[Caddie Fee 150,000 Won Era] Decreasing Caddie Applicants Due to Poor Educational Environment

Difficult Domestic Training Environment for Professional Caddies
13 Hours of Training a Day, Zero Income Leads to Dropouts
"Need for Systematic Training System and Caddie Grading Introduction"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seohee] A caddie is responsible not only for carrying golf equipment but also for providing advice to ensure smooth gameplay for players. This means it is a profession that requires considerable expertise, not just simple service. However, the domestic caddie training environment remains poor. To resolve the imbalance between supply and demand, there are calls for a more professional caddie training system.

We examine the current status and issues of the domestic caddie training system.

80% Dropout Rate... Caddie Trainees Leaving Golf Courses

Most caddie training in Korea takes place at golf courses. Once selected as a caddie, one is first deployed on-site as a ‘trainee.’ During this period, trainees follow senior caddies to learn the terrain and course of the golf course through practical training. The training schedule varies, but usually starts at 5:30 a.m. when the first tee time begins and ends around 6 p.m. Considering that most domestic golf courses are mountainous, this schedule is by no means easy. Training is conducted six days a week.

Mr. Lim (43), who has worked as a caddie for 15 years, cited the poor training environment as the reason why caddies are not being trained smoothly. As a trainee, income is practically ‘zero,’ and the length of the training period is uncertain. According to interviews with five current and former caddies by Asia Economy, except for some golf courses owned by large corporations, most golf courses do not pay training fees to trainees. The training period also varies greatly depending on the trainee’s proficiency, ranging from a minimum of one month to a maximum of six months.

Because of this, many trainees drop out during the training process. Mr. Lim said, “Even large golf courses only pay about 30,000 to 50,000 KRW per day during the training period,” adding, “About half of those who quit midway cite financial reasons.” Kim Daejung, CEO of Golf & Partner, said, “The apprenticeship-style training at golf courses has a dropout rate of 80%,” and “This is why stable caddie supply is not achieved.”

There are also criticisms regarding the quality of the training itself. Most trainees learn service methods and course guidance by accompanying senior caddies on the job. The entire training consists of observing and listening over the shoulder of seniors who are not professional trainers. Moreover, senior caddies must perform their own duties, so they cannot devote much attention to trainees on-site. The quality of training each trainee receives varies greatly depending on the senior’s level and interest. Mr. Choi (29), who worked as a caddie two years ago and is now running his own business, said about new trainee education, “The training is poor. Seniors start work at 5:30 a.m. and perform intense duties, so they cannot pay much attention to beginners.”

Recently, private companies such as caddie training centers have emerged to supplement this training system, but many believe there are still limitations to establishing them as systematic educational institutions. Caddie training centers offer short-term courses lasting two weeks, but the admission costs are quite high, and even after completing the training, trainees have the hassle of learning anew according to the characteristics of the golf course where they are employed. Both the apprenticeship-style training at golf courses and the curricula of private companies are insufficient alternatives for producing professional caddies.

The United States’ Caddie Training System Boasting a 100-Year History

Thomas (right) and McKay at the 2020 PGA Championship
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In contrast, the U.S. caddie training system dates back 100 years. From the early days of golf introduction, caddies were classified as specialized personnel necessary for golf, and various scholarships and sponsorship systems were devised to train caddies.

A representative example is the ‘Evans Caddie Scholarship’ established in 1930 by Charles Evans Jr., a ‘caddie-turned-golf prodigy.’ Through this scholarship, about 450 caddies nationwide who wished to attend college received specialized education at 26 universities. Afterwards, they were deployed across golf courses and made significant contributions. The Evans Scholarship is the largest sports-related fund in the world, benefiting over 13,000 people to date.

Thanks to this systematic caddie training system, American players enjoy a wide selection of caddies and high-quality services. The steady supply of caddies prevents labor shortages. From this background emerged the U.S. ‘caddie grading system.’ In the U.S., caddies are classified into three to four grades based on work experience and evaluation results. Players can choose their preferred caddie from these grades and enjoy quality service.

CEO Kim Daejung said, “The domestic caddie training environment is really poor,” adding, “We need to improve the caddie training system by preparing training materials and expanding educational institutions, and in the long term, Korea should also introduce a grading system like the U.S.”