"...and this is my caddy, John."

ShriekingSheet

What are people's views on regular club golfers using caddies? Do people benefit, or is it more often the case that it's such an unfamiliar thing, that it's just off-putting on a big day? Is it something guys tend to do just for show?

A few instances I've seen recently have been a guy using a caddy in a Barton Cup practice match, in a Junior Scratch Cup, and on the final day of the Captain's Prize. I noticed last week that very few of the West Of Ireland players in the later match play rounds had caddies, just as a by the by.

Obviously it's a personal preference thing, but what's your view?

Is it not a bit mad that in the likes of Pierce Purcell, Barton Cup or Jimmy Bruen, you might have 4 guys trooping around after one ball! In foursomes, you already have a type of caddy in your partner.

Also, in terms of performing on a big day like a scratch cup or captain's prize, is it not a bit mad to introduce a wholly new element to your game all of a sudden? Even if they're only pulling the bag, it's a big change and can be a distraction.

Personally, I've only rarely had a caddy, and it actually worked out well, but I've tended to avoid it. If I'm totally honest, I feel like a bit of a sap with a caddy.

stockdam

Personally I would never have one but I have caddied in the past during matches.

A good caddy will help to ensure the player takes the right choice when dropping under penalty etc., can calm a player down or motivate them when things are going badly and can be useful for helping with the line of putts.

ssbob

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

If I'm totally honest, I feel like a bit of a sap with a caddy.

I think I wouldn't use one for this reason but in another way it might be handy for someone to tell you calm down a bit when your thinking of taking on the "Tiger Shot" when you don't need to!

It would be nice to have someone else lugging around your bag for once?

slave1

Never had one, wouldn't want one as it would not be my natural game and I'd be uncomfortable but I think we all "caddy" from time to time when a playing partner is either playing well or freaking out by calming things down or gentle words of general encouragement at the right time and assistance with rules (but never advice obviously).

DeanAustin

Was playing a scratch cup a few years back and three of us were waiting around the first tee when this fella struts up to us and announces that he's caddying for his brother who is a great player. I thought Tiger Woods' arrival was imminent but, alas, it was a rather portly gentleman (who was actually fairly sound). Anyway, he couldn't hit the ball out of his way. He had a complete mare. He wouldn't have broken 100 and, by looking at him, you could see that he got to a 10 handicap but was unlikely to go any lower.

Always have a chuckle when I think of it because he did look a sap being the only fella with a caddy and being about 9 over after two holes.

PARlance

I suffer quite a bit from the good old Irish "ARA I'm grand" trait.

If I was told I had to have a caddy, I'd end up carrying the bag for him and apologising every time I hit a bad shot

mike12

Did it once in a town's cup match. It was good to have someone around that you could talk to as the guy i was playing ended up being a tool and didn't really talk all day. The guy i had was good at reading greens so he was a big help.
For 4ball i think that your partner is enough help and company without anyone else.
Mike

Rippeditup

I done it a few times in the Smurfit cup, Junior Cup & Senior Cup as I always wanted to keep a distance between me and competitors.. Also a way to keep from looking at the other players shots while also being able to get a little update on where they went when walking up the fairway..

Always good to have a mate around IMO as you tend to play allot with the guy on the bag which adds familiarity.

Most of the guys in the West had caddies when I was there, Again mates and not really adding anything i.e. club selection or ideas on type of shots to be played.

FixdePitchmark

I don't think an amateur should use a caddy or a GPS.

Just me.

Once I could see the value in Royal County Down. If they were not there the tourists would take 6 hours to get around.

Xenophile

Ten or twenty (even) Euro to a young man or woman for a bit of Donkey work while learning about the game and expanding social contacts would be a nice and very welcome reward from those who could afford it.

m r c

Am..... If I could see how using a caddy could practically help I'd have zero hang ups tbh.

What's the big deal really, a good caddy might not make the bad shots better but might help if the head starts to go.

I can't picture me needing one any time soon being honest now. But I don't see the need to be dead against either.

Mr. Larson

Would get one on a wet day alright, in a heartbeat... someone to keep the gear dry while I focus on keeping myself dry. Otherwise wouldn't bother, would rather keep close connection to my Foursome partner.

FixdePitchmark

m r c wrote: »

Am..... If I could see how using a caddy could practically help I'd have zero hang ups tbh.

What's the big deal really, a good caddy might not make the bad shots better but might help if the head starts to go.

I can't picture me needing one any time soon being honest now. But I don't see the need to be dead against either.

But in how many sports do you get help from another person ? It is meant to be an indivdual sport.

The Premier Man

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

But in how many sports do you get help from another person ? It is meant to be an indivdual sport.

take sports like tennis or badminton which are also individual sports,u are allowed as much advice during play from coaches as u want.type of shots to play etc. so i can't see why a golfer can't do this,we can all see the shots to play but only some can play them,thats where the talent of the player takes over.

FixdePitchmark

The Premier Man wrote: »

take sports like tennis or badminton which are also individual sports,u are allowed as much advice during play from coaches as u want.type of shots to play etc. so i can't see why a golfer can't do this,we can all see the shots to play but only some can play them,thats where the talent of the player takes over.

Not true on Tennis ?

m r c

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

But in how many sports do you get help from another person ? It is meant to be an indivdual sport.

But golf is pretty unique in fairness, it is an individual sport and the player is the only one who gets to play the ball. It is arguable that the caddys job is to mostly preform the etiquette stuff and course friendly jobs(ie rake bunkers, tend the pin) to let the golfer focus on his performance. Maybe keep the player talking when the pressure is on depending on ego's lol

m r c

Boxing would be a good comparison "having someone in your corner"

And to throw in the towel on occasion lol

mafc

Have used a caddie in matches and would have to say my caddie was excellent. He plays a lot of golf with me and obviously knows my game ie. strengths & weaknesses. Reading putts , reassurance and shot choices is a great help in matches.

FixdePitchmark

The way I look at it is, as amateurs, we have to do everything ourselves.

Read the green
Judge/measure the distance
Carry our equipment
rake bunkers
View the shot
Pick the club

Does a better caddy give an advantage ?
If so, it ruins the pureness of best man wins.

In a game of snooker it is one man versus another. Nobody tells Ronnie how / what shot to take.

For practical reasons you could have a caddy that can not help , but carrys out duties like raking , club carrying.

But it is how the game started , so it is the way it is. So no point worrying about it.

mafc

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

The way I look at it is, as amateurs, we have to do everything ourselves.

Read the green
Judge/measure the distance
Carry our equipment
rake bunkers
View the shot
Pick the club

Does a better caddy give an advantage ?
If so, it ruins the pureness of best man wins.

In a game of snooker it is one man versus another. Nobody tells Ronnie how what shot to take.

For practical reasons you could have a caddy that can not help , but carrys out duties like raking , club carrying.

But it is how the game started , so it is the way it is. So no point worrying about it.

The player still has to hit the shot. Pros & cons for everything....

FixdePitchmark

mafc wrote: »

The player still has to hit the shot. Pros & cons for everything....

I just think - except tidying up and carrying clubs. They are all a skill of the game.