Two Questions about Golf Caddying?

Question

I just started caddying today. I saw the other caddys cleaning peoples balls. I was wondering,how do I do this? I have a divot fixer. Should I place that behind the ball, clean it, and put it back? Whats the procedure?

Also, Im having alot of trouble finding yardage quickly, I was thinking of investing into a yardage finder. I only have about 40 dollars to spend on it though.

Something like this

http://www.amazon.com/Galileo-EGS-1-Electronic-Scope-Rangefinder/dp/B0006DPW04

or

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00012O7L0/ref=pd_cp_p_1?pf_rd_p=250314001&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0006DPW04&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=01ZBBG89MW1TTTPN2CF1

Thanks!

Answer 1

go to www.golflink.com and click on the tab at the top that says "Golf Courses" and find your club they very well could be on there and you can print each hole. Or buy the notebook at the proshop. DO NOT buy a gps or a rangefinder. That's just a waste of hard-earned bag-carrying money.

Answer 2

I don't caddy but I play. To clean a ball a wet towel would be a good idea. And if you play for a while finding yardages will be fairly simple. I can do it and I am only 15.

Answer 3

Whatever you do never touch a players ball on the green.He has control of his ball and if it is to be lifted, he will do it. You can carry a small wet towel and ask your player if he cares to have his ball cleaned. Just wipe it to get all the grass and mud stains off, dry it and hand it back to him. As for determining yardage, get yourself a 31/2 x 5 1/2 note book which opens from the top. On page 1 you list all the visible objects like small bushes, boulders, trees etc on the first hole and the yardage of each from that object to the center of the green. It will take a while to do all the holes but you will have a very valuable book when you caddy in meaningful tournaments. Many courses today have center fairway discs of red, white and blue designating 100, 150 and 200 yards respectively. After you have caddied a year or so you will be able to approximate yardage visually within two to three yards of actual.

Answer 4

Leave the marking and lifting of the ball to the player unless he or she authorizes you to mark and lift the ball. That is allowable per USGA Rule 20-1.

As far as familiarizing yourself with the yardages, you should inquire in the pro shop about purchasing a yardage book. They usually cost 4 or 5 dollars and provide specific yardages from trees, bushes, traps and hazards. They are a must for any caddie.