When you’re in the running for a golf course superintendent position, the interview process often includes a crucial component: the site visit. Much like a real estate agent visiting a property to gain insight into its unique features, a site visit allows you to showcase your understanding of the course, its challenges, and the needs of the management team.
It’s an opportunity to move beyond the resume and formal interviews to demonstrate how you can add value in real-world conditions and provide a taste of your observational skills.
In some cases, you may need to ask club officials or the hiring manager to tour the facilities, and in others this will be a critical step to evaluating your fit for the role. Always be respectful and sensitive to the existing team and operations.
Assessing the Course’s Unique Challenges and Needs
During your site visit, you’ll have the opportunity to assess the course firsthand and get a deeper understanding of its specific challenges. In some cases you may tour the facility with the General Manager, Golf Professional, committee member or unguided. Look beyond the basics including the consistency of turf quality, bunker presentation, detail work, and growing challenges.
Consider factors like water management, pest control, and the local climate. Are there any pressing issues like drought conditions or environmental regulations that will affect your strategy?
When appropriate, don’t be afraid to pull soil samples, dig into existing turf conditions, or pull out the sunseeker app to take an extra step. Be observant, but respectful. Think about what improvements can be made to get some quick wins in your first year to gain membership buy-in.
Evaluate the work environment
Depending on the confidentiality, getting an eye on the maintenance facility could provide a strong look into the culture. Are the available workspaces adequate for elevating the team and operations?
Take stock of the machinery, tools, and technology you’ll be working with. Are they up-to-date and sufficient for the job? This could be a major talking point, and a major hurdle to achieving conditioning goals.
Understanding the cleanliness, safety, organization and pride the team has could uncover themes out on the golf course.
Building Rapport with Key Decision-Makers
Technical expertise is only part of the equation. As a superintendent, you’ll need to fit in with the club’s culture and leadership style. The site visit gives you a chance to meet key stakeholders and see how the team operates.
You may have the opportunity to engage with club leadership, such as the general manager, board members, and other staff. This is your chance to observe team dynamics and show how well you can work with them.
Building trust and rapport with the people who will ultimately decide whether or not to hire you is a key opportunity in the search process. Be personable and approachable. Building a positive rapport with decision-makers during the visit can leave a lasting impression and boost your candidacy.
Show genuine interest in the club’s long-term goals, operations, and challenges. This shows you understand that your role goes beyond just maintaining the course.
Focusing solely on turf management or course conditions without considering the club’s culture, values, and member expectations can make you seem one-dimensional.
Use what you observe to highlight how your interpersonal skills and management style align with the club’s values and dynamics. If you can, draw parallels between their current culture and your previous roles.
Clarifying Club Expectations and Priorities
Each golf club has its own expectations for the superintendent’s role. Some emphasize maintaining tournament-level conditions, while others prioritize sustainability or member interaction.
Clarify what the club values most—whether that’s agronomy expertise, leadership skills, or budgeting prowess.
Not all job requirements are listed in the description. During the visit, you may pick up on informal expectations, such as the superintendent’s visibility with members or specific community engagement efforts.
Tailor your responses to align with their priorities. Show how your skills and past experiences meet both the formal and informal requirements of the role.
Refining Your Approach Based on What You See
If you notice that the course has aging infrastructure, for instance, you can emphasize your experience with major renovations or equipment upgrades.
Keep notes during or after the visit so you can reference specifics during your follow-up interviews or thank-you notes. This shows you were paying attention and reinforces your interest in the role.
When it comes time for the interview, be prepared to discuss how your past experience equips you to handle these specific challenges. Provide examples of similar courses you’ve managed or problems you’ve solved in comparable situations.
By approaching the visit with a focus on understanding the course’s challenges, building relationships with decision-makers, and aligning yourself with the club’s long-term goals, you can make a lasting impression and position yourself as the ideal candidate for the role.
This is your opportunity to demonstrate that you’re not just a good fit on paper—you’re the right person to lead their course to success. Present yourself as a knowledgeable, respect, and professional candidate. Of course, here are some things to avoid.
- Don’t slouch on your attire, dress professionally and appropriately.
- Make sure you’ve reviewed and researched the course, the club’s history, and their goals.
- Even if you see areas for improvement, phrase your observations tactfully, instead of being overly critical or current management practices.
- Respect the staff, members, and club culture. Avoid acting like you’re already in charge or asking detailed questions about employees’ performance.
- Let key stakeholders lead the conversation avoiding being arrogant or disrespectful.
- Avoid making bold statements about the course’s existing challenges and making immediate changes until you fully understand the context.
If you’re in need of further insight and best practices, set up a FREE Talent Strategy Call with our team.
Are you ready to build a top-performing team that drives results? Our proven framework, methodologies, and implementation is based on our personal track record of developing world-class teams. In addition to talent acquisition, we provide leadership development and ongoing consultative services for the golf course and club industry. Our team has personally coached and mentored dozens of future golf course superintendents across the United States.