The Role of the Caddie

The main role of a caddie in golf is to carry their player’s bags and clubs around the course, perhaps allowing the player to lay a US PGA bet or two. The top caddies give advice on each shot and also have high level knowledge of the golf course and all the certain challenges. This includes which would be the best club to use for the certain shots, the bunkers and other key dangers that could entail. The top players have their own caddies that work for them full time at all tournaments where as other caddies work at different clubs for people who are playing there.

There are 2 different kinds of Caddying:

Traditional Caddying: this is where the caddy walks around the course with the golfer and carries the player’s bag as well as helping the golfer with locating their balls and calculating their shots.

Fore-Caddying: this is where the caddy carries the player’s bag as well as giving a hole description. The caddy then walks ahead and spots the player’s shots while the players drive their carts up to the shot position.

Famous Caddies

J.P.Fitzgerald –

The caddie for one of the most famous and popular players Rory McIlroy.

He has caddied for him since 2008 when he was ranked 200.

The caddie earned a staggering $1.05 million after Rory won the FedEx Cup bonus in 2016.

 

 

Michael Greller –

The now caddie left his former job as a teacher to become the caddie for Jordan Spieth who at the time was ranked as the top amateur in the United States.

Little did he know he would be earning in excess of $2m in 2015 after Jordan Spieth took all before him.

 

 

 

Steve Williams –

The New Zealander has been a caddy for several top players throughout his career such as Adam Scott and famously for Tiger Woods throughout 1999 to 2011.

Woods sacked Williams after there 12 years together in which they won 13 majors together.

 

 

 

Why the Job is important?

The caddie will collect information of the course in order to help the player make informed decisions.

They also give moral and mental support to the player.

The best caddies help keep the player’s mind focused and are an integral part of the “team” and to their success together.

 

 

 

                                           How do you become a Caddie?

 The Professional Caddies Association (PCA) offers training and apprenticeship programs to get you started. Following this you can gain further qualifications and training at different clubs and establishments.

How much are Caddies paid?

Professional Caddies are typically paid on a 5%, 7%, 10% formula. This is based on making the cut, their winnings and then if they win the competition. In addition to this most caddies can earn between £1000 and £2500 per event to cover their expenses at the event.