Lesson 7.4: Building Your Reputation
From First Loop to Most-Requested Caddy — How To Build a Career
In caddying, your reputation is your business. Members talk to each other constantly. “Have you tried that young caddy? They’re excellent — knows the course cold and has a great attitude” is the highest form of marketing available, and it’s entirely free. You earn it through your work.
- Learn the course. Know yardage markers, green breaks, hazard locations, prevailing wind patterns. Local knowledge is your competitive advantage.
- Learn your players. Remember how far they hit each club, whether they draw or fade, their communication style preference. A player who feels you truly understand their game will request you by name.
- Be consistent. Great service every single time builds a reputation. Inconsistency destroys one.
- Ask for feedback. “Is there anything I could do differently to make your round better?” signals humility and professionalism.
- Set a specific goal. “I want to be the caddy players ask for by name by the end of the summer.” Write it down and hold yourself to it.
First loop: assigned by caddy master. Fifth loop: a regular player requests you. Twentieth loop: caddy master introduces you to a new member as “one of our best junior caddies.” Fiftieth loop: players are calling to ask when you’re available. Every single loop is an investment in what you will earn a year from now.
When a player requests you by name for the first time, identify specifically what you did that earned it — then do it every loop.
Write a 90-day caddy reputation plan with specific, measurable goals in four categories: (1) course knowledge — what will you learn in 90 days? (2) player relationships — how many regulars do you aim to serve more than once? (3) earnings — what is your income target? (4) skill development — which skill will you most actively improve? Review at 30, 60, and 90 days.