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]
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]
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 ]
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.
Caddies have been depicted in television, films, and books, including:
The Legend of Bagger Vance is a 2000 American sports fantasy drama film directed by Robert Redford, and starring Will Smith, Matt Damon, and Charlize Theron. The screenplay by Jeremy Leven is based on Steven Pressfield's 1995 book The Legend of Bagger Vance: A Novel of Golf and the Game of Life. The film is set in 1931 Georgia. It was the final film starring Jack Lemmon and Lane Smith.
The Players Championship is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour. Originally known as the Tournament Players Championship, it began in 1974. The Players Championship at one point offered the highest purse of any tournament in golf. The field usually includes the top 50 players in the world rankings, but, unlike the major championships, it is owned by the PGA Tour and not an official event on other tours.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship, founded as the Westchester Classic in 1967, is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour. Since 2007, it has been played as the first tournament of the playoff system for the FedEx Cup, with the field limited to the top 70 players on the FedEx Cup points list at the end of the regular season; prior to 2023, the top 125 players were included. For sponsorship reasons, the tournament has previously been titled as The Northern Trust, The Barclays, and the Buick Classic.
Steve Williams is a New Zealander who has served as a caddie for several top professional golfers, most recently with Jason Day. Williams is best known for having served as Tiger Woods' caddie from 1999 to 2011. Woods was the top-ranked golfer in the world for much of Williams' tenure as his caddie.
Michael Thomas "Fluff" Cowan is a professional golf caddie on the PGA Tour. He is a 40-year tour veteran and one of its best-known caddies. Cowan has caddied for Ed Sabo (1976–1978), Peter Jacobsen (1978–1996), Tiger Woods (1996–1999), Jim Furyk (1999–2024) and Pan Cheng-tsung (2024–present). In 2003, he caddied for then-13-year-old amateur ladies' golfing sensation Michelle Wie for one tournament while Furyk was off due to injury. The Ryder Cup in 2012 was Cowan's 11th, carrying for four different players: Jacobsen, Fred Couples, Woods, and Furyk. Cowan earned his nickname "Fluff" from his resemblance to professional golfer and broadcaster Steve Melnyk, also nicknamed "Fluff."
Fanny Sunesson is a professional golf caddie, made notable for being the caddy of Nick Faldo from 1990 to 1999. She is the first female caddie to win a men's major golf championship.
Steve Duplantis was a pro golf caddie. He worked with several golfers until his death.
Jim "Bones" Mackay is an American golf caddie and golf commentator. For 25 years, he was the caddie for Phil Mickelson. His nickname, "Bones", was created in 1990 when PGA Tour player Fred Couples couldn't remember the name of the lanky, 6-foot 4-inch Mackay.
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Brooks Koepka is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the LIV Golf league, where he leads with the most wins (5). Prior to joining LIV, Koepka won several times on the PGA Tour. He has won 5 major championships; the 2017 and 2018 US Open, and the 2018, 2019 and 2023 PGA Championship.
The Caddie Hall of Fame recognizes professional golf caddies, others who caddied in their youth and those who support the profession. It was originally created by the Professional Caddies Association in 1999 but has been administered by the Western Golf Association since 2011.
Scott Alexander Scheffler is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He is currently ranked world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking, and has held that position for over 100 weeks. He has won two major championships, both the 2022 and 2024 Masters Tournament.
Kramer Austin Hickok is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. He previously played on the Web.com Tour and PGA Tour Canada. He was PGA Tour Canada's player of the year in 2017.
Harry Higgs is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.
A caddie is a person who carries a golfer's equipment and provides them with other assistance.
The 2022 Masters Tournament was the 86th edition of the Masters Tournament, the first of the four major golf championships of 2022, held April 7–10 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
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The 2022 United States Open Championship was the 122nd U.S. Open, the national open golf championship of the United States. It was a 72-hole stroke play tournament that was played between June 16–19 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, a suburb west of Boston. It was the club's fourth U.S. Open, having been held there in 1913, 1963, and 1988.
The 2023 Players Championship was the 49th playing of the Players Championship, having been played at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida from March 9–12.
Charlie Axel Woods is an American amateur golfer. He is the son of Tiger Woods.
