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A golf cart girl (officially "beverage cart attendant") drives a motorized cart around the golf course, selling drinks, snacks, and sometimes cigars to golfers during their round.
The job pays $10-$15/hour base wage plus $100-$300/day in tips at busy courses. Annual earnings range from $25,000 to $50,000+ depending on the course, location, and season.
What the job involves
You drive a golf cart stocked with beer, water, soft drinks, energy drinks, snacks (chips, candy bars, nuts), and sometimes hot dogs or sandwiches. You circulate through the course on a set route, stopping at every group.
Typical shift: 6-8 hours, usually 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM or 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Weekend and holiday shifts are the busiest and most profitable.
Daily tasks:
- Stock the cart with inventory before the shift.
- Drive the course route, stopping at each group to offer drinks/snacks.
- Handle cash and card transactions (most courses use POS systems now).
- Restock the cart midway through the shift from the clubhouse or halfway house.
- Clean and inventory the cart at the end of the shift.
- Report sales and settle the cash drawer.
How much do cart girls make?
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| Component | Public/municipal course | Semi-private/resort | Private country club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly base pay | $8-$12 | $10-$14 | $12-$18 |
| Daily tips (average) | $50-$100 | $100-$200 | $150-$300+ |
| Annual (seasonal, 6-8 months) | $15,000-$25,000 | $25,000-$40,000 | $35,000-$55,000 |
Tips are the biggest variable. Private clubs with wealthy members tip more ($5-$20 per drink purchase is common). Public courses with budget-conscious golfers tip less ($1-$3). Weekends and tournaments generate 2-3x normal tip income.
The highest-earning cart attendants work at resort courses in Scottsdale, Miami, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head during peak season. Some report $400-$500 on busy tournament days.
Requirements
- Must be 18+ (21+ at courses that serve alcohol, which is most of them).
- Valid driver's license (you're driving a motorized vehicle on the course).
- TIPS certification or state alcohol server certification (varies by state).
- Basic math for cash handling.
- Ability to work outdoors in heat for 6-8 hours.
- Friendly personality and comfort approaching strangers.
No golf knowledge is required, but knowing basic golf terms (birdie, bogey, par) helps with conversation. You don't need to play golf to do this job.
How to get hired
When to apply: March-April in northern states (before the season starts). Year-round in Florida, Arizona, California, and the Carolinas.
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Where to apply: Walk into the pro shop and ask for the F&B manager or general manager. Most courses don't post these jobs online. In-person applications work best.
What to wear to the interview: Golf-appropriate clothing (polo shirt, shorts or pants, clean shoes). Look presentable and comfortable outdoors.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good tips (especially at private clubs) | Outdoor work in heat, rain, and cold |
| Flexible scheduling | Seasonal in northern states |
| Work on a beautiful golf course | Early morning start times (6-7 AM) |
| Meet interesting people | Repetitive driving route |
| Free or discounted golf at most courses | Physical (loading heavy cases of beer) |
Is the term "cart girl" appropriate?
Most courses now use "beverage cart attendant" as the official job title. The informal term "cart girl" is widely used by golfers and in job discussions. Male beverage cart attendants exist too, though the role is predominantly filled by women (estimated 85-90%).
The job has become more professionalized. Many courses offer benefits, employee golf privileges, and pro shop discounts to attract and retain good beverage cart staff.
Day in the life
A typical shift as a beverage cart attendant:
- 6:30 AM: Arrive, stock the cart with ice, cans, bottles, and snacks. Fill the coolers. Load the POS tablet/card reader.
- 7:00 AM: Start the route. Drive to hole 1, then loop through the course every 20-30 minutes. Stop at each group.
- 10:00 AM: First restock. Return to the clubhouse for more ice and product. Takes 10-15 minutes.
- 10:15 AM - 1:00 PM: Continue the route. Saturday mornings are the busiest. Groups are buying beer, water, and snacks.
- 1:00 PM: Second restock if needed. Hot days go through more water and sports drinks.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Continue until the last group finishes or the shift ends.
- 3:00 PM: Return cart to the clubhouse. Inventory remaining products, settle the cash drawer, clean the cart.
The job is repetitive but social. You'll see the same regulars week after week and build relationships with members (at private clubs) or frequent public course players. Many cart attendants say the social aspect is the best part of the job.
Tips for maximizing your income
- Remember regulars' orders. "The usual?" is worth an extra $2-$5 tip every time.
- Time your route to arrive when groups are waiting on the tee. Golfers waiting to hit are more likely to buy than golfers in mid-swing.
- Stock what sells. On hot days, carry more water and Gatorade than beer. On tournament days, load up on premium beer.
- Work weekends and tournaments. These shifts generate 2-3x the tips of a Tuesday morning.
- Be friendly and efficient. Speed matters. Have change ready. Know how to run the card reader quickly. Groups don't want to wait 3 minutes for a transaction.
