As a 15-year-old high school student, there aren’t many options for jobs. The local grocery store won’t hire me until I turn 16 and they pay most of my friend’s minimum wage. Even though I am on the high school golf team, and take lessons from the PGA Professional there, he said he cannot hire me until I turn 18, because the local laws prohibit it. Mowing lawns for the neighbors isn’t any fun and most neighbors ask me to extra tasks without paying me more. If you are a high school student looking for a great job that pays well, does not require 40 hours a week, and provides life lessons, caddying might be the best job for a high school student.
Caddying is a great job for high school students because:
1) Caddying is a part time job on weekends and fits within a busy high school student schedule
2) Caddies often earn free golf at the course they caddy
3) As a caddie you build relationships with your teammates, course staff, and business leaders
4) There are not many barriers to starting a job as a caddy. Starting a job as a caddy is as easy at downloading an app, completing orientation training, and scheduling loops though the CaddieNow app.
5) Caddies can earn scholarships locally at the club and through organizations like the Ouimet Fund and Evans Scholarship
So what is a like to be a caddy? Hear from a high school student named Ben:
On my first Loop (this is what caddies call a job) I was pretty nervous. But I summoned up my courage, smiled, made eye contact with Mr. Jones, and shook his hand. “My name is Ben. I am so pleased to meet you. This is my first time Looping and I want you to tell me whenever I am doing something you don’t like, and tell me what you need me to do. I am here to take care of you.” Mr. Jones smiled and said, “No problem. I requested a junior looper because I like to help new caddies learn their trade.” Phew! He seemed like a really nice guy.
Mr. Jones WAS really nice, and corrected me a couple of times when I was in the wrong place, and I thanked him each time. Overall, I took care of the basics and kept his clubs clean, raked the bunker and gave him yardages. I really hustled and it was fun to take care of the golfers.
At the end of the round, Mr. Jones gave me a nice tip and then told me that he’d like me to caddie for him again next Saturday morning. He booked a loop on his app, and my phone buzzed just a moment later. I accepted the LOOP and realized that I now have a steady customer and a great job.
If you are thinking about getting a great part time job as a high school student, starting a position as a caddy might be the best decision you have ever made! You can certainly reach out to local golf courses about caddying opportunities, but the easiest way to become a caddy is to check out the CaddieNow app, take the training, and schedule loops in your local area.