Sorry to be rude

JONATHANM

Hi,I totally forgot that I proly should have introduced myself before posting.Rude of me and I appologize.

My name is Jonathan.I am a caddy from pennsylvainia, United states.I've been looping for 15+ years.I have caddied on the senior tour (now the "champions tour").I am going to be moving to california to further my career as a golf professional.Looking forward to meeting you all and making a buncha freinds.Great forum.I'm sure I will have a great time here!!See you in the forums!!


Stay cool/ Play well,

Jonathan

kagni

Welcome Jonathon, great to have someone with your experience on here.

neckedit

just wondering are you based in Ireland at the moment? a buddy of mine is thinking of going out as a caddy foy a year, i'm sure he'd be very interesting in geting some info from ya. I believe its a tough but good fun life style, my only Caddying experience is as young lad doin it for pocket money and later on in the Irish PGA championship a few times, oh and of course i reas "Four Iron In The Soul" A highly recommended book for any golfer who wants a damn good read and a big aul laugh!:p good luck with all you choose to do man and I look forward to your Post/threads in the future

JONATHANM

neckedit wrote: »

just wondering are you based in Ireland at the moment? a buddy of mine is thinking of going out as a caddy foy a year, i'm sure he'd be very interesting in geting some info from ya. I believe its a tough but good fun life style, my only Caddying experience is as young lad doin it for pocket money and later on in the Irish PGA championship a few times, oh and of course i reas "Four Iron In The Soul" A highly recommended book for any golfer who wants a damn good read and a big aul laugh!:p good luck with all you choose to do man and I look forward to your Post/threads in the future

Im in USA now,and actaully I would love to visit Ireland sometime.Ive heard it's a beautiful country.The golf is great as well i hear.Of the pictures I've seen it looks like a wonderful country.My mother visited and said it was fabulous.I have Irish in me and proud.I have a visit to Ireland top of list.

As for your freind,I would be more than happy to help w/ anything he might want to know.There are 3 "golden" rules to start with:

1)Show up
2)Shut up
3)Keep up

Looking forward to helping as much as I can.

Stay cool/Play well,

Jonathan

[edit] Thank you for the warm welcome!!

JONATHANM

kagni wrote: »

Welcome Jonathon, great to have someone with your experience on here.

Thank you. More than happy to help in any way!!

Jonathan

WHIP IT!

JONATHANM wrote: »

There are 3 "golden" rules to start with:

1)Show up
2)Shut up
3)Keep up

Interesting you say this as it's something I believe all caddies should treat as Gospel!

Having said that, there seems to be an increasing amount of Pros who lean on their caddies for pre-shot advice and putt-reading etc.... I was watching the PGA Tour last week and Faldo commented on how Vijay's caddy practically told him what shot to play on a hole and was very kind of "forceful" in how he put it... I would've thought Vijay was the last player who'd want this kind of unput from his caddy and Faldo seemed to think the same.

Mickelson relies on Bones for every putt and before every other shot. Strange from a player who seems to play in such a natural way.

You know yourself, even playing Club golf when a member of your foursome says something like "Oh, you sure you have enough club there?" or "You really think you can carry that?" etc etc - it's annoying and puts doubt in your mind which is often enough to force a mistake.

Jonathan, have you ever worked for a player who preferred you to almost tell him what shot to play or do most just want you to hand them the club they ask for and keep out of the way??

JONATHANM

WHIP IT! wrote: »

Jonathan, have you ever worked for a player who preferred you to almost tell him what shot to play or do most just want you to hand them the club they ask for and keep out of the way??

Good 1.At the club level,as you can imagine,there are quite a few "interestiing" personalities that a caddy will be coming in contact with.These I will put into categories:

1)Demanding/Pompus-These people are very hard to deal with. Usually have been very succesful in life and "expect" things to be done their way or no way.
-Very competitive
-Very hard to offer any information(if you do , it's almost always questioned)
-They feel that they always need to be in control
-They usually always feel that they are better than you
-Will ignore caddy until they need something
**I usually just let these people be what they may,yes sir no sir,and forecaddy as much as possible.Staying out of any confrontation when dealing w/ a person like this is paramount.Surprisingly,these people tend to be the big tippers(I know, I dont get it either)

2)Passive- These people are just there to have fun and enjoy company
-Usually great personalities
-Aren't really competitive,but will play a "freindly" nassau here and there
-Very open to suggestion
-Appreciative of any help given

**These people are a joy,and fun to work for.I tend to give alittle more attention to these people,because quite frankly,It's worth it.These people I'll offer advice when I see that they are having troubles,although you have to feel that out.As with anyone , I need to know my boundries.Some people , regardless of their type, can be touchy at times.

