What it’s like to be a model golf caddy in Las Vegas for platinum tees

• Ariana Sokol is a contract golf caddy for Platinum Tees in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• His day involves advising golfers on clubs, fetching drinks and helping them deal with sunburn.
• She says don’t be shy and know the course if you want to be a caddy.

This essay is based on a conversation with Ariana Sokol, a 25-year-old “model” golf caddy in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sokol asked to keep some details of his job private for professional reasons, but Insider verified his employment with documentation. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I worked full time as a contortionist in a circus in New York before being laid off during the pandemic. One of my best friends had worked as a caddy for 10 years at Platinum Tees, a company that offers female “model” golf caddies for rent, and encouraged me to move to Las Vegas because golf, being an outdoor sport air, was really taking off there.

I joined Platinum Tees in March 2021 after receiving a recommendation from them and completing an interview. They asked me if I was outgoing, friendly and a team player.

Golfers book us directly through Platinum Tees, and we caddy at various courses around Las Vegas. The first time I set foot on a golf course was my first round after getting the job. I realized right away that I really love golf.

My job is to help golfers have fun

A typical round begins with a meeting with my golfers. I like to get a little history and know if they are here for a bachelor party, a corporate meeting or a convention in town.

If they’re having a bachelor party – I usually get those kinds of customers from Friday to Sunday and in the summer – I joke around with them a lot and put on some music. If it’s for work, I’ll be quieter so they can talk business.

I always ask what kind of cart they want. Sometimes they just want me to drive them around and have fun, and sometimes they want me to grab their club the second they’ve finished their shot and put it in the bag. Usually a game lasts four to five hours, depending on the heat and the backup of the course. People in front of us drinking and having a good time also tend to slow things down.

It took just under a month to learn the ins and outs of the course

I remember when I first started, I was writing notes on my phone that I remember hearing other caddies say to golfers or things that golfers would say on the course. I worked pretty much every day when I was first hired, so I was able to adapt quickly just by paying attention to those little details.

I now know the main course I’m working on like the back of my hand, so I’m almost like a flight attendant. I take golfers around the course for each hole so they can bring their best game.

Some days I get up at 4:30 a.m. I love going to the gym, so I get up really early to do it before a game — especially in the summer, it’s really hot, so golfers want to start earlier .

I get to work half an hour before call time, when the golfers are to meet. I say hello to everyone, put on some sunscreen and I’m good to go.

How you present yourself, from hairstyle to makeup to golf attire, affects tips

Women’s golf outfits are usually super frumpy, so what I like to do is buy a kid-sized skirt. They are short and super cute. When it’s hot, nothing really helps, but I find that not wearing black or super dark colors makes a small difference.

I try to take care of myself as best I can. I always arrive at the golf course with my hair and makeup on. Some golf courses prefer you to dress more conservatively, and I find what works best for my body is a tight bodysuit and shorter skirt. Alo Yoga also makes the cutest tennis dresses, and I’m a sucker for a unique type of outfit.

We are independent contractors, not employees, so we don’t have a salary.

We can earn the same amount in tips as in weekly wages. But it all depends on the amount of work and occupation. (Editor’s note: Insider hasn’t reviewed Sokol’s payslips, but Platinum Tees founder and CEO Laura Diane told Insider, “The girls get a portion of the service fee and keep 100% their tips. On average, caddies can earn up to $1,000 a week in salary, and I’m guessing about the same amount in tips. But it all depends on how hard a caddie works during the course of the job. a given week.”)

I usually work between five and seven hours a day, five days a week, but it all depends on bookings and the season. I’m always happy to do a double turn in one day. Then, it’s a little cool in the air conditioning, and I’m ready to leave.

Sometimes, if the tips are really unequal one day, the girls and I split our tips. We all do the same amount of work. I once had a guy tell me he won over $30,000 playing the night before. He was sorry for me to be there – it was 110 degrees – and he tipped me nicely.

I’m still the golfers mama bear, but crazy things happen

I tell them they have to put sunscreen on their ears because they will burn. People don’t understand that the Vegas sun is different. I make sure they drink plenty of water throughout the game, even if they drink beers. I’ve had golfers so sunburned that I had to take them to the pro shop for sun protection.

One time a guy wasn’t feeling well, so I went to the gas station to buy some Tylenol. If they have cramps, I’ll try getting them to eat pickles or drink some pickle juice – salt always saves the day.

One time a bachelor party got really fried, and on the 10th hole a guy took the cart for a spin and flipped it. He broke his ankle but was drunk and didn’t feel it – he wanted to keep playing. I grabbed some ice, then got him treated at the clubhouse, where they’re getting first aid. Another time someone ran out and hit the glass of our cart and one of my golfers got glass in his eye.

These are not typical experiences, of course. Usually the greatest danger is driving the cart itself. If you go up a hill and can’t see the bunker, you can run into it, so knowing the route is very helpful.

My number one tip for anyone looking to get into the caddy is that you can‘I am not shy

You have to be bubbly and quick-witted.

You also need a golf knowledge base. I didn’t have one, so I asked my friend who worked the course to give me a golf debrief and some lessons. You have to know things like not talking while someone is in their backswing.

Are you a golf cart with a story to tell or do you have a unique job in the service industry? Email Lauryn Haas at lhaas@insider.com.