Special Interview with a Pro Caddy

I started caddying after being asked if I wanted to be a caddy while playing a round with a male professional golfer. As caddies, we work with a good sense of tension, just like the players, while being watched by a large audience. I think that's the best part of the job of a caddy. I'm thankful that I get to work every week and have a lot of fun. (Miura Aio, 3rd year student at Bukkyo University)

I started caddying when a Golf 5 player, with whom I have a contract, asked me to. The best part of being a caddy is being able to give clearer advice by checking the player's regular self-checks and mental health checks together on the field.
(Yusuke Suzuki, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

It was my meeting with Oe Kaori that led me to start caddying. I was originally working in a different field, but it didn't suit me and I was thinking about quitting when she asked me, "Why don't you try being my caddy?" and that's how I got to where I am today. When players say things like, "Thank you for competing with me" or "It was fun," I feel that it's very rewarding and that my existence has meaning. (Maeda Renpo, second-year student at Chuo University)

The reason I started working as a caddy was because I wanted to learn more about golf. I have accompanied mainly male professional golfers. I think the best part of being a caddy is being able to share in the joy when a player wins. When working as a caddy, I try not to think about anything, in a good way. When interacting with players, I try to be as natural as possible. (Miura Aio, 3rd year student at Bukkyo University)

I was a golf trainee, and when a junior golfer went professional, I caddied for him, which led me to start working as a caddie. The most rewarding part of being a caddie is when a player wins. I've caddied for four players who have won their first tournament, and it felt great and deeply moving when I did. (Miura Aio, 3rd year student at Bukkyo University)

I originally wanted to become a professional golfer, but I started caddying after a professional golfer I knew asked me to try it. The most important thing about caddying is to be considerate to the players so that they don't feel bad during the match, and to be there for them as much as possible. (Suzuki Yusuke, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

At first, I only caddied for a friend to gain experience. The following week, I had an open schedule, so I caddied again, and before I knew it, I had been caddying for 24 years. The fun part about being a caddie is that players need you when they're doing well and when they're not, and you can overcome things together. (Suzuki Yusuke, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

I started caddying after shadowing a senior who had become a professional. This job is a lot of fun, and I find it appealing that it gives me excitement every week. It's a person-to-person job, so I value the connections between people and communicate with them. (Shimada Daiki, 3rd year student at Kokugakuin University)

I was originally a professional golfer, but I started working as a caddy for Shoko Sasaki. Five years have passed since then. I think the appeal of the job is being able to watch the players up close and working together towards the same goals. I feel rewarded when I hear "thank you" from the players or when they achieve good results. (Shimada Daiki, 3rd year student at Kokugakuin University)

I met someone through an acquaintance who was aiming to become a professional golfer, and that's how I got the job. I believe that being a caddy is my calling, and I enjoy my job. I probably only have to be considerate of the players, and I've mostly seen results (laughs). I've never felt like I didn't want to go to work. (Suzuki Yusuke, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

I was originally involved in golf in Australia. A friend invited me to come to Japan and start my life as a caddy. I still caddy in the US and overseas, and sometimes for foreign players. (Yusuke Suzuki, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

What inspired me to start professional caddying was caddying for Shimabukuro Miyuki. I caddied for Shimabukuro for about five years, and now I'm coaching and caddying for Sai Pay-in. It's a very important position for the players, so I work every day with a sense of responsibility. As a caddy, I get to see the players' decisions and every moment of the game up close, and I find it very rewarding because I get to be at the very origin of the game. (Maeda Renpo, second-year student at Chuo University)

I've been playing golf since I was young, and I started caddying because I wanted to work in a profession related to golf. At first, I started as a part-time job, doing it alongside my other work, such as giving golf lessons, but I was drawn to the appeal of caddying, being able to compete alongside the players, and decided to make it my full-time job. When I work hand in hand with the players in a match and achieve good results, I feel very rewarded and glad that I did it. (Maeda Renpo, second-year student at Chuo University)

