Steering my cart around the vibrant greens of a Las Vegas golf course, sun on my face, music in the air – it’s a pretty sweet gig, honestly. It’s a far cry from where I thought I’d be just a few years ago. Back in 2020, when the world seemed to hit pause, I found myself, like so many others, without a job. My waitressing shifts at conventions and those booth-model gigs? Gone. Poof. It was a scary, uncertain time, wondering what came next in a city that thrives on constant buzz.
Then, a casual conversation changed everything. Someone mentioned this “bartending-on-a-golf-course” thing. I remember thinking, “What even *is* that?” I didn’t really know, but necessity is the mother of invention. I looked into it, and I can genuinely say, it changed my life. Now, I’m Cassie Holland, a 26-year-old cart girl in Las Vegas, zipping around, making amazing money, and sharing my wild adventures with my 2.2 million followers on TikTok. Who would’ve thought this unexpected turn would lead me here?
When I first started, I was probably like a lot of you might imagine: completely clueless about golf. Many girls get nervous thinking you need to be some kind of golf guru, but that’s just not true. You learn what you need to know by simply being out there, day after day. The golfers themselves become your unwitting tutors. I’ve picked up so much just by listening to them – sometimes it’s them yelling at me to not make noise during their backswing or to avoid stepping on their putting line, which, fair enough. But other times, it’s genuine insight. I’ve even taken up golf myself, partly because it’s a fantastic way to stay active and soak up some sun, but also because, honestly, you can have as much fun partying on the golf course as you can at a day club right here in Vegas. It’s a whole vibe.
And it wasn’t just golf knowledge I lacked. I mean, I didn’t even know how to make a Bloody Mary when I first pulled up to a group of thirsty players! One golfer, bless his heart, actually had to show me how to mix my first one. The best part? Even though *he* made it for me, he still tipped me $20. That little moment really crystallized something important for me: this job isn’t just about what you know. It’s about the connection you make, the experience you provide, and being open, friendly, and willing to learn.
Which brings me to what I truly believe is the absolute most important key to success in this job: having a good personality. I cannot stress this enough. Sure, looks and a cute outfit might grab initial attention, but they only get you so far. What truly makes a golfer’s day, and what keeps those tips flowing, is your personality. You’ve got to smile, be genuinely positive, and have fun with it. Be yourself. That’s the real magic formula. It doesn’t really matter what you look like; as long as you’re giving the golfers a great experience and handing them a delicious, well-made drink, you’re golden.
One of the most surprising, and frankly hilarious, lessons I’ve learned is the power of a good dad joke. There are so many dads out on the course, and they *really* appreciate a solid dad joke. Seriously, it’s a game-changer. Sometimes I’ll roll up to a group, ask them what they want. They might try to get clever, like, “Oh, do you have a better golf game in there?” My go-to winner? “I’m serving drinks, not miracles.” Gets ’em every time. Another crowd-pleaser is, “I have swing lube or birdie juice in my cart.” The key is just to be playful and fun, keep the energy light, and make them laugh. It builds that connection and makes their time on the course even more enjoyable.
Speaking of going the extra mile, putting effort into outfits and themes definitely makes a difference in those daily tip totals. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about showing effort and creativity. I’ve noticed a significant bump in earnings when I coordinate my outfits with a specific theme of the day and really go all out to deck out my cart. This year, I’ve already done Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day themes. I’ll buy little heart-shaped cups, create special drink concoctions – anything to inject a bit of fun into the season. It’s an unexpected splash of festivity on the green, and golfers genuinely appreciate the effort. Most of them are out there to play, but when my “disco ball of a cart drives by,” and they weren’t expecting it, it absolutely grabs their attention. It’s all about creating a memorable experience.
And let’s not forget the undeniable truth about golf courses, especially here in Las Vegas: they’re major business hubs. Think about it, the three most popular places where serious business often gets done are restaurants, strip clubs, and golf courses. And guess what? These are precisely the places where we, as service professionals, can make the very best tips. Businessmen come out here to “flex” – to impress, to entertain, and they come ready to spend. Often, they’re using a company card, and they’re going to write it off anyway, so why not contribute positively and generously to that entire experience? It’s an unspoken art form, really.
This dynamic really changes how you approach service. If they want to buy their new business partner a drink, unless they specifically ask for low-cost liquor, I always recommend going for “the good stuff.” Seriously, how is their new associate going to feel if they see you reaching for the cheap stuff versus the top shelf? And frankly, the guy paying might feel a bit silly if he scrimps on a mere $4 difference. You’re not just serving a drink; you’re subtly helping facilitate a business deal, elevating their interaction, and encouraging generosity.
