What is a golf caddy? A golf caddy is a person who helps a golfer during a round of golf. They carry the golfer’s bag, give advice on club selection and yardage, and generally assist the player. Can I become a golf caddy? Yes, many people become golf caddies, often starting at local golf courses.
Becoming a golf caddy can be a rewarding path. It gets you out on the course, offers great exercise, and can provide a good source of income. Whether you dream of working at a small local club or one day caddying for tournaments on professional tours, the journey starts with the right steps. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about becoming a successful golf caddy.
Deciphering the Caddy Role: More Than Just Carrying Clubs
Many people think a caddy just walks behind the player and holds the bag. That is only a small part of the job. A good caddy acts as a coach, strategist, and positive support system.
Professional Golf Caddy Duties
The list of professional golf caddy duties is long and requires skill and focus. You must be dependable and ready for long hours in all weather.
| Core Duty | Description | Required Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Bag Management | Carrying or pushing the bag safely. Keeping clubs clean. | Physical Stamina |
| Course Reading | Judging wind, slope, and distance accurately. | Spatial Awareness |
| Club Selection | Suggesting the right club based on conditions and player comfort. | Game Knowledge |
| Mental Support | Keeping the player calm, focused, and positive. | Emotional Control |
| Rules Expert | Knowing the local and official golf rules. | Attention to Detail |
| Yardage Book Help | Maintaining and updating yardage books with current course info. | Organization |
Essential Caddy Skills for Success
To excel, you need a specific set of talents. These skills separate an average walker from a top-tier caddy. Mastering these essential caddy skills is key to getting repeat business and higher tips.
- Physical Fitness: You walk many miles carrying heavy loads. Good stamina is a must.
- Accurate Distance Estimation: Being off by even a few yards can ruin a great shot. Practice judging distances often.
- Strong Communication: You must speak clearly and offer advice simply. Avoid long, complex explanations when the player is ready to hit.
- Discretion and Professionalism: You will hear private conversations. Never share what a player says or does. Maintain strict confidentiality.
- Problem Solving: If it starts raining, a club breaks, or the player gets frustrated, you must react calmly and find a quick fix.
Starting Your Journey: Where to Find Caddy Work
The first major hurdle is figuring out how to get a caddy job at a golf course. Access depends heavily on the type of club you approach.
The Caddy Program Route
Most prestigious or traditional clubs run formal caddy programs. This is the best place to start for serious caddies.
Requirements for Entry
Clubs usually look for specific traits in new recruits. Knowing the caddy job requirements ahead of time helps you prepare.
- Age: Many clubs require you to be at least 14 or 16 years old to start.
- Reliability: You must show up on time for every assignment. Punctuality is the most critical trait.
- Attire: You must follow the dress code. This usually means clean slacks or neat shorts, collared shirts, and proper golf shoes.
- Enthusiasm: Show a genuine interest in the game of golf.
Golf Caddy Training Programs
New recruits rarely start immediately on the bag for high-paying members. They go through formal golf caddy training.
- Rules Seminars: Learning the rules of golf is non-negotiable.
- Walking Drills: Practice pacing and carrying to build stamina and proper form.
- Shadowing: Beginners often shadow experienced caddies to watch how they interact with golfers and manage the course.
- On-Course Testing: Sometimes, a program director will watch you perform basic duties on a practice round before assigning you to regular loops.
Approaching Private Clubs
To get hired at a private country club, you generally need a personal connection.
- Networking: Talk to current members, pros, or even the superintendent. Let them know you are eager to learn.
- The Introduction: Ask if a member would be willing to take you out for a trial loop. This informal tryout lets you prove your worth directly to a potential employer.
- Registering with the Caddy Master: If accepted, you will register with the caddy master responsibilities group. They manage the rotation and assignments.
Working at Public Courses
Public or municipal courses often have fewer formal programs. They might hire caddies directly, or they might rely on players to hire independent contractors.
- Be Present: Show up early in the morning when play starts.
- Offer Services: Politely ask golfers coming off the first tee if they need assistance carrying their bag for the day.
- Word of Mouth: If you do a great job for one group, they will often recommend you to others.
Mastering the Loop: Tips for Excellence
Once you secure your first few rounds, focus shifts to execution. Success on the course hinges on smooth, efficient loop running tips.
The Mechanics of Carrying and Walking
Your physical performance sets the stage for everything else.
- Proper Bag Placement: When placing the bag down, never let the club heads rest on the ground if possible, especially if the ground is wet. Keep them clean.
- Pacing: Walk briskly between shots. Never rush the player when they are addressing the ball, but always be ready immediately after they finish their stroke.
- Reading the Green: As you walk toward the hole, observe the slope from behind the player. Look for how water might drain or how the grass grain runs.
Shot Strategy and Advice
Giving good advice is where top caddies earn their best tips.
Distance Judgment
Always confirm your yardage. Never guess wildly. Use your rangefinder (if allowed) or pre-measured yardage markers. Then, account for the conditions.
- Wind: If the wind is strong, take one or two extra clubs. If the wind is behind you, take one less.
- Elevation: Hitting uphill means you need more club. Hitting downhill means you need less club.
- Lie: A ball sitting down in thick rough requires much more club than a ball sitting up nicely on the fairway.
Club Selection Presentation
When suggesting a club, be direct and confident.
“This plays like a 155 yard shot. The wind is coming right at us. I recommend the 8-iron.”
Always present two options if the player seems unsure, but lead with your strong recommendation. For example: “I see us needing an 8-iron here, but if you want a little extra insurance, the 7-iron will certainly carry the bunker.”
Maintaining Course Etiquette
As a representative of the course or the player, you must uphold high standards of conduct.
- Raking Bunkers: Rake bunkers immediately after your player hits. Rake in a manner that smooths the sand as much as possible.
