how to be a professional golf caddy

How to become a professional golf caddy

1. Study the game. In order to become an expert and offer advice to a golfer, it's important for professional caddies to understand the intricacies of golf.
2. Complete a training program. There are also programs that prospective caddies can attend to develop helpful skills. ...
3. Work as a caddy. ...
4. Volunteer at events. ...
5. Network with golfers. ...
6. Find a professional golfer. ...

Full Answer

What does it take to become a golf caddy?

The Professional Caddies Association (PCA) offers training and apprenticeship programs to get you started. If you're still in school, check with golf courses in your area about caddying opportunities. Talk with caddies. Attend a tournament in your area and after a round, ask a few caddies what the job is really like.

How does someone become a professional golf caddy?

“How To Become A Professional Golf Caddie”

1. Becoming a Pro Caddie (Learning the Art) The first step to becoming good at anything you are trying to accomplish is through practice and learning all you can ...
2. Becoming a Pro Caddie (Make it a Job) Whether you choose to work part time or full time, this is the next step in your journey and a ...
3. Becoming a Pro Caddie (Make it a Career)

What are some tips for being a golf caddy?

What do you have to do to be a caddy?

• Have the Clubs Ready. Place the bottom of the golf bag on the ground and hold the top away from your body.
• Clean Clubs and Balls.
• Be Ready to Rake.
• Watch the Ball.
• Maintain the Golf Course.
• Tend the Pin.
• Stand in the Right Place.
• Wear the Proper Attire.

How to be a good golf caddy?

What Are Some Tips for Being a Golf Caddy?

• Overview. The overall responsibility of golf caddies is to make the game of golf more enjoyable for the golfers for whom they are caddying.
• Be prepared. ...
• Have the Clubs Ready. ...
• Clean Clubs and Balls. ...
• Be Ready to Rake. ...
• Watch the Ball. ...
• Maintain the Golf Course. ...
• Tend the Pin. ...
• Stand in the Right Place. ...
• Wear the Proper Attire. ...

How much does a professional golf caddy make?

between $1,500 and $3,000 per weekA 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 anyone be a PGA caddy?

Learn as much as you can about caddying and the sport of golf in general. No professional golfer will ever hire a caddy who has no experience or does not know anything about the sport. It is important to understand not only every aspect of the game, including rules and scoring, but also how the clubhouse operates.

What do you need to be a golf caddy?

Caddying 101: The Basics on Being a CaddieKeeper of the Golf Clubs. The biggest duty as a caddie is to carry the golf bag for the golfer. ... Dress the Part. ... Know the Basics of Golf. ... Pre-Round Preparation. ... Golf Course Knowledge. ... Careful Where you Stand. ... Keep Up Pace. ... Silence is Golden.More items...•

Do you have to be a good golfer to be a caddy?

Here are the answers — from PGA Tour caddies — to the questions we most often receive from you. Not surprisingly, there are plenty of caddies on the PGA Tour who are also excellent golfers. Some of them have even enjoyed stints on the PGA Tour. Loads of them played college golf.

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.

Who is the highest paid caddy in golf?

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

Can a 14 year old be a golf caddy?

For teens who love the links, working as a golf caddy at a local country club can be one of the highest-paying jobs. Especially since junior caddies can start as young as 14, carrying one bag and learning the skill.

What age can you be a golf caddy?

You have to be 14 to caddy at most clubs, but some might hire 13-year-olds.

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.

How do golf caddies get paid?

A caddie on the PGA Tour receives a base salary — usually around $1,000 to $2,000 — to cover travel expenses. He will earn 5% of the winnings if his golfer finishes outside of the top 10 and 7% of the winnings for a top-10 finish. The caddie earns 10% of winnings when his golfer wins a tournament.

How much does Tiger Woods caddie make?

Tiger Woods Earnings During his time caddying for Tiger Woods, Steve earned at least $12 million in bonuses and salary alone. Tiger also reportedly gave Steve 10 vehicles that were won at tournaments.

What do teenage caddies do?

Caddies are expected to track their player's ball, rake the sand traps, tend the flagstick and give yardages and advice if the player asks.

What is a golf caddy?

A golf caddy is a professional who serves as an assistant to a golfer, providing the golfer with support and advice during a round or tournament. Caddies help the golfer by studying the course, tracking distances and acting as an adviser.

What do professional golf caddies do?

Professional golf caddies work for golfers who earn money by winning or placing highly in tournaments. These caddies have many responsibilities, which may include:

How to become a professional golf caddy

If you're interested in a career as a professional golf caddy, here are six steps you can take to pursue this career path:

What is the average salary for professional caddies?

The average annual salary for a golf caddy is $33,609 per year. Professional golf caddies often earn more money than caddies working at a local golf course or assisting players at an amateur level. Professional caddies can also earn bonuses if the golfer places in or wins a tournament.

Essential skills for golf caddies

It's helpful for professional golf caddies to possess a range of skills, including:

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 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 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 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 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 .

