data to ensure sustainable quality playing surfaces and how it can be used to improve the future turfgrass condition and playability.
K4: How to evaluate fertilisers and bio-stimulant formulations (for example, soluble, liquids, straight, compound, slow-release, controlled-release, chelates, homogenous, nutrient take up and nutrient cycles, granular (prill size), and organic-derived).
K5: The principles of surfactants for maintaining sports turf.
K6: The principles of fault-finding minor repairs and basic design layouts of irrigation and drainage systems.
K7: Methodology for calculating precipitation rates and run times.
K8: How to operate information technology to ensure effective communication and record keeping (for example, irrigation controller, software packages and mobile technology).
K9: How to plan and implement maintenance, improvement and renovation programmes making the optimum use of human and physical resources available.
K10: Governing bodies rules and regulations.
K11: Environmental and ecological best practice to maintain a sustainable surface and facilities.
K12: How to manage weeds, pests, diseases, disorders, their life cycles and the most effective treatment method and the importance of record keeping.
K13: How to plan and implement machinery and equipment maintenance programmes and their impact on turf maintenance.
K14: Mechanical principles and potential fault-finding techniques (for example, combustion engine, electrical systems, and hydraulic systems).
K15: How to estimate resource requirements and programme work in line with budget restraints. (For example, specification of works, bills of quantities, sequence of works, cost benefit analysis).
K16: How to gather information for acquiring resources using qualitative and quantitative sources in order to make recommendations.
K17: How to identify the appropriate form of communication (including, written, verbal, electronic) and evaluate the best solution for different circumstances.
K18: The importance of maintaining relationships, needs of others and equality and diversity.
K19: How to prepare and host team meetings and the key fundamentals of effective presentations.
K20: Employment legislation including data protection and equality.
K21: Coaching and mentoring methodologies and how to contribute or carry out staff appraisals.
K22: The principles and methods of personal and professional development.”
Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard (the Advanced Sports Turf Technician), accessed 3rd October 2025)

A Level 5 Apprenticeship Standard for a Grounds Manager (titled ‘Sports Turf Technical Manager’) is currently in development (2025), but has the following skill requirements for an individual:
“K1: Information sources and methods used to research and evaluate scientific, technical developments and innovations likely to impact the turfgrass industry.
K2: Agronomic principles, plant, turfgrass and soil science relevant to sport turf technical managers.
K3: Sports turf science and its impact on the planning, construction, establishment and maintenance of a sports turf area.
K4: Methods used to conduct scientific sports turf laboratory and field investigations, collect data and analyse results.
K5: Problems associated with sports turf areas and how to collect data for subsequent evaluation.
K6: Specialist sports turf machinery, equipment and technology and how it can be applied in a sustainable manner.
K7: Methods used to identify credible sports turf management information sources and how investigative study and problem-solving techniques can be used when developing practical solutions.
K8: Methods used to evaluate and plan own personal development.
K9: Plant biochemistry and physiology, how they relate to how plants survive in different environments and the processes by which plants pass on their genetic information from one generation to the next.
K10: The major UK soil groups and the factors which determine soil formation and development.
K11: The biotic and abiotic components and processes of the soil and their influence on plant growth, development and soil management.
K12: The principles of establishing natural grass surfaces for sport.
K13: Methods used to prepare maintenance schedules and the effects of maintenance operations and practices on the grass plant and turfgrass sward.
K14: Plant morphology and physiological processes within the grass plant and the effects of environmental influences on the growth and development of turfgrass.
K15: Experimental design, benchmarking and the application of statistical tests when testing a hypothesis in relation to sports turf quality, and performance.
K16: Common pest, disease and weed species in turfgrass surfaces and their impact on turfgrass quality and playability.
K17: The principles of ecology relating to sports turf facilities in the United Kingdom.
K18: Approaches to improving sustainability, natural habitats and biodiversity for a sports facility.
K19: Methods used to manage sports turf resources.
K20: Methods used to analyse and evaluate materials used in the drainage and construction of sport surfaces and methods used for specific sports surface construction in the UK.
K21: How mathematical formulae can be used to solve sports turf construction and drainage system problems.
K22: The processes involved in the assimilation of light energy, water and nutrients into a plant and how plants modify these to deal with stressful environmental conditions.
K23: The control of plant growth and development by environmental signals.
K24: Structure and content requirements when developing scientific style written reports and presenting recommendations.
K25: How to evaluate drainage designs and concepts.
K26: How to align workforce needs with organisational goals, including recruitment, retention, and skills development.
K27: Health and safety standards to ensure a safe working environment for all employees and contractors.
K28: How to motivate staff and provide ongoing support to enhance their performance and job satisfaction.
K29: How to prepare and interpret profit and loss statements, budget management, allocating resources efficiently and setting spending priorities.
K30: Techniques for effectively sourcing, negotiating, and managing supplier relationships.”
Level 5 Apprenticeship Standard for a Sports Turf Technical Manager, accessed 3rd October 2025)

The Level 5 Apprenticeship Standard for Golf Course Manager (2025) requires an individual to have the following knowledge and understanding:
• All relevant health, safety and environmental legislation and regulations to ensure a safe working environment for self, team and others.
• How to conduct and review risk assessments using methods relevant to the management and maintenance of the golf course.
• The advanced aspects of soil and plant biology in order to produce sustainable playing surfaces.
• How to identify and control weeds, pests, diseases and disorders and their impact on sustainable playing surfaces, legislation and record keeping.
• How to plan, manage and review maintenance, improvement and renovation programmes for the golf course making the optimum use of resources available.
• The importance of maintaining quality standards through the collection and evaluation of data.
• How to plan, manage and construct golf course features.
• The environmental and ecological best practice to maintain a sustainable golf course and the impact of current legislation.
• How to design, install and manage drainage and irrigation systems and the importance of water management on the golf course.
• How to plan, manage and review machinery and equipment maintenance programmes.
• How to develop and review a tactical and strategic business management plan, in line with the Golf Course Policy document.
• The importance of customer service to the business.
• The principles of recruitment, appraisal, conflict, teamwork, staff co-ordination, supply chain management, performance management and the development of staff.
• The importance of good working relationships, the needs of others and equality and diversity of others in the workplace.
• How to plan, lead and record meetings.
• The different forms of communication (written, verbal, electronic) and evaluate the best solution for different circumstances.
• How to identify the appropriate software systems to ensure effective communication and record keeping.
• The Rules of Golf, golf course etiquette and how they impact on events and the playing of the game of golf.
• The importance of personal and professional development of themselves and their team.
Level 5 Apprenticeship Standard for Golf Course Manageraccessed 3rd October 2025)