I was introduced to the caddy business by an acquaintance, and then I was invited by fellow professional golfers to join me, and that's how I started working as a caddie. Every day in golf, the wind, the players' conditions, everything is different. That's why it's difficult to adapt to each situation, but that's also the best part of golf. (Suzuki Yusuke, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

Originally, I wanted to become a professional golfer. I knew how hard it was to be a caddy, so I didn't want to become one if possible, but before I knew it, I had stepped into the profession (laughs). Golf is a very difficult sport, and most people don't do well. That's why it's fine whether they win or just make it through the qualifying rounds. Whatever the result, I'll be happy as long as the players can finish the match satisfied. (Miura Aio, 3rd year, Bukkyo University)

I started caddying when a professional golfer at the golf course where I was practicing in order to become a professional asked me to caddy there. Before I knew it, 20 years had passed. The most important thing about caddying is that both the player and I have fun. (Suzuki Yusuke, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

I started caddying in earnest when I attended a tournament in which a professional golfer I knew was participating. I love golf, so I enjoy my job as a caddy. I'm especially motivated by the fact that I'm working in such a glamorous world. (Yusuke Suzuki, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

I had been playing golf for a long time, but an acquaintance introduced me to the job of caddying, which led me to start working as a caddy. The thing that makes my job rewarding as a caddy is when a player says "thank you." Sometimes, my opinions differ from those of the players. But even so, I'm very happy when the players trust me, and I hope I can be of some help to them, even if just a little. (Miura Aio, 3rd year student at Bukkyo University)

Originally, I thought I would stay until I found my next job, but it turned out to be more fun than a regular job, so I'm still continuing. I often work on a person for more than a year, so the joy I feel when we win is great. (Yusuke Suzuki, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

I started caddying after being approached by a senior at university. I worked as his personal caddy for about two and a half years, and have been caddying for 16 years now, so I'm happy to have had the opportunity to interact with so many different people. My goal in my work is to "give good advice to players at least once a day." I hope to be close to the players and provide as much support as possible. (Maeda Renpo, second-year student at Chuo University)

When my wife started competing in professional tournaments, I started caddying for her. Being able to watch her from the closest distance makes the joy when she makes a good shot even greater. (Yusuke Suzuki, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

I started caddying because of my wife's influence, and I think the appeal of caddying is that the more work you do, the better your pay and the more gratitude you get from the players. Since what each professional wants is different, I try to come up with various ideas. (Shimada Daiki, 3rd year student at Kokugakuin University)

I was a member of the golf club in high school and college. I started working as a caddy after being invited by my classmate at the time, professional golfer Yosuke Asaji. Of course, I'm happy when the players achieve success. But that's not all. I feel especially rewarded when I receive words of thanks, or an offer to work again, with the expectation that I'll do it again. (Miura Aio, 3rd year student at Bukkyo University)

My first caddy job was when a friend of a friend suddenly asked me to do it. I still continue to caddy because it's so much fun. I love the sense of presence of being able to see the skills of top professionals up close. (Yusuke Suzuki, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

I started playing golf at the age of 23, thinking it would be useful in the future. When I was working as an intern at a golf course, I wanted to support and encourage other people's golf, which is what prompted me to start caddying. I'm happy to be able to support a job that gives people dreams. (Suzuki Yusuke, 3rd year student at Hosei University)

When I was a student, I wanted to become a professional baseball player, but I gave up due to an injury and got a job at a golf manufacturer. However, I had a strong desire to enter the professional world, and I jumped into the world of caddying, thinking that if I became a caddy, I might be able to get into that world. I think the appeal of being a caddy is that you get to see the joy of the players up close. I always try to do my best in what I can, so as not to be disrespectful to the players who are trying so hard. (Miura Aio, 3rd year student at Bukkyo University)

I started caddying after being invited by my senior at university, professional golfer Keiichiro Fukahori. As a caddy, I get to see players win and share in their joy. I think of it as a collaborative effort with the players, so when we work well together and get the results we deserve, it's rewarding. (Maeda Renpo, second-year student at Chuo University)