A caddie is the golfer’s on-course partner. They carry the bag, keep equipment in top condition, care for the course, supply precise information about distances and hazards, and, when invited, offer calm, practical advice that helps players make better decisions.
They’re also the first line of hospitality at many clubs and resorts, shaping how enjoyable and efficient a round feels.
This guide explains exactly what caddies do day-to-day.
We’ll start with the universal duties you’ll see at almost any golf facility, then show how the role changes by setting, by season and weather, and by region.
You’ll find realistic “day in the life” schedules, plus the skills, challenges, and team interactions that define the job in the real world.
If you’re researching caddies for your club, considering hiring one on your next trip, or simply curious about how the role actually works, this is your all-in-one explainer.
Looking for how to get into caddying or how much they earn? We keep this article focused on what caddies do. For pathways and earnings, see:
Core Duties & Responsibilities
However a course is run - and wherever it is in the world - good caddies share a common foundation of tasks.
Think of these as the “non-negotiables” of the job.
Bag and equipment care
From the first tee to the last green, the bag is the caddie’s responsibility.
They carry it safely, keep clubs in their correct slots, and return each club clean and dry after every shot.
Before teeing off, they check the essentials - balls, tees, gloves, towel, umbrella, marker, pencil - so the player never runs short.
Throughout the round, they manage headcovers, watch for loose zips, and balance the load so the bag remains comfortable to carry and quick to access.
Course care, rules and etiquette
Caddies are guardians of course standards.
They replace divots, repair pitch marks, rake bunkers, and manage the flagstick cleanly so groups behind find the course in excellent shape.
They help their group keep pace, moving ahead to spot balls, encouraging ready golf where allowed, and guiding players on where to stand or when to stay still and quiet.
They don’t act as referees, but they do understand day-to-day rules well enough to keep play smooth (provisional balls, basic relief options, cart-path drops) and know when to call for an official in competition.
Yardages and course knowledge
A caddie’s most visible contribution is fast, accurate information.
They know where yardage plates and sprinkler heads are, how far it is to hazards and carry points, and where trouble lurks out of sight.
They factor wind, slope, lie, temperature, and firmness when giving numbers.
On the greens they understand typical breaks and speeds, using local knowledge of grain and topography to help a player plan sensible lines - always adapting to the player’s preference for more or less input.
Strategic support (when asked)
Not every golfer wants advice, but many appreciate thoughtful suggestions.
A caddie helps the player commit to a plan: safe lay-up vs. hero carry, conservative lines in wind, using contours around firm greens, or choosing a lower-risk club when a score matters.
The best caddies know when to speak up - and when the right move is a supportive silence while the player executes.
Player support and composure
Golf is emotional. Caddies steady the day.
They keep the tone positive after a bad break, keep players present-focused (“next shot is the important one”), and manage the rhythm of the round - water here, snack there, a quick nudge to move along when pace slips.
They read personalities: some golfers want friendly chat, others want quiet. Either way, the caddie’s manner helps the player feel settled.
Safety and weather management
Caddies are the first to notice slick slopes, uneven steps, or lightning in the distance.
In heat, they nudge hydration and shade.
In rain, they become a one-person pit crew: umbrella up, dry towel out, grips wiped, rain hood on and off at speed.
In cold, they keep hands warm and remind players that shots may fly shorter.
Their aim is simple: keep the golfer safe, comfortable and ready to play.
Different Settings & Their Workflows
The core of the job stays the same, but the workflow and emphasis shift depending on the setting.
Private/public member clubs (club-level caddie)
At clubs, caddies support members and their guests on familiar turf.
Days often begin in the caddie yard with assignments from a Caddie Master.
A busy summer day may include two 18-hole “loops.”
Because regulars return often, caddies learn member tendencies - typical distances, favourite lines, pet peeves - and quietly personalise service.
Double-bagging (carrying for two players) is common at some clubs; efficiency, pace and neatness really matter.
Pre-round prep is straightforward - clean the bag, check supplies, scan the day’s pin positions - and interaction is professional but relaxed.
