"If You Start for Money, You Can't Endure It"...An Ordinary Caddie's Experience

Caddie Shortage Imports 'Determination'
A Physically and Mentally Demanding Job Requires Thorough Preparation
"Don't Just Chase Money, Find Joy in the Work"

Domestic golf courses are experiencing difficulties in securing caddies. As the number of golf courses has increased, the balance between supply and demand has been disrupted. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2021, the influx of customers to golf courses has highlighted the shortage of caddies. Additionally, the atmosphere of avoiding hard labor has also played a role. Ultimately, this has led to a period of change, including the emergence of no-caddie play golf courses.

Jo Yoon-joo, who works as a caddie at Seowon Hills, advised, "The job of a caddie is attractive. If you work as a caddie with the mindset of enjoying it for about a year, you can have a long career."
[Photo by Seowon Hills]

We learned about the role of a general caddy through Jo Yoon-joo, who works as a caddy at Seowon Hills in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. She started her caddy career in 2014 at Vision Hills in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. She has worked at Yangju CC and Anseong Winchester GC, and has been working at Seowon Hills for four years since 2021. Jo recalled, “I was running an online shopping mall, but things didn’t go well. I have always been interested in golf, and since there was a golf course near my home, I started working as a caddy.”

There are no qualification restrictions for general caddies. They drive carts, carry clubs, and advise players on game management. General caddies also require considerable expertise. They undergo 2 to 3 months of training. Most golf courses offer free training. Although no salary is paid during training, free room and board are provided.

Income depends on the caddy’s dedication. Caddies who handle two rounds a day earn a decent income. They can make 4 to 6 million KRW per month. Tips from customers are also not negligible. Jo slightly revealed her income. It varies by month. “The course is closed from January 1 to 15. From December to March, I earn 1 to 2 million KRW per month. During the peak season from April to November, 5 million KRW goes into my bank account monthly,” she disclosed. Jo’s annual income is roughly 50 million KRW. The monthly income of a “famous caddy YouTuber,” Caddy Wani (Yang Seung-wan), is 6 million KRW, which amounts to 72 million KRW annually.

Jo did not hesitate to give advice to juniors preparing to become caddies. She warned that a strong mindset is necessary because it is not an easy job. “I recommend caddying as a profession, but it is very tough. The beginning is hard. Many caddies lose weight, get stressed, and quit early. Money isn’t everything. If you start caddying just for the money, you won’t last long.”

Seowon Hills, which gained attention last year by hosting the LPGA Tour BMW Championship, is famous as a golf course that actively reflects the opinions of caddies.
[Photo by Seowon Hills]

Caddying is a physically demanding job. If assigned the first tee time, you wake up at 2 a.m. to prepare. If you also have a third tee time, you arrive back at the lodging at 10 p.m. You get very little sleep before heading back to the golf course. Jo also offered advice for long-term caddying. “For one year, you have to adopt the mindset that you are going on the overseas trip you want or buying what you want. If you try to save money unconditionally while caddying, your energy will be completely drained within 1 to 2 years,” she pointed out. She added, “After about a year of caddying, you can manage games comfortably. If you caddy with a relaxed mind, you can have a long career.”

Jo emphasized choosing a golf course that treats caddies like family. Seowon Hills has 150 caddies. They provide free room and board and actively reflect caddies’ opinions. “Our golf course considers us family. They listen to caddies’ voices about uniforms, cart replacements, and more. Many senior caddies have worked here for over 20 years. At this golf course, being a caddy seems to be quite a good job.”