- Ball Marks: Repair any ball marks your player leaves on the green. If you see others, repair those too. This is a crucial sign of a great caddy.
- Quiet Zones: Remain silent when the player is taking their swing or lining up a putt. Move only after the ball is in the air or the putt is struck.
The Business Side: Caddy Salary and Earnings
The financial rewards of caddying for tournaments or weekly rounds vary widely. Caddy salary and earnings are rarely fixed wages; they are based heavily on tips.
Base Pay vs. Tips
At some clubs, there is a small base payment just for completing a loop (e.g., $20 – $30 for 18 holes). However, the majority of your income comes from the player’s gratuity.
Factors Affecting Earnings
Your skill level and the clientele you serve directly impact what you take home.
| Factor | Impact on Earnings | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Skill Level | Higher skill leads to better tips. | A consistent, knowledgeable caddy earns more than an amateur. |
| Course Prestige | High-end private courses pay much more. | A loop at a top 100 course nets higher tips than a municipal course. |
| Tournament Play | Tournament earnings offer guaranteed minimums plus a percentage of winnings. | A tour caddy might earn 5-7% of the player’s prize money. |
| Player Generosity | Some groups tip standard amounts; others are very generous. | A first-time loop might receive $40; a regular client might give $100+. |
Earning Potential Summary (Estimate)
| Level of Golf | Typical 18-Hole Tip Range | Annual Potential (Part-Time/Full-Time) |
|---|---|---|
| Local/Municipal Course | $25 – $40 | $5,000 – $15,000 (Seasonal) |
| Mid-Tier Private Club | $50 – $80 | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| High-End Private Club/Tour Events | $80 – $150+ | $40,000 – $150,000+ (Tour level) |
Note: Tour caddying involves high travel costs and long periods without income between events, which must be factored in.
Advancing Your Career: From Local Loop to Tour Life
If carrying bags at your local club is just the first step, here is how you move up the ladder.
Moving into Tournament Caddying (Local/Amateur Events)
Once you master the basics, you can seek experience in competitive, non-professional events.
- State and Regional Amateurs: Contact the tournament organizers. Offer your services to players who do not have a regular caddy.
- College Golf: Try to connect with college golf teams during their local practice rounds. This offers high-level strategy practice.
Becoming a Professional Golf Caddy on Tour
Caddying for tournaments on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, or Korn Ferry Tour is the pinnacle. This world is small, competitive, and requires significant commitment.
Getting Noticed by Professionals
Most tour caddies are not hired out of the blue. They build reputations elsewhere first.
- Establish a Track Record: Be the best caddy at your local top-tier club for several years.
- Attend Q-School or Developmental Tours: Go where aspiring professionals play. Offer to work for free or for a minimal guarantee just to get your foot in the door and learn the pressure environment.
- The “Bag Hold”: Sometimes, a player who has lost their long-term caddy will need someone to carry their bag for a few weeks while they interview others. This is called a “bag hold.” Success during a bag hold can lead to a permanent job offer.
Caddy Master Responsibilities on Tour
On major tours, the caddy master responsibilities shift slightly. While you still manage your player, you must also adhere strictly to PGA guidelines regarding walking paths, placement during rain delays, and radio communication protocols. Tour life is highly regulated.
Maintaining and Growing Your Client Base
Becoming a successful golf caddy means keeping the golfers you serve happy.
- Remember Details: Note your player’s preferences. Do they like silence? Do they prefer a club selection suggestion on the second thought? Do they always take extra yardage on the 7th hole?
- Be Available: For regular players, be ready to adjust your schedule to accommodate their tee times.
- Stay Current: Keep reading golf news and studying course strategy books. A caddy’s knowledge must never become stale.
Comprehending the Commitment
Caddying is often seasonal, but the commitment is year-round in terms of staying sharp.
Physical Demands and Conditioning
You are an athlete, even if you are not swinging the club. Consistent physical preparation is necessary for sustained success.
- Cardio: Running or long walks several times a week will help with endurance.
- Strength Training: Focus on core strength and leg power to manage heavy bags without developing long-term back issues.
- Weather Resilience: You must work in heat, humidity, wind, and rain. Learn how to dress properly to stay comfortable and dry.
Navigating the Mental Game
The toughest part of the job is managing the golfer’s emotions, especially during a bad round.
- Never Criticize: Even if the shot was terrible, your response must be neutral or encouraging. Never say, “You shouldn’t have hit that shot.”
- Focus on the Next Shot: If the player makes a double bogey, your job is to help them forget it instantly and focus only on the tee shot on the next hole. Use phrases like, “Shake it off, we’ve got a great setup for the next hole.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Golf Caddying
Do I need to know how to play golf well to be a caddy?
You do not need to be a scratch golfer, but you must know the rules inside and out. You should be able to hit every club reasonably well to gauge distance accuracy and understand what shots are truly possible from different lies.
What is the best way to earn my first caddy job?
The best way is to visit a local course with good facilities and ask to speak with the Head Professional or the Caddy Master. Dress neatly and clearly state your interest in the training program or shadowing opportunities.
How many hours does a golf caddy work in a typical week?
This depends heavily on the season and the course. During peak summer weekends, you might work 10-14 hours a day, nearly every day. In the off-season or during weekdays, work can be much slower.
Can I be a caddy if I prefer to use a pushcart?
At many exclusive private clubs, using a pushcart or electric cart is strictly forbidden for caddies. You must be prepared to carry the bag. Public courses are often more flexible, but carrying is always preferred.
Is caddying a viable full-time career?
For the vast majority of caddies, it is seasonal or part-time work. Only a very small percentage of caddies work full-time on major professional tours, which requires constant travel and reliance on securing a player’s bag for the season.