Caddie Tips

Caddies: 

U.S. Kids Golf encourages all players to have a parent, guardian, or family member caddie for them to enhance the experience of playing in our events. All players 8 years old and younger must be accompanied by someone 15 years old or older to serve as their caddie. Caddying provides players and caddies the opportunity to spend hours of uninterrupted time together, creating priceless memories.  

Before the Round: 

• Arrive at the golf course about an hour before your player's tee time, depending on how long he or she needs to warm up. 
• Find the Player Registration table and check-in with the U.S. Kids Golf staff. 
• Visit the Pro Shop and purchase driving range balls. Spectators may also rent carts from the Pro Shop (if available). 
• Make sure you have snacks, drinks, and sunscreen for you and your player during the round. 
• Put some tees, a golf ball, a divot repair tool, a pencil, and a coin or ballmarker in your pocket.
• After the player warms up on the driving range and practice putting green, arrive at the No. 1 or No. 10 at least 10 minutes before the player's tee time. The player's starting hole will be indicated on the list of tee times. 

During the Round: 

• Carry your player's bag and enjoy your time walking with them. 
• Get to know all of the players and caddies in your group. 
• You may help players look for their golf ball, determine distance to the hole, rake bunkers, fix divots in fairways, repair ballmarks on greens, and remove/replace the flagstick on the green. 
• After every hole, write down the scores of your player and the player he/she is keeping score for. 
• Help your player with making strategies and decisions in a timely manner. 
• Encourage your player after both good and bad shots, and make sure he/she is having fun. 

After the Round: 

• Immediately go to the scoring area with the other player(s) in your group. 
• Check your scorecard and verify that the scores are correct.
• Each player must sign two scorecards: his/her official scorecard, and the scorecard he/she kept for another player in the group. 
• Go to the scoreboard and see how the other players played. 
• Talk with other players and parents while you wait for the Awards Ceremony to begin.