what does a mandatory golf caddy do - like at a sandals resort?

Question

Never used a caddy before but one is required in Jamaica. What do they do for ya, especially if you rent a cart? I'm not a very good golfer anyway.

Answer 1

Well as a caddie, I'll tell you what we should and maybe what we should not do.

Your caddie is your guild around the course for the day. I typically carry bags, two bags. It's hard tiring work, but hell the pay is good. My job is to do whatever you need done. I will keep your clubs organized AND clean. I will help you look for you ball sometimes - remember I have to look after two people so sometimes I'll hand you clubs and send you on your way. If you need a putt read on the green, I'm there for that. Considering how different greens run on any given hole on any given course, that local knowledge is priceless for you. If your really bad, you'll find I'll give you clubs and let you run around.

I will give you yardages to the pin, taking into account the any elevation change, wind, and lie. I will let you know how far it is to a hazard or the such - if you ask. I will overall give you advice, target lines and tell you how you SHOULD play the course to get the lowest score. This can vary from caddie to caddie, again make sure you clarify with them during or before the round on what you want.

There are also a thing called a Forecaddie. Forecaddies don't carry bags. You ride a cart and we will basically just run around everywhere doing the same thing as a regular caddie will.

Caddies are your friends on the course. We are not bad people - but as has always been said by us "What one person sees as being a 'perfect' caddie is not true for all." Some talk a lot - some not at all. Some you'll find annoying some not. Some have great personality's, some not.

Make sure you talk with your caddie before the round and get your expectations down. We are here for you! Say you don't want putt reads, well tell your caddie. If you want any extra info don't be afraid to ask. Don't get mad at us when you aren't playing well.

Treat us well and we WILL take care of you. Buy your caddie some food at the turn. Get hime something to drink off the carts. Just be nice. Make sure to TIP the caddie well. Most of us live off our tips. Even if it's a 'non-tipping course' still tip the caddie. (I caddied at Kiawah Island on Thanksgiving this last year and didn't get a tip. *grumble* stupid members!) The basics of tipping - twice the recommended tip is usually a nice tip. The thing about it is that tipping changes based on the cost of living in the area, so sometimes 100 per bag is really good, while at another course 100 per bag is really bad.

Members are typically the worst tippers ever. Yes members, WE DO KNOW, and no we don't want to caddie for you.

Things to not talk - ask your caddie:
1. Never ask how much we make. How would you like it if I did it to you? Too many people make too much money and I have never gotten an answer yet - they are afraid I will expect a larger tip. Frankly though if you ask me I'm liable to ask you.

2. It's typically not OK for the caddie to talk about how much you should tip. If you do some caddies will try and hustle you. At some courses you can (and will) get fired. Some courses are OK. I will rarely ever talk about it at the Straits but at Sea Island I'm free to say what I want.

3. Most of the time you should not talk to the golf staff about tipping. Frankly they have no idea what it takes to be a caddie and don't even give us a fair price. I'd like to see them do our job.

Things to do or consider:
1. If your dragging us out in the rain - we have no choice - you best be tipping us premium. It's not my fault your crazy as hell.

2. If your a really bad golfer, your caddie can only do so much! I mean I can't fix someone's game that has - well - no game. It's much harder to caddie for a bad golfer than a good one.

3. Couples are terrible tippers. Frankly your caddie will not be thrilled to have you. You see the problem with 90%+ of couples is the guy will tip, but he really only tips for himself, because most the time his wife is bad anyways. You just don't get a fair shake.

4. When it's a foursome with two couples in it, 95%+ of the time its up to the caddie whom has the husbands that determains how much you get tiped. Normally the women will play from the reds so one caddie takes then - the guys play another tee a caddie will take them.

5. When a parent brings their child. It's like having a couple or most the time worse. The kids not going to tip you anything. We get a bad shake too often.

6. If your a hothead, please spare us and don't take a caddie. Frankly there is nothing better than watching a guy crack his 3 iron in half, over his leg, and tossing it into the pond on 5 of the Straits course. Again, your caddie will not be thrilled.

7. If you can't physically play the game. Your too old, too fat, or I had 3 players whom had strokes whom could neither really swing the club or walk and talk. How do you caddie for someone like that?

With all these your caddie will not be thrilled and will want even more composition for their time.


So I'm sure I gave you more than a small shake at the world of caddies. I hope with this knowledge you will be able to have a GREAT golf experience.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

A Caddie is a very good help on the golf cource "thats if you get a good one" the can tell you where the trouble are on the cource - give distances - even help you with your swing if they realy good - helping with the read of greens and club selections - cleaning clubs - spotting the ball if you hit it trouble - they are actually a very good help on the cource.

Answer 4

Well, he should help tell you distances, where to aim on the green, clean your balls (hahaha). Plus he'll take care of cleaning your clubs, raking the bunkers and help finding your ball in the woods. If your not that good, you'll appreciate that help. Aaaaannndddd, you may walk away with a few tips on how to golf better.

Answer 5

They are great at telling you distance and helping with club selection. They are great with terrain knowledge and locating balls as well. They tend to be HUGE while putting. They KNOW the greens, conditions, grass type etc...