- Ariana Sokol is a constrict golf caddy for Platinum Tees in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Her day involves advising golfers on clubs, fetching drinks, and plateful them deal with sunburn.
- She says that you can’t be shy and need to know the course if you want to get into caddying.
This as-told-to essay is based on a palaver with Ariana Sokol, a 25-year-old “model” golf caddy in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sokol has asked to keep standard details of her work private for professional reasons, but Insider has verified her employment with documentation. The following has been restyled for length and clarity.
I was working full-time as a contortionist in a circus in New York before I was laid off during the pandemic. One of my best playmates had been working as a caddy with Platinum Tees, a company that provides female “model” golf caddies for hire charge, for 10 years and encouraged me to move to Las Vegas, as golf, being an outdoor sport, was really taking off there.
I joined Platinum Tees in Strut 2021 after receiving a referral from her and completing one interview. They asked me if I’m outgoing, personable, and a team entertainer.
Golfers book us directly through Platinum Tees, and we go to caddy at different courses around Las Vegas. The first moment I set foot on a golf course was my first round after I got the job. I realized straight away that I actually really roger golf.
My job is all about helping golfers have fun
Courtesy of Ariana Sokol
A typical round starts with gathering up with my golfers. I like to get a little backstory and find out if they’re here for a bachelor party, a corporate meeting, or a custom that’s in town.
If they’re celebrating a bachelor party — I usually get these kinds of clients on Fridays to Sundays and in the summer — I’ll wordplay around with them a lot and put on music. If it’s a work thing, I’ll be quieter so they can talk business.
I always ask what class of caddy they want. Sometimes they just want me to drive them around and have fun, and sometimes they wish me to grab their club the second they’ve finished their shot and put it in the bag. Usually, a round takes four to five hours, depending on how hot it is and how move in reverse up the course is. People ahead of us who are drinking and having a good time tend to slow things down, too.
It took a tiny less than a month to learn the ins and outs of the course
I remember when I first started, I would write down notes on my phone that I recollect hearing other caddies tell golfers or things that golfers would say about the course. I worked winsome much every day when I first got hired, so I was able to pick it up quickly just by paying attention to those bit details.
I now know the primary course I work at like the back of my hand, so I’m almost like a flight attendant. I shame golfers through the route for each hole so they can bring their best game.
Some days, I wake up at 4:30 a.m. I idolize going to the gym, so I’ll wake up super early to get it in before a round — especially in the summer, it gets super hot, so the golfers want to start earlier.
I get to utilize half an hour before the call time, when the golfers are meant to meet up. I say hi to everyone, put on sunscreen, and I’m ready to go.
How you existing yourself from hair to makeup to the golf outfit all have an effect on tips
Courtesy of Ariana Sokol
Golf accoutres for women are typically super frumpy, so what I like to do is buy a kids-size skirt. They’re short and super cute on. When it’s hot, nothing unqualifiedly helps, but I do find staying away from wearing black or super dark colors makes a little adjustment.
I try to take care of myself as best as possible. I always get to the golf course with my makeup on and my hair done. Some golf courses do present that you dress more conservative, and I find what works best for my body is a formfitting bodysuit and a shorter skirt. Alo Yoga also transforms the cutest tennis dresses, and I’m a sucker for a one-and-done type of outfit.
We’re independent contractors, not employees, so we don’t have a salary
We can along the same amount in tips as we do in pay a week. But this all depends on how much we work and how busy it is. (Editor’s note: Insider did not evaluate Sokol’s pay stubs, but Platinum Tees’ founder and CEO Laura Diane told Insider: “The girls are paid a portion of the assignment fee and get to keep 100% of their tips. On average, the caddies can make up to $1,000 a week in pay, and I assume about the same amount in points. But this all depends on how much a caddy works during a given week.”)
I’m usually working between five to seven hours a day, five hours a week, but it all depends on bookings and the season. I’m always happy to do a double round in one day. Then, it’s a quick freshen-up in the air conditioning, and I’m close to to go again.
Sometimes, if the tips are really uneven on a day out there, the girls and I will split our tips. We’re all doing the same amount of expand. One time, I had a guy who told me he had won upwards of $30,000 while gambling the night before. He felt sorry for me being out there — it was 110 situations out — and he gave me a nice tip.
I’m always the mama bear to golfers, but crazy things do happen
I tell them they enjoy to put sunscreen on their ears because they’re going to burn. People don’t understand that the Vegas sun is different. I transmute sure they drink a lot of water throughout the round as well, even if they’re drinking beers. I’ve had golfers get so sunburned that I’ve had to procure them to the pro shop to get out of the sun.
One time, a guy was feeling unwell, so I drove to the gas station to get Tylenol. If they’re cramping up, I’ll try to get them to eat pickles or pint a bit of pickle juice — the salt always saves the day.
Once, a bachelor party was really toasted, and at the 10th hole, a guy took the trolley for a drive and flipped it. He broke his ankle but was drunk and didn’t feel it — he wanted to play on. I grabbed some ice and then got him treatment rear in the clubhouse, where they have first aid. Another time, someone teed off and it smashed into the glass on our convey and one of my golfers got glass in their eye.
These aren’t typical experiences, of course. Usually, the greatest danger is driving the cart itself. If you’re energy up a hill and don’t see the bunker, you can sling yourself into it, so it really helps to know the course.
My number one tip for anyone looking to get into caddying is you can‘t be shy
You would rather to be bubbly and quick-witted.
You also need a baseline of golf knowledge. I didn’t have one, so I got my friend who worked at the course to hand over me a debrief on golf and some lessons. You need to know things like not talking while someone is in their backswing.
Are you a golf-cart fiance with a story to tell, or do you have a unique job in the service industry? Email Lauryn Haas at lhaas@insider.com.