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Imagine a job where you're outside in the sun, sitting on a golf cart chatting with golfers about how lucky you are to be out on the course. If you love golf, have knowledge of golf rules and etiquette and enjoy interacting with people in a friendly and courteous manner, a job as a golf starter / ranger may be right for you.

The starter maintains the starting times and tee sheets and makes sure that golfers get off the first tee in a prompt and orderly manner. He checks the customer's receipt to make sure they have paid for their round. He'll have score cards and extra pencils on hand if needed. He's like a concierge of golf providing the start for a great day of golf for his customers.

Getting ready to play a round of golf makes some people nervous and bewildered. Sometimes people care too much about what others think on the course when the fact is nobody really cares. All golfers get nervous and never more so than while anticipating their first shot off the tee. It's the starter's job to make them feel at ease and to realize that we've all been there.

The starter also helps golfers find a game if they are by themselves. At busy courses, he keeps a standby list for those walking up without a tee time. He'll pair up a single golfer or a twosome with another team of two golfers waiting to tee off. Then there are the customers who reserve starting times for a threesome, and arrive with a fourth. The starter may have already filled out the group with a single. It's his responsibility to ensure his customers are paired up appropriately and ready to tee off at their designated time.

On some courses the starter may perform double duty as a ranger as well. The eyes and ears of the pro shop, the ranger's role is to help keep the peace and the pace. The ranger travels around the course on a golf cart monitoring the pace of playing and helping golfers speed up their game. Good interpersonal skills and tact are very important when helping to speed play.

No golfer thinks he's slow. It's always someone else. When asked to pick up the pace, a typical response may be "I've never been told that I'm slow, and I do not believe it." Or "I paid good money to enjoy my round, and I deserve to take as much time as I need." The fact remains that the lowest group dictates the pace of play for everyone behind them. Any group that gets out of position, especially early in the day, will affect many groups after it. The ranger must quickly identify a group that has fallen behind and give tips for catching up or encourage the group to skip holes.

The average golfer can learn a lot about golf in conversation with a ranger. The ranger can provide advice and recommendations about the course layout and pin positions. If a golfer loses something on the course, a putter or pitching wedge for example, the ranger can retrieve it and return it to the player or pro shop. He is also there to help switch out cars that have broken down or are having problems. He is the main communications link back to the club house for status reports and emerging.

It's estimated that over two million people are directly connected to the golf industry in one way or another. They include club pros, starters, rangers, caddies, pro shop staff, mechanics, food and beverage workers, sales reps and greens keepers. There is an opportunity for almost anyone who wants to work in the business. And the field is growing each year.

A job as a starter / ranger can be ideal for retirees on fixed incomes seeking to augment their earnings. The pay may be modest but free rounds of golf are often thrown in at most courses. Or you can swap your time worked for golf privileges. Depending on where you live, there are most likely dozens of public and private courses within driving distance. Visit the pro shop and ask about openings as a starter or ranger. Do not be intimidated about calling on private and semiprivate country clubs. They need knowledgeable, courteous and reliable folks like everyone else.

Although the job can be demanding when dealing with pace of play issues, it's still a very enjoyable occupation. The job is most rewarding when the day comes to a close and the players have expressed that they've enjoyed their round and look forward to coming back.

The younger generation looking to enter the business should consider a job as a beverage cart attendant. The beverage cart is stocked with snacks and drinks and driven around the course through the day allowing golfers to purchase food and drink while on the course

Pay is minimum wage but tips can be generous. Tips will depend on where you work. A one dollar tip on a three dollar purchase is typical at most public courses. The more prestigious clubs cater to the wealthier golfers who generally tip higher. Some beverage cart drivers can make $ 250 a day in tips alone. As an added bonus, beverage cart drivers usually golf for free.

Knowledge of the game of golf is helpful and you must meet state age requirements for handling alcoholic beverages. Good interpersonal skills are necessary as you will interact with the club's members and guests. Since the beer cart driver approaches golfers on the course you need to know when to approach and when not to. For example, it's not a good idea to try to sell beer when a golfer is on the tee box in mid swing. You must also be familiar with the course and be able to field questions like – where are the bathrooms? A few tips for the beginner:

• Start at the end of the course, at the 18th hole, to go against the flow of golfers

• Stop and pull the cart off the path and hide behind a tree if you see a golfer hitting off the tee in your direction

• Stop the cart if you see anyone putting on the green. Be completely silent so you do not break their concentration. • Make eye contact with everyone that you pass to make sure they saw you and acknowledged you.

• Know the regulars. They appreciate being recognized and will tip you accordingly.

Driving the beverage cart is a super part time job for college students during summer months. You must be flexible however, as weekend and holiday hours will be required and drivers work as long as the course is open. Beverage cart driving is really just like being an outdoor waitress on wheels. And, yes while beverage cart attendants are typically college-aged girls, seniors and retirees should consider the job as well.

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Source by John Fluent

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