A caddie master is the person who makes sure every golfer who wants a caddie has one, that caddies are well-prepared and professional, and that the entire operation runs smoothly from first light to last putt.
It's a role that blends people management, logistics, golf knowledge, and customer service, all under constant pressure.
If you're considering a career in golf operations, researching the role for your club, or simply curious how caddie programmes work behind the scenes, this is your complete explainer.
Core duties and responsibilities
Scheduling and assignments
The tee sheet drives the day. Caddie masters review bookings each morning and assign caddies to loops based on:
- Member preferences and regular requests
- Caddie availability and skill levels
- Fair rotation across the corps
- Last-minute changes (cancellations, walk-ups, specific requests, weather delays)
At busy clubs, this means managing two loops per caddie during summer when demand peaks and daylight extends.
Recruitment and training
Building and maintaining a quality caddie corps never stops. Caddie masters recruit new caddies through:
- Internal referrals from current employees
- Job boards and golf associations
- Youth programmes targeting ages 13-16
- Word-of-mouth within established caddie networks
Initial training covers rules, etiquette, bag handling, course knowledge, and member interaction. They develop shadowing programmes where new caddies accompany experienced ones for their first loops, assess performance, and provide ongoing coaching.
Training doesn't end after orientation. Regular refreshers, individual feedback sessions, and on-course observation maintain standards.
Quality control and member relations
The caddie master acts as quality gatekeeper.
They match golfers with appropriate caddies based on playing ability, personality, and preferences: quiet or chatty, strategic or straightforward, experienced or learning.
When members provide feedback, positive or negative, the caddie master addresses it directly through coaching, reassignment, or in persistent cases, removing caddies from the rotation.
They're also the first point of contact when conflicts arise, requiring diplomatic skills to navigate member expectations and caddie realities.
Operations and coordination
Caddie masters don't work in isolation. They coordinate constantly with:
- Starters on tee times and pace of play
- Pro shop for caddie availability and member preferences
- Marshals for on-course issues affecting assignments
- Accounting for billing and payment processing
At many facilities, the role expands beyond pure caddie management to include cart operations, bag room supervision, range services, and outside operations generally.
Administrative duties
Behind the scenes, records matter.
Caddie masters track caddie performance through member evaluations and observation notes.
They manage payment processing. Some clubs handle cash directly to caddies, others bill through member accounts, many now use digital platforms.
Scheduling software, while helpful, still requires daily input and management.
At larger operations, budget tracking and financial reporting become significant parts of the administrative load.
Safety and standards
The caddie master sets and enforces programme standards:
- Lightning protocols and evacuation procedures
- Weather monitoring and deployment decisions
- Appearance standards (clean collared shirts, proper shorts or trousers, appropriate footwear)
- Equipment maintenance (caddie bibs, towel supplies)
When clubs operate walking-only policies, the caddie master becomes guardian of that tradition against pressure to allow carts.
Different settings and their workflows
The fundamentals stay consistent, but the daily rhythm and priorities shift dramatically depending on where you work.
Private member clubs
At established private clubs, relationships define the role.
Members return week after week, often requesting the same caddies, and the caddie master learns individual tendencies: who wants constant advice, who wants quiet competence, who's late, who tips generously.
The caddie yard becomes a social ecosystem with hierarchies, friendships, and politics the caddie master navigates daily.
Peak summer Saturdays might require managing 40-50 loops with careful rotation to keep everyone working fairly.
At a glance:
- Staffing: 20-50 regular caddies typically
- Relationship focus: Very high, repeat members
- Assignment style: Mix of preferences and fair rotation
- Administrative burden: Moderate with established systems
Destination resorts
Resort caddie masters blend golf operations with hospitality service.
Most guests arrive as first-time visitors needing orientation, local guidance, and friendly engagement as much as pure golf knowledge.
When forecaddies guide cart-using groups rather than carrying bags, the role shifts toward pace management and course navigation.
International clientele at European resorts requires language skills and cultural awareness. Spanish caddie masters often work in English, German, and French daily.
Bookings cluster around arrival days and weather windows, creating unpredictable surges that challenge staffing plans.
