How to Become a PGA Caddy – PGA Caddy Requirements
Being a professional golfer seems like a lot of stress and working out, right? Having to take care of your shoulders, hips and even the legsm is daunting and stressful, right? If it is too much for you, but you still love golf above all other sports, then what can you do? Well, a career in being a caddy might seem more appropriate. How does one become a caddy? If you want to become a PGA caddy, specifically, you need to meet some requirements. Here is everything you need to know about becoming a PDA caddy.
Starting Early – Courses
If you want to be good at something, you need to start learning that something on time. The earlier you start, the better. That does not mean you can’t catch up to the rest, but it does mean that you will have to work harder and settle for jobs that pay less along the way.
Professional courses are recommended, like the ones that the Professional Caddy Association offers.
Start Working – Volunteer Work
If you cannot find work as a caddy, you should find local golf clubs and offer your services to them. Often, volunteering is the way to go, because you will likely be hired. Once you get the job position, if it’s on the golf course, start networking and make sure to let people know that you want to be a caddy. The job doesn’t have specific requirements, but it does require you to have experience. Getting experience by working in local golf clubs is one of the best ways to move up in the world of caddying.
Work as a Caddy for Amateur Players
Amateur golfers are still golfers. They need a caddy and working with them enables you to learn more and to actually say that you had experience working as a caddy. Six months, a year, two years, even, as an amateur caddy, and you might even start landing professional deals. Two years is a long time and a lot can be learned in that time.
Start Working with Professionals – Play Nice
When you land your job with your first professional who frequents the PGA Tour tournaments, for example, you will get a nice bump in salary. Some caddies get fixed salaries, but all caddies get 10% of their golfer’s wins. This isn’t a lot of money if your golfer tends to lose more often than win.
Remember to be nice while working with amateur and professionals. You want to build a reputation, and you can do that by maintaining your composure, keeping your emotions in check and being civil.
Look for Work at Major Tournaments – Major Opportunities
If you are in the United States or England, chances are that you can work in some of the major tournaments, whether as a caddy or helping hand. Being at a major tournament in whatever fashion is already an achievement, because you get to network and meet more professionals, including the top-ranked players. It is enough if you get noticed, let alone if you manage to catch a player’s eye. Major tournaments are definitely the goal when it comes to meeting your best business opportunities.
Be Persistent – Golf is a Long Game
Golf, like life, is a marathon. You don’t get to burn out in the first few months and quit. A caddy needs to ooze patience and persistence. That energy will rub off on your golfer. And to get a good golfer, you need to be persistent and endure hardships, while at the same time learning everything you can about the game, as well as practicing your social skills.
These are the tips you can use to become a PGA caddy. Be patient, be persistent, be nice.