This is from a powerpoint presentation I made that was not adopted at my old club. I don't know why as it is pretty good advice. While much of it is common sense, I also got a good deal of advice from an old Merion GC caddie handbook from the 1950s.
Starting the Round
Appearance: For your own comfort, wear clothing and footwear suitable to the weather. Your appearance should be casual, but neat and clean. Keep in mind, your appearance and conduct are a reflection on the club.
Starting the Round
Attitude: Be respectful to all the players in your group. Perform your duties in a pleasant manner and answer all questions to the best of your ability. Take an interest in your player’s game. A round of golf is a time of relaxation and recreation for the players. Your attitude will add a great deal to the enjoyment of the game.
Starting the Round
Introduction: The Caddiemaster will tell you the player’s name when he assigns the bag. In most cases the player’s name can also be found on the bag tag. Greet the player by name and introduce yourself. Do not start a conversation. Your greeting should be an introduction only.
Clubs and Bag
Care of the Clubs: Count the clubs on the first tee. If you believe that one is missing, quietly call this fact to the attention of the player. Also advise him/her if they have more than the legal number of clubs (14), especially if he/she is playing in a tournament. Carry a small towel to clean mud and grass from the clubs. Keep one end of the towel damp for this purpose.
Clubs and Bag
Carrying the Bag: Adjust the strap to properly balance the bag. Proper balance distributes the weight and makes the bag much easier to carry. Do not sit on the golf bag. This can damage the bag and also creates an unfavorable impression. Do not open pockets of the bag for any reason unless specifically asked to do so by the player.
Clubs and Bag
Final Check: Always check the clubs at the end of the round, and ask the player to check them also. When carrying two bags, make sure the clubs are in the right bags at the end of the round. Ask both players to check their clubs before they leave.
How to Caddie
Conduct on the Course: Do not engage in unnecessary conversation, joking, or horseplay with the other caddie(s) while on the golf course. And, under no circumstances is a caddie permitted to swing a player’s clubs. Give your full attention to the game and the needs of your player. That is what you are being paid to do.
How to Caddie
Advice: The most important rule in the matter of giving advice is: never offer advise unless it is requested! The Caddiemaster will furnish maps of the course. These maps will contain yardages for all the holes. Learn to use these yardage markers, and learn to pace off yardages between them.
How to Caddie
Your player will sometimes ask for advice regarding club selection in addition to yardages. This can sometimes be a difficult task because the average golfer does not hit the ball with the same consistency as a professional. However, after a few holes, you should have an idea of the player’s capabilities and be able to do a reasonably good job in the selection of clubs. Learn how the wind, wet weather, cold, and other factors affect the distance a ball travels.
How to Caddie
Alertness: Do not sit or lie down while players are driving. When a ball is hit, you must be on your feet and in a position to follow it. A player is much less annoyed at losing a ball when his caddie is alert and making every effort to follow it than when he is sitting or lying down with apparent disinterest.
How to Caddie
Pay attention to what the players are doing at all times. Be aware of the location of every member of your group as well as that of other groups in the area.
How to Caddie
Location of the Ball: Watch the ball from the moment it is hit until it stops or goes out of sight. If the ball is hit to high rough, trees, or water, mark the last place the ball was seen by lining up that spot with a tree, bush, or some other landmark, and walk directly in that line.
How to Caddie
Move quickly to the ball, arriving, if possible, before the player. A frequent complaint about caddies is their inability to keep up with the players. Make every effort to get to the ball first. Do not move immediately if doing so will interfere with another player’s shot.
How to Caddie
Out of Bounds: Out of bounds will be indicated by white stakes or fences along the property lines of the course. When a ball is hit out of bounds, signal immediately to the player by pointing toward the out of bounds. If you are not sure if the ball is in or out, signal that it is out and the player will hit a provisional ball.
How to Caddie
The player will simply pick up the second ball if the first one proves to be in bounds. If you assume the ball to be in bounds and it proves to be out, the player must walk back to the tee to hit another ball. If the ball is close to the out of bounds marker, but you are sure it is in bounds, signal the player that it is safe by placing your hands palm down and waving them back and forth, in the manner of an umpire in baseball signaling a runner safe.
How to Caddie
Arriving at the Ball: When you arrive at the ball, position yourself about three feet to the right of it and three feet back. Remove the bag from your shoulder and wait for the player to select his next club. After the player has selected a club, put the bag back on your shoulder and back away about eight feet. Remain quiet and still until the shot has been hit, then move on to locate the ball.
How to Caddie
Afford every player in your group the courtesy of remaining still while he hits his shot. Do not stand in a position that will distract any player who is hitting.
How to Caddie
Replacing Divots and Raking Bunkers: If the player does not replace his divot, do it for him. Make sure the divot is placed firmly into the hole as it was removed by the shot so that it will have a chance to take root again. Rake any bunker your player has entered. Use the rake provided or, if there is no rake, use a club or your foot to smooth the sand.
How to Caddie
Tending the Pin: When the ball is on the green, the pin must either be tended while the player is putting, or removed before he starts. When a ball is off the green, the pin may be left in, removed, or tended, according to the player’s preference.
How to Caddie
Let the player indicate his preference before you approach the pin. If the pin is being tended, it must be removed after the ball is hit, and before it reaches the hole. Penalty to the player for striking a tended pin is the loss of the hole in match play or two strokes in medal play, so be alert.
How to Caddie
When you first take the pin, turn it around a few times to make sure it is loose and will come out easily. When removing or replacing the pin, be careful not to damage the sides of the hole. Never stand in another player’s line of sight or allow your shadow to lie across the hole while tending the pin.
How to Caddie
Pride in Caddying: Take pride in being a good caddie. Do the best job possible every time. Remember that every member, regardless of ability, is paying for your time and deserves your best effort. Enjoy the time you spend as a caddie, but keep in mind that the assignment you get tomorrow depends on the job you did today.