Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Golf Host

🎯 Role Definition

The Golf Host is the front-line ambassador for a golf course, responsible for delivering an exceptional guest experience from arrival through play and departure. This role combines customer service, operational execution, basic sales, and coordination with pro shop and maintenance teams to ensure smooth tee time flow, on-course pace-of-play, and adherence to club policies. Golf Hosts are expected to represent the club professionally, troubleshoot guest issues, and support tournament and group operations while promoting club amenities and services.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Front Desk / Guest Services Attendant
Pro Shop Sales Associate or Cart Attendant
Food & Beverage Host / Server

Advancement To:

Assistant Golf Operations Manager
Head Golf Professional / PGA Assistant
Tournament & Events Coordinator
Facility Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Pro Shop Manager
Cart Operations Supervisor
Event Sales Representative

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Greet every guest professionally upon arrival, confirm tee times and reservations, verify identification and payment methods, and provide an accurate overview of course conditions and local rules to create an excellent first impression.
Manage the tee sheet using course management software (e.g., ForeUP, GolfNow, Teesnap, EZLinks), check players in, process walk-up reservations, and adjust start times to maximize revenue and maintain pace-of-play.
Coordinate cart staging and distribution, ensure carts are inspected and equipped (tees, pencils, sand, first-aid kits), document issues with carts, and communicate maintenance needs to operations staff.
Monitor pace of play on the course using radios, course signage and direct communication with players; proactively address delays, enforce pacing policies, and coordinate with marshals to restore timely flow.
Assist with bag drop and bag handling services, including tagging bags, loading/unloading carts or bag drops, and ensuring proper storage and retrieval for members and guests.
Promote and sell ancillary services such as golf lessons, club rentals, merchandise, range tokens, beverage cart offerings, and dining specials using suggestive selling techniques to increase average transaction value.
Process payments, handle cash and card transactions at the pro shop or on-course POS, perform end-of-shift cash reconciliation, and follow established cash-handling and reporting procedures.
Provide accurate, courteous phone and email support for tee time bookings, cancellations, membership inquiries, and event requests; escalate complex or VIP issues to management.
Support tournament and event set-up and execution, including check-in for players, scorecard distribution, signage placement, pairing sheets, and coordination with vendors and food & beverage staff.
Enforce course policies and etiquette — including dress code, pace of play, cart rules, and local environmental protections — while balancing customer service with policy compliance.
Maintain a visible, professional presence at the starter area and entrance to proactively answer questions, distribute course guides, and manage player flow during peak periods.
Maintain neat, safe, and organized starter/pro-shop and staging areas; perform opening and closing duties such as restocking supplies, cleaning workstations, and preparing signage and equipment.
Track equipment inventory (rental clubs, range balls, cart accessories, starter supplies), report shortages to management, and assist with basic merchandising and restocking of retail displays.
Prepare accurate daily reports on rounds played, no-shows, revenue from green fees and rentals, incidents, and guest feedback; submit logs to the golf operations manager.
Assist in basic grounds and facility inspections each shift — reporting hazards, pacing bottlenecks, irrigation issues, or safety concerns to maintenance and superintendents.
Handle guest complaints and conflict resolution with diplomacy and a guest-first mindset; escalate safety or serious complaints to management and document the incident per policy.
Train and mentor new hosts, cart attendants, and seasonal staff on customer service standards, tee sheet management, and safety procedures to maintain consistent operations.
Follow all safety and emergency procedures, including first aid and incident reporting; be prepared to assist in course evacuations, medical response coordination, or severe weather protocols.
Coordinate with pro shop and teaching professionals to confirm lesson schedules, club fittings, and practice range priorities to prevent conflicts with tee times and events.
Clean and maintain golf carts, starting stations, and clubhouse entry points during and after shifts to uphold facility cleanliness standards and guest satisfaction.
Support marketing and member communication initiatives by distributing flyers, promoting events and specials at check-in, and collecting guest contact details for follow-up and surveys.
Monitor and manage lost-and-found items, properly logging and storing items, and facilitating their return to guests in a professional manner.

Secondary Functions

Assist management with ad-hoc operational reports and basic analysis of rounds, revenue, and utilization to identify trends that affect staffing and tee-sheet optimization.
Participate in pre-season and weekly meetings to align on events, course maintenance windows, staffing assignments, and special member activities.
Contribute to the club’s guest feedback loop by collecting surveys, logging compliments/complaints, and proposing small service improvements to boost guest retention.
Support simple maintenance tasks such as replenishing sand/seed stations, replacing range ball buckets, and tidying practice areas when not actively onboarding guests.
Help coordinate volunteer and seasonal staff schedules for large events and championships to ensure adequate coverage across starter, cart, and marshal positions.
Cross-train in related areas (pro shop sales, beverage cart operation, bag room management) to provide flexible coverage during peak season and special events.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency with tee-sheet and golf operations software (examples: ForeUP, GolfNow, Teesnap, EZLinks) for booking, reporting, and tee-time management.
Point-of-sale (POS) transaction experience, including card processing, mobile POS/tablet systems, cash reconciliation, and basic accounting accuracy.
Familiarity with golf terminology, course routing, local rules, scoring formats (stroke play, match play), and basic golf etiquette to effectively inform and guide players.
Reservation and booking management, including waitlists, cancellations, shotgun starts, and group block handling.
Basic retail merchandising and inventory tracking for rental clubs, apparel, and pro shop items, including SKU-level awareness and restock procedures.
Radio and communication device usage for coordination with marshals, maintenance, and beverage cart staff.
Fundamental incident and accident reporting skills; ability to log details, collect witness statements, and escalate to management as required.
Time-of-day and pace-of-play analytics basics — ability to read course flow data and adjust starts to optimize rounds per day.
Comfortable using common office tools (email, Microsoft Office or Google Workspace) to prepare daily reports and communicate with internal teams.
Basic first-aid/CPR certification is preferred or ability to obtain it quickly for emergency preparedness.

Soft Skills

Outstanding guest-service orientation with a polished, friendly demeanor and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Clear, professional verbal communication and active listening to accurately capture reservation details and resolve guest concerns.
Strong multitasking and prioritization skills to manage the starter area, phone lines, and on-course issues concurrently.
Problem-solving and conflict-resolution capabilities; tactfully enforce rules while preserving guest relationships.
Attention to detail for accurate cash handling, tee-sheet adjustments, and equipment inventory.
Teamwork and collaboration to work closely with pro shop staff, grounds crews, food & beverage, and management.
Time management and punctuality, particularly important for coordinating starts and ensuring timely course flow.
Sales acumen with the ability to upsell lessons, rentals, and food & beverage options without being pushy.
Adaptability and willingness to work variable hours, weekends, and holidays during peak golf seasons.
Professional presentation and strong personal grooming standards aligned with club expectations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or certificate in Hospitality Management, Recreation Management, or related field; formal coursework in customer service or retail operations a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Hospitality Management
Recreation / Sports Management
Business Administration
Tourism & Event Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years in hospitality, retail, or golf operations; seasonal candidates with strong guest service backgrounds are often considered.

Preferred:

1–2+ years of direct experience in golf course operations, pro shop, or guest services at a private club or resort, including familiarity with tee-sheet software and POS systems. Certification such as basic first aid/CPR and experience supporting tournaments or large group events are highly desirable.