The role of a caddy is a service profession that combines physical labor with strategic guidance and hospitality. A caddy acts as a golfer’s on-course partner, managing the equipment, monitoring the flow of play, and providing information that allows the player to focus solely on their game. Entering this profession requires a disciplined approach, beginning with a clear understanding of the job’s demands and a commitment to continuous on-course education. This guide outlines the requirements, training, steps to secure a first position, and the long-term career and educational opportunities available.
Defining the Role and Essential Requirements
The most visible task involves carrying the golf bag, which demands physical fitness and stamina. Caddies typically walk five to eight miles per round over uneven terrain while carrying a bag that can weigh up to 35 pounds. This physical requirement is non-negotiable, often involving four to five hours of continuous walking in varying weather conditions.
Caddies are also responsible for course maintenance tasks, such as raking bunkers, replacing divots, and repairing ball marks on the greens. A foundational understanding of golf rules and terminology is a prerequisite, allowing the caddy to communicate effectively and assist the golfer with basic rules of play, like drops and penalties. The job requires punctuality, attentiveness, and the ability to maintain composure during a round.
Acquiring Necessary Golf Knowledge and Training
Preparation requires active engagement with the specifics of the game. Aspiring caddies should study the official rules of golf as governed by the USGA and The R&A to provide context for advising a player. This knowledge base includes understanding local rules and the unique characteristics of the course where they will be working.
Many private and resort clubs offer formal caddy training programs, which are the most direct method of gaining necessary skills before working a loop. These programs focus on practical application, covering proper bag handling, club cleaning, and course management. Training emphasizes techniques like reading a yardage book, understanding how wind and lie affect a shot, and learning how to read putting greens. The Caddie Master oversees the program and uses performance in these sessions to evaluate readiness.
Securing a Position as a Caddy
Securing a first caddy position depends on the Caddie Master, who is the primary hiring authority at most clubs. Applications should be directed to private country clubs, high-end resorts, or municipal courses that maintain a dedicated caddie program. Prospective caddies should approach the Caddie Master directly to express interest, as many programs prioritize in-person applications that demonstrate initiative.
The interview process often includes a demonstration of basic golf knowledge and a discussion of the applicant’s physical ability and commitment. Some clubs require an on-course test loop, which is a trial round where the Caddie Master or an experienced caddy observes the applicant’s performance. This evaluation focuses on job mechanics, such as maintaining the pace of play and handling the bag efficiently, and soft skills, including attitude, attentiveness, and the ability to remain quiet when appropriate. Success in this assessment leads to placement on the caddie roster and assignment of a first paid loop.
Mastering On-Course Etiquette and Performance
A great caddy masters soft skills and professional conduct, which influences a golfer’s round and the caddy’s reputation for repeat business. Maintaining the pace of play is a primary expectation, requiring the caddy to hustle ahead to spot the ball, get accurate yardage, and have the correct club ready for the golfer upon arrival. Anticipating a player’s needs separates a competent caddy from an exceptional one.
Proper on-course etiquette involves constant awareness of the environment, such as ensuring the caddy’s shadow does not cross a player’s putting line and remaining still and silent during a swing. Advanced performance involves providing accurate, non-intrusive advice, particularly with reading greens. A skilled caddy analyzes the slope, grain, and speed of the green to offer a clear line and distance, but must deliver this advice respectfully and only when invited, recognizing that the final decision belongs to the golfer.
Understanding Caddy Compensation and Tipping
A caddy’s income is structured around a fixed loop fee and tips, distinguishing the job from traditional employment. The loop fee is a standard rate paid by the club or the golfer for the service, varying by the course’s prestige and location. Tips represent the majority of earnings, directly tying performance to financial outcome.
Standard tipping practices suggest a range of 30 to 50 percent of the base fee, or a flat amount typically between $40 and $50 for a single bag. Factors influencing the tip include the caddy’s effort, accuracy in yardage and green reads, and overall demeanor. Since caddies are often classified as independent contractors, they are responsible for tracking all income received, including tips, for tax purposes.
Long-Term Opportunities and Caddy Scholarships
Caddying serves as an entry point into the golf industry, with potential career progression paths leading to roles like Assistant Caddie Master or Caddie Master, overseeing the entire program. The experience gained in course management, customer service, and logistics provides a strong foundation for various positions within golf course operations. For those with a high level of skill and networking ability, the path may lead to professional caddying on a major golf tour.
Beyond professional advancement, one of the most significant opportunities available to young caddies is the educational support offered by programs like the Evans Scholars Foundation. This organization provides a full tuition and housing college scholarship to qualified caddies who demonstrate a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need, and outstanding character. Applicants are typically required to have caddied regularly and successfully for a minimum of two years, making the commitment to the profession a pathway to a four-year college education.