This spring our family became very interested in golfing and everything that comes with it. We joke that we are now the people who find watching the PGA tour on Sundays a relaxable way to spend the afternoon. My husband, Cody, and I had dabbled in golf before but never took a big interest in it until now. Last fall we watched the very popular show on Netflix, Full Swing, and began to understand the dynamics and behind-the-scenes aspects of the professional players. We also bought a family membership to a local course in town which was mostly intended for us to use the pool this summer, but now it has turned into playing golf there as well.
As I was watching the tournaments on Sunday and following the different social media accounts of the PGA players I noticed a new role catching my attention – the Caddie. A caddie in the golf world is the person who carries the clubs, reads the scorecards, documents the distances shot, familiarizes himself with the course, cleans the equipment and so much more. They are walking all 18-holes each day with the professional player, but also carrying a large heavy golf bag. I have gained so much respect for their position and I think it goes unnoticed a lot of times. Caddie’s can also serve as a coach and helper throughout the tournament while on the course.
How does a caddie relate to business support? Well, just as a caddie is there to support the professional golfer, so too is a bookkeeper, accountant, lawyer, and others are there to support the business owner. If the professional golfer tried to play 4 days of 18-holes in a tournament while carrying their own bag, ranging their own balls, looking out for the bunkers and water it wouldn’t go well. They would be exhausted. It’s no secret that owning a business comes with many roles to manage and finding people who can help and support you or “carry your bag,” so to speak, is a huge step forward in ensuring you and your business can survive for a long time.
Foresight Sports broke down some of the jobs of a caddie. I have gone through and related some of them back to business support and, some, more specifically bookkeeping. Enjoy!
The Caddie’s Job: Keep the golf clubs and equipment clean.
The caddy is expected to keep the golf clubs, balls, and other equipment clean throughout the game. They should carry different types of towels with them and appropriate cleaning products. It is not uncommon for caddies to ensure the ball is cleaned prior to each tee off and before each putting attempt once the ball is on the green.
Business Job: Keep the books clean
“Keeping the books clean” is a term that refers to ensuring the business books are up to date, reconciled and an organized at each month end. This makes tax season much easier and ensures your finances are organized an up to date.
The Caddie’s Job: Have sufficient knowledge of golf
Caddies need to know all golfing terminology and the rules of the game. They also need to know all of the golf equipment and clubs necessary and what works best for the particular shot. It does not matter whether they are caddying at a local country club or for a pro golfer at a PGA tournament. Caddies must also be prepared to provide advice to golfers when asked, like which club would be best for a particular shot.
Business Job: Have a sufficient knowledge of tax terms and business strategies
In business, understanding the tax terms, rates and discounts can benefit your business in the long run. Having trusted advisors around you ensures you are being told the best and most current information related to keeping your business running effectively.
The Caddie’s Job: Know the golf course well
Before caddying, it is always a good idea to learn more about the golf course. Caddies need to know the “lay of the land” and where potential traps and bodies of water are located. They also need to know where the out-of-bound markers are located.
Business Job: Know the business well
As the business owner, you are the overseer of everything. It’s hard to know all things, but having a basic knowledge of all the things and hiring trusted professionals for the deeper stuff that requires more knowledge and education will serve the business well.
The Caddie’s Job: Rake sand traps and bunkers
Caddies have to clean up sand traps and bunkers after their golfer gets their ball out. They must leave the area as it was when they arrived by raking the entire area the golfer disturbed. This way, when the next golfer gets their ball stuck in a trap or bunker, the conditions will be exactly the same as the previous golfer.
Business Job: Cleaning up the books and inventory
If Quickbooks has fallen behind or inventory has not been taken regularly it can become a nightmare quickly. It is important to keep aspects of your business “clean” and put systems in place that ensure you are checking in with these items on a routine basis.
The Caddie’s Job: Become familiar with the golfer’s style of golfing
Caddies that caddy for the same golfers should start to develop a sense of how the golfer golfs. This knowledge can be useful when handing clubs to the golfer and offering advice on which clubs to use for various shots. For instance, if the golfer seems a bit heavy-handed when striking the ball, they may only need an 8-iron and not a 6-iron to make a longer shot.
Business Job: Become familiar with the business and owner
As a bookkeeper I am here to support. I don’t own your business, you do! I am only here to provide knowledge and guidance as needed. I have a role to play in the business, but ultimately bookkeepers, accountants, managers etc. are all here to help and move the business forward in the best ways possible.
(Source: Foresight Sports)
Lastly, at the Masters Tournament in Augusta this year Scottie Scheffler was in the lead. It was day 3 of the tournament which means they had played that course several times already. Scottie hit a difficult shot in the rough. He looked at his caddie and his caddie replied, “we are just going to keep doing what we know works.” That statement gave Scottie the confidence to make the best shot possible under the tough circumstances. He ended up hitting the ball right onto the green and eventually win the Masters. He trusted his caddie and his caddie kept him calm and provided wisdom in the moment. That is what the roles of business support people play in helping the business owner. We all want the business to succeed, we just have to keep doing what we know to work.
Sources:
thecaddienetwork.com
For more information reach out to Murphy to ask about business support and all the ways she can help.
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