I’m an 18-year-old college student, and for the past four months I’ve been working as a beverage cart girl at a golf course.
Basically, I drive around in a golf cart selling beer, cocktails, snacks, and sandwiches to golfers. It’s a pretty easy job on paper, but there’s a lot more to it than handing some guy a Bud Light.
The biggest surprise? The money.
On an average day, I make around $500 in tips. The most I’ve ever made in a single shift was $1,300. I usually work about seven hours, Thursday through Sunday, and when I’m out on the cart, I get to keep 100% of my tips.
I know that sounds ridiculous for an 18-year-old serving drinks, but golf culture is pretty generous when it comes to tipping, especially where I work. The course is in a wealthy area, and a lot of the customers have money to throw around.
I’m also pretty good at upselling. If someone asks me what drink I’d recommend, I’ll usually suggest something expensive. The funny thing is, I don’t even know what most of the alcoholic drinks taste like because I’m not old enough to drink.
And here’s another confession: I know absolutely nothing about golf. I’ve never even touched a golf club.
That doesn’t stop guys from offering to teach me, though.
Do guys hit on you constantly?
Every single day.
Most of the guys are actually pretty normal. A lot of them flirt, but I don’t really mind that. It’s part of the environment, and as long as they’re respectful, it’s not a big deal.
If a guy flirts with me, I’ll sometimes flirt back a little. I’m not going to pretend that being friendly and charming doesn’t help with tips. It absolutely does.
But I never initiate it, and I try to keep things subtle. I don’t want some random guy thinking I’m genuinely interested in him just because I smiled and laughed at his joke.
And for the older guys wondering whether they have a shot with the beverage cart girl, probably not. I’m 18. I’m not really looking to date anyone right now, especially not someone old enough to be my dad.
What’s the weirdest thing a customer has offered you?
I was having a completely normal conversation with a guy about cars when, out of nowhere, he offered me $200 to wash his car in a bikini.
I said no.
Then he bought a Snickers bar and tipped me $50.
So apparently, that’s what a Snickers costs when you’re trying to impress the beverage cart girl.
I don’t have a problem with someone being generous, but getting paid to wash some random man’s car in a bikini would make me uncomfortable. It’s just not something I’d want to do.
Have you ever dealt with genuinely creepy customers?
Unfortunately, yes.
There was one incident that actually scared me.
I was bent over getting a beer when this really drunk guy came up behind me and pressed himself close to me. He started saying that he’d been waiting to have sex with me, except he used much more explicit language.
I was terrified.
Thankfully, he eventually let me go, and he was banned from the course afterward.
That’s by far the worst experience I’ve had.
Sometimes guys will try to hold my hand when I’m giving them a drink, or they’ll make inappropriate comments. I’d estimate maybe 9% of the golfers cross the line in some way.
But I want to emphasize that most customers aren’t like that. Most are just guys playing golf, drinking beer, and having fun with their friends.
There’s a big difference between harmless flirting and someone making you feel physically unsafe.
What’s the secret to making so much money?
Honestly, being personable helps a lot.
You have to be comfortable approaching strangers, making conversation, joking around, and knowing when someone wants to chat versus when they just want their drink.
I’m also not shy about trying to sell more stuff.
The golfers already know they’re paying ridiculous prices. A Bud Light at our course costs $8. Nobody’s coming to a golf course expecting bargain drinks.
And there’s definitely a social aspect to tipping. When you’re with three of your buddies, nobody wants to be the guy who leaves a terrible tip.
I think some guys also enjoy showing off a little.
Whatever the reason, I’m not complaining.
Has the job changed you?
Actually, a lot.
Before I started working here, I was extremely shy. I wasn’t naturally the kind of person who could walk up to a group of strangers and start a conversation.
Now I do it all day.
I’ve gotten much better at reading social cues, making people comfortable, and not feeling like I’m bothering someone just by talking to them.
It’s forced me to become more outgoing and confident.
And despite some of the weird encounters, I genuinely like my job. My coworkers are great, management is pretty relaxed, and I get to spend my shifts driving around a beautiful golf course instead of sitting behind a desk.
I’m in college on a full scholarship, and my plan is to eventually go to law school. Honestly, I might keep this job all four years because the money is so good.
Would I recommend being a beverage cart girl to another young woman?
Yeah, actually. Especially if you’re in college and can handle yourself around different personalities.
You need to know how to set boundaries, stand up for yourself, and recognize when someone is taking things too far.
But you can also make great money and develop social skills that will probably help you for the rest of your life.
Four months ago, I was a shy college student who didn’t know anything about golf.
Now I’m still a college student who doesn’t know anything about golf.
But I’m a lot more confident, and my bank account is doing pretty well.