The caddie profession and its little-known secrets.
People often talk a lot about the skillful swings, the spectacular putts, or the breathtaking pressure of professional golf tournaments. But few notice the silent, diligent figures who follow the golfers' every step, carrying heavy golf bags on their shoulders and their eyes constantly following the white ball. They are caddies – the companions of the golfers.
Silent companions
In the worldgolfCaddies are not simply people who carry clubs. They are invaluable "assistants," playing a crucial role in every shot. Historically, caddies were initially just local boys helping carry clubs, but over time, they have become true experts, possessing a deep understanding of the rules of the game, the course terrain, and the psychology of golfers.
“To work as a caddie, we have to go through a 2-3 month training course. Although we don't play golf directly, the knowledge caddies acquire during the course is equivalent to 60-70% of what a coach knows. Therefore, we can provide support and advice to new players,” shared Le Van The (name changed, Vinh Phu ward), a caddie with over two years of experience.
According to Mr. The, the importance of a caddie goes beyond simply managing equipment. They are the golfer's second pair of eyes, the brain that calculates distance, wind direction, green slope, etc., and offers valuable strategic advice. A good caddie can help golfers save shots, avoid tricky traps, and, more importantly, create a comfortable and confident atmosphere so that golfers can focus and maximize their abilities. It can be affirmed that caddies contribute to shaping the experience and outcome of each match. "Sometimes, just a slight change in wind direction is enough to alter the ball's trajectory. We have to sense that and then advise the client on which club to choose and which direction to hit," Mr. The said.
At golf courses in Nghe An, caddies usually work in shifts, with the first shift starting at 5 a.m. and the last shift sometimes ending at 10-11 p.m. Ms. Nguyen Thi Tram (name changed, residing in Cua Lo ward) said: “The caddie’s working time depends on the number of holes the customer plays. Besides the one hour of preparation, playing 9 holes takes about 2-2.5 hours. If playing all 18 holes, it takes about 4-5 hours. On average, we only serve one customer per day, so the rest of the time is quite free, allowing some people to work other jobs simultaneously.”
In the summer, under the harsh, hot weather conditions of Central Vietnam, the work of caddies is extremely arduous. Following the golfers, they not only carry heavy golf bags weighing 10-20 kg but also wear a sandbag to fill in the holes left by golfers after their shots. For hours on end, they move continuously for kilometers under the scorching sun, while simultaneously performing a series of other complex tasks such as ensuring the clubs are always clean and ready for the next shot; reading the line (the ball's roll path) on the green; encouraging and reassuring golfers; and moving quickly between holes…
“We must strictly adhere to the rules of golf, maintain absolute silence when the golfer makes a shot, and always maintain a professional and respectful attitude in any situation. After the match, we check all the equipment, clean the clubs thoroughly, and assist the golfer in completing the necessary procedures,” Mr. The shared.
Pressure and gossip
Although the working hours are not long, a caddie needs to combine many skills to become professional. Specifically, they need good health, extensive professional knowledge of golf, communication skills and psychological understanding, keen observation and analytical abilities, physical strength and endurance, patience, meticulousness, and dedication.
Furthermore, honesty and confidentiality are among the top requirements that golf course managers place on caddies. Because the clientele mainly consists of people of high social standing and successful businesspeople, information related to them must be kept strictly confidential. In some cases, caddies are even not allowed to know the identities of these clients.
With a basic salary of around 3-4 million VND/month, caddies' income usually comes from tips from golfers after each round. On days when customers are generous and tips are good, their income is unstable, but on slow days, or when customers don't tip much. Despite having a close relationship with golfers, caddies don't always receive the respect they deserve.
"With thoseclient"It's fine with cheerful, easy-going customers. But dealing with difficult, unprofessional clients makes you want to quit. I've encountered clients who unjustly blamed their caddies for bad shots, even swearing and insulting them… Male caddies might be able to handle this pressure, but it's harder for female caddies. Many women have cried out of frustration. In reality, even in major tournaments, many golfers have attacked their caddies because the caddie gave them the wrong club or misread the distance. In those situations, you should remain calm and patient, explain the situation, or simply stay silent and continue with your work," said Le Van The.
For women, the difficulties don't just come from psychological pressure. “We have to work outdoors, regardless of sun, rain, heat, or cold wind. Heavy golf bags and walking dozens of kilometers every day cause many people back pain and joint pain. Afraid of getting sunburned or tanned, we always have to wear masks and gloves. Not to mention, the golf course grass is frequently sprayed with pesticides and growth stimulants to maintain the landscape, so the working environment isn't truly clean. Furthermore, for women, this is also a profession with a lot of gossip. There are many unpleasant stories in the profession that affect honest caddies,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Tram confided.
No matter how tired they are, the most important thing is for caddies to always stay alert while working. Only when they are alert can they swing the club, read the line, and make accurate judgments. Only when they are alert can they see where the ball will land and dodge balls from other players heading towards them.
Mr. The shared his experience: "Looking at it this way, caddies also face occupational risks. The first risk is getting hit by a golf ball while working. In my two years of working, I've been hit by a ball three times, each time leaving me bruised because golf balls are quite heavy and fly with great force. Besides that, the biggest fear for caddies is breaking a client's club. During the process of transporting the club in the cart, if the bags aren't securely fastened, they can easily fall out, potentially breaking a club. According to regulations, the caddie will have to compensate the client, and if it's a club worth tens of millions of dong, then they'll have to work for free for many months."