What You Will Need to Follow This Tutorial

If you want to be a golf caddy, then it is important for you to have a couple things in mind in order to get the best overall results. For example, the most important thing for you to have is a passion for the game of golf. As a caddy, you will be constantly surrounded by golf and you will not enjoy the job if you do not like golf.

Tips for Becoming a Pro Golf Caddy

Try and get some official training if at all possible no matter how much you have caddied in the past. The Professional Caddies Association offers a lot of different training programs so that you can get started. If you happen to still be in school and can’t devote a lot of time, look for caddying jobs at local golf courses in your area.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, it is easy to see why there are so many people that want to be golf caddies and if you continue to work at it and get with a professional, there is a good chance to succeed and make some decent money.

Is job security important for a PGA caddy?

Thanks! Job security is not one of the positive aspects of being a PGA caddy.

Is it hard to become a caddy?

Even though it is a very hard goal to attain, nothing is impossible ...

Can you get into caddying on the first try?

Nobody gets into professional caddying on the first try. You will be rejected many times before being accepted, but it's very important you take each rejection as a step toward your ultimate goal. You never know when you will get the call and all your dreams will come true.

Do professional golfers hire caddy?

No professional golfer will ever hire a caddy who has no experience or does not know anything about the sport. It is important to understand not only every aspect of the game, including rules and scoring, but also how the clubhouse operates.

How much do caddys make on the PGA Tour?

Caddies on the PGA tour earn a base salary between $1000 and $2000 each week. In addition, they receive a bonus between five and 10 percent of their player’s winnings. If the golfer places first, the caddy gets 10 percent.

Where do golf caddies work?

For some caddies who work with a golfer who plays internationally, this may mean the caddy must know a wide variety of geographical locations, from the heat of the desert in Dubai to the cold and rain of the great links courses sprinkled throughout Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.

What are the disadvantages of being a caddy?

One of the disadvantages of being a caddy is the possibility of getting fired. In the summer of 2015, Robert Allenby and his caddy, Mick Middlemo, had a contentious disagreement in the first round of the Canadian Open. That led to a separation of the two on a permanent basis midway through the round because Middlemo was fired.

Why is a caddy important?

Most professional golfers playing today would have to admit that their caddy is as important to their playing ability as their custom golf clubs, relentless preparation and intensive physical conditioning.

Why do golfers read greens?

They read greens, suggest the proper club depending on the distance and lie, help control the crowd from getting unruly and more. It helps to have a surplus of mental strength, because caddies may get blamed for the golfer’s poor performance, even if they are not at fault.

When did David Toms win the PGA Championship?

His victories with David Toms included the PGA championship in 2001 when it was held at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Gneisser said he lives and dies with every shot, just like average golfers, and that he would continue to caddy as long as it was fun and provided a good living.

Is the caddy okay with this unorthodox method?

Presumably, the caddy was okay with this unorthodox method. This story highlights the importance of the mental side of caddying. It is much more than carrying a bag and reading off yardages. Caddies need to know when to assert themselves, and when to back off.

The Requirements

Being a teen golf caddy is more than just carrying clubs. You are expected to be responsible for the day-to-day running of the golf course. Your job could entail helping the groundskeeper with certain duties or ensuring that the club pro shop and changing facilities are clean.

Do I Need Golf Experience To Be A Teen Caddy?

If you have experience playing golf or a keen interest in the game, it definitely helps. But it’s not essential. If you are a sponge for knowledge and are willing to learn, any able-bodied teen can become a golf caddy. But the more you know about golf, the quicker you will rise the ranks at the course. And the quicker you will get paying jobs.

How Much Do Teen Golf Caddy Jobs Pay?

You can expect to get paid approximately $10 to $15 per hour for being a teen golf caddy. Some caddy jobs are paid purely on a commission or tip basis directly from the golfers, while others have set salaries.

Step-By-Step Guide To Becoming A Teen Golf Caddy

Always get permission from your parents beforehand. Because you will be on the course caddying for many hours at a time, make sure your parents know what you’re doing.

How Do I Become A Pro PGA Tour Golf Caddy?

If you are eyeing up teen golf caddy jobs as a vehicle to become a professional caddy for pro golfers, this is the place to start. Going to college won’t help if you want to become a PGA tour caddy.

Perfect That Resume And Ace Your Interview!

Firstly, for alternative job ideas as a teen, check out my Good Jobs For Teens and even our Jobs That Will Hire You Today Even With No Experience.

Final Thoughts

A teen caddy job is a great way to make some quick cash in the summer. But if you turn up at your local golf club without any experience or prior golf knowledge, you’ll probably get turned away.

Instructions

Study the game of golf. Read as much as you can on the rules and how to play. Caddies need to be thoroughly versed in all aspects of golf.

Tips & Warnings

Play golf whenever possible. This will not only help you stay in shape, but will also give you the best understanding of the game itself.