On becoming a caddy.

[tworooks]

So I think I want to be a caddy. There are a couple of golf clubs around. So, I would go ask the clubs these questions, but I'm here so I might as well ask you guys.

Do they provide caddies for the golfers, or do golfers have their own caddies? If it depends, then do most golfers have their own caddy? At these casual places, do they expect the caddies to help out in their shots or would I basically be the guy who just carries the bag around giving the them the club they want.

I'm not much of a golfer, so if I would be more than just a little b!tch carrying around the bags, I would have to learn the game and what clubs do what, which I really don't want to. Hopefully the casual players just want the b!tch. But any answers would be appreciated, thanks.

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

Good luck with this. I'd have a Plan B. I tried almost the same thing as what you're doing now back in college. I got looked at funny and a "don't call us, we'll call you" type response. Maybe you can stop by the landscaper's office on the way out and be his bitch.

Next summer (you'll be 18 then, right?), get a job as a barback at a sportsbar. You'll be setting yourself up for a solid college income when you go off to school.

[tbach24]

I was under the impression that caddies have mostly been replaced by carts with that satellite crap.

[2planka]

I give him 9 holes before he quits.

You carry the bag(s). You laugh at their jokes. Then they hit a few into the woods, get pissed off, and stiff you on the tip. Then after the round you get to wash some old dude's balls.

[moondogg]

Watch Caddyshack several times.

Seriously.

Be the fvcking ball.

[chaas4747]

Sounds like you might be more suited to open a casino in your house.

[2planka]

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like you might be more suited to open a casino in your house.

[/ QUOTE ]

too easy.

[jakethebake]

00t sucks. 00t tells him he should be a caddy, then when he takes your advice everyone rips on him. /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[2planka]

I didn't read the "what job" thread. Caddying stinks though.

OOT really is all about mixed signals, anyways.

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
00t sucks. 00t tells him he should be a caddy, then when he takes your advice everyone rips on him. /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, he should be a caddy. Now we're telling him that there's no way in hell he's going to be one.

[asb165]

I was a caddy for several summers at a private club. My course was set up so that the member paid a caddy fee to the club, the club paid my employer, and my employer paid us a set amount per round, and then we kept our tips.

At many courses the player will pay you the whole amount in cash.

No one is going to have their own caddy, but there are members who will always use the same guy. Caddies don't make enought to only caddy for one golfer.

You don't need to know how to play really, just etiquette. Try to get a few loops in with a veteran who will fill you in on all the tricks of the course/members, etc.

It's a good summer job, but you'll deal with your fair share of a-holes. Good luck.

[slickpoppa]

[ QUOTE ]
So I think I want to be a caddy. There are a couple of golf clubs around. So, I would go ask the clubs these questions, but I'm here so I might as well ask you guys.

Do they provide caddies for the golfers, or do golfers have their own caddies? If it depends, then do most golfers have their own caddy? At these casual places, do they expect the caddies to help out in their shots or would I basically be the guy who just carries the bag around giving the them the club they want.

I'm not much of a golfer, so if I would be more than just a little b!tch carrying around the bags, I would have to learn the game and what clubs do what, which I really don't want to. Hopefully the casual players just want the b!tch. But any answers would be appreciated, thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was a caddy for 5 summers and there are some pros and cons. Overall, I think the pros outweigh the cons:
Pros
a) You can show up whenever you want
b) It can be very profitable (if you can find a good club). The most I made for 18 holes was $320. After my first year, I never made less than $100 per 18.
c) You get to work outside
d) It can be fun if you like golf
e) If you get out early, you can be done at noon
f) It's all cash

Cons
a) Some people will treat you like sh*t
b) When you first start out you will be sent out with the worst and cheapest golfers.
c) You have to wake up early, and really early on weekends
d) Some days you will show up and not get out

As for getting the job, I think you may have difficulty this late in the season. At the place I worked, they only took new people at the beginning of the summer.

Most golfers just expect you to carry their bag, make sure that you don't lose their ball (this is the #1 most important thing), stay out of their way during shots, and sometimes make good conversation. However, if you want to make the big bucks, you need to be able to help players with their game. The best way to do this is getting to know the greens and memorize how every possible putt on the course breaks. Knowing how far certain holes play is also important, but not as important as the putting.

No golfers have their own caddy, but some golfer like to request the same caddy every time. But ultimately, the Caddiemaster (yes that's his title) decides which caddies go out with which golfers. At some clubs during peak hours during the summer, every group is required to have a caddy.

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not much of a golfer, so if I would be more than just a little b!tch carrying around the bags, I would have to learn the game and what clubs do what, which I really don't want to.

[/ QUOTE ]

If this is your attitude, caddying would probably not be a good job for you.

[Soul Daddy]

I think there's only one where I live that actively uses caddies and it's very exclusive regarding membership. That said, just about anyone can get be a caddy and make decent money so long as they are willing to put in the effort (double bag, learn the course and give good advice). If you're not, you might want to find something else to do.

[tworooks]

Thanks asb and slickpoppa for really good answers.

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not much of a golfer, so if I would be more than just a little b!tch carrying around the bags, I would have to learn the game and what clubs do what, which I really don't want to. [ QUOTE ]

If this is your attitude, caddying would probably not be a good job for you.

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I see your point. I was talking more about having to learn the game before I ever got out there and starting to make money, but as I do it more I would want to learn more about it.

Both of you guys were talking about private clubs, should I look into those instead of public country clubs?

[tworooks]

[ QUOTE ]
learn the course and give good advice

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah thats the only part I'm worried about. Like I said, I don't know much at all right now, so I would be a crappy caddy if they were looking for advice, which is why I am hoping, at the start at least, they play their game and I just carry the stuff.

