Golf Caddies: More than just carrying a bag |
Posted: September 17, 2018 |
Millions of men and women dream of playing golf professionally. Unfortunately, many of those dreamers will fail in their attempts to make a living as a golfer. Despite being unable to earn a wage as a professional on the PGA Tour or LPGA Tour, there are other ways to make a living in the world of golf. In fact, a career in golf is possible for many people, they just need to know how to go about achieving their goal of working in the industry. One career that is overlooked by many golf fanatics is that of a caddy. To be a caddy, an individual has to have an extensive knowledge of golf. That isn’t the only pre-requisite. It can be a grueling position at the professional level, but it can also be a rewarding one. What does a caddy do?Caddies may not be professional golfers, but they need to know the game well. It goes without saying that caddies should know the basic scoring of golf and about the different types of clubs they will be carrying. Often caddies give the golfers they work for advice on shots, clubs, and other vital information. These items can give the player an edge over the competition. Caddies are like a confidant that helps a golfer through the rough patches on the course. In addition to knowing the rules and what is in the bag, a caddy should study the course that is being played well beforehand. Caddies have other jobs besides helping select clubs. Caddies are responsible for fixing divots, cleaning clubs and balls, and raking sand traps for players. How much does a caddy earn? The answer to this question can surprise many, but really, a caddy’s salary depends on several factors. Professional caddies can earn thousands of dollars a week. According to Forbes, there are caddies who make over a million dollars a year. This is due to the golfer they caddy for having a good season. In 2015, Michael Greller, a former sixth grade math teacher turned caddy, earned $375,000 for four months of work. Greller luckily caddied for Jordan Spieth, who won that year’s Masters. The average professional caddy earns a base salary which is somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 a week. They also receive bonuses which are a percentage of their golfer’s winnings. If a caddy’s golfer wins a tournament, they can expect to take home 10 percent of the player’s winnings. Of course, a caddy at a local golf course won’t earn the same amount of money. According to Salary Expert, the average golf caddy in the United States earns just over $25,000 a year. Depending on experience the low end could see less than $20,000 earned while the high end makes just shy of $30,000. Benefits of being a golf caddyAccording to golf insiders, most top-level caddies are golfers who were just shy of making it on to the tour. Meanwhile caddies at a local golf club may vary as to why they decided to take up the career in golf. Overall, the vast majority of caddies chose the career because they love the sport. It allows them to work in golf rather than spend their days behind a desk or doing something they don’t love. Professional caddies get to live the Tour lifestyle without the pressures of being a professional golfer. They get many of the same benefits, but enjoy a very different experience that leaves them fulfilled. What could be better than spending each day on a golf course experiencing the beauty on an 18-hole course? Being a golf caddy can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It gives individuals the chance to be around the sport they love and to make a great living from it.
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