Golf Ball Diver Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the sports industry, the role of golf ball divers has never been more crucial.
As golf courses proliferate, the demand for skilled individuals who can recover, clean, and recycle golf balls grows.
But let’s delve deeper: What’s truly expected from a golf ball diver?
Whether you are:
- A job seeker wanting to understand the core of this unique role,
- A hiring manager outlining the perfect candidate,
- Or simply fascinated by the niche world of golf ball diving,
You’ve come to the right place.
Today, we introduce a customizable golf ball diver job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or career sites.
Let’s dive right into it.
Golf Ball Diver Duties and Responsibilities
Golf Ball Divers undertake the unique task of collecting lost or stray golf balls from water hazards on golf courses.
Their duties primarily involve diving, collection, and maintenance tasks, with some potential for sales and negotiation.
The duties and responsibilities of a Golf Ball Diver typically include:
- Diving into water hazards on golf courses to collect lost golf balls
- Using specialized equipment to locate and retrieve golf balls from the bottom of lakes and ponds
- Sorting and cleaning collected golf balls
- Maintaining and repairing diving equipment as needed
- Adhering to safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the safety of self and others on the course
- Keeping accurate records of balls collected and hours worked
- May involve selling recovered golf balls back to golf courses or to used golf ball retailers
- Negotiating with golf course management for access and collection rights
- Inspecting the quality of retrieved balls and discarding those unfit for use
Golf Ball Diver Job Description Template
Job Brief
We are looking for a physically fit, adventurous individual to join our team as a Golf Ball Diver.
The primary role of a Golf Ball Diver is to retrieve golf balls from various water hazards located within our golf course.
This role requires excellent swimming skills, comfortability with diving equipment, and a fearless attitude towards deep water and occasional aquatic wildlife.
Responsibilities
- Dive into golf course water hazards to retrieve golf balls
- Maintain and inspect diving equipment regularly
- Follow all safety protocols and procedures
- Sort and clean retrieved golf balls
- Prepare and submit regular reports on retrieved golf balls
- Communicate with golf course management and staff effectively
- Adhere to appropriate wildlife interaction guidelines
Qualifications
- Proven experience as a professional diver, lifeguard or relevant role
- Advanced swimming skills
- Comfortable with underwater diving equipment
- Physical strength and stamina
- Awareness of diving safety protocols and procedures
- Ability to handle potentially dangerous aquatic wildlife
- High school diploma or equivalent
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Paid time off
- Workers’ compensation
- Employee discounts
Additional Information
- Job Title: Golf Ball Diver
- Work Environment: Outdoors in various weather conditions. This role involves regular exposure to water and occasional exposure to aquatic wildlife.
- Reporting Structure: Reports to the Golf Course Manager or Supervisor.
- Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
- Pay Range: $25,000 minimum to $50,000 maximum
- Location: [City, State] (specify the location)
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
- Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].
What Does a Golf Ball Diver Do?
A Golf Ball Diver is a professional who plays a unique role in the maintenance and cleanliness of golf courses, specifically water hazards like ponds and lakes.
Their primary job is to retrieve golf balls that have been hit into water hazards during games.
They dive into the water, often wearing scuba gear or using other specialized diving equipment, to collect these balls.
After retrieval, the Golf Ball Diver cleans and sorts the balls based on their condition.
The balls are then often resold to golfers at a discounted price or recycled, depending on their condition.
In addition to collecting golf balls, Golf Ball Divers also perform routine maintenance and cleaning tasks for the water bodies they dive into.
This can include removing debris, checking for damage to the pond or lake, and reporting any other issues they notice while diving.
Despite the straightforward nature of the job, Golf Ball Divers must be competent divers and swimmers, possess a good knowledge of water safety protocols, and be comfortable working in various weather conditions.
Working closely with golf course management and groundskeeping staff, a Golf Ball Diver plays a crucial role in ensuring the course’s water hazards are clear and safe while also providing an eco-friendly way to recycle lost golf balls.
Golf Ball Diver Qualifications and Skills
A competent Golf Ball Diver must possess the skills and qualifications that match the job requirements, including:
- Swimming skills and the physical ability to dive and swim for extended periods of time are essential.
- Understanding of scuba diving equipment and its maintenance for performing the job safely and efficiently.
- Strong observational skills to locate and retrieve golf balls from various underwater locations.
- Physical strength and endurance to carry heavy equipment and bags of golf balls, as well as to withstand challenging weather and water conditions.
- Problem-solving abilities to deal with unexpected situations underwater, such as equipment malfunction or difficult ball locations.