At a glance:
- Staffing: 30-70 caddies at major resorts
- Relationship focus: Guest experience and first impressions
- Assignment style: Pre-pairing when possible, forecaddie groups
- Administrative burden: High with constant turnover
Tournament operations
Tournaments transform the caddie master into event logistics coordinator.
A US Amateur requires roughly 75 caddies with knowledge of multiple courses, all briefed on tournament rules, pace guidelines, and specific protocols.
The work begins days before with recruitment calls to supplement the regular corps, organising training sessions, creating assignment systems, and coordinating with tournament officials.
During competition, the caddie desk at registration handles credential distribution, last-minute changes, and player questions while monitoring pace of play and ready golf compliance.
At a glance:
- Staffing: 50-100+ for major events
- Relationship focus: Player service under pressure
- Assignment style: First-come first-served typically
- Administrative burden: Extremely high during event weeks
Links courses (UK and Ireland)
Traditional links clubs maintain the most formal caddie systems.
St Andrews employs a Caddie Manager overseeing 160 registered caddies who operate as self-employed professionals, many with 20-40 years experience on those windswept fairways.
The emphasis falls heavily on course knowledge: blind shots, hidden bunkers, wind strategies, and green contours make veteran caddies invaluable guides.
Payment systems remain cash-only in local currency, paid directly to caddies, with transparent fee structures posted publicly.
The seasonal nature is extreme, with full operations April through October and minimal winter activity.
At a glance:
- Staffing: 50-160 registered caddies at major links venues
- Relationship focus: Traditional service, course expertise
- Assignment style: Availability-based, some seniority
- Administrative burden: Moderate, seasonal concentration
Seasonal and environmental variations
Weather and calendar reshape the work throughout the year.
Peak season pressures
Northern clubs from May through September run at full capacity. The daily rhythm intensifies:
- Caddie masters arrive by 6am to brief 30-40 caddies on pin positions and weather
- Double loops become standard (caddies walk 16-20 miles carrying 15-25lb bags)
- Member-guest tournaments, club championships, and visiting groups stack on top of regular play
- Weekends demand all hands with little flexibility for time off
The 12-16 week peak earning window pushes operations to their limits.
Off-season transitions
When northern courses close or slow dramatically, caddie programmes shift gears entirely:
- Some caddies migrate south to Florida, Arizona, or southern Europe to work winter seasons
- Others take seasonal jobs outside golf or attend university (many youth caddies fund education through Evans Scholarships worth over £100,000)
- The caddie master pivots to recruitment, equipment maintenance, budget planning, and scholarship applications
Skeleton winter operations at year-round northern clubs might maintain just 5-10 dedicated caddies for the few hardy golfers who play through cold months.
Weather adaptations
Every region brings distinct weather challenges:
- Frost delays mean arriving early but waiting hours before play begins
- Heat protocols require extra water supplies, earlier tee times, and afternoon breaks
- Rain transforms operations with constant condition updates and rescheduling chaos
- Wind on coastal courses changes assignments (experienced caddies become essential)
The caddie master makes final calls on whether conditions are safe and playable, bearing responsibility for those decisions.
Regional climate patterns
UK and Ireland operate with persistent drizzle and changeable conditions as the norm rather than exception.
Summer days stretch until 9pm or later, enabling lengthy double loops, while winter daylight from 8am-4pm crushes capacity.
Southern Spain and Portugal enjoy comfortable winter golf at 15°C (60°F), attracting European tourists and creating reversed seasonal peaks in spring and autumn rather than summer.
Florida and Arizona run year-round but see dramatic demand swings from snowbird season to quiet summers when heat exceeds 35°C (95°F).
These climate realities determine whether caddie masters manage permanent year-round staff or coordinate complex seasonal recruitment cycles.
Regional and cultural variations
Geography creates distinctly different operational cultures and expectations.
United Kingdom and Ireland
British and Irish programmes run on tradition and course knowledge.
Links courses with blind tee shots and constantly shifting wind make local expertise invaluable. Some St Andrews caddies carry stories and strategies accumulated over four decades.
Formal training programmes like the St Andrews Caddie Connect (40 hours of instruction, 30 assessed rounds, 2-hour written exam) establish professional standards.
