What advice can my caddie give me during a round?

Yes, your caddie can give you advice before every stroke — club selection, line of play, strategy, anything. Rule 10.3b lists giving information and advice as something a caddie is always allowed to do, as long as it's before you swing. This is one of the few areas where the Rules explicitly authorize help rather than restrict it.

What counts as advice from a caddie

Advice is any counsel or suggestion that could influence your play — what club to hit, where to aim, how the wind affects the shot, reading a putt, even reminding you of a rule. Your caddie can do all of this before you make a stroke. They can also search for your ball, tend the flag, clean your ball on the green, and smooth bunkers. The rule treats these as standard caddie duties, not special permissions.

When the caddie can't help

The restriction is timing: advice must come before the stroke. Once you've started your swing, your caddie can't tell you to stop or change anything. Also, your caddie can't give advice to anyone else in the competition, and you can't have more than one caddie at a time. If you swap caddies mid-round just to get a second opinion, that's a breach. The player is always responsible for the caddie's actions — if your caddie breaks a rule, you get the penalty.

Shared caddies and special cases

Two players can share one caddie. If a rules issue comes up, the action counts for whoever directed it, or whose ball was involved. If neither applies, both players get the penalty. Players with certain disabilities (Rule 25) may have an aide in addition to a caddie, and both can give advice at the same time — that's an explicit exception to the normal advice rules.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Player has a disability covered by Rule 25.2e or 25.4j → They may receive advice from both a caddie and an aide simultaneously
• Two players share one caddie → The caddie's action is attributed to the player who directed it, or whose ball was involved; if neither, both players get the penalty

Frequently asked questions

Can my caddie tell me what club to hit?

Yes. Club selection is classic caddie advice and it's explicitly allowed before you make your stroke under Rule 10.3b.

Can my caddie read my putt and tell me the line?

Yes. Reading greens and suggesting a line is allowed advice before the stroke. Your caddie can even point out the aim spot.

What if my caddie gives me advice after I've started my swing?

That's not allowed. Advice must come before the stroke. Once you've begun the swing, any input from the caddie could be a breach.

Can I have two caddies — one for carrying, one for advice?

No. Rule 10.3a limits you to one caddie at a time. Having two, even with different roles, gets you the general penalty for each hole it happens.

If my caddie breaks a rule, do I get penalized?

Yes. The player is responsible for the caddie's actions during the round. If your caddie breaches a rule, you get the penalty.