Caddy Certification

[AmericanGolfer]

Ok, let me introduce myself  I'm 41 and I consider myself a beginner.  I know I will never make the tour, but I was thinking about doing some caddying.  Now my question is this, I have seen a few caddy associations online and they offer some caddy certifications and courses.  My thing is this, how ligit are they and if I pay the money for these courses will the certifications be worth anything.  Has anyone delt with either of these associations before and are they worth anything?  Thanks in advance, thanks!

 

http://thecaddieassociation.com/

http://www.pcaworldwide.com/

[dennyjones]

Welcome to TST.   I'm not an expert, just a member of the welcoming committee.  I'm sure somebody will come along with an answer to your question.

I know, where I live, in mid-Michigan, the caddies are few and only at the most private courses.  

[AmericanGolfer]

Ya, here in Maryland there is only one public course that offers Caddies and that is Bulle Rock.  I like the tradition of having a caddy.

[iacas]

I don't think those are worth the paper they're printed on… unless they have great job placement.

Most clubs train caddies themselves AFAIK.

[David in FL]

  On 8/1/2017 at 9:02 PM, iacas said:

I don't think those are worth the paper they're printed on… unless they have great job placement.

Most clubs train caddies themselves AFAIK.

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This.

It's also worth mentioning that you need to be in VERY good shape to caddie.  Plan on needing to at least be able to jog, cross country, close to 5 miles with 2 bags on your back.

 

[AmericanGolfer]

Thank you for the info.  Very helpful!  So what is the best place to get started caddying for an older person like me?

[David in FL]

I'd say find a local club, with a caddie program, and go talk to them.

Warning.  Until you're very experienced, the work is hard, the pay is low, and most of your "peers" are 15 years old...

[bkuehn1952]

Call Bulle Rock's caddie master and ask him/her their advice.  Or Pinehurst's caddie master (NC).  Someone in the business and close to the ground will give you solid advice.

Some of us have been caddies (not me) but it was likely a long time ago.

 

 

[WUTiger]

St. Louis has a handful of courses that still have caddies. Bellerive CC (one of our big 4) has a caddie program, and trains them well enough to get tour gigs on occasion.

Try to find a decent club in Maryland that has caddies, and start out with them. Make sure they have a caddie training program of some sort.

[AmericanGolfer]

Thanks, Bkuehn1952, will do.  WUTiger there is only one public course that has caddies in Maryland, so that is a hassle.  More courses need to bring them back.

[DaveP043]

You might consider contacting the folks at Looper Golf : http://www.looper.golf/

As I understand it, Looper is the caddie equivalent of Uber.  If requested, the caddie shows up at the appropriate time and course to carry for a golfer.  I see at least a few courses listed in Maryland,   Apparently they provide at least some level of training.  Good luck!

[AmericanGolfer]

Thanks Dave, I never knew about Looper.  Just downloaded it to my phone.  Will have to look at which course is the closes to me when I get home from work.  Thanks again everyone for the info!

[mcanadiens]

You can come and carry my bag around. I'll give you a certificate and I won't even charge you for it. 

 

 

[AmericanGolfer]

Well thanks to Dave, I'm now on my way to caddying for Looper.  All the courses are all realitvely close to me.  My question now is, can any tell me if it allowed while caddying to use your phone as a range/yardage finder or should I just but a range/yardage finder?  Also could anyone direct me towards a good but inexpensive range finder?  I don't want to spend much money on that just starting out.  Thanks everyone.

[iacas]

Lots of topics here on rangefinders.

Caddies should know the course well. Not yardages exactly but there's a lot more to it than carrying a bag and giving yardages.

[David in FL]

  On 8/3/2017 at 10:01 AM, AmericanGolfer said:

Well thanks to Dave, I'm now on my way to caddying for Looper.  All the courses are all realitvely close to me.  My question now is, can any tell me if it allowed while caddying to use your phone as a range/yardage finder or should I just but a range/yardage finder?  Also could anyone direct me towards a good but inexpensive range finder?  I don't want to spend much money on that just starting out.  Thanks everyone.

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Please keep us informed of your progress all along the way.  Training, initial caddying experiences, Looper itself, etc...  I think we'll all find it interesting.

Good luck.