Jay Seaman, the golf course manager at Eaton Golf Club in Norfolk, takes us through his average day.

What time do you arrive at the club and what is your morning routine?

At Eaton Golf Club we start at 7:00am because of the surrounding houses, so we cannot make noise too early and disturb the neighbours. I usually arrive around 6:45am so I can check that the irrigation system has completed its cycle overnight and that no faults have been reported during the summer months. After that, I organise and assign the jobs for the day to the team.

How many people are there in your team and do you share tasks?

We have six members of staff at Eaton, including myself, and this also includes an apprentice who has made a very positive start. I’m sure he will continue to do a great job once he is fully trained up. We like to ensure everyone can carry out all the jobs on the course, so if someone is off sick or on holiday, anyone can step in and complete the tasks. We do, however, keep spraying operations to a small number of individuals so we can maintain consistency with that work.

How do you motivate your colleagues?

I always make sure to check in with my colleagues and ensure nobody is under unnecessary stress. We like to have a laugh together, but when work needs to be done, everyone knows what is expected and gets stuck in. The team is always willing to help during maintenance weeks or when we are busy with cutting and other tasks. We also try to play golf together once a month on a Friday afternoon so we can enjoy the course the same way the members do. It is also a good opportunity to socialise away from work. When it suits everyone, sometimes we’ll all enjoy a beer together after work.

What aspects of your job give you the greatest satisfaction?

I enjoy every part of my job. I’m very lucky to be able to say that this job feels more like a hobby. I enjoy being outdoors and I’m also a keen golfer. If I had to pick one thing, it would be seeing the finished product at the end of a busy working week and having the course prepared for a packed weekend of golf.

And the least satisfaction?

Fortunately, as I said above, I enjoy every aspect of greenkeeping. I started when I was 19 as a keen golfer, and I used to work all day before playing golf afterwards.

Have you attended any courses recently, and if so, what did you take away?

I attended BTME for the first time this year. It was actually a bit overwhelming at first, but it was very useful. Two of my colleagues and I attended several seminars and took away some valuable information.

What is your favourite season of the year and why?

I really enjoy springtime. It’s always nice to get over a cold, wet winter and watch the flowers start growing and the trees begin to leaf up again when it warms up. When this happens, you know the golfing season is just around the corner.

Are you witnessing evidence of climate change and, if so, how has your job had to adapt to changing weather patterns?

Yes, we are. Winters are becoming wetter and summers drier and, with fewer frosts, disease pressure is increasing. We recently installed a new irrigation system and now use a moisture meter, so regular checks are carried out throughout the summer to make the most of the system and conserve as much water as possible.

Some of our greens have also had drainage installed to improve winter playability, which has made a huge difference on some of the lower-lying areas of the course. We also have a strong winter plan in place to help keep disease pressure low and maintain healthy, disease-free greens, although that is often easier said than done.

Have you had to overcome any course issues with disease and/or pests?

As we come towards the end of summer, we like to begin spraying our winter programme early so we can go into the colder months one step ahead of turf diseases. We have a strong yearly plan in place that we work from, and we spray whenever we feel it is necessary. We also monitor several different weather stations so we can react quickly when disease pressure is high and apply treatments at the correct time.

What piece of equipment would you say is the most popular and frequently used by you and your team?

We recently purchased a soil moisture meter which is now used every other day to take readings and remove the guesswork from moisture management. This allows us to monitor conditions more accurately and save irrigation water.

At Eaton Golf Club we also have a lot of trees, so last winter we purchased a GKB PTO-driven leaf blower which has made a huge difference to our leaf clearance operation. It’s easy to attach and operate, meaning anyone on the team can use it confidently. Our old, trailed blower ran on petrol and cost around £50 a day in fuel, so we felt it was the right time to move to a more efficient and cost-effective solution.

With a growing focus on sustainability, do you deploy any sustainable practices in the management of your course?

We have invested in a brand-new, state-of-the-art irrigation system, which was installed at the end of 2025/start of 2026. We also purchased a moisture meter so we can better manage how much water we apply to greens and tees and save as much irrigation water as possible. We have already seen major benefits from both the new irrigation system and the regular use of the moisture meter which is going to benefit us going forward.

What do you do to support wildlife?

We have a large number of bird and owl boxes around the golf course, all of which are managed yearly by a member. We also maintain several wildflower areas around the course, which are essential for supporting biodiversity. These areas provide important food sources and habitats for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. They also help improve soil health and support the wider ecosystem.

In wooded areas, we create habitat piles using old logs. These provide food, shelter and breeding sites for insects, fungi, amphibians and small mammals. By stacking logs in shaded and damp areas, we can create “minibeast villages” that attract beetles, worms, toads, hedgehogs and other wildlife.

Do you use social media professionally and what do you think this contributes to the industry?

I don’t use social media myself, but I think it is an excellent way for greenkeepers to promote their golf course and show golfers and other interested people what the job involves on a day-to-day basis.

What advice would you give to a young greenkeeper starting out today?

Make sure you listen and try to take in as much information from your peers as possible. No question is a stupid question, and if you are unsure about something, never be afraid to ask.
Starting a new job can be intimidating for a young person, but everyone is there for the same reason and wants to help you become the best version of yourself. There is so much information available now, along with plenty of courses and classes you can take to continue learning. The opportunities in greenkeeping are endless — whether you want to work abroad or start from the bottom and work your way to the top. Being outdoors is one of the best parts of the job. The weather might not always be great, but the end result makes it all worthwhile.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I enjoy playing golf after work or at weekends. I also go fishing whenever I get the chance. Fishing is great for me because it allows me to switch off completely and forget about the stresses of the job.

Sometimes I’m lucky enough to land a few fish too, which always makes the day even better!