3)Cheap- Similar to the "Demanding"
-Stand-off-ish
-Questions advice
-Sometimes will refuse services(ball clean,putt reads,bunker rake)
*refusal of these services ,as far as I can tell, reinforces there decision to stiff me."Why should I pay him that? He only carried a golf bag"
-They tend to look for all bad in you as a caddy(prelude to the stiff when it comes time to be payed for your services)
-Typically clueless when it comes to golf knowledge

4)Needy-These people are just that.
-Need clean towel
-Need ball mark tool
-Need score card
-Need clean balls
-Need grips cleaned
-Need approval
-Need EXACT yardage
-Need to know how to swing the club
-Need people in proper places when putting
-Need to be talked to
-Need to be in conversations constantly
-Need to have divet replaced by caddy
-Need to have cover kept on putter
-Need to have cover kept on Driver
-Need to know where the halfway house is
-Need to know what they got on every hole previous
-Need to know what other players in group lie
-Need to know what time it is
-Need to know when it gets dark
-NEEDS TO KNOW EVERYTHING

Got the idea?Not bad people,just needy.
**These people I just do what I have to do and hope it's over fast.

5)Show offs-These are the guys that show up Titleist from head to toe.Walking billboards.Big pro titleist bag.Best gear money can buy.
-Know it alls
-Cant give advice,they know it all
-Self obsorbed
-Usually cant play a lick but claim to be,and carry themselves, as superstars
-1st to say they are a 5 handicap and just shot 76(usually at the bar)

**These people I just do what I have to do and hope it's over fast.

Thats pretty much it.I'm sure I forgot some stuff.The point is you really just need to be good at knowing who your dealing with as a caddy.As for the professional level,Thats a different ball game.At this level your playing "with" your player.Trust is huge when it comes to that level.Typically caddies at this level have been with their players long before they were on tour.As with any relationship,theirs has been developed through years and years of up and downs.As with any relationship it is a bond that has matured into something comfortable for both involved.It comes down to what each is comfortable with the other.There are things that an "outsider" may not feel appropriate.I can assure you,if the player/caddy relationship wasn't solid,they wouldn't be together in the 1st place.

In closing,I've looped for all types.Some good,some bad.It definately isn't the easiest profession to be involved with.If your good with people,and love the game,it's that much easier to deal with the "special" personalities.I sometimes thinks it's comical really.When a 30 handicap player turns to me after I read a putt and says.."It doesnt break that much"..or.."are you sure it breaks that much".As he fails to recognize...Ive walked this track 1000's of times.I've read that same putt as many times.And best of all......I put up a 72 here just yesterday.I love my job!!


Hope this helps alittle bit.

Stay cool/Play well,

Jonathan

Dublin Spur

JONATHANM wrote: »

Good 1.At the club level,as you can imagine,there are quite a few "interestiing" personalities that a caddy will be coming in contact with.These I will put into categories:

1)Demanding/Pompus-These people are very hard to deal with. Usually have been very succesful in life and "expect" things to be done their way or no way.
-Very competitive
-Very hard to offer any information(if you do , it's almost always questioned)
-They feel that they always need to be in control
-They usually always feel that they are better than you
-Will ignore caddy until they need something
**I usually just let these people be what they may,yes sir no sir,and forecaddy as much as possible.Staying out of any confrontation when dealing w/ a person like this is paramount.Surprisingly,these people tend to be the big tippers(I know, I dont get it either)

2)Passive- These people are just there to have fun and enjoy company
-Usually great personalities
-Aren't really competitive,but will play a "freindly" nassau here and there
-Very open to suggestion
-Appreciative of any help given

**These people are a joy,and fun to work for.I tend to give alittle more attention to these people,because quite frankly,It's worth it.These people I'll offer advice when I see that they are having troubles,although you have to feel that out.As with anyone , I need to know my boundries.Some people , regardless of their type, can be touchy at times.

