For families living in Japan

Caddying and driving the cart

What parents need to know on the course

For parents who play golf themselves but are caddying or driving the cart at a junior tournament in Japan for the first time. This guide focuses on what is different from your own rounds.

First: the parent’s mindset

Your child is the star. Be the closest cheering section

Which club, which shot: for 18 holes, children think and decide for themselves. When a shot goes wrong, smile and say “next one.” Parents who are not caddies may not give advice [1][2], so cheer with a smile instead of words.

Golf is best played at a good tempo

The Rules recommend playing within 40 seconds, and stroke play allows “ready golf”, where whoever is ready plays first [3]. JJGA regional events expect a group of four to play the front nine in 2 hours 15 minutes [1]. Getting things ready ahead of time helps your child find a rhythm.

Children who run to their ball are playing fast on purpose

Praise it (“Good hustle!”) and keep up briskly yourself. You have only three minutes to search for a ball [4], so it helps if everyone watches where each ball goes.

1. Know your role

On the morning of the event, the check-in desk may hand you a form “for caddies.” Parents usually have one of three roles, and what you may and may not do is very different for each.

Your child’s caddie

You can

Carry and hand over clubs
Search for the ball
Give advice (to your own child only)
Tend the flagstick, rake bunkers [5]

You must not

Stand behind the ball on the line of play once your child takes a stance
Decide on relief or drop the ball [5]
Advise other children

Hand in at check-inCaddie application form (IJGA [2], JGAI [6])

Cart driver

You can

Drive the cart for your child’s group

You must not

Give advice
Do any caddie work, such as handing over or carrying clubs, at “driving only” events [7][2]

Hand in at check-inCart driver application (at IJGA, the same form as for spectators) [2]

Spectating parent

You can

Watch from the permitted areas (for example the first tee shot)

You must not

Advise your child [2]
Go outside the permitted areas, or onto the teeing area or practice green (JJGA) [1]

Hand in at check-inAt IJGA, the player registers family members and you hand in a spectator application [7]

Whether parents can caddie depends on the organizer and age

Organizer	Divisions where parents can caddie	Divisions where they cannot
IJGA (e.g. World Junior qualifiers)	Age 9–10 and younger (caddies must be 19 or older) [7]	Age 11 and older. Parents drive the cart only [7]
JGAI (JGAI Cup)	A parent caddie is required for grade 4 and below (age 9–10). Optional from grade 5 [6]	–
JJGA (regional events)	The age 8–9 division at some venues only (8 venues in 2026, in the Chubu, Chugoku and Kyushu regions; check the schedule for your venue) [8][1]	All other divisions and venues. Parents serve as volunteer cart drivers and may not caddie [8]

What the pledge and application forms say (IJGA example)

You are 19 or olderThe same as “18 and under not allowed” in the guidelines.
You follow the course’s terms of use and stay with your child’s group
You take the same care as players about cart accidents, flying balls and falls
Injury to you or loss of your belongings is your own responsibilityUnless the course is at fault.
Cart drivers do not do any caddie work
If a family member breaks the rules, the player’s side is responsibleA condition of the family registration form, which the player submits.

By signing, you accept that what you do can affect your child’s result [2]. Under the Rules of Golf, too, a caddie’s breach is the player’s penalty [5].

Under the Rules, driving a cart with the clubs on it makes you a caddie

Driving with the clubs= a caddie

Caddie + another driver= two caddies

According to the official clarifications, a person who drives a cart carrying the player’s clubs is a caddie, and if someone other than the caddie drives it, the player has two caddies and can be penalized [9]. That is why events where parents drive carts state rules such as “driving only” in their guidelines [7].

2. Habits from your own rounds to leave at home

Remarks and small help that are normal in your own rounds can count as advice or a breach at a junior tournament.

Cart driverSpectator

Your child comes back and asks, “Which club?”

✕“Your 7-iron is fine.”

○“You decide.”

Anything about choosing a club or how to play a shot is advice. Only your child’s caddie may give it [5].

Cart driverSpectator

On the green, before a putt

✕“It’s fast, and it breaks right.”

○(Watch quietly)

Information about the line or how to play is advice, too [5]. A remark you would make to friends can cost your child a penalty.