Thanks to all these little strategies – the personality, the jokes, the themed outfits, and understanding the dynamics of the course – I can easily make $500 in tips in a day, on top of my salary. My absolute best tip? A whopping $1,000 from these four guys. It’s moments like those that really highlight the potential of this job. But it’s not always consistent, especially during the quieter seasons. Winter, for instance, sees fewer people playing golf, and the tips aren’t as robust as they are in summer. I even wonder if the change in my outfits, necessarily bundled up against the cold, plays a role. If you’re really committed to chasing the sun and the tips, there’s always the option of traveling somewhere like Florida, which boasts good weather year-round. It’s all about adaptability and hustle.
It’s interesting to hear a similar tune from Jennifer Friday, another seasoned cart girl out here in Vegas. She’s 25 and has been at the Revere Golf Club for close to three years, essentially a “bartender on wheels” just like me. Her background in bartending in Hawaii eventually led her to the greens of Vegas, looking for something off The Strip. She works at a public course, so she sees everyone from “sweet elderly players to spirited bachelor party groups.” Jennifer also talks about how “the tipping culture in Vegas adds an unpredictable yet exciting element” to her job, with earnings that can be substantial but also inconsistent. She’s even seen tips “exceeding expectations with surprise amounts,” sometimes over $1,000. It’s reassuring to know that these experiences, the highs and the lows, are shared across the greens.
Despite the financial uncertainties that can come with tip-based work, Jennifer also emphasizes the joy she finds in the camaraderie with her colleagues and the simple pleasure of working outdoors. And honestly, I totally get that. There’s something truly wonderful about being outside, soaking up the fresh air, even when it’s scorching Nevada heat. There’s a real sense of community among us cart girls, too. We look out for each other, a silent understanding passing between us as we navigate the diverse personalities and situations that each day brings. It’s a dynamic, exciting, and sometimes wild environment.
For me, this job just sparks something really positive. Even on days when I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, I’ll suddenly remember, “Wait, I get to go out and ‘play’ with 200 hot golfers, and I can leave with a lot of money!” It’s hard to stay in a bad mood with that thought. It’s a job that keeps you moving, keeps you interacting, and keeps you feeling good. And that kind of daily enjoyment, coupled with the financial rewards, is truly life-changing. It’s about embracing the unexpected, learning on the fly, and finding genuine happiness in a role that, for many, remains a bit of a mystery. This job has really helped me become a more positive person, and I’ve genuinely found something that I love doing.
While my days out on the course are filled with sunshine, laughter, and those incredible tip moments, there’s an undeniable flip side to all that attention. Being a cart girl, especially in a place like Las Vegas, means you’re constantly interacting with diverse personalities. Most of the time, it’s genuinely fun, but sometimes, the attention from golfers can definitely go a little too far, pushing those boundaries of comfort and respect. It’s a part of the job that you learn to navigate, often with a mix of assertiveness and a bit of humor.
I remember one instance vividly. A golfer wanted to buy a drink for another cart girl who had already moved on to a different hole. I offered to take it to her, thinking I was just being helpful. But then he wanted to deliver it himself, adding, “Maybe she’ll let me give her a hug.” My internal alarm bells went off immediately. “No way,” I thought, “that’s creepy.” There was no chance I was going to let that happen. I quickly told him I wanted to talk to her anyway and would bring the drink myself, ensuring she didn’t have to deal with that uncomfortable encounter. It’s a silent pact among us cart girls: we always look out for each other.
It’s not just about preventing uncomfortable interactions; sometimes it’s about direct disrespect. There was another time when a guy, trying to impress his friends back home, put his hands on my butt while we were taking a picture. I was completely taken aback. I immediately yelled at him, telling him not to show that particular picture to his mates. It’s annoying, it’s weird, and it definitely crosses a line, but honestly, I’ve learned to get over stuff like that pretty quickly. You can’t let those moments ruin your whole day, or your whole outlook on the job.
Jennifer Friday, my fellow cart girl from Revere Golf Club, echoes this sentiment. She’s seen it all too, from “sweet elderly players to spirited bachelor party groups,” and understands the need for mutual respect. Jennifer handles those flirtatious moments with “a blend of humour and assertiveness,” always knowing how to establish boundaries with patrons who might overstep. It really highlights that while we’re there to provide a service and create a fun experience, we also have to protect ourselves and maintain our professionalism. Despite the “plethora of good-looking well-off men” out on the course every day, I make it a point to keep things strictly professional. Although, I will admit, I do tend to date golfers – they don’t have to be good at the game though!
Now, shifting gears from navigating the sometimes-tricky social dynamics on the course, let’s talk about something truly unexpected that blossomed from this job: my journey into the wild world of TikTok. It’s funny, when I first started as a cart girl, becoming a social media sensation was the absolute last thing on my mind. My job was on the green, serving drinks, making connections, and chasing those tips. The idea of turning my work into content for millions was entirely foreign.