At a glance
- Hospitality level: moderate, member-led
- Advice level: tailored to member preference
- Prep focus: cleanliness, pin sheet, pace plan
Destination resorts (resort caddie / forecaddie)
Resort caddies blend golf support with hospitality.
Many guests are first-time visitors, so the caddie acts as local guide: how each hole plays, where the views and photo spots are, where to aim in wind, and how to manage unfamiliar greens.
When carts are standard, a forecaddie rides or walks ahead to spot balls, manage pace and offer lines, while players carry or cart their own clubs.
Bookings cluster at cooler parts of the day in hot climates, so the working day can split into early-morning and late-afternoon loops.
At a glance
- Hospitality level: high, guest experience is central
- Advice level: proactive course guidance
- Prep focus: rangefinder, pin sheet, extra water, language awareness
Tournaments (amateur and professional tour caddie)
Tournament caddying adds deep preparation and pressure.
Early in the week, caddies walk the course to build or update yardage books, map landing zones, and note green sections.
On competition days, they arrive ahead of the player to review pin sheets and weather, then manage the warm-up, keep a tight routine on course, and help the player commit under pressure.
At a glance
- Hospitality level: low; performance-driven
- Advice level: high; collaborative strategy
- Prep focus: mapping, pin sheets, exact yardages, weather plans
Municipal/casual courses
Caddies are less common at munis, but where programmes exist they’re simpler: single-bag carrying, basic yardages, raking and repairs, and a friendly push on pace.
These programmes are often the gateway for new or youth caddies, prioritising etiquette and effort over advanced strategy.
At a glance
- Hospitality level: friendly, informal
- Advice level: light; depends on player
- Prep focus: fundamentals, pace and etiquette
Links vs. parkland vs. coastal
Course style changes what “good help” looks like.
On links - common in the UK and Ireland - wind, firmness and blind shots make local knowledge invaluable.
Parkland courses emphasise precise yardages among trees, elevation changes and water features.
On exposed coastal layouts, wind and weather can change mid-round, so caddies continually adjust lines, trajectories and expectations.
Seasonal and Environmental Variations
Weather can completely alter what is required of a caddie.
Cold and frost
Frost delays push starts later, so caddies often arrive, prepare, and wait.
In the cold, balls fly shorter, greens may start slow then speed up as frost lifts, and hands need looking after.
Caddies build in extra time for footing on slopes, keep towels and spare gloves dry, and suggest “more club” for full shots.
Heat
In hot months, caddies manage heat load: more water in the bag, shade at every chance, and gentle reminders to pace effort.
Advice leans toward lower-risk targets (fatigue invites mistakes), and tee time patterns shift earlier and later to avoid midday extremes.
Rain and wet ground
In rain, the caddie’s priority is dryness and grip.
Umbrella choreography, spare towels, rain hood on/off and quick club swaps become a rhythm.
Strategy shifts too: more carry, less roll; safer lines in crosswinds; and extra care around bunkers and slopes.
On soft greens, a caddie may suggest landing the ball a touch past the hole to avoid big spin-backs.
Peak vs. off-season workload
Summer is peak for the UK and much of the northern US, with caddies often doubling up loops.
In southern Spain and Portugal, spring and autumn are busiest for golf tourism, with steady winter play. The hottest weeks see earlier/later tee times.
Off-season at northern clubs brings fewer loops and more waiting - some caddies migrate to warmer regions to keep working.
Regional & Cultural Variations
The core job travels well, but expectations do vary by country.
United Kingdom and Ireland
Tradition runs deep. Many classic links clubs operate formal caddie programmes with a Caddie Master, simple dress codes or bibs, and clear etiquette expectations.
Players value direct, local guidance - lines on blind holes, how the wind “really” plays, and how putts tend to fall.
Payment is typically a set fee plus a discretionary tip.
Winter golf continues in many places, but caddie demand dips with daylight and weather.
United States
Private clubs and destination resorts are the caddie strongholds, along with amateur and professional events.
Forecaddie models are common where cart golf is standard.
Members often expect a proactive caddie - yardages ready, confident reads, and visible pace management.
