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Can a player caddy for another player?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 06, 2026

Decision 6-4/8 holds that golfers playing in the same competition at different times can caddie for each other. They can also change, hire or fire a looper mid-round.

Can you switch caddies?

The choice of a golf caddie may not rank as important as the selection of a wartime president (although some pro golfers might disagree on that point), but changing caddies during a golf competition can obviously be disruptive. Nevertheless, a player is typically permitted to change caddies during a round.

Can a golfer have 2 caddies?

General Rules

Pursuant to Rule 6-4, a player may only use one caddie at a time. In stroke play, the player loses two strokes at each of the first two holes during which she uses more than one caddie.

How many caddies is a player allowed?

(1) Player Allowed Only One Caddie at a Time. A player may have a caddie to carry, transport and handle his or her clubs, give advice and help him or her in other ways allowed during a round, but with these limitations: The player must not have more than one caddie at any one time.

Can a caddie line up a player?

Current Rule: Under Rule 14-2b: ➢ When a player is taking a stance, the player's caddie is allowed to stand behind to help the player line up to the target and confirm that the player is correctly aligned.

28 related questions found

Can you stand directly behind someone putting?

A caddie is NO longer allowed to stand behind the player to help with alignment. At the moment the player begins to take his stance, the caddie must not deliberately stand directly behind the player. The penalty is two strokes in stroke play. There is one exception which applies only on the Putting Green.

Can a caddie touch the green?

No advantage is gained if a player or his or her caddie merely touches the surface of the putting green on the line where the ball will be played.

What are caddies not allowed to do?

Actions not allowed: Standing on the line of play when a player takes their stance and makes a stroke. Replace a ball, unless the caddie had lifted or moved the ball. Drop or place a ball in a relief area.

Can you line up your playing partner in golf?

Golf's New Rules (2019): Caddies Standing Behind Player to Help Lining Up. A caddie is not allowed to stand on a line behind you while you are taking your stance and until your stroke is made.

Can a caddie touch the ball?

7. Caddies should not touch a player's ball unless instructed by the player. 8. Caddies should carry a damp towel to clean clubs and balls 9.

Can you change caddies mid round?

Decision 6-4/8 holds that golfers playing in the same competition at different times can caddie for each other. They can also change, hire or fire a looper mid-round.

Can a caddie take the ball out of the hole?

The player's caddie is allowed to mark and lift the player's ball on the putting green any time the player is allowed to do so, without needing authorization. The caddie continues to be allowed to replace the player's ball only if the caddie was the one who had lifted or moved the ball.

How much do caddies get paid?

A caddie on the PGA Tour receives a base salary — usually around $1,000 to $2,000 — to cover travel expenses. He will earn 5% of the winnings if his golfer finishes outside of the top 10 and 7% of the winnings for a top-10 finish. The caddie earns 10% of winnings when his golfer wins a tournament.

Can you stand behind an opponent when he is putting?

You're allowed to stand on an extension of the line of putt after the stroke, so it's permissible to walk in behind a ball after it has started rolling.

What are caddies allowed to do?

10.3 Caddies. Purpose of Rule: The player may have a caddie to carry the player's clubs and give advice and other help during the round, but there are limits to what the caddie is allowed to do. The player is responsible for the caddie's actions during the round and will get a penalty if the caddie breaches the Rules.

Can you stand behind your partner in golf?

No one can help the player with his alignment for the stroke. This is an essential skill which the player must do for himself. A caddie is NO longer allowed to stand behind the player to help with alignment.

Is there an illegal putting stance?

The USGA and the R&A took notice and, effective January 1, 1968, introduced Rule 35-1L (now Rule16-1e) that stated “The player shall not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of the putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.”

Can you change balls to putt?

You can also substitute a different ball any time you are taking relief, including both free and penalty relief. Unless the one-ball Local Rule is in effect, the substituted ball could be any brand. On the putting green however, when you mark and lift your ball, you must replace that same ball to finish out the hole.

Can you walk in the line of your putt?

Current Rule: Under Rule 16-1a, when a player's ball is on the putting green: ➢ The player is generally prohibited from touching his or her line of putt. ➢ But there are seven exceptions (such as when removing loose impediments or movable obstructions, when lifting or replacing a ball, when repairing ball marks, etc.).

Can you putt with the flag in the hole?

And now it's completely within the rules. As of the start of the 2019 calendar year, golfers of all levels can now putt with the flagstick left in the hole. Caddies can also take the flag out or have it attended - previously the only two options.

Should your elbows touch your body when putting?

Interlace your fingers, clasping your hands in front of you. Then, get into your putting posture, and place your hands over your belly button, your elbows bent outward at 45 degrees. Keeping your lower body quiet, engage your core muscles and use them to rock your arms and shoulders back and forth.

Can you anchor your putter against your arm?

Arm-locking is, of course, legal under the Rules of Golf. According to Rule 10.1b, a player's putting stroke must not include an “anchor point” on which they plant their forearm — i.e., the technique used with broomstick putters, with the end of the putter (or the player's forearm) anchored against a player's chest.

Where do you stand when someone else is teeing off?

There seems to be a lot of confusion about where you should stand when someone else is teeing off. Our opinion is that you are safest if you are directly in front of or behind the golfer – in other words, on the sides of the tee box.

Who is the richest caddy in golf?

1. Jimmy Johnson. What is this? Jimmy Johnson is currently caddying for Justin Thomas, but he has a successful history on tour.

Do caddies get paid if player misses cut?

"If the player misses the cut, the caddie still has to get a paycheck because the caddie pays for all of his own expenses — airfare, hotel, car, food, all of it." "If the guy makes the cut, the standard is 10-7-5 — 10% for a win, 7% for a top 10, 5% for everything else," Collins said.