Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Golf Caddy

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a professional, reliable Golf Caddy (Caddie) to support golfers across daily rounds, club competitions, and tournament play. The ideal candidate combines deep course knowledge, expert club and shot selection advice, excellent customer service, and the physical stamina to manage clubs and maintain pace of play. This role is ideal for experienced caddies, aspiring touring caddies, and service-focused hospitality professionals who want to deliver exceptional on-course support and build relationships with members and players.

Key search terms: golf caddy, caddie, club selection, yardage, green reading, course management, pace of play, tournament caddie, professional caddie

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Club Caddie / Bag Room Attendant
Pro Shop Associate or Golf Operations Assistant
Grounds/Greenkeeping Assistant with strong course knowledge

Advancement To:

Head/Lead Caddie for club professionals
Touring/Tournament Caddie for professional players
PGA/LPGA Assistant or Teaching Professional
Golf Operations Manager or Course Manager

Lateral Moves:

Pro Shop Sales and Merchandising
Member Services/Event Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide expert on-course support by carrying and managing the golfer’s bag, ensuring clubs are organized, clean, and ready for each shot while maintaining the player’s rhythm and pace of play.
Offer accurate yardage estimates, wind and lie analysis, and club selection recommendations using rangefinder readings, course knowledge, and course maps to optimize scoring opportunities.
Read greens and provide advice on break, speed, and preferred lines for putts, using visual cues and knowledge of green surfaces to help the golfer hole more putts.
Maintain constant situational awareness to manage pace of play, advise on lost ball procedures, locate errant shots, and proactively minimize delays for the group.
Repair divots, rake bunkers after play, and attend to pitch marks and ball marks to maintain course conditions and demonstrate respect for course stewardship.
Keep score accurately when asked, monitor scorecards for rules compliance, and confirm scores with the player to support tournament and casual rounds.
Anticipate player needs during the round — including providing towels, cleaning clubs and grips, handling tee placement decisions, and retrieving rangefinders or yardage devices.
Communicate clearly and professionally with players, members, and tournament officials while maintaining confidentiality and representing the club or player in a polished manner.
Prepare for rounds with pre-game reconnaissance: review hole yardages, check hole locations, factors like wind direction, and identify target lines to brief the player before play.
Serve as the player’s on-course strategist by advising on shot placement, safe plays vs. aggressive plays, how to handle hazards, and recovery shot options.
Manage bag and equipment inventory—cleaning clubs, replacing grips, filing gear maintenance requests, and ensuring loaner equipment is available when needed.
Support tournament operations by understanding tournament formats, local rules, pace-of-play policies, and assisting with logistics such as tee times, pairing changes, and score submissions.
Demonstrate professional dress, demeanor, and etiquette at all times, greeting members, guests, and tournament officials, and acting as an ambassador for the golf facility.
Provide first-responder support for on-course incidents by recognizing heat, dehydration, or injury symptoms and following club emergency protocols until medical assistance arrives.
Build lasting relationships with players through consistent, high-quality service, positive attitude, and follow-through on pre- and post-round communication to encourage repeat bookings.
Maintain physical fitness and stamina to handle walking 18 holes carrying or managing a bag in varying weather conditions and terrain.
Assist with caddie scheduling, arrival procedures, and pre-round checklists to ensure smooth transitions and readiness for assigned shifts or tee times.
Collect and manage tips and gratuities appropriately, maintain accurate records of earnings where required, and handle small cash or pro shop transactions when asked.
Train and mentor junior caddies on course knowledge, pace-of-play management, green reading basics, and club care to raise overall team proficiency.
Use digital tools and apps (when permitted) for yardages, stake positions, and pace-of-play tracking while adhering to local club policies and tournament rules.
Provide courteous and practical hospitality — offering water, sunscreen, or food items at appropriate times, and communicating expected breaks or hydration opportunities.
Adhere strictly to golf rules and local course policies, identifying potential rules issues during play and consulting with the player or officials as required.
Support post-round debriefs and feedback sessions by sharing observations on club selection, greens behavior, and course conditions to help the player improve future performance.
Represent the facility in community outreach or promotional events when requested, sharing course knowledge and caddie services to attract new members or guests.

