Top Tips - Under pressure! Coping with stress
Augusta fever has come and gone. However, the stress and pressure in turfcare continue to rise. James Matthewman, Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Maesteg Golf Club, outlines how he manages the growing expectations.
Has greenkeeping become more pressured in recent years?
Absolutely! The increasing expectations of golfers, coupled with the prevailing climate, have created substantial pressure on course management. The challenge of consistently delivering acceptable playing conditions under adverse environmental constraints makes it highly stressful to even achieve adequate standards of play.
Does the amount of work involved in greenkeeping reflect the reward?
Yes, it does. Despite operating with a tight budget and limited resources, observing the condition of the golf course after a challenging week provides significant professional satisfaction. This sense of accomplishment stems from knowing that the achieved quality is a direct result of the considerable effort invested by both yourself and the team.
Have you felt stress in the job? What has caused this?
Yes, all the time! Working with an ageing fleet is extremely stressful. You can be right on top of things one minute, and it only takes one machine to go down - for example, the rough mower - and suddenly you have a massive snowball effect. You get pulled off your own job trying to fix it, so your own work doesn’t get done. Meanwhile, the rough keeps growing due to the breakdown, and even when the parts eventually arrive, the rough is so long it puts further stress on the machine - which then puts even more stress on you!
Do you think that golfers should consider the work of greenkeepers?
100%. Golfers often don’t understand how much work it takes to maintain a golf course. Some do, but the majority think it’s just about cutting grass. While in summer it is a lot of cutting, there are so many more aspects to greenkeeping.
Have you ever experienced bad feedback at work? How do you manage this?
All the time! Keeping 500 members happy is really tough. Some golfers want very fast greens, others prefer them slow. Some like clearly defined grass areas, while others want everything closely mown. It’s almost impossible to please everyone, so when we get complaints, we listen to what people want and try to find a middle ground where we can - but it’s often very difficult.
Do you think TV coverage of turfcare, such as The Masters or Premier League games, causes extra pressure?
Sometimes. I like to think that most golfers are educated enough to understand that Augusta and other top golf courses - along with top Premier League venues - are elite. That’s why top sporting events are held there. However, you do still get the odd few who’ll say, “They hand-cut the greens all year round on that course - why can’t it be done here?” without considering the vast differences in staffing and available resources.
How have you managed stress and pressure in the job?
I try not to take work home with me. I also have hobbies outside of work, which help reduce my stress levels and cope with uncontrollable pressures. When I’m at work, I try not to panic or stress if I can help it. If something’s out of your control - for example, the weather - you have to remind yourself that you can’t beat nature, and better days will eventually come. It’s difficult sometimes, but maintaining a positive attitude is vital in the world we live in now.
How would you help someone else who might be experiencing stress? Should managers offer more consideration?
Communication is key with staff. If you feel that someone may be stressed at work, sit them down and talk to them. Reassure them, ask if they need help with anything. I think it’s incredibly important that managers stay vigilant to stress in the workplace. Needless stress can often be resolved relatively easily - but if left unchecked, it can be potentially harmful to someone who’s struggling. Personally, with how the world is now and how important mental health has become, I believe it should be mandatory for turf managers to take a course on managing stress and pressure at work.