GolfDigest Editor Goes Undercover as a Cart Girl

[billchao]

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2015-04/the-secret-life-of-cart-girls

Quote:

The prevailing theory among the girls is that this isolation works differently for the golfers: Guys feel free to say anything they want because the golf course is an open space. In restaurants there are other waitresses and bartenders and patrons to quickly fend off animals, but the cart girl is alone.

"Old guys are fine," Sally tells me. "They can be pretty dirty, but you know they're harmless. Middle-age guys are the worst. You can tell when a guy's just caged up at home. He's got his ring on, but you can just sense that this is his only release for any out-of-line behavior."

More advice: "If you're wearing bright colors, you'll get better tips. And a skirt. They love short skirts."

Adds Claire: "I'll never forget this one. I drove up to a group and asked the guys what they wanted to drink. One guy says, I'll take a PBR, a Coors, and a shot of your bath water."

The next day I work at a higher-end course. At over $200, the green fee is more than three times as expensive. I shadow Sam, who spent four years in the Navy, is a mother of two, and worked in bars until she got tired of the late hours. The money from the cart is just as good, she says, and her last sale is typically 4:30 in the afternoon. Her hourly wage is about $5, but in a really good nine-hour shift she can make $500 in tips.

Seems about what I expected the job would be like, though I'm a little surprised that they can make so much money. I can see it being a good alternative to a job in a bar.

[boogielicious]

It's embarrassing when you see a middle aged troll hitting on the cart girl.  I want to rant on them, "What if it was your daughter?"  Most of the cart staff are high school or college age in our area.

[jamo]

Ugh. People suck.

[Abu3baid]

It just makes no sense why guys act this way.. Married caged up middle age guys acting up..pretty sad indeed.

[jamo]

It's embarrassing when you see a middle aged troll hitting on the cart girl.  I want to rant on them, "What if it was your daughter?" Most of the cart staff are high school or college age in our area.

That shouldn't even be necessary. You shouldn't need to picture someone as a family member to refrain from being an ******* to them. (BTW @boogielicious , I don't mean you "you," I mean the general "you.")

[mcanadiens]

If the cart girl is more than 15 years younger than I am, it's not even a thought in my head.

[jetsknicks1]

So much truth here. In my last job I used to golf with my boss, who was a middle aged, obese, good old boy, with a wad of tobacco in his mouth and he would say the rudest things to the cart girl thinking he was funny. A little harmless flirting and banter is fine but there is definitely a line that far too many guys cross.

[colin007]

i agree with everything said above.  however, there is a complaint that i have.  the cartgirl who knows she smoking hot and is just frosty to everyone.  ice queen.

[rkim291968]

I read the article (yes, I subscribe to the magazine).   I see some of the same behaviors at my course.   Sometimes, men's flirting is stupid to observe from aside, especially, when the guys are already had 6 beers, and even when my wife is right next to them.   One thing I noticed ... they never urinate in field when cart girls are around.  Did anyone notice that?

[billchao]

i agree with everything said above.  however, there is a complaint that i have.  the cartgirl who knows she smoking hot and is just frosty to everyone.  ice queen.

She probably doesn't make that much money, at least compared to the more engaging girls. It's probably not much different than bartending.

[rkim291968]

It just makes no sense why guys act this way..

Married caged up middle age guys acting up..pretty sad indeed.

I haven't seen it in my course.  So, this was the part of the article I wasn't sure if the author exaggerated or not.

My wife and I play together most of the rounds.   That keeps my flirting to bare minimum (near 0).   When my wife skips a round, my conversation with a cart girl is usually of the following nature: "Oh, where's your wife?"   "Ah, she's at home nursing a cold."  In general, I think my wife chats up with marshalls more than I do with cart girl.

[GolfLug]

i agree with everything said above.  however, there is a complaint that i have.  the cartgirl who knows she smoking hot and is just frosty to everyone.  ice queen.

Well, because she can. Simple economics of supply and demand.

[Gboroman]

It's uncomfortably awkward when the cart girl flirts with me.  I just take off my glove and show my wedding ring like a crucifix to a vampire.  I'm so incredibly good looking, though, I can't blame them.  Leave me alone, I'm trying to play some golf here.  I don't have time for these distractions.  Oh, and wake me up from my fantasy...

[Abu3baid]

I haven't seen it in my course.  So, this was the part of the article I wasn't sure if the author exaggerated or not. My wife and I play together most of the rounds.   That keeps my flirting to bare minimum (near 0).   When my wife skips a round, my conversation with a cart girl is usually of the following nature: "Oh, where's your wife?"   "Ah, she's at home nursing a cold."  In general, I think my wife chats up with marshalls more than I do with cart girl.

I do agree that her description was a bit off the top, but I think she just wanted to put an emphasis on what she was seeing.. Describing them as caged or basically deprived men wasn't a nice thing... But it is still sad that people act that way to the point that someone described them that way don't you think?

[rkim291968]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkim291968

I haven't seen it in my course.  So, this was the part of the article I wasn't sure if the author exaggerated or not.

My wife and I play together most of the rounds.   That keeps my flirting to bare minimum (near 0).   When my wife skips a round, my conversation with a cart girl is usually of the following nature: "Oh, where's your wife?"   "Ah, she's at home nursing a cold."  In general, I think my wife chats up with marshalls more than I do with cart girl.

I do agree that her description was a bit off the top, but I think she just wanted to put an emphasis on what she was seeing.. Describing them as caged or basically deprived men wasn't a nice thing... But it is still sad that people act that way to the point that someone described them that way don't you think?

I've seen enough drunk (and non drunk) guys of all ages going a bit too far with cart girl (mostly high school or college age).   So, I would guess there is some of that going on.

I think the article is a must read for golfers.   In this forum, we complain a lot about other golfers.  We ourselves are prefect (tongue in cheek).  It'd be good check on how others see us and reflect on our behaviors.  My 2 cents.

[MrDC]

Eh, I don't know, I bet it's less common than implied, I've never seen it, everyone is always nice in my experience.

Now once they leave the vicinity the comments may begin, but that's no different than anywhere.

But hey, let's face it, there are few more attractive looks for a beautiful woman than a golf outfit, it's super hot, so I can see it getting to those guys that lack cooth.

[colin007]

I do agree that her description was a bit off the top, but I think she just wanted to put an emphasis on what she was seeing.. Describing them as caged or basically deprived men wasn't a nice thing... But it is still sad that people act that way to the point that someone described them that way don't you think?

i dont think its over the top.  i see it every summer.  its quite pathetic, actually, these slobs are throwing money at a young female for a few fleeting moments of interaction.

[Yukari]

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2015-04/the-secret-life-of-cart-girls

Seems about what I expected the job would be like, though I'm a little surprised that they can make so much money. I can see it being a good alternative to a job in a bar.

That was the "high-end" golf course, though.

I would imagine your typical muni- cart girls make way less than that.