Forecaddie vs Caddie: Key Differences Every Golfer Must Know

The role of a forecaddie vs caddie can be confusing for golfers. Both help golfers on the course but their responsibilities and interaction with players are very different.

Whether you’re a recreational golfer or playing in pro tournaments, understanding these differences will help your golf game.


What is a Caddie?

What is a Caddie?

A caddie is someone who assists a golfer throughout their round. Their main duties are:

  • Carry clubs and manage the golf bag.
  • Club selection based on yardage, wind and course conditions.
  • Reading greens to help golfers decide on the best line for putts.
  • Giving strategic advice for tricky courses and shot selection.
  • Maintaining the course by fixing ball marks, raking bunkers and keeping the pace of play consistent.

Caddies are part of professional tournaments and caddie programs, providing emotional support and course knowledge to help a golfer improve.


What is a Forecaddie?

What is a Forecaddie?

A forecaddie assists a group of golfers, not one specific player. Their role is more about keeping the game moving:

  • Finding golf balls after tee shots or wayward shots.
  • Marking the spot where the ball lands.
  • Keeping pace of play by keeping track of each golfer’s position.
  • Giving info on blind shots and water hazards.
  • Occasional shot strategy advice when needed.

Unlike a caddie, a forecaddie doesn’t carry golf clubs or assist with club selection. They often work on foot, ahead of the golfers to track shots and prepare for the next shot.


Caddie Responsibilities

A caddie’s responsibilities go beyond just carrying golf clubs. They provide a wide range of support services to golfers, including:

Carrying the golfer’s clubs and equipment: Ensuring that all necessary gear is readily available.

Providing strategic advice on club selection and shot placement: Using their knowledge of the golf course to recommend the best club for each shot.

Helping to read greens and predict ball movement: Assisting golfers in understanding the terrain and how it will affect their putts.

Offering personal assistance throughout the game: Tasks like cleaning clubs, repairing ball marks, and keeping the golf bag organized.

Maintaining a positive and supportive attitude: Helping golfers stay focused and confident, especially during challenging rounds.

Caddies are also responsible for knowing the golf course inside and out, including the layout, hazards, and nuances of each hole.

They use this knowledge to provide valuable insights and recommendations to golfers, helping them to navigate the course and make informed decisions.

Forecaddie Responsibilities

A forecaddie’s primary responsibility is to spot where golf balls land and help maintain the pace of play. Their duties include:

Standing ahead of the golfers to track and locate balls: Ensuring that no shot goes untracked.

Helping to maintain the pace of play: Quickly locating balls and guiding players around the course to avoid delays.

Providing basic course guidance: Answering questions about the layout and hazards to help golfers navigate the course.

Assisting golfers in finding their balls: Helping players get back to play quickly after a shot.

Forecaddies may also be responsible for managing the flow of play and ensuring that golfers are aware of their surroundings and the location of other players on the course.

They may use hand signals or other communication methods to convey information to golfers and help them stay on track.


Benefits of Using a Caddie

A caddie is perfect for golfers looking for hands-on support and expert advice. Professional golfers, in particular, rely on their caddies for strategic advice and support during games. Benefits include:

Club selection: Caddies help choose the right club based on wind, distance and lie.

Green reading: Their knowledge of greens helps with better putting.

Emotional support: Caddies can boost a player’s confidence, especially during tough rounds.

Shot strategy: Caddies help navigate tricky courses, give info on hazards and landing zones.

Course maintenance: They fix ball marks and rake bunkers to keep the game moving for the group.

In pro tournaments, caddies are part of the golfer’s team, often making critical decisions that decide the outcome.

Benefits of Using a Forecaddie

A forecaddie is perfect for keeping pace and group play. Benefits include:

Keeping track of shots: They find the golf ball after tee shots or wayward shots.

Pace of play: Forecaddies keep the group moving, no delays.

Course guidance: They give info on blind shots, water hazards and other obstacles.

Group dynamics: They work with all golfers equally, everyone has a smooth experience.

Forecaddies are found on bigger courses where shots must be tracked over long distances or tricky terrain.


