Caddying

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By Fred Closs

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  1. Fred Closs

    Fred Closs
    Denton, TX

    I'm seriously considering becoming a professional caddy. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to connect with a player needing someone that WILL: 1. show up  2. keep up and 3. shut up. Can any of you offer solid advice?

  2. Nate S

    Nate S
    Saint Johns, FL

    Here’s my advice: Although I’m only 14 I have won numerous junior tournaments and the NY Men’s am 3rd flight.  I have had three different people caddy for me.  I would say find a player you can become friends with and get out and play a lot of golf.  Most pro caddies are scratch golfers.  If you want to caddy professionally you have to, 1. KNOW YOUR COURSE MANAGEMENT!! (CRITICAL), 2. You have to be able to communicate your thoughts clearly so the player can understand, 3. You must must must be able to read greens. Reading greens is one of the most important things you have to do to caddy.  I caddied for one of my friends myself in his qualifier for the US junior and the cut line was 74 on a par 71 course that played 7200 yards from the tees he played. He could only hit it 240 of the tee but because, firstly, he has a great short game and overall is a great player, and because I played with him a lot and made sure he knew where to aim in cased he missed and helped him read the greens, he missed the cut by 1 shot.  His handicap was a 6.4 when he entered which was the maximum handicap you could have to enter.  You can’t just let the player make all the decisions himself.  Someone has to be there to tell him, “Whoa! You need to slow down and hit a safe shot.” You can’t just keep your mouth shut the whole time.  That’s how players lose.  Even though I’m not a pro caddy, I’ve been fortunate enough to go into the minds of a few.  I went to Pinehurst and played the No. 5 course there and the guy who caddied for me there gave me advice for caddying for my buddy.  Also, I talked to more of the caddies after the round.

    So in short: 1. Be there on time. 2. Keep the clubs clean and dry. 3. Keep up with your player and always relieve as much stress as you can. (you want the player to be calm) 4. Give advice where needed but avoid giving unwanted advice. 5. Never, ever, ever let the player take the risky shot if the reward doesn’t outweigh the consequences.

    Hope this helps,
    Nate S


    On 2/20/13 4:15 PM, "Fred C" <bounce-fredc20@acushnetgolf.com> wrote:



     
      
    Fred C posted Caddying <http://www.titleist.com/teamtitleist/team-titleist/f/8/t/20031.aspx> in On Tour.
      
    I'm seriously considering becoming a professional caddy. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to connect with a player needing someone that WILL: 1. show up  2. keep up and 3. shut up. Can any of you offer solid advice?
        
           

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  3. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    I caddied when I was 14 just like Nate.  Different ball of wax caddying for pros vs country club golfers but there are a couple commonalities - keep the clubs  clean, find the ball and keep a little ahead of the player.  The caddy for a pro definitely has to know his or her stuff when it comes to the course and golf in general. 

    Caddying for a country clubber is, more or less, only speak when spoken to.  The ones most likely to ask for advice are the women.  Unless the male members know the caddy personally they seldom ask for advice no matter how bad they play.  Usually the caddies that get asked for advice are the older ones. 

  4. eboos

    eboos
    Whitinsville, MA

    Be realistic, but don't ever believe that you can't do it. I have had friend who have achieved at the highest levels in every sport that I've been involved with. John Montesi was a pro skate boarder with several pro models and a host for the X-games. Adam Watkins just picked up and left VA and moved to California and ended up becoming a regional advertising manager for Ride BMX magazine. Alex Dunsten was a marketing manager for Ducati, then Michael Jordan Motorsports and now Monster Energy.

    If this is your dream dude, go for it. You have to be realistic, but it also takes guts to go against the safe advise like these guys did.

  5. fred k

    fred k
    falls church, VA

    fred,

    i've been fortunate enough to caddy at the mini tour level a few times and know a couple of loopers on the pga tour, and at one point in my life, like you, i had thoughts about chasing the sun.  the one thing you have to consider is if you want to make a comfortable living out of this, think hard about it.  unless you get lucky and hook up with a top 50 player, hotwire.com will become your best friend because you'll need to live on the cheap.  also, all the travel may sound glamorous, but it can become tiring real quick.

    having said all that, your best bet to get a feel for tour level caddying is to 1) volunteer at your local pga/lpga tour stop as a pro-am caddy or talk to the caddymaster about trying to pick up a bag for a monday qualifier.  2) try the women's tours - futures and lpga.  there's a better chance of picking up a monday qualifier.  lots of futures tour stops look for volunteer caddies, too.  web.com tour stops might work also.  3) try to work the players parking lots.  ask every player you see if they need a caddy for the week.  again, the women's side is your best bet.  security is pretty tight on the pga tour and they won't let just anyone into the player's parking lot.

    best of luck.

    -fred

  6. Griffin N

    Griffin N

    Fred, 

    I am actually looking for a caddy right now so if you could email me at gbear2000@live.com if you are interested please do. My name is Griffin Nyi and I would like to interview you via Skype if possible. I will be traveling a lot so you may need to supply some money for hotel/air SOMETIMES.

    Would love to meet you 

    Griffin Nyi

  7. Dallin H

    Dallin H
    Arlington, TX

    Fred C said:

    I'm seriously considering becoming a professional caddy. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to connect with a player needing someone that WILL: 1. show up  2. keep up and 3. shut up. Can any of you offer solid advice?

    Fred,

    I might have some contacts for you through the First Tee of FTW. I met a guy who used to caddy for J.J. Henry. He might have some advise on who to get in touch with.  I could help you guys get in touch.

    Dallin

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