The popular 1980 movie "Caddy Shack" portrayed incorrectly what a golf caddy actually does and the professionalism required. Country club caddies throughout the world perform the same or similar job duties as the caddies on tour with a professional player on the PGA tour. If you want to become a golf caddy, or understand what the job entails, you will need to understand the service a caddy provides for the amateur or professional player.
Golf Bag Care
A caddy's job has many physical demands, such as carrying the player's golf clubs. When moving the clubs, the caddy steadies them by holding the irons with his hand. This reduces the noise caused by clubs hitting together, creating fewer disturbances or distractions for the players. The caddy is also responsible for the cleanliness of each club, wiping down the clubface before returning it back to its respective position within the bag.
Club Selection
A player may carry 14 clubs in his bag. Each club has a designed distance or range and angle of attack. However, every golfer has different capabilities and preferences. Based on this knowledge, an experienced caddy can advise his player on club selection. However, only the player can make the selection based on his comfort and experience with each club. A caddy who's gained experience with a player for many rounds is capable of a well-formed opinion. Knowledge of the course, distance and weather is another critical factor in club selection.
Tracking Golf Balls
Errant shots are inevitable in golf, and a valuable skill of the golf caddy is tracking, locating and retrieving lost balls. This is no easy task. A small white ball hit hundreds of yards can be difficult to track in flight, and at times impossible to locate in a thick rough. Losing sight of a shot off course may have consequences, such as penalty strokes, that a good caddy's skill can help to avoid.
Flag Stick
Removing the flagstick comes at the discretion of the player. He may want the flagstick, or pin, removed before or after he takes his shot. Although tending to the flag seems to be a simple task, there are rules of etiquette around the green, which players take seriously. The caddy needs to be aware of the player's line to the cup and not step upon it. Additionally, the caddy must take care not to cast distracting shadows in the player's view. Other duties include keeping the flag from fluttering and making sure the green is clear of forgotten clubs before leaving to the next hole.
Divots
An important part of a caddy's responsibilities is divot repair. Divots result from a club making contact with the turf before striking the golf ball, thereby separating the turf from the soil. Once all players in your group have made their respective shots, pick up the displaced turf, returning it back to the hole, packing it down with your foot. Repair any other divots you may see if time permits.
Raking
Often, an errant shot may find a sand trap and require the golfer to extricate the ball from the clutches of the sand. Using a wedge, the player will attempt to strike the ball from underneath, lifting it skyward, creating a massive spray of sand. This will crater the sand, creating an untenable surface for other players. The caddy is responsible for raking the surface to ensure a flat, smooth surface remains for other players.
Range
Golfers rely on their caddies for information about the course, such as tips on range. Your knowledge of distance and terrain are important for your golfer's performance and enjoyment of the round. Know the golf course well enough to provide accurate advice on distances to the green as well as any looming hazards, such as water and sand traps.
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