Caddying Basics?

Question

Hey could anyone give me some sort of guide to caddying correctly?

Answer 1

The absolute basics- show up, keep up, shut up.

Having caddied at a country club 20ish years ago...a few basic rules:

1) Read up on golf ettiquette if you do not know it already.

2) If you're working at a course, know the course especially if you get a lot of non-member play.  

3) Give yardages, not clubs.  Know which direction the prevailing wind comes from.

4) Rake all bunkers after the player hits out.

5) Once player hits ball on green, have the putter ready.

6) Get a pair of comfortable shoes.  Trust me.

7) Help align putts in general terms (break left, break right); you don't know the player's game so don't make assumptions.

8) You're not a rules official...repeat this as necessary.

Example: caddying for a guest, dude tops his drive, barely past the red tee.  He asks me for yardage to the centre of the green.  So, I step it off and tell him...411 to the front, 425 to the centre, 431 to the back...his buddy (member) hears this, and for the next four hours, guest just gets hammered on this.

Answer 2

Get a good book on Golf Etiquette.  Caddying is more than carrying a bag of golf clubs.  I guess, in short and simply, speak only when spoken to, stay out of the line of every player's shot / putt, don't break the rules or cause a penalty to yours or any other player, and put the bag down whenever you get a chance and in the proper place, because that golf bag can be very heavy come the 18th hole.

Answer 3

Each club has their own policies and procedures so the caddiemaster will fill you in on what is expected.  But primary is to be quite, polite, and respectful to the people you are working for.