If you were to poll the members of our Planning and Concierge team as to the most frequently asked questions they receive from our travelers, caddies would be near the top of the list.
The uncertainty around caddies is understandable given that, on this side of the Atlantic, most of us traverse the course behind the wheel of a golf cart (known as a “buggy” across the pond).
And yet, this is not a topic that we’d suggest figuring out on the fly once you’re overseas. The overall enjoyment of your trip may very well depend on it.
There is not an ounce of hyperbole in that last statement.
The fact is, few things will have a more lasting and memorable impact on your golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, or England than your experience with the caddies.
What follows is a little valuable insight for some of the common questions we receive related to caddies.
Should I take a caddie during my trip?
If this is your first overseas golf trip, or your first round at a place on your bucket list, we’d absolutely suggest taking a caddie.
After anxiously awaiting a tee time at The Old Course, Royal County Down, or any of the other marquee courses across the pond, you don’t want to tee it up armed with just the course guide from the pro shop.
The links courses overseas are littered with plenty of surprises, from blind tee shots to hidden pot bunkers. Not only will your caddie help you navigate these situations, but their uncanny ability to locate errant shots in the heavy rough may save you both a few ProVs and strokes along the way.
Besides the likely positive impact on your score, a caddie just makes the entire experience more enjoyable. With a caddie at your side, you can relax and enjoy the stroll with your travel companions. A stroll that, more often than not, is accompanied by well-timed quips and pearls of wisdom from the person on your bag. It’s not uncommon for caddies to quickly become new friends and a much anticipated part of subsequent trips.
With all of that said, however, if you’ve played a course many times before, or if you’re merely taking advantage of an Emergency 18, a caddie may not be entirely necessary. This is especially true if you’re accustomed to walking your course back home.
But if there’s any chance this will be your one and only loop around a notable links, the ROI on your investment in a caddie simply can’t be overstated.
How much should I tip a caddie?
The suggested gratuity for a caddie in Scotland, Ireland, or England may vary slightly depending on location. Generally speaking, however, the caddie fee plus an additional £/€20 or £/€30 is the guideline.
While we’re on the topic of currency, the following should not be ignored…
The caddies must be paid in local currency.
Caddies are essentially independent contractors and are paid directly by you upon completion of the round. To put it bluntly…
Your U.S. dollars are absolutely worthless to them.
Arrive to the course with the proper amount of local currency* or be prepared to push or carry your own bag.
*Pounds in England/Scotland/Northern Ireland. Euros in the Republic of Ireland.
Are caddies guaranteed?
As noted above, caddies are typically independent contractors or even members of the club itself.
The overwhelming majority of the time, your assigned caddie will be waiting on the first tee as scheduled. Despite the best of planning, however, clubs may unexpectedly find themselves short-handed on caddies.
As a result, clubs generally are unable to guarantee the availability of caddies, but rest assured they will make every effort to fill these requests.
When demand for caddies outstrips their supply, some clubs will require that the loopers carry double. This is especially true in Ireland, where the practice is common year-round, as well as later in the season across Great Britain and Ireland when the student population has returned to University.
In cases of an extreme shortage, a single forecaddie may be assigned to the group to help guide the way.
Can we save money by requesting a caddie double-bag?
Although the option of a single or double bag caddie is common stateside, across the Atlantic that choice is determined by the club.
Although you’re likely to have double bag caddies in Ireland, the option is not one that can be requested by the player.
If ample caddies are available, those requesting one will usually be required to take a single.
Do I need to take a caddie during every round?
Like all aspects of your H&B Expedition, the decision on whether to take a caddie or not is entirely up to you.
You can request a caddie for every round, or none at all. If you’d like the service of a caddie for just a few rounds, while handling the job for the others by yourself, you can do that as well. In this case, your Expedition Planning Manager can share what courses on your itinerary may be the best fit to enjoy the walk on your own.
But whatever the combination, the choice is yours.
What if we’d rather have a buggy?
The sight of a golf cart on a links across the pond is as rare as a birdie on the Road Hole. The overwhelming majority of golfers are expected to walk, either with a caddie, trolly, or carrying their own bag.
There are few exceptions to this rule and the ones that do exist typically require documentation of a condition from your doctor. In addition, given the sensitive nature of the environment around these courses, many clubs will require those with buggies to hire a caddie to handle the driving.
What about Spain?
You may have noticed that the insight here does not mention Spain and instead focuses on Scotland, Ireland, and England. There’s a good reason for that. The golf in Spain resembles what you’d find on our side of the Atlantic in terms of how you get around. Caddies are generally unavailable and buggies are the norm.
Additional Tips
Leave the staff bag at home.
There’s an old saying that “the player with the lightest bag gets the best caddie.” The most senior caddie of the group often gets to choose their bag for the day. So leave the heavy staff bag on this side of the pond. Your scorecard will likely thank you.
Prepare your body.
Just as you might work on your game on the range, give the legs a preview of what’s coming by taking some lengthy walks before the trip. Caddie or no caddie, you can easily rack up 50+ miles of walking by the end of the trip.
Don’t be afraid to ask for photos.
If you’re like most 20th century golfers, there’s a good chance you’ll snap a few photos along the way. While pictures of the course are great, pictures of you at the course are even better. So don’t be afraid to ask your caddie to serve as photographer a couple times. Trust us, they’re used to it.
Our free guide includes over 40 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in Scotland.
For additional advice on planning your golf trip across the pond, visit the pages below, read our reviews, or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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