While nearly everyone else is vying for spots in top engineering or finance degree programs, there is a growing number of students who are considering careers in turf management and are enrolling in turf grass science programs at some of the nation’s most respected universities. Turf managers are the people that are responsible for ground maintenance for areas like golf courses. The reasons that people choose this career option varies. For example, some people simply want a job where they can work outdoors, and others like the perks of free golf on the courses for which they help to maintain. Here is an overview of the history of the turf grass management academic discipline, the types of courses offered within many turf grass management degree programs, typical job options for turf managers and professional issues to consider when becoming a turf manager.