What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being A Beverage Cart Girl At A Golf Course? (Explained!)

Last Updated on October 4, 2023 by Alex PT

Being a beverage cart girl at a golf course has both pros and cons. Here is a summary:

Pros:

• Flexible hours (average of 20-30 hours per week)
• Work outdoors in a beautiful setting
• Make good tips (average of $10-$20 per hour)
• Meet new people

Cons:

• Carry heavy cart (approximately 200 pounds)
• Deal with rude customers (10-20% of customers)
• Work in all weather conditions (rain, snow, heat)
• Long hours on weekends (especially during the summer)

Who is a beverage cart girl at golf courses? 

A beverage cart girl at a golf course is a person who drives a golf cart around the course and sells drinks and snacks to golfers. Beverage cart girls are typically young women, but men can also do this job.

Beverage cart girls play an important role in the golf experience. They provide a convenient way for golfers to stay hydrated and refueled during their rounds. They also offer a friendly face and a smile, which can help to make the golf experience more enjoyable.

A typical day for a beverage cart girl starts with loading the cart with drinks and snacks. The cart girl will then drive the cart around the course, stopping at each group of golfers to offer them refreshments. The cart girl will also take orders for food and drinks, which she will then deliver to the golfers on her next pass.

Beverage cart girls typically work long hours, especially on weekends. They also have to deal with all types of weather conditions, from rain and snow to heat and humidity. However, many beverage cart girls enjoy their job because it allows them to work outdoors and meet new people.

Here are some of the responsibilities of a beverage cart girl at a golf course:

• Drive a golf cart around the course, stopping at each group of golfers to offer them refreshments.
• Take orders for food and drinks.
• Deliver food and drinks to golfers.
• Collect payment for food and drinks.
• Keep the beverage cart stocked with supplies.
• Clean and maintain the beverage cart.
• Provide excellent customer service.

How do beverage cart girls operate on golf courses during games?

In basic terms, the primary role of beverage cart girls on golf courses is to ensure food and drinks are served to golfers and guests promptly on request. The first step in their mode of operation is to stock up the cart with beverages and food. To stay within the conformity of the rules guiding movements at golf courses, there are predetermined tracks provided for the passage of carts which drivers must strictly drive on to avoid game interference. In addition to that, it is important to keep the course free of trash and special requests for drinks must be duly taken.

What are the pros and cons of being a beverage cart girl on golf courses?

Being a beverage cart girl on a golf course can be a unique and rewarding job, but like any profession, it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Pros:

1. Flexible Hours: Working on a golf course typically offers flexible hours, which can be advantageous for students, part-time workers, or those seeking to supplement their income. You can often choose between morning, afternoon, or evening shifts.
2. Tips and Commissions: Beverage cart girls often receive tips from golfers for their service, and they may also earn commissions on sales. This can significantly boost your overall income, especially during busy days or in upscale courses.
3. Scenic Work Environment: Golf courses are usually located in beautiful and tranquil settings, providing an opportunity to work in a serene and visually pleasing environment. This can be a refreshing change from indoor jobs.
4. Physical Activity: You’ll be on your feet, walking, or driving a cart around the golf course, which provides a degree of physical activity. For individuals who prefer not to sit at a desk all day, this can be a pro.
5. Interaction with People: If you enjoy socializing and meeting new people, being a beverage cart girl allows you to engage with golfers, build relationships, and provide excellent customer service.
6. Networking Opportunities: Golf courses often host events, tournaments, and outings, which can lead to networking opportunities. This can be beneficial for those looking to make connections in various industries.

Cons:

1. Variable Income: Your income as a beverage cart girl can be inconsistent, as it largely depends on factors such as weather, course traffic, and the generosity of golfers. Slow days can lead to lower earnings.
2. Weather Dependence: Working outdoors means you are exposed to the elements. This can be challenging during extreme weather conditions like heavy rain, scorching heat, or cold temperatures.
3. Physical Demands: The job can be physically demanding, especially if you’re constantly lifting heavy coolers, pushing a cart, or walking long distances on hilly terrain. It may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with physical limitations.
4. Customer Challenges: Dealing with a diverse range of customers can be challenging. Some golfers may be demanding or inconsiderate, leading to occasional conflicts or difficult interactions.
5. Seasonal Work: In many regions, golf courses operate seasonally, which means you may need to find alternative employment during the off-season. This can make financial planning more complex.
6. Uniform Costs: Depending on the course’s requirements, you may need to invest in a uniform or golf-appropriate attire. These costs can add up and impact your initial expenses.
7. Limited Career Advancement: Being a beverage cart girl typically doesn’t offer much in terms of career advancement. It’s often seen as a temporary or part-time job rather than a long-term career.

