Danny Noonan, the character played by Michael O'Keefe in the 1980 movie "Caddyshack," may be the most famous of them all. But being a caddie is much more than sucking up to Ted Knight, avoiding the hi-jinks of Bill Murray and carrying golf clubs for Chevy Chase. According the United States Golf Association, a caddie is a person who "assists the player in accordance with the rules." It requires knowledge, strength and a whole lot of people skills.
Then and Now
Caddies, who may have also doubled as servants, have been part of the game of golf since the very beginning. Today, golf carts have replaced caddies at many courses, but there are still jobs to be had. Some kids get summer jobs as caddies at country clubs. Others make a career out of it by traveling with golfers on professional tours. Whether part-time or full-time, caddies need to learn the rules of golf, they need to know the layouts of their courses, and they need to be prepared to perform a wide variety of tasks.
Clubs
Your job as a caddie begins even before the first tee shot is struck. Pro golfer Ian Woosnam was leading in the final round of the 2001 British Open when he found out his caddie had committed the "ultimate sin." The rules of golf allow for a player to carry 14 clubs, and Woosnam had 15. His caddie, Miles Byrne, had failed to count clubs prior to the round. "It is the biggest mistake he will make in his life," Woosnam said after finishing the tournament four shots behind the winner. In addition to counting the clubs, a caddie is also in charge of carrying a golfer's bag and cleaning his clubs. A caddie is also is expected to help his golfer with club selection.
Balls
Because most players keep their golf balls in their bags, caddies are in charge of handing them over whenever a golfer wants a new one. That's the easy part. As a caddie, you are also asked to help your player keep track of the ball after he hits it. If your player is a long or erratic driver, that task can be challenging. Knowing they type of ball your golfer is using and any marks on it are musts. Finally, caddies are expected to clean the balls between holes.
Yardage
You don't have to be a math major, but you do have to be proficient in addition and subtraction as a caddie. One of your biggest responsibilities as a caddie is calculating how far your player's ball is from the hole. Most professional caddies walk the course prior to a tournament and take notes. Most courses also have yardage markers and books, which include pin placements, that can be helpful. Caddies who work at specific clubs should memorize distances from a variety of spots on the course.
Greens
Your caddying responsibilities don't end when your player reaches the green. One of your trickiest jobs, in fact, is reading the breaks of the green to help your player find the right path to the hole. In addition to that, caddies can be in charge of tending the flagstick and replacing it after every golfer has finished the hole.
Maintenance
Now for the dirty work. Golfers often make divots in the fairways, and caddies are responsible for repairing them. Sometimes golfers hit their ball into the bunker. Caddies are in charge of raking away the footprints and ball prints. Many caddies are also expected to repair ball marks on the greens.
Intangibles
If all those specific duties aren't enough, even more is expected of caddies. As a caddie, you are expected to know the temperament of your player. You're expected to know when to keep the mood light and when to get serious. You are expected to lend moral support at your golfer's time of need. Caddies today are more partner than employee, more teammate than servant.
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