Payment happens in cash directly from golfer to caddie, with clear published rates: £50-60 base plus £20-30 gratuity typically at top venues.
Double-bagging is common year-round, and notably, golfers cannot request single versus double arrangements. Clubs decide based on availability and pace requirements.
The caddie master role here emphasises maintaining traditional standards, managing a stable corps of experienced locals, and preserving the cultural heritage of the walking game.
United States
American private clubs offer the widest variation in programme structure.
Some maintain traditional club-managed operations with 20-50 caddies as employees or regular contractors, while others outsource entirely to professional management companies like CADDIEMASTER.
Tipping culture is strongest in the US, with gratuities comprising 30-60% of total caddie income. Members routinely add $20-50 per bag on top of base fees.
Youth caddie programmes connect to Evans Scholarship opportunities, creating recruitment pipelines through high schools and First Tee programmes.
Some elite clubs operate no-tipping policies with higher base compensation built into club billing (Preston Trail pays $25/hour to caddies as employees).
The caddie master in American settings balances these varied structures while managing higher member expectations for personalised service and immediate problem resolution.
Spain and Portugal
Iberian resort operations focus on hospitality over deep golf expertise.
Forecaddies dominate. One person guides cart-using foursomes ahead to spot balls, provide lines, manage pace, and share local recommendations.
International tourism means English fluency is essential, with German, French, and Dutch as valuable additions.
Payment structures at €30-80 per round place these markets below UK and US rates, with less consistent tipping culture.
Nearly all caddies work freelance, booked by clubs or golfers directly, with minimal formal employment relationships.
The caddie master coordinates multinational staff serving guests from across Europe, requiring cultural awareness and language skills beyond pure golf operations.
Employment models and liability
Across regions, the independent contractor versus employee distinction shapes operations significantly.
Independent contractors (1099 in US, self-employed elsewhere) handle their own taxes, receive no benefits, maintain more schedule flexibility, and shift liability to themselves.
Employees (W-2 in US) get taxes withheld, qualify for unemployment and workers' compensation, may receive health insurance and retirement benefits, but cost clubs significantly more.
Third-party management companies have grown by assuming all employment liability, providing insurance, handling payroll, managing training, and charging clubs management fees for complete programme outsourcing.
The caddie master either navigates these distinctions directly or coordinates with external vendors, depending on the club's chosen model.
A day in the life (sample schedules)
These examples show typical daily rhythms across different settings.
Actual schedules vary with weather, season, and club policies, but the patterns reveal consistent demands.
Private club caddie master (UK, summer Saturday)
Before the round:
Arrive at 5:45am to review the tee sheet showing 32 morning bookings and 28 afternoon slots.
Check weather radar and confirm pin positions with the head greenkeeper via text.
Open the caddie yard, set out bibs and towels, and greet caddies arriving between 6:15-7:00am.
Brief everyone on wind (southwest at 15mph), pin locations (back-right on 3, front-left on 7, difficult back shelf on 14), and maintenance activity (9th fairway repair, avoid left side).
Assign first-off caddies by 7:15am, matching preferences where possible. Mr. Campbell wants Jack again, Mrs. Donaldson requested someone new, the 7:30 group doesn't care.
Field three phone calls before 8am about late requests and one cancellation requiring quick reassignment.
During play:
Monitor pace via starter updates. The 9:15 group is slow, so send a text to their caddie to nudge along.
Process member feedback about excellent service on the 8am loop, note it in the system, and thank the caddie when he returns.
Handle a complaint at 10:30am about a caddie who gave poor lines. Speak with the caddie privately, hear his side (windy day, member didn't trust the reads), and provide coaching.
Coordinate second-loop assignments starting at 11:45am as morning caddies return, ensuring fair rotation while meeting specific member requests.
Grab a sandwich at 1pm while watching the first tee.
After play:
Final groups finish by 6:30pm on long summer evenings.
Verify all bags are cleaned and stored properly.
Process payment records. Some paid cash, others billed to accounts.
Update tomorrow's assignment board with requested caddies for Sunday.
Brief evening clean-up of the caddie area and secure facilities.
Leave by 7:15pm, a 13-hour day on the busiest day of the week.
