Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Golf Course Attendant
💰 $15 - $22 / hour (plus tips)
🎯 Role Definition
As a Golf Course Attendant, you are the ambassador of our golf experience and a pivotal member of our Outside Services team. You'll be responsible for creating a welcoming, efficient, and professional environment for all golfers from the moment they arrive until they leave the property. Your primary focus will be on providing impeccable service, managing the golf cart fleet, maintaining the practice facilities, and anticipating the needs of our members and guests to ensure a seamless and memorable day of golf. This is a dynamic, hands-on role perfect for an energetic individual with a passion for golf and a dedication to five-star service.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- High School or College Student
- General Hospitality Roles (Hotel, Restaurant)
- Customer Service or Retail Positions
Advancement To:
- Outside Services Supervisor / Lead Attendant
- Starter / Ranger
- Assistant Golf Professional (with PGA program enrollment)
Lateral Moves:
- Pro Shop Attendant / Merchandiser
- Food and Beverage Staff (On-Course or Clubhouse)
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Greet and welcome all members and guests upon their arrival, offering a warm reception and assistance with their golf bags from their vehicle to the golf cart.
- Manage the golf cart fleet, including daily staging, charging, detailed cleaning, and restocking with essential items like scorecards, pencils, tees, and filled sand bottles.
- Perform opening and closing procedures for all outside golf operations, ensuring all equipment is secured and facilities are prepared for the next day's business.
- Maintain the driving range and practice areas by operating the range picker, washing range balls, and ensuring a constant supply of clean balls for players.
- Systematically set up, break down, and maintain practice tee stations, ensuring they are pristine, well-aligned, and fully stocked.
- Provide detailed and accurate information to players regarding course conditions, pin placements, local rules, and club amenities.
- Proactively assist players with loading and unloading their golf equipment, offering to clean clubs before and after their round.
- Maintain constant communication with the Pro Shop and Starter to ensure efficient pace of play and coordinate starting times for individuals and groups.
- Manage the bag drop area to maintain organization, cleanliness, and a high level of efficiency, especially during peak times and tournaments.
- Assist with the setup, execution, and breakdown of golf tournaments, corporate outings, and special club events, including cart staging and on-course contests.
- Monitor and maintain the cleanliness and organization of the bag room, cart barn, and all surrounding outside service areas.
- Anticipate guest needs by engaging with them throughout their visit, offering water, directions, or any other assistance required to enhance their experience.
- Conduct routine inspections of golf carts for any maintenance issues, reporting any damages or malfunctions to the supervisor or mechanic immediately.
- Enforce club policies and golf etiquette in a friendly but firm manner to ensure a positive experience for all players on the course.
- Assist players in finding their way around the property, providing clear directions to the Pro Shop, locker rooms, first tee, and dining facilities.
Secondary Functions
- Support the Starter and Ranger team by monitoring the pace of play on the course and communicating any issues back to the Pro Shop.
- Assist in managing the lost and found inventory for the golf operations department, ensuring items are logged and stored correctly.
- Provide on-course player assistance, such as delivering messages, beverages, or other requested items from the clubhouse.
- Participate in regular team meetings and training sessions focused on safety, service standards, and operational efficiency.
- Cross-train in Pro Shop or other golf operations roles to provide comprehensive support across the department as needed.
- Monitor on-course assets such as water coolers, ball washers, and restroom facilities, reporting any service needs to the appropriate department.
- Help maintain inventory of operational supplies, such as scorecards, pencils, tees, and cleaning materials, notifying a supervisor when stock is low.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Ability to safely operate golf carts and range-picking machinery.
- Basic knowledge of the game of golf, its rules, and general etiquette.
- Physical stamina to stand, walk, and lift heavy objects (up to 50 lbs) for extended periods in various weather conditions.
- Familiarity with golf tournament formats and setup procedures.
- Basic computer literacy for potential use of tee sheet or point-of-sale (POS) systems.
Soft Skills
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with a friendly, outgoing personality.
- A strong, proactive work ethic and the ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
- Superior customer service orientation with a genuine desire to anticipate and exceed guest expectations.
- High attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining a pristine and organized work environment.
- Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills; ability to work harmoniously with all club staff.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and the capacity to remain calm and professional under pressure.
- Punctuality, reliability, and a professional demeanor and appearance at all times.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
Preferred Education:
- Some college coursework or a degree is a plus.
- Enrollment in or completion of a PGA Professional Golf Management (PGM) program is highly desirable.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Hospitality Management
- Business Administration
- Sports Management
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 0-2 years.
Preferred: At least 6 months of experience in a customer-facing role at a private golf club, high-end resort, or similar hospitality environment is strongly preferred. A personal passion for the game of golf is a significant asset.