As you prepare to play great links courses on your upcoming trip, it will be helpful to understand your options to ensure you have the best trip.
To help make that happen, we will need to collect your preferences for:
Using a caddie/trolley/cart
Playing partner preference for tee group pairing (e.g., “I want to golf with my spouse all 5 rounds or “I want to play with my friend, Jim Smoth, 3 of the 5 rounds,” etc
We’re providing some helpful background in this request to help you make your choices.
Then, based on your input, we will prepare pairings for each round of golf, taking care to ensure at least one caddie is requested per tee group. Most courses require a caddie or forecaddie at a minimum in each group.
We will not have much flexibility to change your preference selections once you arrive as a caddie, cart, and trolley requests are sent to the course weeks ahead of your arrival.
Request a caddie
This may be the first time you’ve considered using a caddie for your golf rounds. For some, it can be intimidating, but it should not be.
Single caddie - A single caddie handles the needs of the sole individual whom they are serving
Double Caddie - In most of the Republic of Ireland, caddies will carry two bags and are noted as ‘double’ caddies. The caddie will likely carry on a bag and use a pull trolley for others.
Forecaddie - Most often used by a three/four-golfer to provide direction and advice. Forecaddie does not carry any of the players’ golf bags. Links golf courses often have some ‘blind shots,’ so having a caddy with local (course) knowledge helps avoid lost balls and slow play. Most caddies take great pride in being ball hawks, and while not always successful in locating your golf ball, you will be amazed at their ability to find that ‘crooked shot’.
Caddies come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds. Often, they are members of the golf club you are playing. They are independent contractors, and neither Sullivan Golf Travel nor the Caddy Master can provide a guarantee of any kind. Some are great storytellers who can add to your experience. They want you to have a great experience, even if your game is less than you’d hoped.
Caddy Rates [based on 2025 - subject to change in 2026]
Listed below are the most common rates, before gratuity. Caddy fees listed are based on current rates available and are subject to change at the discretion of the clubs.
Single Caddie (One bag) 80 - 110 Euros, before gratuity
Double Caddie (Two bags) - 100 - 200 Euros per golfer, 160 Euros shared between the two golfers is most common, before gratuity.
Forecaddie (3 or 4 golfers) - Approx 40 -50 Euros
Trolley - 10 Euros each
Electric Trolley 25 -30 Euros each
In addition to the rates noted above, caddies work for an additional gratuity.
The minimum gratuity is 20 Euros, with 40 Euros or more for a truly great experience.
While we cannot always ensure a full complement of caddies will be available to handle the needs of our group, we will seek to get a minimum of one per tee group for each of the rounds you are playing. You will always pay your caddie cash, plus gratuity, following your round.
Request a Trolley
Golf on links courses is different from most golf in North America. Most of the courses were designed and built for golfers to walk, not ride a cart. Each course has a full complement of ‘Hand or ‘Push’ trolleys to rent for a nominal amount of 5/10 EUROS. Pull trolleys generally do not have to be pre-booked.
Some have electric trolleys, but limited in availability. Reserve in advance and pay approximately 25 Euros in the Pro Shop before your round. Credit cards are accepted.
Request a Cart [Buggy]
Golf Carts/Baggies are not very common and are limited in number where available. Most courses you’ll play were designed to be walking only, but a few make carts (called buggies) available. Some of the golf clubs ban buggies completely due to the very challenging terrain. In some cases, the course will require a caddy to drive the cart.
Some of the golf clubs allow buggies only with a Medical Certificate - which is a doctor’s note- and must be provided well in advance of your arrival.
Cost is approximately 40 - 60 EUROS. You will pay for your cart in the Pro Shop before your round - credit cards accepted.
The cart details will be as follows:
- Dooks - requires medical cert - sent in advance of travel
- Ballybunion - no carts available
- Waterville - Carts available
- Tralee - requires medical cert - sent in advance of travel
- Old Head - Carts available - cart path only
Carry your Clubs
Some prefer to walk and carry their clubs. This is a great option as long as you are in good physical condition. We will seek to match you with other players in a pairing that includes a forecaddie at a minimum.