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Not long ago, I started working as a "cart girl" at my local golf course.
I was an 18-year-old college student looking to make extra money over the summer. I didn't have golf experience, but I didn't really need any for the job, which was driving a cart around and serving beverages and snacks to golfers.
I did the job for two years and had many unforgettable experiences working on the course. I loved driving the cart and meeting a wide range of golfers, but I also had to handle creepy, disrespectful, or overall unpleasant patrons.
If you want to be in good graces with your local beverage-cart girls, I suggest you avoid making these mistakes.
Golf etiquette urges players to yell "fore" if their shot is in danger of hitting somebody on the course. Not doing this could lead to some painful consequences — and possibly even death.
Unfortunately, people don't always do this. I'll never forget the time I was counting change in the register and suddenly felt the horrible pain of a golfer's ball smacking into my skull.
This was my second summer working at the course, and golf balls had never come close to hitting me before. I was shocked.
I'm not sure whether the golfer who hit me was unaware of golfing etiquette or somehow missed my bright blue and purple hair and large orange beverage cart.
Either way, he's lucky I walked away with only a painful bump on the back of my head for a few days. Please pay attention when you swing and communicate if your shot could be putting someone in danger.
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Having casual conversations with golfers about my schooling, hobbies, or interests always made my shifts pleasant. Some would make funny comments about my brightly colored hair — one customer called me "Rainbow Sprinkles" when I dyed it pink and yellow.
But there's a fine line between being a chatty jokester and being a creep.
Unfortunately, I regularly dealt with golfers making uncomfortable comments about my body or trying to touch me. It was hard to push back and turn business away because I needed my paycheck and the tips.
With that in mind, watch how you speak to cart girls and maybe call out golf buddies if they make inappropriate comments.
Also, there's almost never a good reason to touch us. At some golf courses, doing so may even get you removed from the course.
In my experience, heavily impaired golfers were usually the most difficult to serve.
I still remember one of the busiest days I worked: Two outings were happening at once, and I made more money in one shift than I usually make in a week. Unfortunately, it meant I had to deal with customers who'd been drinking heavily since 8 a.m.
Drunk, obnoxious golfers made my shift miserable, with some making degrading and offensive jokes during my rounds.
Also, if you're too drunk to treat employees with respect, you're also probably too inebriated to check your surroundings and safely drive your golf cart.
If you can't be civil, maybe refrain from drinking (or at the very least pace yourself).
