A standard golf bag holds up to 14 clubs — the maximum allowed under the rules of golf. As a caddy, one of your most important jobs is knowing every single club in that bag and being able to find it quickly, without the player having to ask twice.

When a player says “hand me my 7-iron,” you should have it out before they finish the sentence. When they need their sand wedge, your hand should already be moving. That speed and certainty comes from knowing exactly where every club lives in the bag — and keeping them organized that way throughout the round.

Let’s walk through the five main club categories you need to master:

Woods (Driver, 3-wood, 5-wood) — The longest clubs in the bag. Used off the tee for maximum distance, or from the fairway when a player needs to cover a lot of ground. The driver is the longest and most powerful. Woods have large, rounded club heads and are usually numbered 1 (driver), 3, and 5.

Irons (2-iron through 9-iron) — Mid-range clubs used for approach shots into the green. Lower-numbered irons (2, 3, 4) hit the ball farther but lower. Higher-numbered irons (7, 8, 9) hit shorter but higher with more spin. Most players carry irons from about 4 or 5 through 9.

Hybrids — A cross between a wood and a long iron, designed to be easier to hit, especially from the rough or tight lies. Many players use a hybrid instead of a 3- or 4-iron. If a player has one, learn exactly where it sits in the bag.

Wedges (Pitching, Gap, Sand, Lob) — The short game specialists. Used for shots close to the green, out of bunkers, and for precise distance control. The sand wedge specifically is designed to glide through sand. Most players carry two to four wedges.

Putter — Used only on the green to roll the ball into the hole. Every player has one, it lives in its own slot, and you will pull it out on almost every hole. Handle it carefully — it is often the most used and most personally configured club in the bag.