3)Cheap- Similar to the "Demanding"
-Stand-off-ish
-Questions advice
-Sometimes will refuse services(ball clean,putt reads,bunker rake)
*refusal of these services ,as far as I can tell, reinforces there decision to stiff me."Why should I pay him that? He only carried a golf bag"
-They tend to look for all bad in you as a caddy(prelude to the stiff when it comes time to be payed for your services)
-Typically clueless when it comes to golf knowledge

4)Needy-These people are just that.
-Need clean towel
-Need ball mark tool
-Need score card
-Need clean balls
-Need grips cleaned
-Need approval
-Need EXACT yardage
-Need to know how to swing the club
-Need people in proper places when putting
-Need to be talked to
-Need to be in conversations constantly
-Need to have divet replaced by caddy
-Need to have cover kept on putter
-Need to have cover kept on Driver
-Need to know where the halfway house is
-Need to know what they got on every hole previous
-Need to know what other players in group lie
-Need to know what time it is
-Need to know when it gets dark
-NEEDS TO KNOW EVERYTHING

Got the idea?Not bad people,just needy.
**These people I just do what I have to do and hope it's over fast.

5)Show offs-These are the guys that show up Titleist from head to toe.Walking billboards.Big pro titleist bag.Best gear money can buy.
-Know it alls
-Cant give advice,they know it all
-Self obsorbed
-Usually cant play a lick but claim to be,and carry themselves, as superstars
-1st to say they are a 5 handicap and just shot 76(usually at the bar)

**These people I just do what I have to do and hope it's over fast.

Thats pretty much it.I'm sure I forgot some stuff.The point is you really just need to be good at knowing who your dealing with as a caddy.As for the professional level,Thats a different ball game.At this level your playing "with" your player.Trust is huge when it comes to that level.Typically caddies at this level have been with their players long before they were on tour.As with any relationship,theirs has been developed through years and years of up and downs.As with any relationship it is a bond that has matured into something comfortable for both involved.It comes down to what each is comfortable with the other.There are things that an "outsider" may not feel appropriate.I can assure you,if the player/caddy relationship wasn't solid,they wouldn't be together in the 1st place.

In closing,I've looped for all types.Some good,some bad.It definately isn't the easiest profession to be involved with.If your good with people,and love the game,it's that much easier to deal with the "special" personalities.I sometimes thinks it's comical really.When a 30 handicap player turns to me after I read a putt and says.."It doesnt break that much"..or.."are you sure it breaks that much".As he fails to recognize...Ive walked this track 1000's of times.I've read that same putt as many times.And best of all......I put up a 72 here just yesterday.I love my job!!


Hope this helps alittle bit.

Stay cool/Play well,

Jonathan

Facinating stuff - thanks for the insight

JONATHANM

Glad to help Dublin!!;)


Jonathan

kingshankly

Think that could be a brilliant poll where you have to classify yourself as one of the above in Jonathans post must be honest. I'm sure one of our computer friendly guys could sort it out

JONATHANM

kingshankly wrote: »

Think that could be a brilliant poll where you have to classify yourself as one of the above in Jonathans post must be honest. I'm sure one of our computer friendly guys could sort it out

LOL. Fabulous idea.I would have to think "passive" would get the most votes.Just a guess:P.


Stay cool /Play well,

Jonathan

stockdam

Who did you caddy for on the seniors tour?

JONATHANM

stockdam wrote: »

Who did you caddy for on the seniors tour?

Lee Elder,Bruce Summerhayes,Tim Collins,Tommy Price(2003 senior PGA championship).

Club Notables: Jay Sigel,Eddie Dougherty,Buddy Marrucci(08' Walker cup captain,95' amatuer finalist v.Tiger,member at club I work now)Ray Floyd Jr.(freinds with one of my request loops)


All fabulous ball strikers.Learned( and still learn ) from just watching them play.Buddy,I'm usually just in his group now, faz has his bag and travels w/ him.I pretty much loop for Ray jr. when he comes to the club(3-4 times a season).Jay & Eddie I dont see much anymore I dont caddy at that club now.


Stay cool/Play well,

Jonathan