At dinner the other night, I told my kids about my first job… I was a caddy. The summers I was 12 and 13, my parents decided driving me to the course at 5:30am was worth a little less sleep on weekend mornings. Full transparency, I was not into golf. Maybe my subconscious golf brain was getting formed, but my conscious still focused on being the next Magic Johnson.
“They kept us in a chain link caged area on side of clubhouse. The higher your name on the list, the more likely you were to get a loop. The bag room kids controlled the caddy outcomes, so being respectful even though they were assholes, helped ensure a bag. When you were given the bag, you lifted all the heavy shit inside. Lastly, I met Mr. Sudarski, a 55 year old pharmacist down by the range tee, and walked next to him for the next 4 hours.”
Caged area is working at someone else’s place on someone else’s time. You can earn freedom, but I don’t think you should start by expecting freedom. Being early helps get the important jobs. Being respectful to the people above moves you up the ladder. Carrying the heaviest load makes you strong, and gives your leverage. But what about walking next to a complete stranger 5 times your age, for 4 hours…confidence and the ability to communicate. A lot of kids these days can’t do any of these things. They can’t even imagine having to do them. Should a 12 year old go to school for 100 days, or loop 100 times? Which kid is better prepared for life after 100 days? Every kid should be a caddy. Too bad everyone wants to ride in a cart.
Why is it that almost no place, public or private has a caddy program nowadays? If you had a caddy program today do you think you would even be able to staff it with caddies?
Oh and the kid with the 100 loops will be way better prepared for the real world, I see that on a resume and it goes to the top of the list.
If you like business…it’s supply and demand. The kids are the supply. Not too many are lining up to be seprated from their phone for 4 hours. Since I hire kids that age, I think I have evidence. Demand… I add a lot of cart fees to transactions every day. It takes a special person to walk, take along someone they do not know, and give them more money than a cart fee when its through. I love how you look for former caddies! Smart guy!