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VIRTUAL CADDIE TRAINING
VIRTUAL CADDIE TRAINING
Introduction
Welcome to Virtual Caddie Training!
The Western Golf Association has developed this online training tool to help aspiring young caddies prepare for golf season while dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.
We know you can’t wait to get on the course, but until then, these lessons from our dedicated staff and experienced Evans Scholars will show you what it takes to be a successful caddie.
Watch this welcome video from Michigan Evans Scholar Noah Zaatar and then click on the right arrow to get started.
What is a Caddie?
A caddie’s job is to assist golfers in various ways, from warmup until the final putt drops. Responsibilities include carrying the golfer’s bag, determining yardages, replacing divots, raking bunkers and tending to the flagstick.
Most of all, caddying is the best summer job in the world. It’s an opportunity to earn great money, work flexible hours and interact with successful adults and community leaders. You could even earn a full tuition and housing Evans Scholarship.
Watch the video to hear what Oregon Evans Scholar Sarahi Ortiz enjoys about being a caddie.
How to Hustle
Practice makes perfect, even for caddies.
It’s OK to make mistakes. Just make sure you learn from them. Even the most experienced caddies had to start somewhere. You’ll face challenges as you learn the ropes, but the more dedicated you are, the better you will become.
Start by focusing on things you can control. Be on time and reliable. Give consistent effort. Master these skills and you’ll find yourself being promoted quickly. Promotions mean better loops and better pay.
In this video, Miami Evans Scholar Gianmarco Petrelli talks about the importance of hustle, positive attitude and effort.
Part of a Team
Working with the other caddies in your group will be a key part of your job. Your priority is your golfer, but you should always be communicating with your fellow caddies.
Look for opportunities to help by pulling the pin, raking bunkers, bringing clubs to the next tee box, looking for errant shots and calculating yardages.
Remember, teamwork makes the dream work.
Watch this video for Miami Evans Scholar Erin Cronin’s tips for being part of a team.
Benefits
Caddying can be hard. You have to wake up early. You have to work outdoors during the summer. You have to carry a golf bag over 18 holes.
So why do it? That’s the easy part.
The money is good. You make your own hours. You work with people your age and make new friends. You meet influential people who can open doors to future opportunities. You might be able to earn a college scholarship.
Take it from Michigan Evans Scholar Ainslie Woodward, who talks about the benefits of caddying this chapter’s final video.
VIRTUAL CADDIE TRAINING
Golf Bag Basics
Golf bags come in many different styles, but their basic function is the same – to store the clubs and other equipment a golfer will need during a round.
The top of every bag has a large opening with compartments to hold 14 clubs. There will also be several pockets used to store balls, tees, divot repair tools and range finders.
Before a round, make sure you familiarize yourself with your golfer's bag. Adjust the shoulder straps as needed, and if the bag has a stand, learn how it works.
In this video, WGA Director of WGA Director Development Brian Bianchi explains the basics of the golf bag.
Golf Club Care
One of the first things a caddie should do is look at their player’s clubs. Remember, each player can have 14 clubs. Count your clubs right away and let your player know if there are more or less than 14 in the bag.
Next, use your wet towel to wipe away any dirt or debris from the clubs before the round begins. Continue to clean the clubs after every time they are used.
It’s important that you keep your player’s clubs well organized and clean before, during and after the round. An organized golf bag is a reflection of your skills as a caddie.
In this video, you’ll learn how to properly organize a golf bag and care for your player’s clubs.
VIRTUAL CADDIE TRAINING
Caddying Essentials
Like most jobs, caddying requires a specific set of tools.
It starts with your outfit. You should always wear a clean golf shirt, comfortable gym shoes, a hat, and if it’s part of your club’s uniform, a caddie bib.
Other essential caddie tools include:
• A towel, to clean clubs and golf balls
• A divot repair tool, to fix marks on the green
• Divot mix to repair the fairways
• A rangefinder to determine yardages
In this video, WGA Senior Director of WGA Director Development Tim Orbon identifies all of the tools you will need to be a successful caddie.
VIRTUAL CADDIE TRAINING
Presenting the Bag and Raking Bunkers
When a player begins their pre-shot routine, it's the caddie's job to present the bag. Be aware of how and where you position the bag. The clubs should face the ball, with the bottom of the bag facing away. Before your player takes their shot, position yourself and the bag a few paces to the side of the ball and slightly behind.
Caddies are also responsible for raking each bunker their player enters during a round. It’s important to use the correct raking method to fill and smooth the disturbed sand. Use long, smooth passes with the bunker rake, and be careful to disperse the sand evenly.
In the first of our on-course training videos, you'll learn how to present your player's bag and the proper way to rake a bunker.
Taking Care of
the Golf Course
A good caddie is always mindful of their role as steward to the golf course. This includes correcting anything out of place, especially fixing pitch marks on the greens and replacing divots in the fairways.
Pitch marks are impressions left in the green after a ball hits the turf, which results in an unsmooth putting surface if not properly repaired. Using a pitch mark tool, your goal is to make the surface as smooth as possible.
A divot is a piece of sod or turf cut loose by a player’s club after making a stroke. When this happens, there are a few different ways you can repair the damaged area.
In this video, you'll learn the proper way to fix pitch marks and replace divots on the golf course.