Tournament weeks add the travel and performance layer described earlier; club weeks resemble UK clubs but with more cart-integrated models at many facilities.
Spain & Portugal
The role is tightly connected to tourism.
Many resorts use forecaddies to guide cart-using groups, while premium clubs may offer traditional bag-carrying caddies on request.
Language and hospitality are front-and-centre: welcoming guests, explaining unfamiliar lines, sharing course story and scenery stops, and keeping play smooth in groups with mixed abilities.
Seasonality follows travel patterns, with strong spring/autumn demand and comfortable winter golf.
Employment setup and liability
In some programmes caddies are engaged as independent contractors, elsewhere they’re scheduled and paid as staff.
Clubs will brief caddies on any local insurance or health-and-safety requirements, and on device usage (some venues prefer traditional pacing over rangefinders). Players don’t need to know the paperwork - what matters is that the caddie turns up prepared and professional.
A Day in the Life (Sample Schedules)
The examples below show what a typical day might look like for a caddie.
Every course is different, and things can change depending on the tee sheet, weather, and club policies, but these outlines give a good sense of the usual flow.
Club caddie in the UK (summer)
Before the round
Arrive early to the caddie yard, confirm assignment with the Caddie Master, check the bag (balls, tees, towel, umbrella), glance at pin positions and the pace notes for any maintenance on the course.
Meet the member on the putting green, agree on communication style (“shout numbers or wait to be asked?”), and head to the 1st tee.
On course
Keep clubs clean and organised, offer yardages promptly, repair all damage, and manage pace with light touches.
If carrying two bags, plan routes to reach each player’s ball quickly.
In drizzle, rotate towels and keep grips dry.
Advice is brief and confident when asked; otherwise, your calm presence does the work.
After the round
Clean the clubs, count to fourteen, return the bag to storage, and check in for a second loop if the sheet is busy.
At a glance:
- Typical distance walked: high (often 8-10 miles)
- Advice level: member-led; often moderate
- Weather watch: frequent showers, changing wind
Resort caddie in Spain (peak season)
Before the round
Check the forecaddie kit (rangefinder, pin sheet, extra water).
Meet guests at the tee, explain how you’ll help - lines, ball-spotting, pace - and get a sense of their skill levels.
On course
Move ahead to spot tee shots, point out safe targets, keep play moving, and share local tips about wind and greens.
Mix service with hospitality - help with photos, point out views, recommend a halfway snack stop in heat.
After the round
Clean any rental clubs used, answer guest questions about the resort or local area, and prep for a late-afternoon loop when the heat eases.
At a glance:
- Typical distance walked: moderate to high (forecaddie movement)
- Hospitality: very high; first-time guests
- Weather watch: heat and sun management
Tournament caddie (US or Europe)
Before the round
Review pin placements, adjust the yardage book, and meet the player for warm-up (range, short game, putting).
Confirm the plan for the trickiest holes and the wind direction for the first few.
On course
Every shot has a rhythm: establish exact number, adjust for conditions and lie, agree a shot shape and target, then step back.
Between shots, keep the bag tidy and the player centred.
Call a rules official when needed; otherwise keep the group moving smoothly within the pace guidelines.
After the round
Attend scoring, clean gear, and note anything to adjust tomorrow (e.g., greens were quicker than expected on the back nine).
At a glance:
- Typical distance walked: high (plus practice ground time)
- Advice level: high; collaborative
- Weather watch: wind shifts, pressure shifts - stay composed
Off-season or low-volume day
Before the round
Arrive later, expect frost delays, and be ready for a last-minute single or a 9-hole loop.
Help the shop or bag room while you wait.
On course
Keep it simple: carry, clean, yardages when asked, and enjoy an unhurried walk.
After the round
Store the bag properly and check for any winter programme updates.
At a glance:
- Typical distance walked: low to moderate
- Advice level: light
- Weather watch: cold hands, short daylight
Skills, Traits & Qualities
Effective caddying looks effortless from the outside, but in reality it’s a blend of physical capacity, golf knowledge and people sense.
