Ava Romero
A forecaddie in golf is an outside agency that helps golfers locate their balls and keeps the game moving. They are usually found in organised tournaments, where they are assigned to a specific hole and help all competitors equally. They do not carry golf clubs and are not considered part of a golfer's team. Forecaddies are often seen driving in golf carts and marking balls with small flags. They may also indicate when it is clear to hit on blind holes and whether a ball has gone out of bounds. The role is very different from that of a caddy, who has a close relationship with an individual golfer and provides advice and assistance throughout the round.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main role | Find and keep track of golf balls |
| Other duties | Help with shot selection, strategy, rake bunkers, read greens, indicate when it's clear to hit on blind holes, tend the flagstick |
| Who they help | All competitors on the field equally and without bias |
| Where they work | Tournaments |
| Who hires them | Tournament organizers or a group of golfers |
| How they get paid | Forecaddie fee, tips |
| How they move around | Drive a golf cart or walk the course |
| What they signal | Whether the ball has gone out of bounds, is in tall grass, invokes a penalty stroke, or is unsafe to play at a particular time |
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What You'll Learn
Forecaddies are an outside agency
Forecaddies are considered an outside agency in the rules of golf. This means that if a forecaddie moves a ball at rest, there is no penalty to the golfer and the ball is simply replaced. If a forecaddie deflects or stops a ball in motion, it is considered a "rub of the green" and the ball is played as it lies, except when it comes to rest on the outside agency, or when the stroke was played on the putting green.
The role of a forecaddie is very different from that of a caddie. While a caddie has a close relationship with a specific golfer and assists them throughout the round, a forecaddie has no affiliation with any particular golfer and helps all competitors equally and without bias. Forecaddies are typically hired by tournament organizers and are assigned to a specific hole, where they help keep track of golfers' shots and locate errant balls. They do not carry golf clubs or bags like caddies.
The main role of a forecaddie is to ensure the smooth flow of play by saving golfers time and preventing lost balls. They do this by driving ahead in a golf cart to locate balls, sticking a small flag or paddle near the ball to help golfers spot it quickly, and signalling to golfers to indicate whether the ball is in the fairway, rough, lost, or out of bounds. In a formal game, a forecaddie will generally offer no advice or opinions to golfers, but in a casual game, they may lend a different perspective.
Forecaddies are most commonly encountered in organized tournaments, although some upscale and resort golf courses offer the option of hiring a forecaddie for a group of golfers. They are particularly useful on blind shots or challenging holes, and can help golfers avoid penalty strokes and maintain a quick pace of play.
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They keep gameplay steady
A forecaddie is an important role in golf, and one of their key functions is to keep gameplay steady and flowing smoothly. They achieve this in several ways. Firstly, they will move ahead of the players and scout the course, locating golf balls and assessing the best path to the hole. By doing this in advance, the forecaddie saves time for the players and prevents delays. They will also help spot the landing of the ball, which is especially useful if a shot goes astray, and they can quickly direct the players to the correct area, again saving time.
Another way they keep gameplay steady is by offering advice and opinions on club selection and shot strategy. A forecaddie will consider the wind, the slope of the ground, and the distance to the hole, and use their knowledge to suggest the best club for the shot. This service speeds up play as players don't need to deliberate as much over club choice.
Additionally, a forecaddie will keep an eye on the pace of play and ensure the game is moving at a suitable speed. They can do this by being mindful of the group's position in relation to the groups ahead and behind. If they are falling behind, the forecaddie can encourage the players to pick up the pace, perhaps by suggesting a faster route to the balls or by recommending a club to speed up play.
The role of the forecaddie is to assist the players and ensure the game runs smoothly and efficiently. By providing this service, they enhance the experience for the players and help to maintain a steady flow of gameplay.
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They help locate and track golf balls
The primary role of a forecaddie is to help locate and track golf balls. They are usually stationed ahead of the group of golfers to assist with tee shots and spot balls, especially in tough visibility areas like bunkers, trees, and roughs. They also signal when the fairway is clear for players to tee off.
