Staying Safe & Confident on the Course

Caddying means spending four to five hours with a person you may have never met before, on a course that is relatively isolated, away from the clubhouse. For most bookings, this is completely fine. Golfers are generally respectful, and the vast majority of loops are enjoyable. But it's worth going into every booking with your eyes open, knowing how to protect yourself and how to handle situations that don't feel right.

This article is written with female caddies in mind, but the guidance applies to any caddy navigating a booking with an unfamiliar golfer.

Vetting a Booking Before You Accept

The work you do before arriving at the course matters. Review these things before accepting any new booking:

• Check the golfer's profile: Does the golfer have reviews from other caddies? What do those reviews say? A profile with multiple positive reviews from caddies is a good signal. A brand-new account with no reviews deserves extra attention before committing.
• Read the booking details carefully: Does anything seem unusual? Vague location requests, pressure to meet somewhere other than the course, or an unusual time of day warrant a follow-up message before accepting.
• Message the golfer first: Before your first loop with a new golfer, it's completely normal to send a short professional message. Introduce yourself, confirm the details, and gauge the tone of their response. A golfer who responds professionally is a good sign.
• Trust your instincts: If something feels off about a profile or a message exchange, it is completely reasonable to decline. You are running a professional service, and you are allowed to be selective about who you work with. Declining a booking is not rude — it is smart.

What to Do If Something Feels Off During a Round

Even with the best preparation, a situation can develop on the course that makes you uncomfortable. Here is how to handle it:

• Stay calm and professional: If a comment or behavior crosses a line, you don't need to react emotionally. A measured, firm response is more effective and keeps you in control. More on this below.
• Know your exits: Mentally note where the clubhouse is, where carts are parked, and where other groups or marshals are on the course. You are never truly alone on a functioning golf course.
• Use your phone: Your phone is always an option. Checking it briefly is easy to do without making it obvious. If you need to, you can step away to "take a yardage" and send a quick message or call someone.
• Involve course staff: Marshals, beverage cart staff, and rangers circulate on most courses. If something is wrong, flagging down a marshal is a legitimate and low-drama way to get another adult involved.
• Shorten the round if necessary: If the situation warrants it, you can cite feeling unwell, a personal emergency, or another professional reason to end the round early. Your safety comes first. The booking fee is not worth it.

Handling Inappropriate Comments or Behavior

Inappropriate comments — whether overtly sexual, demeaning, or just persistently uncomfortable — should be addressed directly but professionally.

Phrases that work:

• "I'd appreciate if we kept things professional." (Simple, calm, effective.)
• "That kind of comment isn't something I'm comfortable with." (Direct without escalation.)
• "I'm here to caddy — let's focus on your game." (Redirects and closes the door.)

You do not owe anyone an explanation for feeling uncomfortable. You do not need to laugh off a comment to keep the peace. Firm, professional, and calm is the right register. Most people will back off immediately when they realize the behavior was noticed and unwelcome.

If the behavior continues after you've addressed it, you are within your rights to end the round. Your professional reputation will not suffer for refusing to tolerate disrespect.

How to Report Issues Through the Platform

If something happens during or after a booking that you believe should be documented, report it. Reporting protects you, protects future caddies, and creates a record that the platform can act on.

To report an issue:

• Go to the booking in your account and look for the report or flag option.
• Describe what happened as specifically and factually as possible. Dates, times, direct quotes, and the sequence of events are all helpful.
• You can also contact support directly through the platform's help center if the situation is urgent or you need immediate guidance.

Reports are confidential. You will not be penalized for reporting an experience that made you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. The platform takes caddy safety seriously, and your report helps maintain the standards of the community.

A Note on Confidence

The best protection you have on the course is your own professionalism and confidence. Caddies who carry themselves with authority — who are prepared, decisive, and clearly in their element — set a tone from the first handshake that tends to discourage disrespect before it starts.

Knowing your job well gives you confidence. Walking in prepared, having done your homework on the course, knowing your rates, and having a plan for what to do if something goes wrong — all of that builds the kind of confidence that keeps you in control of every round you take.

Related Caddy Resources

• Reading Greens & Course Knowledge
• Proper Caddy Etiquette & Professionalism
• Communicating Effectively with Golfers
• Pace of Play & Course Management

Browse the complete caddy resource library for more guides on green reading, course management, fitness, communication, and professionalism. Not yet on the platform? Create your free caddy profile and start earning from your love of the game. You can also check our caddy job board for more information on earning opportunities.