How to Become a Golf Course Designer
Many golf course designers have a college degree in architecture or landscape engineering. A golf course designer uses a computer to create a course before actually breaking ground on the site. Working for a golf course design firm is usually the best way to start a career in the field.
- Choose a major in college that will prepare you for a golf course design career. Architecture and landscape engineering degrees are popular choices to consider. You may want to contact a golf course design firm to see if you can speak with a designer to get some information.
- Ask a designer at a firm what education you need so you can choose the right major when you attend college. Look for an internship at a golf course design firm before you start your senior year of college. Take the internship even if it does not pay so you can get an inside look at what goes on at a design firm.
- Exceed expectations during your internship so you impress the owners of the firm. Apply with the design firm where you interned once you graduate from college. You may have to start out in a different position in the industry if there are no designer openings.
- Work on a golf course construction site if you cannot find a design job right out of college. Many golf course designers began their careers by working on a course site instead of creating the actual design. You will learn how the design works by participating in the construction of the course.
- Apply with different golf course design companies after you gain some hands-on experience in the construction of a course. Update your resume to list everything you worked on at the course site. Continue to work in the golf course industry until you land a job as a designer.