Seasonal course management | BIGGA

The changing seasons of golf course maintenance

Golf courses are living landscapes that evolved with the seasons, requiring year-round care to stay in top condition. From the lush growth of spring to the challenges of winter frost, every season brings unique tasks for greenkeepers. This page explores how golf course maintenance adapts throughout the year, featuring stories of the dedicated professionals who keep fairways pristine, greens smooth and courses playable in (almost) all weather. Discover the science, skill and hard work behind seasonal maintenance and gain a deeper appreciation for the ever-changing beauty of the game.

Summer

The course is looking its best - but we're still looking ahead...

Downland summer Your Course.jpg — What does a downland greenkeeper do in summer?

Your Course links summer.jpg — What does a links greenkeeper do in summer?

Your Course heathland summer.jpg — What does a heathland greenkeeper do in summer?

Your Course parkland.jpg — What does a parkland greenkeeper do in summer?

Winter

In the deep, dark winter, there's much work still to be done...

Great Barr Your Course.jpg — Preparing for winter at a regular parkland course

Noel MacKenzie Your Course.jpg — As the weather cools, expectations must follow suit

Carnoustie winter Your Course.jpg — Why winter is incredibly important at golf courses

Frost damage Your Course graphic.jpg — Should you play on winter greens when it's frosty?

Winter greens graphic — Winter greens - the arguments for and against

Orkney Golf Club in snow — How you can support your greenkeeper this winter

Winter greens Your Course graphic.jpg — Why do some clubs use winter greens, but others don’t?

Links winter Your Course graphic.jpg — A greenkeeper's take on links golf in winter

Parkland winter Your Course.jpg — How this championship team protects a parkland course in winter

Your Course Heathland winter.jpg — Is it OK to play a heathland course in winter?

Downland winter Your Course.jpg — How a downland course comes out of winter in good shape

Spring and autumn transition

Preparing the course for seasonal changes...

Autumn Your Course Parkland.jpg — How does a parkland course prepare for summer?

Summer Your Course links.jpg — How does a links course prepare for summer?

Leaves on a golf course — Why autumn is so important on the golf course

Autumn Your Course downland.jpg — How does a downland course prepare for summer?

Heathland Your Course summer.jpg — How does a heathland course prepare for summer?