In many places, it is common practice for caddies to mark, lift, clean and replace the player’s ball when it first comes to rest on the putting green without authorisation from the player, even though this is not permitted under the current Rules. In some areas of the world, this is a cultural expectation relating to the role of a caddie.
What does a caddie do in golf?
The biggest duty as a caddie is to carry the golf bag for the golfer. This involves not just carrying the clubs but handing the golfer the requested club when they’re ready to use it. You will need to put the clubs back in the bag once the golfer is finished with their shot.
How to caddie a golfer on the Green?
After reaching player’s ball, stand bag about 3 feet to the right and allow player to select a club. The putting green is an important area and the caddies should be especially careful in handling their duties here. Hand your player his putter as soon as his ball is on the green.
How do you introduce yourself as a caddie on the course?
Introduce yourself to the player and tell him you are a new caddie. On the tee, position yourself where you won’t distract the player and where you can follow the flight of the ball. Walk alongside or ahead of the player; don’t lag behind. Walk with your hand over the clubs so they do not rattle.
How to clean a golf club as a caddie?
As a caddie it is your responsibility to clean the golfers club after they use it. Use the towel to wipe and dry the club; additionally you may use a tee to clean the grooves of the club.
How do you train to be a golf caddy?
InstructionsStudy the game of golf. Read as much as you can on the rules and how to play. ... Frequent your local country club. ... Work as a caddy at your local country club. ... Volunteer for Professional Amateur golf events scheduled in your area. ... Network at Professional Amateur golf events.
What skills do you need to be a caddy?
Below we've compiled a list of the most important skills for a Caddie....Most Common Skills For Caddies.RankCaddie SkillPercentage1Golf Clubs13%2Professional Relationships11.3%3Course Knowledge11.3%4Effective Communication10.2%2 more rows•Aug 18, 2021
How much do caddies walk?
While the total distance walked depends on many factors, a typical caddy can walk anywhere from 5-10 miles per loop. Making that hike 6 days a week for 4 months gives you a pretty hefty sum of miles for the summer.
What makes a good caddy?
Honesty. Players don't like hearing they're wrong or they're getting bad advice from someone close to them (i.e. a swing coach, sports psychologist, girlfriend/boyfriend, etc.). A great caddie is willing to say the things most people around a golfer won't say.
Is it hard to get a caddy job?
Difficulty: Moderately Easy Get started by signing up to be a caddie at a local golf course. Most of them have caddie masters who match caddies with players, and will tell you the requirements for carrying a bag there.
Is being a caddy a good job?
It is an exciting job There is nothing more rewarding than a fun group of four golfers playing for some money. As a caddie, you feel some responsibility in helping your golfers win their money and giving a good read when there is some cash on the line is an all-time feeling.
Who is the highest paid caddy?
Jimmy JohnsonWhy Do They Earn So Much?Search Search in Rank Caddy Name Player Name Yearly Payout for 2020RankCaddy NameYearly Payout for 20201Jimmy Johnson$502,8512Jonathan Jakovac$486,8253Austin Johnson$472,60012 more rows
How much does Tiger Woods pay his caddie?
According to Golf Week, a caddie earns five to 10 percent of a professional golfer's winnings on top of his base salary. A caddie makes between $1,500 and $2,500 in base pay per week during golf tournaments, Forbes reports.
What does a caddy get paid?
A caddy's pay is a combination of a weekly stipend plus a percentage of a player's winnings. While every player/caddie agreement is different, generally speaking, most PGA Tour caddies make a base of between $1,500 and $3,000 per week.
Can a caddie tee up the ball?
So, could a caddie tee up his player's ball during the round? Yes, the caddie could. According to a number of rules experts, a caddie can tee up their player's ball for them. Technically, a player could have a playing competitor tee up the ball for them.
What does a caddy girl do?
Keep the golf clubs and equipment clean. The caddy is expected to keep the golf clubs, balls, and other equipment clean throughout the game. They should carry different types of towels with them and appropriate cleaning products.
Can a caddie give swing advice?
10.3 Caddies. Purpose of Rule: The player may have a caddie to carry the player's clubs and give advice and other help during the round, but there are limits to what the caddie is allowed to do. The player is responsible for the caddie's actions during the round and will get a penalty if the caddie breaches the Rules.
Do caddies know where the ball went?
Whether golfers are hitting a drive from the tee box, or pitching onto the green, caddies should watch the ball carefully and know where it went. Even if you don't see exactly where the ball landed, you should know the general area and be able to locate it quickly.
Can you hit a golf ball out of a sand trap?
As much as they try to avoid it, many golfers at some point hit their ball into a sand trap. Hitting their ball out of the trap requires walking into the trap, hitting the ball and then walking out. It all creates a disturbed surface, and fixing it is the caddy's responsibility. Once golfers are done hitting out of the sand, caddies should grab a rake and make the surface smooth for the next golfer.
How many holes does a caddie carry?
Carry the golf bag. (“If a caddie does nothing else but carry the golf bag around for 18 holes, they’ve served one of the most basic functions of a caddie,” Withington said.)
How long do honor caddies serve?