[slickpoppa]

[ QUOTE ]

Both of you guys were talking about private clubs, should I look into those instead of public country clubs?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, the people are more likely to be assholes, but they will have a lot of money. And where I'm from, there arent any public courses that have caddies.

[asb165]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Both of you guys were talking about private clubs, should I look into those instead of public country clubs?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, the people are more likely to be assholes, but they will have a lot of money. And where I'm from, there arent any public courses that have caddies.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are a few high end public courses around me who have caddies, but most are private courses.

[Soul Daddy]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
learn the course and give good advice

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah thats the only part I'm worried about. Like I said, I don't know much at all right now, so I would be a crappy caddy if they were looking for advice, which is why I am hoping, at the start at least, they play their game and I just carry the stuff.

[/ QUOTE ]
Honestly, you don't have to know a ton about golf in order to offer a bit of help. Just pay attention to what you see. What has worked for other players you've caddied for in the past, what hasn't, that sort of thing.

[jakethebake]

Where do you live, tworooks?

[Cancer Merchant]

[ QUOTE ]


Both of you guys were talking about private clubs, should I look into those instead of public country clubs?

[/ QUOTE ]

Huh? Does not compute.

[tworooks]

[ QUOTE ]
Where do you live, tworooks?

[/ QUOTE ]

Southern California. About 20 miles east of San Diego.

[jakethebake]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Where do you live, tworooks?

[/ QUOTE ]

Southern California. About 20 miles east of San Diego.

[/ QUOTE ]

Get a job on a fishing boat for the summer. Best job I ever had.

[tworooks]

[ QUOTE ]
public country clubs? [ QUOTE ]
Huh? Does not compute.

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know, I'm just saying what I think I know, dunno what doesn't make sense. I guess my plan to not look like a complete dumbass by trying to act like I know what I'm talking about backfired.

[gunt]

you could be my chip caddy at the bellagio.

[touchfaith]

[ QUOTE ]
you could be my chip caddy at the bellagio.

[/ QUOTE ]

Reload a lot huh?

[RacersEdge]

Since your golf knowledge is low, maybe you could work somewhere else on the course - in the pro shop, at the driving range, maintenance crew, etc.

[touchfaith]

If you really want to be a caddie and live in an area where this is possible, definately start playing the game.

You do not need to be good at the game to be a good caddie. It is more important to know the course and to also know your players. You need to know if the guy whos bag you're on can carry that bunker, or if he should lay-up. But you gotta play at least...You never know when someone is going to toss you a club and say 'you give it a shot' while on the course. It would be really bad if you had to say "huh?" when this happened. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

And most imporantly, learn the greens you caddie on! I have a couple of local courses that because of the optical illusion, balls appear to break uphill. I watch them get read wrong over and over and over and each time the person just shakes their head after putting. Tell a guy the ball is going to break uphill and then watch it happen and that guy will request you for life.

It would be nice if you knew the rules of the game, but not as important since it is really not your business if the player knudges his ball or not and you don't want to appear to be a rules nazi that he/she would not be comfortable playing 'their' game in front of.

You gotta be a people person and actually enjoy bs'ing with the old guys/gals that are going to be the biggest tippers and will request your repeat services (but don't service the old chicks tooo much, that's just gross)...


(ps...I don't caddie. I just smoke lots of weed and golf a lot)

[smb394]

Hey, I caddied for 4 summers during HS at a country club near my house. At the time I started, I didn't know much about golf.

One thing you don't want to happen is for someone to ask your advice...and you don't have a clue...and just guess. e.g. Don't pretend to know the play of each green if you really don't.

The advice others have given is very good, esp. on knowing where their ball is, staying out of their line, etc. also make sure the clubs are always clean and readily available (e.g. when they chip onto the green and go to hand you their wedge, have the putter in your other hand ready to give to them.).

And, yes, be prepared to put up with a bunch of crap.

[eric5148]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
public country clubs? [ QUOTE ]
Huh? Does not compute.

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know, I'm just saying what I think I know, dunno what doesn't make sense. I guess my plan to not look like a complete dumbass by trying to act like I know what I'm talking about backfired.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Public Country Club" is an oxymoron. A country club is just that - a club, with members. Sometimes country clubs allow non-members to play at certain times. Usually, non-members need to be a guest of a member to play.

You really don't need to know much about golf to be a decent caddie right off the bat. But here's some things you must do:

1. Keep pace with your player. This is the most important thing. Never get too far behind your player so that he/she has to wait for you to get up to the next shot. Run if you have to.

2. Keep the clubs clean. Even though a little dirt or grass on their clubs will make no difference for 90% of the people you'll be caddying for, they don't want to look at a dirty club after they gave it to you. The Caddymaster will show you where you can get a wet towel. Once, I dropped my towel on like the 6th hole and couldn't find it, so I had to run back to the caddyshack to get another one. That sucked.

3. You have to be organized. Keep the clubs in the some slots of the bag they were in. Keep track of how many shots everyone in the group has taken.

4. Watch the ball(s). A huge part of your job will be searching for balls that your blind old fogey players won't be able to see. Many of them can't see a golf ball in the air if it's more than 20 yards away from them.

5. Fix every divot and ball mark, and rake the sand in the bunkers. The caddymaster or the other caddies will show you how to do that.

6. Compliment people on good shots, but don't overdo it. Say "nice shot" or "nice putt" or whatever if they hit a good one. But sometimes, especially if they're a decent player, they know they hit a mediocre shot and some donkey says "oooohhh nice one" just because they got the ball in the air. Good players HATE that.

That's all I can think of right now. Caddying is a good job, but it's not for everyone. I'll be honest, I hated caddying. I did it for one summer. The members were mostly nice people, and the money was good, but I just can't stand being told what to do constantly. I have a problem with authority. But if you can handle being someone's bitch, it's one of the best jobs there is.