At a glance:
- Typical hours: 5:45am-7:15pm
- Caddies managed: 35-40
- Loops coordinated: 60+ (morning and afternoon)
- Key challenge: Double-loop coordination
Resort caddie master (Spain, spring high season)
Before the round:
Arrive at 6:30am and check resort systems for guest arrivals and golf bookings.
Coordinate with bag room on club deliveries and rental sets for three guest groups.
Review caddie availability. Two called in sick, so adjust assignments accordingly.
Brief forecaddies at 7:45am on guest profiles: German group at 8:30 (speak slowly, emphasise accuracy), British couples at 9:00 (more relaxed, enjoy the chat), American corporate group at 10:00 (keep pace tight, they have lunch reservations).
Ensure all caddies have charged phones, rangefinders, and pin sheets.
During operations:
Station yourself near the first tee from 8:15-10:30am to greet guests, introduce caddies, and set expectations.
Take calls from concierge about tomorrow's bookings and a request for six caddies for a VIP group mid-week.
Coordinate with restaurant on the turn about pace to ensure halfway house doesn't slow play.
Afternoon planning:
Meet with resort golf director at 2:00pm to discuss staffing for an upcoming corporate tournament requiring 20 forecaddies.
Review next week's bookings. The group from Netherlands needs English-speaking caddies, note it for assignments.
Update training schedule for three new hires starting Monday.
Process digital tip payments through the resort system (integrated with CaddieNow platform).
Finish by 5:30pm, typical for a weekday (weekends run later).
At a glance:
- Typical hours: 6:30am-5:30pm
- Caddies managed: 25-30 daily
- Loops coordinated: 40-50 (mostly forecaddie groups)
- Key challenge: Guest service across languages
Tournament caddie master (US, amateur championship)
Setup day (Wednesday before competition):
Arrive at 5:30am to organise caddie registration desk at player check-in area.
Review player list. 112 competitors require caddies, 75 confirmed from local club pool plus 40 player-provided caddies needing credentials.
Set up credential distribution system, parking passes, information packets (course regulations, pace of play guidelines, evacuation procedures).
Brief local caddies at 8:00am on tournament protocols, emphasising ready golf, leaving bunkers pristine, and respecting officials.
Work registration desk 9am-5pm as players arrive for practice rounds, matching uncaddied players with available locals on first-come basis.
Coordinate with tournament director on Monday's shotgun start timing.
Competition day (Monday):
Arrive at 5:00am, well before 7:30am first tee time.
Review weather forecast. Possible afternoon storms, so brief caddies on evacuation plans.
Station at caddie meeting area by 6:15am, distribute last-minute assignments, verify everyone has credentials and knows their player.
Manage registration desk for final check-ins while monitoring first tee via radio.
Handle emergency at 9:30am. Caddie no-show for 10:00am pairing, quickly reassign another caddie who hadn't been picked.
Monitor pace reports from marshals via radio throughout the day.
Coordinate with USGA officials on ruling that affects play at 2:00pm.
Weather delay at 2:45pm. Lightning in area, help evacuate course, manage 90-minute suspension, coordinate restart.
Final groups finish at 7:15pm in fading light.
Debrief with tournament director on tomorrow's assignments for advancing players.
Process caddie payment records and verify credentials for next day.
Leave by 8:30pm, knowing tomorrow repeats the pattern.
At a glance:
- Typical hours: 5:00am-8:30pm
- Caddies managed: 75-100
- Competition rounds: 112+ players
- Key challenge: Real-time problem solving under scrutiny
Skills, traits and qualities
Effective caddie masters combine specific hard skills with often-underestimated soft skills.
Technical golf knowledge
The foundation requires deep golf understanding:
- Rules of Golf knowledge (provisional balls, lateral relief, embedded balls, casual water)
- Course management and strategy
- Equipment understanding (club selection, bag organisation, gear maintenance)
- Tournament operations expertise (competition formats, scoring, event operations)
- Distance calculation and green reading basics
Operational and systems proficiency
Modern operations run on technology:
- Golf management software
- Caddie-specific platforms
- POS system operation for payment processing
- Scheduling and logistics coordination
- Budget management and financial tracking
- First aid/CPR certification (preferred at many facilities)
Leadership and people management
This job is ultimately about managing people under pressure.