How much does an average cart girl make in tips?

The amount of money that a beverage cart girl makes in tips varies depending on a number of factors, including the golf course where she works, the time of year, and the weather. However, most beverage cart girls make between $10 and $20 per hour in tips.

Some beverage cart girls make even more than that. For example, beverage cart girls at high-end golf courses or during major tournaments can make hundreds of dollars in tips per day.

Here are some tips for beverage cart girls who want to make more in tips:

• Be friendly and outgoing. Golfers appreciate a friendly face and a smile.
• Be knowledgeable about the drinks and snacks that you are selling. Golfers may have questions about the different types of drinks available, the alcohol content, or the ingredients in the snacks.
• Be efficient and prompt. Golfers don’t want to have to wait a long time for their drinks and snacks.
• Be proactive. Don’t just wait for golfers to come to you. Drive around the course and offer your services to golfers.
• Be flexible. Golfers may have special requests, such as a certain type of drink or snack that you don’t have on your cart. Be willing to go the extra mile to get golfers what they want.

What is the age requirement to become a beverage cart girl?

In general, there are rules and standards issued by authorities in different states that must be met before an individual can take or serve alcohol. Typically, the age limit is above 18 years in most countries and once this requirement is met, it is permitted under the law for such a person to take up the job as a beverage cart girl and start serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on golf courses.

How do you become a professional beverage cart girl?

Professionalism comes with a discerning ability and is conducted by beverage cart girls in and around the golf course. In terms of conduct, cart girls are usually subjected to dirty jokes, flirty advances, and harassment of all sorts but they are expected to take them in their stride and stay respectful to golfers and guests nonetheless. In addition to that, beverage cart girls are expected to be discerning enough not to interfere with play during the game. Serving a golfer should be done with a short distance between the cart and the ball at a slow and steady pace if the cart can’t be stopped.

What are the rules to follow as a beverage cart girl during a game at the golf course?

• Maintain perfect silence while riding the cart and during conversations with golfers. Communication strategies like waving and thumbs up should be deployed.
• Ensure you keep a slow and steady pace when you are close to serving a golfer on your hole.
• Create a memo for different golfers’ preferred snacks or drinks for improved understanding and familiarity.
• Ensure a vast knowledge of all prices of items in your stock.
• Strike a balance between cash paid for purchases and tips to avoid mix-ups at the end of the day.
• Help out in maintenance and ensure the course is free of trash.
• Be familiar with common groups of golfers and ensure there’s no piece of glass on the course.
• Always try to proffer a solution to every issue that arises and abolishes the use of the word ‘no’.
• Take every flirty advancement and dirty jokes thrown at you by golfers and guests in your stride and maintain professionalism.
• Avoid the usage of earbuds or playing music during your shift in golf courses to avoid distraction.
• Ensure your mixers and liquors are well-coordinated and have a broad and updated menu to work from.

FAQs

Here is a compiled list of frequently asked questions about the pros and cons of working as a beverage cart girl at golf courses. Let’s check them out!

Who is a cart girl at golf courses?

Cart girls are golf course employees with the primary role of serving snacks and drinks to golfers and guests.

How much do cart girls make in golf?

Depending on the golf course, the average salary of cart girls ranges from $8 to $12 per hour.

Who invented the beverage cart in golf courses?

The iconic duo of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra in  Las Vegas, United States.

Do beverage cart attendants get tips during games on the golf course?

More often than not! Although they do their job for gratuity, cart girls do get tips from golfers and guests.

Final words

Beverage cart girls are one of the inventions to make the golf game more enjoyable. It is a fun job to do but comes with flirty advances and dirty jokes. The job is quite easy with decent pay and tips are good but it can be a draining job during the hot summer, which is one of its major downsides.

As we come to the end of this informative article, we hope the resources provided in this write-up are enough to answer all your queries about the article topic. For more questions, kindly reach out to us via the comment section.

Thanks!

References:

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-being-a-beverage-cart-girl-at-a-golf-course
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-secret-life-of-cart-girls