My club allows sons or daughters of members to caddy. In the late ‘80’s, I paid my 12 year old son $25 to carry a single bag. His first experience caddying doubles was the fall Calcutta, at which my partner and I each won $3,000. My partner gave him $300, so I had to give him $300. When we got home, his mother asked him how carrying doubles went. His response, “Mom, when you carry doubles you get $600!”
I sure learned a ton as a caddy in central NJ in the mid-70's.
$7 per bag was the going rate and I was thrilled if my loop bought me a welch's grape juice at the turn.
We were all in middle or early high school. The "locals" were 40+ year old guys from Trenton who came with cigarettes, "Night Train" and skinny joints.
As a young Canadian (we had just moved to NJ from Toronto), I was "lefty" as I played hockey.
One Monday on "caddy day" i was hitting balls on the range and the caddy master, a journeyman tour pro/prolific ball striker and ex-alcoholic, was watching me while dragging on the onmipresent cigarette.
"Mackenzie", he bellowed, "Get over here."
Trembling and nervous, I slinked over, "Ya, Pete?"
"Here, hit this." as he handed me a right-handed 7 iron.
"But, Pete, this is a righty club," I bleeted.
"No shit...do this this and this", as he showed me grip, stance and set up.
I took a few swings and hit a ball.
"There, you're a righty golfer now. Go play", and he turned and walked away.
That was 46 years ago and he sold me my first set of RH irons: MacGregor Ben Hogans.