“How To Become A Professional Golf Caddie”

Today at MYGOLFSPY we are continuing our Series “How To Get Your Dream Golf Job!”. Our article today comes from our friends at the CaddieConnection.

What is the Caddie Connection: The Caddie Connection, Inc. is an innovative online Caddie Management and Placement program. Headquartered in San Diego Ca, Caddie Connection works with many high end private clubs and resorts throughout Southern California and Las Vegas. The future is bright for Caddie Connection, with lots of interest being shown in other parts of California as well as many cities around the Country.

Step 1: Becoming a Pro Caddie (Learning the Art)

The first step to becoming good at anything you are trying to accomplish is through practice and learning all you can about it. For many caddies this often begins at an early age carrying their fathers or grandfathers clubs around the local country club. Regardless of your age people looking to become a professional caddie should start their career in much the same way. Find a friend, co-worker or family member that is an avid golfer and offer to carry his or her clubs around for 18. If you can find someone who is a member at a country club that plays often, that is a huge bonus. Very few golfers will turn down the opportunity to walk a golf course without having to carry their own bag, and this will give you the chance to get out and begin to learn the rules and etiquette of golf. Also this will give you the chance to really focus in on learning every yardage and break on one golf course. From this you will learn how to map out a game plan for the course and learn to read every putt out there. These tools will come in handy in the future when you are out at a new course for the first time and need to learn it as fast as possible.

In your time away from the course be sure to pick up a rules book and study away.Golf Rules Quick Reference Guide. The rules can be a players best friend or worst enemy but regardless of the situation they face it is a huge asset to fully understand their options. A surprising amount of today’s professional golfers do not fully know the rule book and the options it affords them when they get in to trouble. When problems arise these players will look to their caddie for direction hoping to be able to avoid calling for a rules official.

Another option is to check out schools and companies that have courses to train caddies like the Professional Caddie Association, which offers a learn at home course to teach you everything you need to know to get started.

Step 2: Becoming a Pro Caddie (Make it a Job)

Whether you choose to work part time or full time, this is the next step in your journey and a great way to make some quick cash. It is not uncommon for a good caddie carrying two bags for 18 holes to make $120-$200 for the loop. If you are still in school, pick up caddying as a summer or weekend job and for those of you that are older try to get out as much as possible when time permits.

Working with a wide range of players will also help you learn how to interact with different kinds of players and how to help them through a round. Not every player you work for will have the same demeanor as your laid back cousin and will look for a completely different type of interaction to be successful. The mental side is a huge aspect of the game and being able to calm your player down after a double bogey or keep him focused after an eagle will play a huge role in his success or failure. One of my favorite quotes is “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”, and it rings as true in this profession as any other.

That is why its very important during this stage to network as much as possible and find players that have a future in professional golf. It may be a good idea to find a course that hosts a good junior program or is home to high schools or colleges with promising talent. Also working at courses that host professional tournaments is a great idea and could put you on the bag of a professional for a practice round or even possibly an event.

Step 3: Becoming a Pro Caddie (Make it a Career)

If everything worked out well at your last golf course you will have made some contacts with players looking to move forward and play as professionals. This is the time where you want to try to get on a bag of a player looking to join a mini tour. With the many competitive tours out there now you will be able to work for some decent money and not have to travel too far from home unless otherwise inclined. Something to keep in mind when working for mini tour players is that, like all professionals, they are looking for confidence and an edge. If they bring you on and for whatever reason, go through a rough stretch with their game, there is a good possibility that you will turn into the black sheep. Remember to always keep your eyes open to a new talent or opportunity and that you’re not going to make money unless your player does.

Even if you are not able to pick up a consistent bag, you can travel out to the local Senior and mini tour stops. If you know the golf course there is a good chance you can earn the opportunity to work for the player by helping them through a practice round. Not all tour players show up with a caddie every week and fewer still keep the same caddie for longer than a couple months, some changing caddies as often as every event. This is where your time spent networking will pay dividends.

Want more info about becoming a Pro Caddie:

Check us out at the CaddieConnection (or) E-mail Bobby DiMeo

Caddie Connection, Inc.
[email protected]

Today’s article is part of a Two-Week series on “How To Get Your Dream Golf Job”:

SERIES – Week One:

• “How To Become a Tour Pro” (Monday)
  
• “How To Own and Run a ProShop” (Tuesday)
  
• “How To Become Golf Club Designer” (Wednesday)
  
• “How To Become A Golf Sales Rep” (Thursday)
  
• “How To Become a Professional Long Driver” (Friday)
  

SERIES – Week Two:

• “How to Become a Professional Caddy” (Monday)
• “How To Launch Your Own Golf Product” (Tuesday)
• “How To Become A Golf Sports Agent” (Wednesday)
• “How To Run A Golf League or Golf Tour” (Thursday)