How To Become a Caddy - A Veteran Caddy's Guide to Getting Started
By Alan McArthur
People ask me all the time, "How do you become a caddy?" The truth is, there's no single path. Everyone's story is a little different.
Mine started long before I ever carried a golf bag.
It was 1989, and I was 12 years old when my dad dropped me off at Riverside Golf Course in Arlington, Texas. I wasn't old enough to caddy yet, but I wanted to be on a golf course every single day. My dad would drop me off around 8:00 in the morning, and I wouldn't get picked up until dusk.
Since I couldn't caddy, I started cleaning golf clubs on the 9th and 18th greens. Golfers would hand me their clubs after their round, I'd clean them, make a few dollars in tips, and spend the rest of the day around the game I loved. Most days I'd finish around lunchtime, grab my clubs, and play until it was time to head home.
Looking back, I didn't realize it then, but I was learning skills that would eventually make me a better caddy. I became comfortable talking with golfers of all ages, learned golf etiquette by watching experienced players, and developed an appreciation for the traditions of the game. That little job was the beginning of my journey into the golf world.
Today, there are more opportunities than ever for young people who want to become caddies. One of the best is the Evans Scholarship, an incredible program that rewards hardworking caddies with college scholarships. If you're a young golfer looking for a way to combine your love of the game with an opportunity to earn money for school, it's worth learning everything you can about it. Over the years, the Evans Scholars Foundation has helped thousands of deserving caddies earn a college education while building lifelong friendships and careers.
Many clubs also use companies like CaddieMaster, which manages caddy programs at hundreds of golf courses across the United States. Other clubs operate their own in-house caddy programs. I've worked in both environments, and each has its own culture and way of training new caddies.
So how do you actually get your foot in the door?
More often than not, it starts with relationships. My first opportunity came through someone I knew, and from there I worked hard, built a reputation, and let my work speak for itself. Golf is a surprisingly small community, and a good reputation travels quickly.
One thing that surprises a lot of people is that there really isn't a "Caddying 101" class. Most of what you learn happens on the course. You shadow experienced caddies, ask questions, make mistakes, and improve with every loop. This is definitely an industry where you learn by doing.
What Does a Golf Caddy Do?
Most people think a caddy simply carries a golf bag, but the job is much more than that. A great caddy helps golfers with yardages, club selection, reading greens, course management, pace of play, cleaning clubs, replacing divots, raking bunkers, and keeping the player focused throughout the round. Every golfer is different, and one of the most important skills a caddy develops is knowing when to offer advice—and when to simply stay quiet and let the player play.
Where Can You Become a Caddy?
If you're interested in becoming a caddy, opportunities can be found at private country clubs, public golf courses, destination resorts, and walking-only golf clubs throughout the country. Many facilities hire and train new caddies every season, while others use companies like CaddieMaster to recruit and manage their caddy programs. The best way to get started is often the simplest: introduce yourself at your local golf course, ask questions, and let people know you're eager to learn.
How Much Do Golf Caddies Make?
One of the questions I hear most often is how much caddies make. The answer depends on the course, the golfer, and your level of experience. Many caddies earn a combination of a base caddy fee and gratuities, and experienced caddies at premier clubs and resorts can earn excellent money during a busy season. More importantly, the relationships you build and the opportunities the game provides often become just as valuable as the paycheck.
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone wanting to become a caddy, it would be this: show up early, work hard, listen more than you talk, and always be willing to learn. You don't have to know everything on day one. The best caddies are the ones who stay humble, keep improving, and genuinely care about helping golfers have a better day.
For me, what started as cleaning golf clubs for tips at 12 years old turned into a career that's taken me to incredible courses, introduced me to amazing people, and given me a front-row seat to one of the greatest games ever played.
You never know where one day at the golf course might lead.
What Makes a Great Caddy?
People often think a great caddy is someone who knows every yardage and every break on every green. While those things certainly help, the best caddies all share a few qualities that have nothing to do with hitting a golf ball.
Be Dependable
Show up early, be prepared, and be someone your golf shop and players can count on. Reliability is one of the fastest ways to earn trust and more loops.
Learn the Game
Understand the Rules of Golf, pace of play, and proper etiquette. A caddy is an ambassador for the club as much as they are a guide for the golfer.
Take Care of Yourself
Walking 18 holes while carrying a golf bag isn't easy. Staying in good physical condition helps you stay sharp from the first tee to the final putt.
Communicate with Confidence
Know when to speak up with advice and, just as importantly, know when to stay quiet. Sometimes your biggest contribution is simply giving a player confidence.
Put the Golfer First
The round isn't about you—it's about helping someone else play their best golf. The best caddies understand that every decision, every read, and every word should be focused on making the golfer's experience better.
At the end of the day, caddying is much more than carrying a bag. It's about building trust, solving problems, and helping someone enjoy this incredible game just a little bit more. If you can do that consistently, you'll find that caddying isn't just a job—it's one of the most rewarding experiences golf has to offer.