Education

Our Education Board provides advice on how best to prepare for a career in golf course architecture.

Becoming a GCA

Golf course architecture demands a wide diversity of skills and technical knowledge. Of utmost importance to the skills of a golf course architect is a thorough appreciation of landscape architecture and its application to the philosophy of planning and designing golf courses. In addition to the requisite illustrative and drawing abilities, the golf course architect must have a comprehensive knowledge of the game of golf, an understanding of the history of the origins and evolution of golf and course design, and an appreciation of the potential environmental impacts of golf course construction and management.

An important role of the EIGCA is to promote and maintain high standards of golf course design and professional expertise. By offering a qualification in golf course architecture the EIGCA is trying to ensure that potential new golf course architects are properly trained with a good working knowledge of current industry standards.

The EIGCA Vocational Qualification in Golf Course Design is currently open to both prospective designers who are just getting into the industry and have already found employment in an EIGCA member’s practice and others interested in the industry who can attach themselves to a member (Student Attachment Programme). The aim of the vocational course is to aid their development through a mixture of online learning, bi-annual workshops and assignments, while also receiving on-the-job training from their mentor.

Prospective students should study the Career Path section to determine how they might best enhance their prospects of being taken on by a member’s practice.