Cart driver

You notice your child has the wrong club

✕Run over with the right club

○Wait for your child to come and get it

At “driving only” events, cart drivers may not hand over clubs [7][2].

Cart driverSpectator

Your child seems unsure of the distance

✕Measure it on your rangefinder: “120 yards.”

○Don’t measure, don’t say

At events that prohibit “any advice or handing over clubs”, it is safest not to help with distances either [7].

Everyone

Another child in the group can’t decide on the aim

✕“Aim a little more left.”

○Just watch

Even a caddie may advise only the child they are caddying for [5].

Everyone

During the break after 9 holes

✕Show a swing video and give a lesson

○“Enjoy the back nine!”

At JJGA events the wait after 9 holes counts as part of the round. Advice from parents and practice aids are not allowed [1], and showing swing videos can lead to a penalty or disqualification [10].

3. Tee shots and driving the cart

Once your child has taken a stance, a caddie must not stand behind the ball on an extension of the line of play. Checking the line from behind before the stance is fine [5].

Move only after everyone has hit

Children hit very different distances, and balls can go anywhere.

Watch the running children and drive slowly

No sudden starts, and don’t drive right up to a ball. Watch where all four balls go.

4. Rules for caddies only

○Search for the ball, hand over clubs

○Give advice (own child only)

○Remove or attend the flagstick

○Rake bunkers

○Mark and lift the ball on the green

✕Decide whether to take relief

✕Drop the ball

✕Replace a ball they did not lift

✕Put down an object to show the line

✕Advise other children

Based on Rule 10.3 [5]. The player is responsible for the caddie’s actions [5]. When in doubt, step back and let your child handle it.

Under the Rules a caddie may mark the ball on the green [5], but some junior events decide that only players may be on and around the green. Check the guidelines and the briefing, and if so, wait off the green.

5. When and how to speak

Address

(Shh)

Stay still and quiet

The swing

(Shh)

Stop the cart, too

Ball stops

Nice shot!

For others in the group, too

After a miss

(Smile)

No sighs

“Go for it” and “stay calm” are not advice, but “swing slower” or “take a 7-iron” are [5]. JJGA asks parents to avoid shouting, strange noises and showing too much emotion [10].

6. When something goes wrong

The ball went into the trees. It was found, but nobody is sure whether it may be moved. Here is the order to follow.

Your child decidesThe player decides whether to take relief and how to proceed. A caddie may advise [5]. Cart drivers and spectators stay out of it.
If unsure, play two ballsIn stroke play the player may complete the hole with two balls [11]. At JJGA events, the player first tells another player in the group which ball they want to count [1].
Contact the officials as the event instructsSome events print the rules official’s mobile number in the day’s information (IJGA [12]). Ask at check-in who may make the call.
Report before handing in the scorecardFailing to report means disqualification [11][1]. If no official can come quickly, the player decides and plays on [11].

7. What differs by event: check the guidelines

Can parents caddie?Depends on the organizer and division (table in section 1).

Rangefinders and slopeThe Rules allow distance only by default [13]. JGA [14] and IJGA [7]: distance between two points only. JGAI: slope allowed [6].

Where you can watchJJGA: only near tees 1 and 10 and greens 9 and 18 [1]. Some events allow no spectators [6].

Parents’ dress codeJJGA: no denim, T-shirts, tracksuits or sandals, for parents too [1].

LockersIJGA: only players may use lockers and baths [12].

Check-in and meeting timesIJGA: check in 30 min, gather 15 min before [12]. JJGA: check in 45 min, wait 10 min before [1].

Application formsFill in and bring [2], with health insurance cards [12].

Alcohol and smokingJJGA: no drinking for cart drivers, no smoking on the course while driving or caddying [10].

Pairings sheetCheck the names and ages of the children in your group, so greetings come easily.

The day at a glance

ArriveDrop your bag at the entranceStaff usually load it straight onto the cart.
Check inTwo desks: the event and the front deskHand in your application and receive a caddie or cart sticker [12]. IJGA: 30 minutes before [12]. JJGA: 45 minutes before [1].
PracticeWithin the rulesThe number of range balls and use of the practice green may be limited.
GatherGreet the group and their familiesIJGA: at the first tee 15 minutes before [12]. JJGA: near the tee 10 minutes before [1].
StartA short briefing, then tee offThe round starts with the first tee shot.

