Person who carries golfers' clubs and provides assistance to golfers
In golf or disc golf, a caddie (or caddy) is the person who assists a golfer on the course. Typical duties for a caddie include carrying a player's bag and clubs or discs, performing any course maintenance that is the player's responsibility (e.g. repairing divots and raking bunkers) and offering the player advice and moral support. Other nicknames for the position is a looper or jock.[1]
Etymology
The Scots word caddie or cawdy was derived in the 17th century from the French word cadet and originally meant a student military officer. It later came to refer to someone who did odd jobs.[2][3] By the 19th century, it had come to mean someone who carried clubs for a golfer, or in its shortened form, cad, a man of disreputable behaviour.[4]
History
The first recorded use of a caddie was in Edinburgh in 1681 by the future James VII of Scotland when taking part in the first international golf contest.[5][better source needed]
Earnings
Caddies pay is variable and is usually based on an allocated percentage share of prize money. At a professional level, caddies work in a high level partnership with golfers, some work as contractors to individual players in events. In 2020, caddies on the PGA European Tour became eligible to earn bonuses through sponsors' logos on their gear.[6]In 2024, Golf Digest reported that Scottie Scheffler’s caddie Ted Scott earned $2.6 million over the season with the world number 1.[7]Caddying fees range throughout courses across the world, however is a popular role for low handicap golfers which can provide opportunities to work with a variety of people.
In popular culture
Caddies have been depicted in television, films, and books, including:
^"Why a Golf Caddie Group Set Up a Sponsorship Program for Its Members". Associations Now. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
^"Scottie Scheffler's caddie made more money this season than almost every PGA Tour pro". Golf Digest Now. 2024-09-03. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
^Beall, Joel (23 January 2019). "Bill Murray narrates new film that explores the lives of caddies". Golf Digest. Condé Nast Publications. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
^Howell, Andy (15 February 2019). "Loopers: The Caddie's Long Walk". Film Threat. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to caddies.
Look up caddie or caddy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.