Caddies need the stamina to cover miles with a heavy bag, in all weather.
They understand golf well enough to give accurate yardages, sensible targets and helpful reads, and they apply that knowledge at the right moment - some players want a constant stream of input, others prefer only key numbers.
Observation and organisation matter more than most realise.
The best caddies notice ball flights against treelines, clubface soil that hints at a fat strike, a grip starting to slip in rain, or the member’s habit of leaving a wedge on the fringe.
They keep clubs in order, count to fourteen by instinct, and position the bag where the player will want it next.
Communication is the soft skill that makes everything land. It’s not about being chatty; it’s about being clear, timely and appropriate. A confident “145 to the pin, plays 150 - 8-iron fits” builds trust. A quiet nod in a tense moment can be more helpful than a long speech. Adaptability ties it together: different golfers, different conditions, different courses - same standard of service.
Challenges & Daily Realities
Caddies work outdoors on the golfer’s schedule, not their own. That means long days in heat, cold and rain, and the physical toll of carrying a bag up and down slopes for hours.
On busy days they may loop twice, while on slow days they may wait and not go out at all.
Tee times change, frost delays bite into daylight, and a sudden downpour can turn a simple routine into a constant towel-and-umbrella drill.
Pressure varies. At clubs and resorts it’s mostly about smooth service and good pace. In tournaments it’s about precision and calm under scrutiny.
Either way, the job asks for resilience: keep standards high even when tired, keep tone positive even when a player is frustrated, and keep attention sharp until the very last putt.
How the Role Changes with Experience
New caddies start with the basics - carry well, keep up, keep things tidy, and learn the course.
Early on they give fewer reads and numbers, focusing on etiquette and effort while they build confidence.
With experience, the work gets smoother and more anticipatory: a seasoned caddie has the next club ready without being asked, offers succinct numbers before the player asks for them, and positions the bag with the next shot in mind.
Relationships deepen over time. Regular members request caddies who know their games and personalities. On the tournament side, established caddie-player partnerships work almost in shorthand; they’ve faced enough situations together to make quick, confident decisions.
What changes in practice is less the list of tasks and more the quality and timing of each task - the same actions, delivered with sharper judgment and less friction.
Who Caddies Work With (and how it fits together)
Caddies are part of a wider team that makes golf happen.
They coordinate with a Caddie Master or golf services lead for assignments and feedback.
They check in with the starter at the first tee and keep an eye on marshals/rangers for pace guidelines on busy days.
They often liaise with the pro shop for pin sheets, local rules and any last-minute changes, and they respect the work of greenkeeping by repairing damage meticulously and heeding any maintenance notices.
At resorts, caddies also interface with hospitality staff - bag drop, concierge, halfway house - so guests experience one seamless service.
In tournaments, they work alongside rules officials when decisions are needed. The coordination is mostly invisible to players and the result is a round that just… flows.
Carrying, Caring, Guiding
Day-to-day, a caddie carries, cares and guides.
They carry the bag, manage equipment and course care with pride.
They care for pace, safety and comfort in all conditions.
And they guide decisions - lightly or closely - so golfers can focus and enjoy the game.
The setting and season change the emphasis, but the standard never changes: be prepared, be observant, be calm, and be useful.
If you want to dig into pathways and pay, we’ve covered those separately so this guide can stay focused on the work itself:
Quick FAQs
Do caddies always give advice?
Only if the golfer wants it. Some want just numbers; others want full strategy. A good caddie matches the player’s preference.
What changes most in rain?
Grip and pace. The caddie prioritises dry grips and smooth movement: umbrella, towels, rain hood, and simpler targets.
Do all courses have caddies?
No. Private clubs and destination resorts are most likely. Municipal courses may offer forecaddies or caddies for events.
How is a resort forecaddie different from a traditional caddie?
A forecaddie usually doesn’t carry; they move ahead to spot balls, give lines and manage pace for cart-using groups.
Is links golf really that different?
Yes. Wind, firmness and blind shots make local knowledge - and a caddie’s guidance on lines and trajectories - especially valuable.