When to Use a Caddie

A caddie is perfect for:

  • Pros or competitive amateurs who need detailed guidance and emotional support.
  • Golfers playing tricky courses for the first time where course knowledge and advice is key.
  • Players looking to improve their shot strategy and overall game.

Caddies are especially valuable during golf tournaments, where their support allows golfers to concentrate on their performance.

Hiring a caddie makes the experience easier to focus on playing while the caddie handles the logistics and strategy.

When to Use a Forecaddie

A forecaddie is better for:

  • Recreational golfers in a group who want to keep pace.
  • Golfers on big or tricky courses with blind landing zones.
  • Players in casual tournaments where individual support isn’t needed.

Using golf carts can help forecaddies locate golf balls and assist players more efficiently, especially on larger courses.

Forecaddies thrive in environments where tracking and speed are key, like corporate events or charity tournaments.


How Both Roles Improve Your Golfing Experience

Both caddies and forecaddies help with the following:

Accurate yardage: Caddies and forecaddies give info on distances to hazards or greens.

Course knowledge: They give tips on how to navigate the course.

Maintaining pace: Both roles keep the game on time, which benefits all players.

Better decision making: With their guidance, golfers can make better shot, club, and position choices.

Whether you want a walking caddie for personal attention or a forecaddie for group pace, both options make for a better round.


Pay and Tip for Caddies and Forecaddies

The pay and tip structure for caddies and forecaddies can vary depending on the golf course, location, and type of service provided. Here are some general guidelines:

Caddies

Caddies are typically paid a fee for their services, ranging from $50 to $100 per round, depending on the course and the level of service provided.

Golfers are also expected to tip their caddies, with a standard tip ranging from 15% to 20% of the total fee.

Forecaddies

Forecaddies are typically paid a lower fee than caddies, ranging from $20 to $50 per round. Golfers may also tip their forecaddies, although the amount is typically smaller than for caddies.

It’s worth noting that some golf courses may include the cost of a caddie or forecaddie in the green fee, while others may require golfers to pay separately for these services.

Golfers should always check with the course ahead of time to understand the pay and tip structure for caddies and forecaddies.


Forecaddie vs Caddie: Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Professional Tournaments

Tournament organizers often pair golfers with caddies for pro tournaments. The caddie does full service, carries clubs, reads greens, and gives strategic advice to get the best out of the player.

Scenario 2: Recreational Golfers

For most recreational golfers, a forecaddie is the more practical choice. They help find balls and keep the pace of play, especially on tricky courses.

Scenario 3: Tricky Golf Courses with Blind Shots

On a course with multiple blind shots or water hazards, a forecaddie can find the ball and give you critical info. But a caddie might be more helpful for advanced shot placement advice.


Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a caddy and a forecaddie?

A caddy provides individual golfer support, including carrying clubs, reading greens, and offering shot strategy.

A forecaddie, on the other hand, assists the group by tracking shots, finding balls, and maintaining pace of play but does not carry clubs or provide detailed club selection guidance.

How much to tip a forecaddie?

Tipping a forecaddie typically ranges from $20 to $30 per golfer in a group, depending on the quality of service and course location.

Some golfers may tip more for exceptional assistance, such as tracking errant shots or providing helpful course insights.

Do forecaddies read putts?

Forecaddies generally do not read putts like traditional caddies. Their primary role is to assist with locating golf balls, marking landing zones, and maintaining pace of play.

However, they may offer occasional guidance on tricky greens if asked.

Does a forecaddie carry a bag?

No, a forecaddie does not carry a golf bag. Instead, they move ahead of the group to track shots, locate balls, and assist with course navigation, allowing golfers to carry their own clubs or use golf carts.


Final Thoughts

It’s all about your personal preference, the course and how much help you need.

Go for a caddie if you want detailed support with club selection, green reading and emotional support during your round.

Go for a forecaddie for group play, faster pace and help finding balls on big or tricky courses.

Both are part of the game, so every golfer, pro or recreational, can have a good and speedy round. Next time you book your tee time, decide which one you need.