Practical training for operating teams
JK Irrigation provides practical irrigation and water-management training for greenkeepers, grounds teams and people responsible for golf courses, sports turf and managed landscapes. Sessions connect controllers, cables, decoders, valves, sprinklers, pumps, pipework and storage with the conditions found on real sites.
Training can support teams operating an established system, preparing for a new installation or building confidence after project handover.
What teams work through
- Following the system from water source and pumping to control and field components
- Understanding controllers, decoders, modules, field wiring, valves and coils
- Separating pressure, flow, restrictions and leakage when interpreting symptoms
- Reviewing sprinkler arcs, nozzle choices and the factors affecting coverage
- Considering storage refill, operating demand and programme timing together
- Using structured fault records to narrow problems before changing components
- Building station, asset and handover records that more than one person can use
Decoder fault-finding is taught as a connected chain: controller, cable, joints, decoder and solenoid. Practical electrical and pressure testing is demonstrated only within the delegate's competence, using isolated or purpose-built equipment where appropriate. Platform values and test limits vary, so current manufacturer instructions and site procedures take precedence.
Explore practical technical guidance
Independent industry evidence
John Kidson is a BIGGA Patron. JK Irrigation supports practical irrigation training for BIGGA's South East Region.
BIGGA's published records cover the 2025 South East Region irrigation workshop, the 2026 seasonal start-up workshop and John's role as tutor for its irrigation decoder fault-finding training.
- BIGGA South East Region Irrigation Workshop, 2025
- BIGGA South East Region Irrigation Start-Up Workshop, 2026
- BIGGA irrigation decoder fault-finding course record
The UK Irrigation Association's independent profile records John's background across installation, servicing, audits, pumping and water movement within sports turf.
Read the UK Irrigation Association profile
Published technical guidance
John's GreenKeeping Magazine articles and industry discussions provide an external record of JK Irrigation's practical teaching approach.
- Irrigation, not irritation
- Go with the flow
- Do you know your decoder from your filter?
- How to prepare your irrigation system for winter
- What's in an irrigation technician's toolbox?
- I have 1,250 sprinkler heads to maintain
- Are you digging for gold?
- How I keep Walton Heath watered
- A design for drought and deluge
Training, handover and UK Flow Centre
Project handover can include system familiarisation, operating guidance and records for the completed work. UK Flow Centre provides a physical base for technical learning and product demonstration while JK Irrigation remains responsible for contractor, service and training delivery.
See how testing, commissioning and handover are managed
Discuss training
Tell us about the system, the team's experience and where greater technical confidence is needed.
