What does a caddie do on the PGA Tour?
A caddie has several duties that are critical to a golfer’s success. For a typical PGA Tour event that runs from Thursday to Sunday, a caddie’s work starts on Monday, when he’ll walk the course alone with a range finder and level to chart the greens. He’ll ensure yardages are correct and figure out where the golfer should land his balls.
How early should a caddie get to a golf course?
The caddie will get to the course before the pro — as much as four or five hours earlier for a late-afternoon round — to see if anything about the course has changed. This way he can relay that information to the golfer before he tees off.
How much does a caddie get paid for winning a tournament?
For example, if a golfer wins a tournament with a $6.4 million total purse, his caddie should take home about $115,200 — more than double his expected $48,384 share for a second-place finish. So, winning tournaments is important for both caddies and the golfers.
How do caddies fill divots on the golf course?
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. If the caddie can’t locate the missing piece of the divot, then they should use sand to fill the hole.
What does "not so far" mean in golf?
How many shots land short of the green?
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Do pro caddies use rangefinders?
Even though professional golfers probably have more confidence than your co-worker hitting the links, most golfers — or their caddies — at the PGA Championship chose to use a rangefinder. This typically happened when golfers found themselves off the fairway or confirming their own distance estimation.
How do PGA Tour players measure distance?
The PGA of America decided, then, to allow the 156 professional golfers in their championship to use laser rangefinders during the championship itself. As a result, the players are allow to be measuring distances using laser rangefinders.
How are golf yardages calculated?
How to Calculate How Far I Hit the Golf BallTake your tee shot as per normal, and then find your ball and stand directly beside it.Turn on the range finder, hold its sight to your eye and aim it directly at the flagstick. ... Subtract the distance to the flagstick from the total yardage of the hole.More items...
Do caddies have range finders?
Professional caddies absolutely use rangefinders in the thorough preparation for tournaments, along with other items — like a compass — to dial in yardages to areas of the course where we know our player will be most comfortable.
How accurate are pro golfers?
In 1995, when drives averaged just 264 yards, landing on the fairway was paramount, and pros averaged a 69 percent driving accuracy. In 2017, with drives travelling an average of 293 yards, precise placement isn't as vital — thus, the 60 percent driving accuracy across the Tour.
Are pros allowed to use rangefinders?
While professional golfers still cannot use rangefinders in most competitions, they do use them during practice. For best performance during competition, training should closely relate so the athletes get the best transfer from training.
How do caddies know yardage?
The yardage book are ubiquitous on the PGA Tour. Players and caddies carry them in their pockets and consult them before each shot. They show yardages to various targets on each hole, different points of elevation, and a close-up of the green that shows detailed contours and yardages.
How far should a 7 iron roll?
As you can see, most golfers are hitting their 7-iron between 147 to 159 yards on average.
How far should you hit a 6 iron?
You should hit a six iron about 150 yards. The average golfer gets just over 150 yards with their six-iron. Players with faster swing speed will get closer to 165 or even 170 with a six iron.
Can PGA players drink on the course?
Pace yourself. A good beverage is designed to be enjoyed in moderation. Varner says he enjoys having a casual drink on the course with friends, but not so much that he lets the rest of his game implode along the way. “I'm a terrible golfer when I drink too much,” Varner says.
Are distance finders legal in golf?
Are Rangefinders Legal in Golf? So, Yes you can use rangefinder devices for competition play. Devices like laser rangefinders, golf GPS watches, golf GPS devices, even smartphone apps.
Can Pro golfers wear shorts?
The PGA of America gave the OK for shorts during practice rounds at that PGA, and in 2019 the PGA Tour started allowing golfers to wear shorts in pro-ams and practice rounds. Caddies can wear shorts, but for the golfers themselves, that might never happen.
Can PGA players use measuring devices?
For the first time, distance measuring devices, or rangefinders, will be allowed for use during a major at next week's PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. The decision, announced in February, was made in an effort to speed up play.
How far does a pro hit a 7 iron?
between 172-215 yardsA PGA Tour player hits a 7-iron between 172-215 yards. Meanwhile, a short-hitting amateur male golfer averages 120 yards with the same club. Men, women, seniors, juniors, professionals, amateurs and beginners all hit their clubs different distances.
How do pros hit irons so far?
1:1513:12GOLF: Why The Pros Hit Their Irons So Solid - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut I want to organize that make that clear for you really what the pros do is they have their leftMoreBut I want to organize that make that clear for you really what the pros do is they have their left shoulder. Work in three distinct motions that allow them to hit the ball. So solid.
How far does Tiger Woods hit a 7 iron?
And when it comes to how far Tiger Woods, arguably the greatest iron player of all time, hits his irons? Tiger hits his 3-iron a 'carry' distance of 240 yards on average while his 4-iron goes 225 yards and 5-iron 210 yards. When it comes to his mid-irons he hits his 6-iron and 7-iron 195 and 180 yards.
What is yardage book?
Golf yardage books are detailed guides that pros and their caddies use to navigate the course during play. They are measured every year and updated within half an inch, so players know exactly how far it is from tee to green and everything in between.
Can you measure yardage with an artificial instrument?
Under the USGA rules, golfers in professional tournaments are not permitted to use artificial instruments to measure yardage . This includes anything digital or mechanical.
Is a yardage book artificial?
