Caddying FAQ
Most parents believe that caddying is basically doing everything for the player. We hope to assuage that thought process and provide the proper view of the caddie’s job.
What is the job of a caddie?
The caddie’s job is to take the burden off of the player for the majority of tasks. These tasks are carrying/pushing clubs, cleaning the golf ball, attending to the flag, replacing divots, etc. Other jobs can include, obtaining the distance, reading the green, assisting with choices, and keeping score.
What do parents normally do wrong when caddying?
Most parents assume that their job is to help the player win the tournament. While this is the ultimate goal when entering a tournament, focusing on doing everything for the player in order to gain a win likely will take away from the player’s ability to learn how to win. Winning is not the most important but learning how to win is!
Make sure to not tell the player what to do but offer advice, let the player make a choice, and then discuss the positive and negatives of the choice following the round.
Tournament play is stressful for the players. Try not to add more stress. There are occasions that it may be necessary for the player’s learning however this should be kept to a minimum to have positive views of competing.
What is Advice? Who can Give it?
“Advice” is part of the rules of golf and it is imperative that we understand that definition so we proceed accordingly. Advice is basically defined here as opinion as to what the player should do. These are not facts and that is an important distinction.
Players are not allowed to give advice to other players nor request advice from anyone except for their own caddie. Because we define “Advice” as opinion, the caddie should remember that is truly their role. Give advice to the player but the player must own the decision.
What are some things caddies overlook?
Make sure to have drinks and snacks. Create a great system for delivery of these items. For instance, at the beginning of every hole on the tee, make sure the player takes a drink of water or sports drink before the start. Also, every 3 holes, make sure to give the player a snack.
Be aware of as many rules as possible. There are parents who are unaware and will proceed incorrectly. Knowing the rules, you can prevent others from playing incorrectly and also prevent your player from taking penalties unnecessarily.
What are some useful rules to know?
Out of Bounds - Area defined by white stakes. Typically on the boundaries of a course but not always. Player must rehit from previous spot.
Lost Ball - A ball that cannot be located on the course. Player must rehit from previous spot.
Penalty Area - Area defined by either red (common) or yellow stakes. There are multiple options: 1.) rehit from previous spot, 2.) from the point the ball crossed into the penalty area, two club lengths no closer to hole, 3.) from the point the ball crossed into the penalty area, drop may be on a line extending from the flag through that point backwards.
Sand Bunker - Club may not be grounded. “Grounded” is allowing the club to touch the surface of the sand anytime prior to hitting the ball.
Cart Path - A paved surface (rocks and crushed shell are not) where a free drop is allowed. Find the nearest point of relief from when you can take a stance where you have full relief from the cart path. Once found, you may take one club length from that spot no closer to hole.
Scoring - Done at the end of the round. If a score is incorrect on the card and the scorecard is signed and turned in, the following rules apply: 1.) Score on card is higher than actual score, you must keep the higher score, 2.) Score on card is lower than the actual score, you are disqualified. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT SCORES AND VERIFY BEFORE SIGNING.