Honor caddies, which is often the highest level of caddie service, are typically those who have been caddies for about three years (although some pick it up faster than that). Honor caddies can carry one or two bags, or they can be a forecaddie and service up to four players. An honor caddie knows how to multitask. And again, some of the biggest insights occur on the greens with Honor Caddies.
What is the role of a caddie in golf?
The quintessential role of the caddie is to bring added value to the game for the golfer. There’s the obvious duty of carrying the golf clubs, but the caddie does much more than that. From making sure the bag is stocked with balls and tees to repairing divots and raking sand traps. We’ve compiled a list of some of the key tasks of a caddie.
What is the job of a caddie?
As a caddie it is your job to rake the sand trap once your golfer is done with their shot. You want it to look like no one was ever in that sand trap. You need to rake the spot in which the ball was, the footprints of the golfer, and, as you rake and back out of the sand trap, your footsteps as well.
How to clean golf clubs and balls?
In the pre-round preparation you should’ve grabbed a towel. That towel will be used to clean clubs and balls. You may want to dip half the towel in water before the round for easier cleaning. As a caddie it is your responsibility to clean the golfers club after they use it. Use the towel to wipe and dry the club; additionally you may use a tee to clean the grooves of the club. Clean a golfer’s ball before each tee shot and on the green after it’s been marked. Ensure you check with your golfer about their ball cleaning preference because some golfers may have different habits than others, like they may not like their ball cleaned on the green. It is also in the realm of the caddie’s duties to keep the golf bag organized, so once the club is cleaned it should be placed in the same spot in the bag it was removed.
What happens when a golfer hits a divot?
When your golfer strikes the ball in a manner that leaves a divot it is your responsibility to replace that divot. Once the divot is created, leaving a chunk of grass missing, the caddie retrieves the chunk and places it back into the spot from which it came, patting it down with their foot.
What do you need to know before you caddie?
Golf Course Knowledge. Before you caddie at a certain course it is best to have some knowledge of the course. It is important to know where any hazards are like bodies of water and bunkers. You also want to be aware of where the out-of-bound markers are.
How to determine distance from golf ball to green?
If you don’t have a range finder then you must find the nearest distance marker. Locate the distance marker then pace off the distance from the marker to the golf ball, then add or subtract to the distance respectively. Then once you’ve determined the distance, relay that information to your golfer.
What do you wear to a golf tournament?
Standard golf attire should be worn, typically a collared shirt and nice dress pants. You may also want to wear a hat. A nice pair of shoes should be worn as well. For tournament play, caddies may be provided with a uniform or a caddie bib to wear .
You Did It!
You’ve finally secured a tee time at that fancy club you’ve always wanted to play or booked a bucket list trip to a great golf destination. But now a little panic has set in because caddies are required. You’ve never had a caddie before, and you’re not sure what to do.
Relax
The number one concern of people who have never used a caddie is, “What if I play badly?” My answer is, “Don’t worry about it.”
Lighten Your Load
If you typically carry your own bag when you play, you can probably skip this section. However, if you always ride, pay special attention.
Go Beyond Golf
Dylan Thaemert offered a tremendous addition to this list: don’t limit your caddie interactions to golf . When we went to Bandon Dunes (much content HERE ), we had a tremendous caddie, Dane.
What Did We Miss?
Do you regularly golf with a caddie? What advice do you have for your fellow golfers? Share it in the comments section below.
Caddie Etiquette Rules to Know
Golf is a game full of history and tradition. Being a caddie is a great honor in the game, a fantastic way to network, an excellent form exercise, and a way to make money. Here are some things to remember to respect the game and position of being a caddie.
What are the Game Rules to Know for a Caddie?
Whether for professional golf or an amateur setting, being a good caddie should know their expectation for the game. Below are some of the most common things a caddie should handle during a round of golf.
How Much Do Caddies Make?
Professional caddies in the PGA will have a separate agreement with their golfer, but they tend to make a base salary of a few thousand dollars a week. However, a caddy can make even more money when the golfer wins prize money during the match.
Do Caddies Pay for their Own Expenses?
Caddies are independent contractors in the PGA, covering their expenses. That means things like hotels, food, flights, and more come out of the caddie’s expense. Since this is all done for work, these independent contractors can write that off on their taxes.
Is there a Caddie Hall of Fame?
The Western Golf Association runs the Caddie Hall of Fame. The three eligibility levels are junior caddies, caddie advocates, and professional caddies. As of January 2022, there are 123 members of the Caddie Hall of Fame. You can visit the official website to learn more about the hall of fame!
Conclusion: What is a Caddie in Golf?
In summary, a golf caddie is more than a person who carries a golf bag. They are integral in helping the golfer know about the course, ensuring they have the best equipment, holding the flagstick to help with puts, and more.
Why is it unusual to have a caddie?
It is an unusual relationship, because the caddie's job is to serve the golfer's interest, but the caddie may know both the course and the golfer's best interest better than the golfer does. Courtesy on the part of both golfer and caddie can make it comfortable. Etiquette for the Caddie.
Do caddies clean golf clubs?
Caddies should check clubs routinely, cleaning them when they're handed back, prior to replacing them in the bag and making sure each club is clean and dry before handing it to the player. o Cleaning the Golf Ball: Keeping the player's golf ball clean is the caddie's job, but only upon request.