Yardage books are not considered artificial and are therefore allowed to be used in competitive play.
Can pro golfers use rangefinders?
Can Pro Golfers Use Range Finders. Under the rules of the USGA, pros are not allowed to use top golf rangefinders. The wording states that artificial instruments are not to be used in gameplay. They can use them during practice play to get more acquainted with the course, but not once the competition is underway.
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.
When do you need to tend to the pin?
When you get to the green on a hole as the caddie you need to tend to the pin. It may be as simple as just taking the pin out and staying out of the way as your golfer putts it in. However for a longer putt which your golfer can’t see the hole or a shot just off of the green, then you may need to tend the pin.
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 does the underlined number on the fairway mean?
An underlined number in the middle of the fairway with an arrow pointing back indicates the distance to the back of the tee box. Having been a caddie for so many years Mark would know what a golfer is looking at on the tee.
Is Mark Long's yardage book the go-to standard?
Although Mark’s book is the go-to standard, there are a few other options. Some might be limited to a specific golf course only where the book creator has intimate knowledge. These might be used in some cases but always with the insight that Mark Long’s yardage books offer.
Do pro golfers take yardage seriously?
Final Thoughts. Pro golfers take yardage very seriously. The inches are critical and the stakes are high. While they cannot make use of modern technology, these yardage books give them the edge they need to reliably calculate the yardage and are essential to pro golfers. Now you know how they know.
What does a caddie look for in a golf course?
The caddie looks for changed conditions like whether the course has become softer or firmer. He also checks the pin locations and watches other golfers to see how the ball reacts on the green. So, as you can see, caddying for a professional golfer involves more than just carrying clubs.
What is a caddie in golf?
A caddie has several duties that are critical to a golfer’s success. For a typical PGA Tour event that runs from Thursday to Sunday, a caddie’s work starts on Monday, when he’ll walk the course alone with a range finder and level to chart the greens.
How much does a caddie make on the PGA Tour?
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 early can a caddie go to the golf course?
The caddie will get to the course before the pro — as much as four or five hours earlier for a late-afternoon round — to see if anything about the course has changed. This way he can relay that information to the golfer before he tees off.
Do caddies pay taxes?
It’s not all profit for the caddie, though, as he’s responsible for paying for his own travel and accommodations most of the time. As independent contractors, caddies must pay self-employment taxes and health care costs, even if it’s subsidized by the PGA Tour.
Is golf a lucrative sport?
on October 20, 2019. Golf is a lucrative sport for the top players on the PGA Tour. They can take home millions by winning a single tournament. A golfer’s caddie plays a major role in that success, which means that professional golf can also be lucrative for them.
What does "not so far" mean in golf?
His timeless phrase rings true with golfers, particularly when it comes to their perception of how far they hit each club versus the data-driven reality of how (not so far) they actually hit each club. And more often than not, perception impacts the reality of their scorecard, round after round. That is, until they learn to harness the power ...
How many shots land short of the green?
According to a study of more than six million shots recorded by Arccos, 40% of approaches land short of the green, eight times the percentage that land behind the putting surface. That’s right, both recreational and serious amateur golfers aren’t nearly as long as they think they are.
What does "not so far" mean in golf?
His timeless phrase rings true with golfers, particularly when it comes to their perception of how far they hit each club versus the data-driven reality of how (not so far) they actually hit each club. And more often than not, perception impacts the reality of their scorecard, round after round. That is, until they learn to harness the power ...
How many shots land short of the green?
According to a study of more than six million shots recorded by Arccos, 40% of approaches land short of the green, eight times the percentage that land behind the putting surface. That’s right, both recreational and serious amateur golfers aren’t nearly as long as they think they are.
How Then Do Professional Golfers Know Their Yardages?
How Does Mark Go About Putting These Books Together?
- To produce a yardage book for any course a lot of high technology comes into play. The course is mapped using aerial photography, drones, range finders, and surveying instruments. All the measuring and layout information is fed into a computer where a tailormade program then produces the book. While technology is not allowed during the game, this book will give you acc…
What Information Do These Books provide?
- To the average amateur, the book would represent Egyptian hieroglyphics, but to the pros and their caddies, it’s pure gold. There is a page for each hole and the book is roughly the size of a large smartphone and fits in the back pocket. There is a large black dot at the front of the green, and all measurements are taken from there. The green will show contours and the depth of the g…
What About The Greens?
- You would think that with the green in view, or when standing on the green the player is quite capable of assessing the play himself, so why detailed information here? We now have a second page for each hole, and this gives us the pin position, the slopes and plateaus, and the grain of the grass. This is critical information for the approach shot and on long putts. The pin position will b…
in Practice, How Is This used?
- Tournaments take place from Thursday to Sunday, and caddies usually arrive at the venue on Monday or Tuesday. The caddies would then get a copy of Mark Long’s yardage book for that course and set out on foot. The caddies will place a reflector at the front of the green and using a rangefinder do their measurements and calculations. Knowing the style of their player they will n…
Some Thoughts from Mark
- People often find it difficult to understand how critical yardage might be. When a player is on his game and everything is going to plan, telling him it’s 138 yards or 140, could completely change his club selection and how he plays the hole. To show how important the accuracy of the book is Mark revisits every PGA tour course every year. Any updates even the slightest changes are reco…