Booking

How to hire a golf caddie without making it weird

By Davie · For first-timers and people who have only used a club caddie pool

Caddie waiting down the fairway — The best hires start with a clear message, not a mystery tee time.

Golfers overthink this. You are not interviewing a CEO. You are asking another human to walk four hours with your mistakes. Here is how I like to be hired, and how most independent caddies I know like it too.

Send the boring details first

Date, course, tee time (or window), number of players, walking or riding. If it is a medal, say so. If Uncle Joe slices every drive, say that too — I will stand on the right side of the fairway instead of posing in the middle like a statue.

Handicap is useful, not for snobbery, for club choice. A 22-handicap does not need the same speech as a plus-two. I also want to know if you have a rangefinder already. Two lasers arguing is comedy nobody needs.

When to book

Weekday nine-hole? A couple of days is often enough. Saturday morning at a busy Nairobi club, or a visitor tee on a holiday weekend — give me a week if you can. Tournament weeks go earlier. If you are flying in, copy me on the itinerary so I am not guessing which terminal you meant.

What “full caddie” vs “forecaddie” means in practice

Full bag: I carry, clean, rake, talk clubs, keep you on the right tee. Forecaddie: I live in the landing zone, find balls, wave you up. Carts plus a forecaddie is a common visitor setup. Walking 18 with a bag on my shoulder is the classic. Tell me which you want so I bring the right shoes, not my pride.

Money, without the flinch

Ask what is included before the round, not on the 18th green while everyone is hungry. Club caddie pools have posted rates; independents vary by event, travel, and whether I am also coaching. If I am travelling with you, travel days are work days. Be direct. I will be direct back. That is respect, not rudeness.

Clear terms before the first tee beat a messy handshake after the last.

How to treat the person on your bag

Introduce me to the group. Tell me if you hate chatter. Do not throw clubs near anyone. If you disagree with a club, take the one you want — it is your score. After the round, a thank-you that is specific (“the 6-iron on 14”) lands better than a generic “good job.”

I am based in Nairobi, Kenya and I take work on other courses when the dates work. WhatsApp +254 794 540976 or the booking form. Write like a person. I write back like one.