Who is a caddy? What is their role? These are the most common questions asked by juniors and novice golfers at any golf course across India. In fact many golfers in India take it for granted that caddies will be available and are surprised when this is not the case abroad; where they can be fewer and expensive to hire. It is safe to say that the Indian golfer is spoilt, but why is there is dichotomy? And how does a golf course effortlessly attract these individuals to work there? (the envy of many a golf course in the West and parts of South East Asia)
In India, caddying is viewed as a life changing opportunity for below poverty line households. This is especially true for young adults who have been forced to leave school or unable to complete their education. Caddying offers these unskilled individuals the possibility of a job and steady income. Most caddy’s who start out at junior level earn between INR200-INR300 for a 18 hole round. A senior caddy can earn as much as INR1000 for an 18 hole round at most Indian golf courses.
This translates to an income of close to INR30,000 a month, which can be transformational for people without any education or skilling. Children of caddies can access education and caddies have even built a house with their savings.
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| Caddies in Action at the Delhi Golf Club |
In the West, such unskilled casual labor would be mandated to receive the minimum wage, which is $8 an hour in America (or the equivalent in other countries) substantially higher than the minimum wage in India.
However, there is one major drawback to this casual income format, it is paid in cash. As a result it is not surprising that social habits such as gambling and drinking are prevalent amongst caddies in India.
Another difference lies in the manner in which caddies are perceived and treated in the West vs. India. Most golf courses in the west have a structured training program for caddies with clear policies in place for promotion and growth. In fact the training received at one golf course can at times result in a job at another golf course in a higher position such as a caddy master or an admin role in the tournament section. In India, on the other hand, caddying is viewed as only slightly better than casual labor on the golf course.
The lack of caddy training curriculum or institutes presents another challenge. Training of caddies now becomes the mandate of the golf course where they work. This task largely falls to enthusiastic members who conduct workshops to help caddies improve their knowledge of the game and rules of golf. For the most part, training is still ‘on the job’ for many caddies in this country. This leads to another problem; the issue of advancement and promotions.
Caddies are highly protective of the skills and knowledge they acquire and dissemination of this knowledge is rare. In the absence of certification, skill and knowledge levels of the caddy’s is not easy to asses, making it extremely difficult for caddies to transfer between golf courses.
The net result is that caddies employed at one golf course remain bound to that golf course practically for life.
I would like to conclude with a thought. As a Referee of golf in India, part of our responsibility as is to ensure that knowledge of the rules reaches as many golfers or people employed at a golf course, as possible. Golf Courses in India need to take a proactive step to formalize the training of caddies working at the golf course. It is in the interest of every golfer to improve and hone the skills of the caddies they interact with at golf clubs.
The recent movement by the WGAI (Women’s Golf Association of India) and the Chandigarh Golf Club to create a replicable model for caddy training, is a game changer
When I was in college, my late professor Ed Kelbel Jr. a PGA professional, instilled in us that golf is also a game of service; as professionals and players we are servants of the game and caddies are equally important as the players. If as players we imbibe these values it can lead to a transformation not just of the game but in the lives of many who work to make it possible to play the sport that we love.
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