A YouTube channel for equipment managers

When asked why he decided to start a YouTube channel, Ansley Country Club equipment manager Trent Manning was quick to respond: “The lack of content for golf course equipment managers.”

His channel, Reel Turf Techs, started in 2021. His first video titled “How to Generating QR codes,” received 36 views. The channel now has 63 videos and 255 subscribers. 

Manning's career in the golf industry began when he was just 16 years old at Ansley Golf club’s Settindown course. After working a few various industry jobs, he returned to his home course as equipment manager in 2010. 

Manning is also the host of Superintendent Radio Network’s Reel Turf Techs podcast, and helps teach for the GCSAA. “One thing leads to another and next thing you know you’re golf course industry famous,” he says.

Thanks to working numerous jobs, travel and experience, Manning has learned many tricks, tips and techniques that are helpful for an equipment manager or technician. 

Manning aims to create content that can help equipment managers in many capacities, giving them the guidance to help them fix problems and learn industry knowledge. 

“That’s my only goal, I want to help others,” he says. 

His channel has grown from screen-recordings to professionally recorded and edited videos and YouTube shorts. The post-film production requirements aren’t enjoyable for Manning, so he hired Kevin Keegan of WoodlotMedia to assist him. 

Manning and Keegan get together on Saturdays to film as much content as they can. Filming can range from eight to 12 hours a day. He also records videos during the work week, if something comes up that others can benefit from. 

Watching Wes Work and Blondihacks are two channels that Manning draws inspiration from. Blondihacks is an educational channel on welding, electronics, machine work and more from Quinn Dunki. “She does an awesome job of explaining in detail how things work,” he says of Dunki.

Some of his channels videos feature titles such as “How-To: Grinding a Bed Knife - My Method for Grinding a Toro DPA Bedknife on a Foley 673,” “Air Tank Cheat Code - Save Time With These Fittings” and “The Aggression Fork - Take The Guesswork Out of Setting Up Your Reel Mower.” Manning also posts recordings of his podcasts and interviews with other industry pros.

His most watched video is from December 2022, titled “Ditch Witch Hydraulic Cylinder Rebuild,” with 2,900 views. His YouTube shorts receive a lot of traction as well, with some clips receiving up to 17,000 views. 

The equipment manager’s plans for the future of the channel? “Grow it as big and as fast as I can.”

Is there a video you’d like to see from Trent? Email him at reelturftechs@gmail.com to submit ideas. 

Kelsie Horner is Golf Course Industry’s assistant editor.