Royal Aberdeen Golf Club – Golf Course Blog

Tag: teamwork

  • Staff Training -SCQF Level 6 (SVQ Level 3) Sports Turf

    Congratulations to Assistant Greenkeeper Stephen Watson who has recently recieved his SVQ level 3 certificate after completing the SportsTurf qualification in March 2025.

    SCQF Level 6 (SVQ Level 3) Sports Turf

    It covers areas such as: implementing plans for the management of sports turf areas; plan and set out sports turf areas; promoting, monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security; managing resources; co-ordinating planting of crops or plants as well as maintaining land drainage and irrigation systems.

    Designed in partnership with the Sector Skills Council Lantra, this SVQ gives learners an internationally recognised qualification that guarantees they have the skills, knowledge and abilities to carry out their role successfully.

    This work based qualification was delivered on a part-time basis through attendance at SRUC Elmwood and developed to include the skills and knowledge required by the modern day greenkeeper and necessary to meet the golf course supervisor job profile.

    Royal Aberdeen Golf Club continue to invest in the future development and career progression of our team and Stephen has worked hard during his 4 years with the club to complete many other qualifications such as SCQF Level 5, PA1, PA6 & PA2 Spraying certificates, emergency first aid at work and CS30 Chainsaw certification.

  • Bunker Etiquette / Advice

    #1 – Locate the lowest spot around the edge of the bunker that is convenient to your ball try not to walk down a steep face possibly damaging the turf edge, and leaving deeper footprints.

    #2 – Carry the rake into the bunker if needed. Contrary to what some golfers believe, it is within the rules and can speed up play, be sure you do not allow the rake to touch or test the sand except when you drop it.

    #3 – Before playing the shot the rake should be dropped behind the area where you take your stance and not used to align the shot.

    #4 – Begin raking over the signs of play, to restore the surface without displacing too much sand by pushing the rake away from you a few times to spread the excess sand forward towards the face.

    #5 – Step out of the bunker and make a final few passes. The Rake Should Be Placed Inside the middle of the Bunker. This is normally a balls natural finishing position (especially in our small links pot bunkers) and if your ball hits it , you’re already in the bunker. We feel there is more likelihood of a ball being deflected into, or kept out of, a bunker if the rake is placed outside the bunker.

    If the sand was to be all raked back towards the entry point and rakes left around the edges it almost makes it impossible for the next person who lands in the bunker to escape.