Secondary Functions

Assist pro shop and golf operations staff during peak periods with bag storage, equipment cleaning, and basic inventory tasks.
Help set up and break down tournament staging areas, signage, and scoring stations as part of broader event support.
Support marketing efforts by contributing photos, testimonials, or short course notes for social media or club newsletters (with player consent).
Participate in club training sessions, safety briefings, and continuing education on rules updates and course changes.
Act as a liaison between golfers and course maintenance teams to report hazards, drainage issues, or repair needs observed during rounds.
Promote and sell ancillary services when appropriate (lesson packages, club fittings, merchandise) in a guest-first, non-aggressive manner.
Occasionally transport small equipment between club locations or to practice areas in accordance with club vehicle and safety policies.
Maintain and organize caddie lockers, bag tags, and scheduling boards to improve shift handovers and internal communications.
Provide feedback to management on operational efficiencies, caddie scheduling gaps, and player service improvements.
Volunteer for junior clinic support or charity golf events to represent the caddie program and engage with the local golf community.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep knowledge of golf club characteristics, lofts, distances, and shot shapes to give accurate club recommendations.
Green reading expertise: ability to evaluate grain, slope, and speed to advise putt lines and pace.
Accurate yardage estimation using rangefinders, GPS devices, course maps, and visual markers.
Strong understanding of Rules of Golf (R&A/USGA) and local rules, with the ability to identify and advise on rulings during play.
Course management and strategy skills, including hole-by-hole planning and risk/reward assessment.
Basic equipment care and maintenance: club cleaning, grip condition checks, and minor repairs coordination.
Familiarity with tournament formats, scoring systems, and pace-of-play standards for both amateur and professional events.
Comfortable using mobile apps or scoring tools when allowed (course GPS, scoring apps, tee-time systems).
Cash handling and point-of-sale basics for incidental pro shop transactions or receiving gratuities.
First aid and basic emergency response knowledge (CPR/AED preferred or willingness to obtain).

Soft Skills

Exceptional customer service and hospitality orientation; ability to personalize service for members, guests, and professional players.
Strong verbal communication: clear, concise advice delivered with confidence and tact under pressure.
High emotional intelligence and discretion — protecting player privacy and handling sensitive conversations professionally.
Adaptability and problem-solving: quick, sound decisions when balls are lost, weather changes, or course situations shift.
Teamwork and mentorship: collaborate with fellow caddies, pro shop staff, and course ops; train newcomers effectively.
Dependability and punctuality: reliable arrival times, readiness for early-morning tee times, and consistent shift attendance.
Physical resilience and stamina: sustained energy for multiple rounds, heat, rain, or long tournament days.
Attention to detail: tracking scores, hole locations, and small changes in course conditions that affect play.
Sales and upsell tact — promoting lessons, fittings, or services without being pushy.
Stress tolerance: maintain composure during high-pressure tournament situations and member expectations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent; strong emphasis on practical experience and course knowledge over formal education.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or coursework in Golf Management, Hospitality, or Sports Coaching (beneficial but not required).
First aid/CPR certification preferred for safety responsibilities.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Golf Management
Hospitality Management
Sports Science / Physical Education
Recreational Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–5 years (entry caddies with strong course knowledge up to seasoned caddies with tournament experience)

Preferred:

1–3+ years of caddying at private clubs, resorts, or tournament settings, or equivalent experience as a golf operations associate.
Demonstrated experience in tournament caddying, liaising with professional players, or consistent positive member feedback.

If you would like, I can tailor this job brief to a specific level (entry-level club caddy, head caddie for a private club, or touring/tournament caddie), adjust the salary band for your local market, or produce a shorter job advertisement for posting on careers pages.