What to pack in addition to your usual round

Forms and insurance cards[2][12]

Several ball markersThey get lost easily

Drinks for your childPlenty of them

Bite-size snacksEnergy gels or small sweets; depends on the child

Spare balls and tees

Rain gear and umbrella

Same as your usual round

Don’t step on lines or cast shadows
Repair ball marks and divots
Rake bunkers
Shout “Fore!” if a ball heads toward people
Don’t move or talk near a player
Three minutes to search, provisional ball [4]
Park the cart on the way to the next tee

Whether a cart driver may help with the flagstick or bunkers depends on the event [7]. For example, the Okayama Prefecture Golf Association’s junior championship states that cart drivers do not do caddie work “such as holding the flagstick or cleaning the player’s ball” [15].

Sources (15)

JJGA, Common competition rules for regional events, 2026 (地区大会会場共通・競技規定, Japanese) https://www.jjga.org/convention/2026/ishikawaryocup/pdf/Qualifying_rules.pdf
IJGA application forms: caddie, spectator/cart driver, and registration of family members (Japanese) https://www.ijga.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shinsei-caddy.pdf https://www.ijga.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1455eafc0d92a65fd15318fb5e1c086a.pdf https://www.ijga.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shinsei-kankeisya.pdf
The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rule 5.6b (Prompt pace of play, “ready golf”) https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-5
The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rule 18.2 (Lost ball, three minutes) and 18.3 (Provisional ball) https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-18
The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rule 10.2 (Advice and other help) and 10.3 (Caddies) https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-10
Ichihara City Junior Golf Association (JGAI), JGAI Cup guidelines, November 2026 (Japanese) https://www.jgai.or.jp/ijgt202611/
International Junior Golf Association (IJGA), 2026 junior tournament guidelines (Japanese) https://www.ijga.or.jp/cp-ol-2026-competition/
JJGA, Entry guidelines and schedule for regional events, 2026 (地区大会募集要項・地区大会日程表, Japanese) https://www.jjga.org/convention/2026/ishikawaryocup/pdf/Qualifying_about.pdf https://www.jjga.org/convention/2026/ishikawaryocup/pdf/Qualifying_schedule.pdf
The R&A, Clarifications, Rule 10.3a/1 (a person driving the cart is also a caddie) https://www.randa.org/rog/clarifications/rule-10
Japan Junior Golf Association (JJGA), Etiquette and manners, 2026 (エチケット・マナーの注意, Japanese) https://www.jjga.org/convention/2026/ishikawaryocup/pdf/2026_manners.pdf
The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rule 20.1 (Resolving Rules issues, playing two balls) https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-20
IJGA, Information for the day, 2026 Kanto qualifier 1 (Japanese) https://www.ijga.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/a84bd5b3dfcc9ef4737a03bf16d80c0e.pdf
The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rule 4.3 (Use of equipment) and Model Local Rule G-5 https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-4
Japan Golf Association, Local Rules for JGA championships 2022 (2022年度 JGA主催競技に適用されるローカルルールについて, Japanese) https://www.jga.or.jp/jga/html/jga_data/02KYOUGI_NEWS/2022_KYOUGI/localrule.pdf
Okayama Prefecture Golf Association, Local rules and conditions of competition, 2025 Okayama Junior Championship (Japanese) https://okayama-ga.jp/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2025Jr選手権：ローカルルールと競技の条件.pdf

Event rules shown are examples from organizers’ 2026 guidelines. Items without a source reflect common practice among experienced golfers. Always check the guidelines and the briefing for your event. Information as of October 2026.

First: the parent’s mindset

Your child is the star. Be the closest cheering section

Golf is best played at a good tempo

Children who run to their ball are playing fast on purpose

1. Know your role

Your child’s caddie

Cart driver

Spectating parent

Whether parents can caddie depends on the organizer and age

What the pledge and application forms say (IJGA example)

Under the Rules, driving a cart with the clubs on it makes you a caddie

2. Habits from your own rounds to leave at home

3. Tee shots and driving the cart

4. Rules for caddies only

5. When and how to speak

6. When something goes wrong

7. What differs by event: check the guidelines

The day at a glance

What to pack in addition to your usual round

Same as your usual round

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