Caddies for top Tour pros play valuable roles and are paid accordingly. Some 50 years ago, long before he worked for the likes of Curtis Strange, Greg Norman, and Payne Stewart, Mike Hicks landed his first job as a caddie, carrying for a local pastor at his hometown club in North Carolina. Hicks was 12, and his pay was $5 per loop. In those days, caddying barely counted as a viable career and was mainly looked at as a temporary job. However, Hicks’ perspective changed in 1980 when he joined the Tour as a caddie, and there was no looking back for him.
Caddying these days does more than pay the bills, as loopers at high-end clubs and resorts can earn six-figure incomes, and caddies for top Tour pros can be multimillionaires. The job has been professionalized, but formalized professional training is often missing. To address this gap, Hicks, along with his fellow Tour loopers Grant Berry and Heath Holt, has launched the Professional Caddie Certification Program in partnership with North Carolina State University. This program aims to offer intensive instruction covering every aspect of the job in seven days and one night, starting on December 1st.
The traditional caddie requirements of showing up, keeping up, and shutting up no longer apply, as communication and quantitative skills have become essential. A player-caddie relationship is like a marriage, often requiring the caddie to take on roles like psychologist, bodyguard, and mathematician. To prepare participants for these wide-ranging demands, the program will be taught by various instructors, including experts in sports psychology, physiotherapy, and golf technology. Even skills like CPR will be covered to ensure caddies can take care of themselves on the job.
Caddies need to learn to care for themselves by stretching, eating well, and getting proper rest, as Hicks admits he fell short in these areas during his career. Despite his own shortcomings, Hicks now has the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with others through the Professional Caddie Certification Program. While the program is set to launch its inaugural session in December, plans for future sessions are still being finalized, with a tentatively scheduled second session planned for February. The cost of the program is $4,000 per participant, and interested individuals can find more information on the program’s website or by contacting the Tour Caddie Collective.
Through the Professional Caddie Certification Program, Hicks and his team aim to develop the next generation of caddies and provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the role. By offering comprehensive training in all aspects of caddying, from communication to golf technology, the program seeks to elevate the profession and ensure that caddies are well-prepared for the demands of the job. With a focus on professional development and self-care, this program aims to set a new standard for caddie training and support in the golf industry.
In conclusion, caddies play a crucial role in the success of top Tour professionals, and the job has evolved significantly over the years to become a lucrative and respected profession. The Professional Caddie Certification Program led by Mike Hicks and his team aims to provide aspiring caddies with the training and skills needed to excel in the role, setting a new standard for caddie education and support. With a focus on professional development, communication, and self-care, this program promises to shape the future of caddying and ensure that caddies are well-equipped to meet the demands of the job.
