Golf and technology have grown an increasingly closer relationship in recent years and with advancements as of late, tech is taking the sport to new heights. And one area that’s seeing major improvements from this has been in our domain, caddie programmes. As a previous caddiemaster of Kingsbarns Golf Links, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of running a caddie programme which does 20,000 rounds per year. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at why tech could be a game changer for caddie programmes big and small in the coming years.
Nobody likes paperwork. With handwritten schedules, whiteboards and a whole lot of other methods, this was almost accepted as common practice in my world growing up as a caddie. Now, with caddie scheduling systems, caddie programs can save incredible amounts of time and reduce the workload for staff. Everything from scheduling caddies to players, tracking hours worked, and processing payments can be taken care of with just a few clicks. Plus, with more efficient scheduling, supplying that last minute caddie now become a lot more possible, with caddies “on-standby” waiting to receive a ping on the phone.
Software has also proven to help caddie programs collect and analyse data on caddie performance throughout the season. This information can be used to identify trends and make data-driven decisions about the caddie programme. Whether it’s adjusting schedules or finding better ways to train loopers, caddie programs can use data to improve their operations and in turn provide better services to their golfers.
Finally, tech can help make caddie programs more accessible to a wider audience. With mobile apps, there is potential for caddies to be dispatched to golfers from a remote location, expanding the reach of the caddie program and making professional caddies available to more people. And the best part? Golfers can get the help they need, no matter where they are or what their schedule looks like.
In conclusion, technology has become a game changer for caddie programmes throughout the world. With accurate information on availability, reduced administrative time as well as easy reporting and analysis, caddie programmes implementing software are offering better services now than ever before.
What’s the next steps for your caddie programme? Why not have a chat with us and we can discuss building your dream caddie programme with you!