Can I have two caddies at the same time?

No, you can only have one caddie at a time. If you're helped by more than one caddie during a hole, you get the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play) for each hole it happens — and the penalty applies per hole, not per round, so the cost escalates quickly.

What counts as a caddie

Anyone who carries, transports, or handles your clubs is your caddie — even if they're just driving a cart with your bags on it. If you name someone as your caddie, they're your caddie. A buddy walking along carrying only your rain jacket or water bottle isn't a caddie unless they also touch your clubs or you name them as one.

The penalty adds up fast

The general penalty applies for every hole where you have more than one caddie helping you. If you start a hole with two caddies, that's two strokes (or loss of hole) for that hole. If you're still rolling with two caddies on the next tee, that's another two strokes for the next hole. If the breach happens between holes — say you swap caddies on the walk to the next tee but both are still helping — the penalty hits the next hole.

Switching caddies mid-round is fine

You can change caddies during a round. Just don't do it temporarily just to get advice from the new one. If you fire your caddie on the 5th tee and hire a new one, that's allowed. But you can't have your old caddie stick around 'just to watch' while the new one gives you reads — that's two caddies.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Player with a disability has an aide under Rule 25.2e or 25.4j → They can get advice from both the aide and a caddie at the same time. The aide isn't counted as a second caddie for advice purposes, but they still can't carry or handle clubs.
• You drive a motorized cart with your clubs and hire someone for all other caddie duties → That person is your caddie. But if you also hire someone to drive the cart, the driver becomes a second caddie (they're transporting your clubs) and you get the penalty.

Frequently asked questions

Can my friend carry my putter while my caddie carries the rest of my bag?

No. Anyone handling any of your clubs is a caddie. Two people touching your clubs = two caddies = general penalty per hole.

What if my caddie quits mid-round and I grab a replacement?

That's fine — you're allowed to change caddies. Just make sure the old one stops helping the moment the new one starts. No overlap.

Does a spectator become a caddie if they hand me a club?

Yes. The moment anyone carries, transports, or handles your clubs, they're a caddie. If your regular caddie is already doing that, you've got two.

Can I caddie for my buddy in the morning and play my own round in the afternoon?

Absolutely. Rule 10.3a/2 says you can caddie for another player when you're not playing your own round. Different tee times, same day — no problem.

What's the penalty in match play if I have two caddies?

Loss of hole for each hole where the breach occurs. Same 'per hole' structure as stroke play, just match-play currency.