Rules for a new caddie to learn.

[JKolya]

Short story - I have a new job that does not start for several months and through some contacts may caddie at a course for the spring. I have been reading through the rules kes/decisions, but am curious what everyone thinks of the essential rules, common scenarios, etc that a caddie may come into?

[Fourputt]

All of them.  As a caddie anything you do wrong penalizes your player.  You should also be prepared to help him if he seems unsure of a rule or procedure.  All of the rules involving relief, both with and without penalty should be automatic for you.  That means Rules 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.  It won't hurt to be solid on 12, 16 and 17 either.  The player is responsible for all of the caddie's acts, so it's essential that you do nothing without his okay.

[Asheville]

Here's a list. Some will like it; others won't.

Caddie Shoulds:

1.    Read the Local Rules and have a hole location sheet.

2.    Count the players clubs on the first tee prior to start of play.

3.    Clean clubs after each stroke.

4.    Clean the golf ball only when it has been marked and taken out of play (usually only on the putting green) and between the play of holes.

5.    Attend the flagstick when asked.

6.    May move only the players equipment or flagstick to avoid them being struck by a ball in motion.

7.    Rake a bunker after the player has played out of the bunker.

8.    Replace divots.

9.    Help search for a player’s or fellow-competitor’s ball.

10.    Walk at a brisk pace and, if possible, arrive at the ball ahead of the player to begin calculating yardage.

Caddie Don’ts:

1.    Don’t talk or move while players are making a stroke.

2.    Watch that your shadow does not interfere with a player’s stroke.

3.    Don’t stand behind a player when the player is making a stroke.

4.    Don’t touch the putting green when pointing out the line for putting.

5.    On the putting green, do not step on any player’s line of putt.

6.    Lay the flagstick carefully on the fringe, not on the putting green.

7.    Replace the flagstick carefully; do not just jamb it in the hole.

[MrFlipper]

If you take your golf seriously it shouldn't be a big deal.

Maybe caddy for a buddy of yours who plays, for practice? See what people expect from a caddy. I'm sure the new course will give you a refresher, I bet they have certain caddy expectations.

That being said, my first time caddy instructions were the old classics (I am older after all):

Show up

Keep up

Shut up

[JKolya]

I appreciate the list (really do), but was thinking along the lines of the rules for tournaments and what not. Realizing that may not be the responsibility of the caddie, but wanting to know them for the players I will be with.

[JKolya]

Yeah, I'm not worried about expectations or anything. While I may be young to many on here, I am not young-young holding a part time job. Simply have several months to kill and given my interest in the game thought caddying would be interesting as I picked up the game when I was older and did not have any opportunities to do so. Kind of a way to get in some missed golf experience if you will. More looking for the type of rules you may run into where your player looks over and asks your opinion on a rule. To me the shut up unless asked is a given, though I would not be surprised if that is not the norm.

[MrFlipper]

You'll have fun! Plus you get to play the course on Monday when its closed to members.

And go see Caddyshack (if you haven't already) so you are hip to the humor. As in go pick up that blood

[DrvFrShow]

Don't forget - "We should keep going. I don't think the heavy stuff will come down for a while."

[wadesworld]

I appreciate the list (really do), but was thinking along the lines of the rules for tournaments and what not. Realizing that may not be the responsibility of the caddie, but wanting to know them for the players I will be with.

Knowing the rules are the responsibility of both the caddie and the player.  He will be penalized for any rules violation you create, and "I didn't know that rule" usually won't prevent the penalty.

[Rulesman]

Generally, casual caddies are not expected to have great Rules knowledge.

[Club Rat]

Along with the above posts mentioned.

Be positive at all times.

Acknowledge a good shot, keep quite on bad shots and key your eyes glued to where the ball goes.

Be in good humor, enjoy the day even if things are going south for the player.

Expect bad golf some days, it's a very difficult game.

Sometimes the best encouragement is silence.

Live and learn and enjoy.

Club Rat

[Asheville]

I appreciate the list (really do), but was thinking along the lines of the rules for tournaments and what not. Realizing that may not be the responsibility of the caddie, but wanting to know them for the players I will be with.

Most players don't even know how to proceed correctly when their ball lies on a cart path, or inside yellow or red stakes. They have no idea what to do with a ball out of bounds or a lost ball. They cannot comprehend the concept of a provisional ball. Get this (this is a genius product) and carry it in your pocket every time you caddie: http://www.flexagonguides.com/

[Club Rat]

More looking for the type of rules you may run into where your player looks over and asks your opinion on a rule.

All tournament's will have "official's" at events.

Best to let them explain any situations of rulings.

Some rules are tricky and can be mis-interpreted.

Learn the basics, but best to leave the decision to the player.

[ColinL]

All tournament's will have "official's" at events.

Best to let them explain any situations of rulings.

Some rules are tricky and can be mis-interpreted.

Learn the basics, but best to leave the decision to the player.

I recall an incident when Graeme McDowell's ball was in the trees, lying on twigs and leaves.  As he approached it, it moved although he didn't seem to think so and was set to carry on.  You could hear on the recording his caddie telling him he should call a referee, but he didn't and played it.  Result?  Two stroke penalty for moving the ball and not replacing it instead of the one stroke penalty if he had listened to his caddie, called in a referee and replaced his ball.  Even better, he would have been able to  clear away the twigs and leaves before replacing.

As a caddie, you give the advice and too bad if your player doesn't pay heed.

[boogielicious]

Don't forget - "We should keep going. I don't think the heavy stuff will come down for a while."

I would be hard pressed not to channel Carl Spackler then entire round!

[WUTiger]

I would contact the caddie master or the head pro at the golf club and ask if they have any training sessions for caddies. Years ago, the first club I caddied at had a very elaborate training program. Many caddies would start there, learn the trade, and then move onto other courses. (I moved on, because the club had way too many caddies.)

Today in the St. Louis area, only a handful of clubs still have caddies. So, they tend to train the caddies well so that they can do a good job for the members. (The famous Bellerive CC has excellent caddies, and serves as a feeder program for the pro tour.)

Many times you will carry double (two bags) for a round. If you have a foursome of four walkers, you and the other caddie will need to develop teamwork to better serve the foursome. The toughest assignment involves carrying double in a foursome with two people riding in a cart. In that case, it's just you.

Most courses give you a list of what is expected of their caddies. Also, each course has a couple of odd holes where rules problems are likely to arise. The caddie master or pro (hopefully) will advise you of the potential problems, and how to handle them.

And, congrats if you get the job. If it's a decent club, caddieing is a nice way to spend the warm weather.

[Asheville]

JKolya, check your private message folder.

[phan52]

I wouldn't expect a new caddie to be up to speed with all the rules, just the ones where his actions would effect my play. He should stay out of the way of other players, especially when they are putting, and stay off the line of everybody's putts. Be careful where he puts my bag and that it is not in the line of play. That is one way he could effect my score. A boned chip is bad enough but, if it runs into my bag across the green, that is piling on.

Other than that, I would expect him to keep up, retrieve and replace my divots, rake the traps and be available to clean my ball on the green. If he has a range finder (I find that most do now) that's a plus but, if he is new, I am generally not going to rely on him for yardages, wind conditions or reading putts.

Good luck. It is a worthy endeavor.