Caddying- something I have spent the past four years doing. Simply put, I carry the golf bags of wealthy country club members. But to me, caddying means so much more. My father caddied as a young boy and has scrapbooks full of the memories he made. My whole life, caddying was made out to be the perfect job for teenage boys. An environment surrounded by nothing a man loves more- golf. Of course, when my brother reached eighth grade, he followed in my father’s footsteps. He was hired relatively fast, given his golf background and his easy fit into the country club environment. Once we were out to dinner with some of my father’s golf friends and they questioned if I would ever be interested in caddying. In all honesty, the thought had never crossed my mind. I was 5’4 and maybe 110 pounds, so there were doubts I could carry a golf bag for several miles. Not to mention I was a girl, a girl that didn’t even play golf. Despite these obvious setbacks, something about that question made me want to give it a shot. No one ever told me I couldn’t become a caddy. I was just letting myself believe that.
For the next couple of months, I studied almost every day for the caddy test. I had to learn terms like birdies, eagles, and bogues. It was one of the most complicated sports I had ever learned of. Nevertheless, if there was one thing I was good at, it 
was school and I was determined to pass this test. Sure enough, I got news back that I scored an A and training would be held the following week. I attended training with almost fifty other kids. Give or take, there were around forty-eight boys and two girls. About a month after I became a certified caddy, I was called in for my first round. I don’t think I have ever been more nervous. I was questioning my confidence. Could I keep up with everyone else? What if they wanted a boy caddy? My thoughts were becoming my own worst enemy. I still remember my mom dropping me off for my first day. The round was tough. I did not know my way around the course and I could swear their golf bags were heavier than me. Although he never said it, I could tell the golfer was annoyed with my lack of qualifications. My first day was bad, no doubt, but I knew I couldn’t just give up after one experience. I had to keep showing up before it would get better.
That summer I fell in love with caddying. I met so many friends from the surrounding high schools and built relationships with the members. Every day, I came I learned more about golf and about myself. By the end of the season, I
didn’t want the club to close. It was clear that the country club could offer me opportunities like no other workplace. I had the chance to speak with accomplished adults, learn about hard work, and earn my own money. Constantly being surrounded by success has made me work harder for my dreams, which has been an invaluable lesson.
Now that I have walked this course for my hundred and twenty-fifth loop, I hold my head high. Caddying has become one of my greatest accomplishments. Although it felt as if the odds were against me, I put in the work and because of that, I have had the opportunity to benefit from the results. I am often the only female in the group, but I no longer question my capabilities. Sometimes I don’t even notice. I have grown as a person on the golf course and that has translated into my everyday life. I owe caddying for the person I am today, and the confidence I am able to walk with.
Hi Jordyn!
As someone who knows absolutely nothing about golf (I don’t think I’ve ever seen a golf club, much less held one), it was fascinating to read about your experience becoming a golf caddy – I had no idea the process of becoming a caddy was so complicated. You mentioned it in your blog, but I think it’s definitely interesting to consider the social environment that comes with caddying. I’ve worked a retail job before, and although caddying and a fast-food job (McDonald’s, to be exact) could both be considered customer service, the “customers” you deal with vary widely in demographic. For any job, especially ones that depend on person-to-person interactions, it’s often not just the tasks you’re performing, but the people you’re interacting with that define your perception of the job.
I also loved the way you described the challenges you overcame. I can definitely relate to your experience of being the only girl in a group. I play an instrument for an ensemble at North, and out of the fifteen or so people in the group, there are only two girls. To that end, I certainly agree with you that, more often than not, our own psyche is the only thing preventing us from accomplishing our goals. There have definitely been instances in my own life where my own fear has prevented me from even trying something new in the first place.