Successful caddie masters motivate and discipline caddies effectively, maintaining standards without creating resentment.
They resolve conflicts between caddies, between caddies and members, and occasionally between members about caddie assignments.
Training and mentoring abilities determine whether new caddies develop into reliable professionals or wash out after frustrating early loops.
The best caddie masters build team culture. Caddies want to work for them, show up reliably, and maintain standards even without direct supervision.
Communication and diplomacy
Every day requires navigating difficult conversations.
Members expect responsiveness and results when they're unhappy. The caddie master who deflects blame or makes excuses doesn't last.
Caddies need clear, direct feedback about performance without feeling attacked or disrespected.
Cross-departmental coordination demands professional communication with pro shop staff, starters, marshals, greenkeepers, and management.
The diplomatic skill of saying no gracefully (when a member requests an unavailable caddie, when a caddie wants special treatment, when demands exceed resources) separates good caddie masters from overwhelmed ones.
Adaptability and composure
Variables change constantly in golf operations.
Weather disrupts the best-laid plans within minutes.
Staff call in sick on busy weekends.
Members arrive late, leave early, or change their minds.
Tournaments require complete operational pivots from normal daily patterns.
The caddie master who stays calm and solution-focused under these pressures keeps operations smooth, while the one who panics or complains creates cascading problems.
Who they work with and how it fits together
Caddie masters sit at the centre of a coordination network spanning the entire golf operation.
Daily operational partners
Starters are the closest working relationship.
They manage the first tee together, communicate pace of play issues constantly, coordinate caddie assignments with starting sheets, handle guest management jointly, and troubleshoot problems in real-time.
Pro shop staff coordinate on member communications, handle phone inquiries about caddie availability, process billing for caddie services, manage lost and found items, and relay member feedback.
Marshals provide eyes on course, reporting pace problems, caddie performance issues, and rules questions that require attention or intervention.
Their radio communications help the caddie master understand what's actually happening beyond the clubhouse.
Support services coordination
Bag room operations overlap heavily with caddie management.
At many clubs, the caddie master supervises bag storage, club cleaning, rental equipment, and cart staging. 400+ member bags require organisation and retrieval systems.
Outside services generally fall under the caddie master umbrella at smaller operations: range operations and ball picking, maintenance coordination to avoid conflicts, equipment staging for outings, and security procedures for opening and closing facilities.
Food and beverage teams need coordination on beverage cart timing, halfway house staffing, tournament catering logistics, and member dining reservations that affect pace of play.
Management and strategic relationships
Golf professionals or directors of golf serve as direct supervisors at most facilities.
The caddie master reports to them on programme health, attends weekly operations meetings, discusses budget and staffing issues, coordinates tournament planning, and escalates member relations problems requiring intervention.
The operational linchpin of the caddie service
So what does a caddie master actually do? They're the operational linchpin of every golf club that offers caddie service.
They ensure caddies show up trained and prepared, members get matched with appropriate service, and the entire programme functions through weather, staff challenges, and peak demand.
From private clubs where relationships and tradition matter most, to destination resorts where hospitality and first impressions dominate, to tournaments where logistics scale up tenfold, the fundamentals remain the same even as emphasis shifts.
The role requires equal parts golf expertise, people management, operational coordination, and diplomatic skill.
Quick FAQs
Do all golf clubs have a caddie master?
No. Only clubs and resorts with organised caddie programmes employ caddie masters. Many public courses without caddies, and private clubs using only carts, don't need the position.
Is a caddie master usually a former caddie?
Often, yes. Many start as caddies and move into management after gaining experience. But some enter from hospitality, operations management, or other golf industry backgrounds.
What's the hardest part of being a caddie master?
Balancing member expectations, caddie realities, and operational constraints simultaneously while adapting to constant changes from weather, no-shows, and last-minute requests.
How many caddies does a caddie master typically manage?
It varies dramatically: 5-15 at small clubs, 20-50 at mid-size private clubs, 50-70 at destination resorts, and 100-160+ at major links courses like St Andrews.
Do caddie masters work year-round?
Depends on location. Southern clubs and resorts offer year-round positions, while northern clubs typically operate seasonally from April-October, with off-season focused on planning and recruitment.