Forecaddies are particularly useful in areas where there is a possibility of balls being lost. They help golfers by marking the balls with a small flag, which helps golfers spot their ball quickly and keep up the pace of play. They also prevent golfers from wasting time searching for balls in tough spots like bunkers or water hazards.
In addition to locating balls, forecaddies also offer advice on the best path through the course, help golfers navigate hazards, and provide course insights. They guide players to the landing zone and offer advice on course layout. They also signal back to the group to ensure they don't need to hit again off the tee.
Forecaddies are typically hired by a group of two or four golfers and can drive a golf cart to get ahead and locate the balls more quickly. They are often positioned in areas where balls are likely to be lost and can be assigned to work with a specific group of golfers or be assigned to a specific hole on a golf course.
The term "fore" is believed to have originated from golfers yelling "fore-caddie" as a warning to forecaddies who would be in the landing zone of errant shots.
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They don't carry golf clubs
While a caddy carries golf bags and clubs for the entire round, a forecaddie does not. Instead, a forecaddie's main role is to find and keep track of golfers' balls. They are usually positioned ahead on a golf hole to do this.
Forecaddies are often hired by tournament organisers to act as an outside entity in a match. They will then only find and mark the balls with a small flag, helping golfers to spot their ball quickly and keep up the pace of play.
In some instances, forecaddies will drive a golf cart to find the balls sooner. They may also help with shot selection, strategy, raking bunkers, and reading greens.
A forecaddie is usually assigned to a group of golfers throughout a round, but they are often assigned to a specific hole on a golf course rather than to specific golfers. They are typically hired by a group of two or four golfers.
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They are hired by tournament organisers
Forecaddies are often hired by tournament organisers to help golfers and ensure the smooth flow of play. They are assigned to specific holes and are responsible for keeping track of all golf balls in play, helping golfers locate errant balls, and marking them with small flags to speed up play. They also signal to players whether the ball has gone out of bounds, is in tall grass, invokes a penalty, or is unsafe to play.
In a formal game, a forecaddie will generally not share advice or opinions with the players. However, in a casual game, they may offer a different perspective. Forecaddies are typically hired by tournament organisers for areas where there is a possibility of balls being lost, and they may drive a golf cart to locate balls quickly. They are usually positioned towards the green on each hole to spot balls as they are hit.
The role of a forecaddie is distinct from that of a caddy, who has a close relationship with a specific golfer and assists them throughout the round. Caddies carry the golfer's bag of clubs, offer advice, and help with shot selection and strategy. In contrast, forecaddies have no affiliation with any particular golfer and assist all competitors equally and without bias. They are primarily concerned with keeping track of golf balls and facilitating the smooth flow of the tournament.
The fee for a forecaddie is typically lower than that of a standard caddy, and they may rely heavily on tips from golfers to supplement their income. A benchmark tip amount for a forecaddie is between $20 and $25 per golfer, with a group of four golfers typically tipping around $80 to $100.
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Frequently asked questions
A forecaddie is a designated person assigned to a specific hole to help golfers keep track of their shots from the green.
A caddy has a close relationship with a golfer and assists them throughout the round. They carry the golfer's bag of clubs and offer advice. A forecaddie, on the other hand, does not have this relationship with golfers and remains in one area of the golf course. They do not carry clubs but help locate and track golf balls.
A caddy is great when you are playing a golf course for the first time. They can help with all aspects of the game. A forecaddie is useful if you want to make sure your group doesn't lose any balls.
The main duty of a forecaddie is to keep track of all golf balls in play and let each player know where their ball is located. They also help keep gameplay steady and assist golfers in avoiding penalty strokes. In a formal game, a forecaddie will not offer advice or opinions, but in a casual game, they may lend a different perspective.
The cost of a forecaddie depends on the golf course and the number of players. They can charge a set fee per forecaddie, which can range from $60 to $140. At prestigious resorts, the forecaddie fee is typically around $75.
