Sunday, March 17, 2024

The Pros and Cons of Working in a Golf Course Cart Barn

Golf carts staged on the slab at Osceola Municipal Golf Course in Pensacola, Florida.

Introduction

Curious about what it's really like working in the cart barn at a municipal golf course? Maybe you're considering a job in the cart barn, or you've recently been hired and want to know what you're getting yourself into. Or perhaps you're just a golfer who wants to know every little thing about this fantastic sport. Well, you've come to the right place. I've been working part-time in outdoor services at Osceola Golf Course in Pensacola, Florida for over six months now, and honestly, I absolutely love it. In this article, I'll share my daily duties and give you the lowdown on the pros and cons of the gig.

The golf ball picker on the driving range at Osceola Municipal Golf Course in Pensacola, Florida.

Job Duties

I work the morning shift at Osceola, which means my day starts before the crack of dawn – before the roosters start crowing. When I arrive, the first thing I do is unplug all the golf carts from their charging stations and line them up on the slab. Then, I head over to the driving range and pick it, clean all the range balls, and refill the ball dispenser with fresh ones. After that, I blow off the porch of the clubhouse and take care of any outdoor trash. By the time I finish these tasks, the carts start rolling in from the early rounds. Once they're returned, I clean them out, give them a good hose down, and park them back on the slab. That's pretty much my routine, and unless the weather is bad or there aren't many tee times, my six-to-seven-hour shift goes by in a flash.

Golf carts plugged into their charging stations at Osceola Municipal Golf Course in Pensacola, Florida.

Pros

Enjoying complimentary golf rounds and range access is a major perk: It's the reason I decided to take on a minimum wage part-time job despite already having a full-time one.

The camaraderie with my colleagues is amazing: I feel fortunate to have built relationships with everyone here, making work a breeze.

The tasks are relatively simple: I can just plug in my headphones, listen to my favorite golf podcast, and complete my work without any hassle.

Being paid to work in the golf industry is pretty cool: It's nice to know that a portion of our family's income is derived from being involved in this sport.

The golf ball cleaning machine in use at Osceola Municipal Golf Course in Pensacola, Florida.

Cons

The pay is not very high: Working in outdoor services is typically an entry-level role, and if you're not a fan of golf, this job may not be the best fit for you.

No opportunity for tips: I've heard from friends at private country clubs and Disney golf courses that they earn good money through tips, which is not the case here.

Personally, commuting to work is a challenge for me: I have to wake up extremely early and drive over half an hour to get to the course, which can be exhausting.

Downtime can be slow: When the weather is bad or there aren't many tee times booked, the shift can feel long and tedious, especially if there's no work to keep you busy.

The golf ball cleaning machine at Osceola Golf Course in Pensacola, Florida.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, folks. That's what it's like working in outdoor services at my local municipal golf course. The pay may not be amazing, but the perks of free golf and range privileges more than make up for it. The work is easy, and I have the pleasure of working with some genuinely awesome people. If you're a golf lover and looking for an opportunity to work in the industry, I highly recommend considering a job in outdoor services.

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