It actually started with my best friend. She was also out of a job during the pandemic, and I helped her get hired with me at the course. She had this idea, “We look cute, let’s make dance TikToks!” I was hesitant, thinking, “We’re at work, we can’t do this.” But she insisted, and eventually, I caved. We started doing them, just for fun, never imagining where it would lead. It was a slow burn at first, without much traction.
Then, things took an unexpected turn, as they often do in Vegas. A golfer made me pretty mad one day, and I posted about it. Suddenly, my Instagram followers started leaping. Then came one of my earliest viral videos, which now boasts 3.5 million views. It was thanks to a guy who asked for a hug. I jokingly told him it would cost $100. He took the offer, giving me a hug each of the three times I came around, hoping for luck – though he still lost the game! When I saw that video hit 100,000 views, I freaked out. Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. Then it reached a million, and I thought, “Wow, this is crazy – I have to keep doing this.” From that moment on, I just continued making videos about my job each day.
And “keep doing this” I did! Now, I’m absolutely blown away to say I have 2.2 million followers on TikTok, with over 63 million likes. It’s truly wild to think about. What started as a casual way to share my daily life and a few funny encounters has completely transformed into a significant part of my identity and career. My philosophy has always been to post content that *I* enjoy and that makes *me* happy, never what other people want to see. I think that authenticity is what truly resonates with my audience.
This massive online presence has opened up doors I never even knew existed. I’ve signed a slew of lucrative sponsorship deals, which is just incredible. For example, Cash App sponsored me to go down to Miami. Driving a cart down South Beach was a dream come true! They paid me for my time and for making videos, but honestly, the money wasn’t the main draw – it was truly about the amazing experience. I’ve also been asked to do NASCAR in Vegas for a second time, and I’ll do it in a heartbeat because it was so much fun the first time around. The manager of the Vegas speedway initially reached out about driving a cart at EDC, and then NASCAR, even providing the cart. I don’t even have an agency; I just ask for emails directly. I’m always open to new and exciting opportunities that come my way.
The coolest part about being recognized on TikTok is seeing the impact it has on the course. Many enamored golfers now make special trips to my course specifically to meet me in person. I get asked for a lot of selfies – especially from the younger crowd, who always want pictures. It’s an interesting shift from just being a cart girl to also being a bit of a celebrity in the golfing world. It’s a constant reminder of how widely these videos have reached and how many people are genuinely interested in what I do. It’s a surreal and often humbling experience.
Beyond the daily tips and the dazzling world of social media, this job has offered me some truly unexpected rewards that go far beyond money or fame. It’s brought about significant personal growth, pushing me to become a more positive, assertive, and adaptable person. As I mentioned before, this job has really helped me become a more positive person overall. I’ve genuinely found something that I love doing, and that kind of daily enjoyment, coupled with the financial rewards, is truly life-changing.
There’s a real sense of empowerment that comes from navigating such a dynamic environment. From learning to set boundaries with tricky customers to building a thriving social media presence, I’ve developed skills I never anticipated needing. It’s about embracing the unexpected, learning on the fly, and finding genuine happiness in a role that, for many, remains a bit of a mystery. And honestly, it’s a good feeling knowing I’m making good money and using it wisely. So far, I’ve saved up my earnings to buy the nicest car I could afford, and now I’m driving around in a Tesla. Who would’ve thought a cart girl job could lead to that?
It’s also incredibly rewarding to be part of a community. Jennifer Friday, my colleague, also emphasizes the joy she finds in the camaraderie with her fellow cart girls and the simple pleasure of working outdoors. There’s a real sense of sisterhood among us; we look out for each other, share stories, and offer support when needed. It’s comforting to know that the highs and lows, the fun and the frustrations, are shared experiences.
Despite the occasional challenges, like battling sleazy golfers or contending with long days in the scorching Nevada heat, or even waking up for early tournaments by 4:30 a.m., I wouldn’t trade this job for anything. It’s a dynamic, exciting, and sometimes wild environment, but it consistently sparks something positive in me. Even on days when I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, I’ll suddenly remember, “Wait, I get to go out and ‘play’ with 200 hot golfers, and I can leave with a lot of money!” It’s hard to stay in a bad mood with that thought.
My journey is a testament to the thrill of the unexpected and the art of turning each encounter into a memorable chapter in the colourful tapestry of Vegas life. This job has really changed my life, not just financially, but in shaping who I am. And I’m certainly not alone in that sentiment. It’s a truly unique path, and I’m encouraging other women to become golf cart girls. It’s a really good way to make good money, and it doesn’t require much experience, so you can start at a young age. It’s a job that keeps you moving, keeps you interacting, and keeps you feeling good. For me, that’s a hole-in-one.