- Knowledge of first aid and emergency procedures, in case of any accidents or emergencies during the job.
- Communication skills to coordinate with golf course staff and report on retrieved balls, as well as to discuss any challenges or issues faced during the job.
- Attention to detail to ensure that no balls are overlooked during the diving process.
Golf Ball Diver Experience Requirements
The role of a Golf Ball Diver does not typically require formal education or professional diving experience, however, it does demand a certain level of physical fitness and comfort in the water.
Novices to this field may have gained experience through recreational diving or swimming.
A basic understanding of scuba diving, snorkeling, or free diving can be beneficial to succeed in this role.
Candidates with 1 to 2 years of golf ball diving, salvage diving, or similar experience are often viewed as more desirable as they have developed a familiarity with the work environment and the required physical efforts.
Those with over 3 years of experience in golf ball diving or similar roles have likely honed their diving skills, increased their efficiency in collecting golf balls, and developed a better understanding of safety protocols.
Divers with more than 5 years of experience may have developed the leadership skills necessary to oversee other divers, manage collection operations, and ensure the safety of their team.
It is also important to note that some employers may require golf ball divers to have a diving certification from an accredited organization such as Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or Scuba Schools International (SSI).
Golf Ball Diver Education and Training Requirements
Golf Ball Divers typically do not require formal education beyond high school, but they must receive specialized training for the role.
This training often includes scuba diving certification, which is necessary as the role involves diving into golf course ponds to retrieve lost balls.
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) offers such certifications.
Golf Ball Divers also need to be in good physical condition, as the job can be physically demanding and sometimes hazardous due to the environment they dive into.
In addition to diving certification, they need training in handling and identifying different types of golf balls, and they must be comfortable working in low visibility and confined spaces.
Courses in wildlife identification and safety can also be beneficial, as divers can encounter various types of wildlife in the ponds.
While not a requirement, having a background or interest in golf can be beneficial for understanding the specifics of the job role.
Some Golf Ball Divers may also choose to receive First Aid and CPR training, as they often work in remote locations where immediate medical assistance may not be available.
Lastly, Golf Ball Divers must have a valid driver’s license and often need their own transportation to travel to various golf courses.
Golf Ball Diver Salary Expectations
A Golf Ball Diver can expect to earn an average salary of $50,000 (USD) per year.
This amount can vary greatly based on the location of the golf course, the number of balls retrieved, and the selling price of the balls.
Some experienced divers can earn up to $100,000 (USD) annually.
The job may also be seasonal depending on the location and weather conditions.
Golf Ball Diver Job Description FAQs
What skills does a Golf Ball Diver need?
A Golf Ball Diver should have strong swimming skills and be comfortable with scuba diving.
They should also be able to handle physical strain as they will be diving and hauling heavy loads of balls.
Good vision and the ability to navigate underwater are also crucial.
Problem-solving skills are needed to figure out the best way to retrieve balls in different water conditions and locations.
Do Golf Ball Divers need any specific qualifications?
While a degree is not necessary, Golf Ball Divers should have a certification in scuba diving.
Certifications from recognized organizations such as PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) or SSI (Scuba Schools International) are often preferred.
In addition, experience in commercial diving can be beneficial.
What should you look for in a Golf Ball Diver’s resume?
The most important aspect to look for in a Golf Ball Diver’s resume is their certification and experience in scuba diving.
Other beneficial skills might include physical fitness, experience working in outdoor conditions, and any commercial diving experience.
It’s also beneficial if they have experience or knowledge about golf.
What qualities make a good Golf Ball Diver?
A good Golf Ball Diver should be physically fit and comfortable in water environments, able to withstand cold and often murky water conditions.
They should have a keen attention to detail to spot and retrieve golf balls.
Patience and persistence are important as the job can be repetitive and, at times, challenging.
Is it difficult to hire Golf Ball Divers?
Hiring Golf Ball Divers can be challenging due to the specific skill set and physical demands of the job.
It requires a unique combination of scuba diving skills, physical stamina, and comfort with often less-than-ideal water conditions.
Therefore, it can take time to find the right candidate for the role.
Conclusion
And there you have it.
Today, we’ve taken a deep dive into the unique world of being a golf ball diver.
And guess what?
It’s not just about retrieving golf balls.
It’s about diving into the unknown, one golf ball at a time.
With our comprehensive golf ball diver job description template and real-world examples, you’re prepared to take the plunge.
But why stop there?
Submerge yourself further with our job description generator. It’s your next step to carefully-crafted job listings or fine-tuning your resume to perfection.
Remember:
Every retrieved ball adds to your success.
Let’s make that dive. Together.
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