Anyone ever bee fortunate enough to have a caddie for a round? Ever played at a caddies/walking only course? Thoughts?

I have played a few private and resort courses with a caddie and enjoy the local knowledge a good caddie can provide. If it were possible I would play all my rounds with caddie, just need to find that money tree.

I've only played a round with a caddie that was a friend...never someone with local knowledge or anything that I was really paying for...

Quite a few times. Mostly in tournaments. But, also in casual rounds at Bandon Dunes.

Had a caddie give me a bad yardage on the first hole and I didn't trust him the rest of the round (he told me I had 84 yards, airmailed the green . . playing partener 3 feet away was told 72 yards by his caddy - still my fault for not double checking) . . . if you get a bad caddy, you'll hate it . . . if not, its great.

Played with a caddie many times (private courses, resorts, tournaments). A few things:
1) Enjoy the relaxing walk without having to lug a bag (it's a nice change of pace)
2) Always take reads on greens w/ a grain of salt. Everyone has a different putting style. Some are lag putters, others like to ram it by. A good caddie will take those things into consideration. Personally, I don't want the caddie reading putts unless I ask for their help (a good caddie should ask if you want help on reads prior to the round starting).
3) Generally a good caddie is spot on with distances, but only YOU know how you hit certain clubs. Always hit with what you are most confortable with. Some play by distance, others by feel.

All in all, if you go into the experience with the mindset that YOU are the one responsible for what you shoot, you will most likely have a great time, and you will enjoy having a caddie. I see too many people take caddies and blame it on them if they shoot a bad score, or miss a put. Sure there may be an occasional mis-yardage, but that comes with the territory. Most of us are not tour pros, and can't club w/i a yard or two of the exact distance anyway.

Only once in Mombasa Kenya. "Professor", as he called himself, was good for carrying my bag and not much else. Other than the experience of playing on a 3rd world cow pasture complete with African wildlife, it was a mostly forgettable experience.

This is so true. True for distances AND green reads. Get a bad one early, and you'll second-guess the advice the whole rest of the way.

Had a caddie whilst playing the old course at St Andrews, fantastic experience all round. Pointed me in the right direction, had plenty of funny stories and made me feel good about my game.

I had my first caddy this season at a private club. Very enjoyable experience- his yardages were spot on and his advice excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Round went a lot faster because he would give us a little advice on the tee then walk up the fairway and spot all of our shots... we didn't have any lost balls all day.

He'd meet us on the way to our ball, give us our yardage and a good aim point, we'd pick our club and hit the shot. Fast, efficient round.

I've had a caddy many times. Some are horrible, some are really great. Generally the benefit for me is to walk the course , without taking a cart or carrying your bag. My best experience was a Pebble beach when I had a caddy. After the 1st hole, he was just handing me irons, he knew my game that well after just 1 shot on the 1st fairway. He read greens and saved me atleast 3 shots that day.

Couple times. It's fun. The knowledge and help is amazing.

I was 24 when I played my 1st round with a caddy. The caddy had to be in his 40s. This gentleman cut grass in the moring and caddied 1 late morning round per day. It felt a bit weird having someone of his age carrying around my bag. I am far from a snob or rich kid. We got to talking and I really enjoyed his company. From the sounds of it, he made very good money. Carried 2 bags per round several times a week.

had a very good experience the only time that i have used a caddy. again as stated before - YOU know your game better than they do. i am a feel player - distances sometimes are felt. i can get my own yardage pace it off - and it doesn't feel right, so i pull a different club. 9/10 hit it spot on distance. i only asked for basic reads on the green or to verify what i thought. i also had the caddy watch me putt and chip. which helped him help me with reads.

with the driver i got a couple of bad lines - that i wish i could have over. hit it right on his line - but blasted it through the fairway. two times into trouble. granted it was a casual round - but a confidence killer to say the least! sure is nice not carrying your bag...!

I was a caddie at the local CC in high school. I was pretty good with yardages, but really good on keeping track of the ball. I could be mean to players who treated me bad on the front 9 - the 11th hole was a forced carry over water and that was where I tended to be a few yards off in my yardage. I must of played that course a thousand times, so I could be good on strategy and the greens if I felt like it. Youth, what can you say?

I like playing with a caddie. They spot your ball and you get local course knowledge. Plus, I really like the pace of play when walking and the ease of not carrying/pushing the bag.

In the Philippines, all golf courses have caddies. Green fees already have the caddie fee included in them. Some of them ain't that good gauging distances but the more senior/older ones are much better. They help you find the ball, clean your clubs, carry your bag, hold your umbrella, or even drive the cart. I have never played a round there without a caddie. Now, I'm in Illinois and it's going to be a lot different.

My course here is walking only and requires the taking of a caddy...




...not the worst thing to get used to...

I've played with caddies at resort courses. Here's my take:

I love being able to walk without carrying or pushing clubs. I feel like a dog that's been let off his leash. (Assuming I really know what a dog in this situation feels like.)

I love having someone out front spotting me. My eyesight sucks, and it's so nice to walk toward your ball near the tree line when you already know it's been found. It's great if your tee ball is a little off now and then, and really cuts down on the anxiety you may feel during that long walk, which greatly enhances the day.

I don't know how often you other folks have experienced this, but I've frequently had caddies who, without asking, point out the line of a putt by touching the flagstick to the line -- an illegal act. I'm a stickler for the rules, so I start out with the following dialog in my head: "I've been assigned this caddie, I didn't select him. Is he really 'my' caddie as intended by the rules? Is it fair to hold me responsible for his rules-violatiing acts? Is my round legitimate if I don't access myself a penalty?"

I've tried to warn caddies about the above violation in advance, and have managed to insult some by mentioning something they see it as their business to know already. I really don't want to start a round of golf that cost me a couple of hundred dollars with an insulted caddie, so I've stopped warning them. Wish I had a better solution.

I've also asked caddies not to read my line unless I ask them. I'd rather suffer a miss due to my mistake than the mistake of someone I don't know. But I've more than once had to hear a compulsive read from a caddie despite the fact that I asked him to keep it to himself. And once that alternate opinion is out there, it's hard to ignore. So more bad dialog in my head begins.

Caddies are good. Caddies are bad. Same as golf.

I've played several rounds with a caddy, mostly at a private, walking only course, where the caddies are all very knowledgeable, and they really improve the experience. I've also had friends with extensive local knowledge caddy for me during local tournaments. Both times, it is really fun to walk a course without worrying about finding your ball or carrying your bag, and totally worth the cost. I wish that more public courses had caddy programs.

I've played many rounds with a caddie at Pinehurst and Whistling Straits. They've all been great, not a bad one in the bunch. Only one bad read by one it was at Whistling Straits and don't you know it was for a birdie

But he took immediate blame for it and apologized. To me he more than made up for it in other ways throughout the round that saved me more than that one stroke.

As many others have said, one of the best benefits is the chance to walk the course without having to worry about the fatigue of carrying your own clubs. Also wait until you experience the feeling of striping a mid to long iron into the center of the green and, the caddie pulls your putter out and hands it to you. As someone once said, there's not better feeling than a long walk with a putter. Almost makes you feel like you can play this game for a few fleeting moments.

At the resorts I've played the caddie will meet or accompany you to the driving range. There he will get a good idea of your ball flight and club distances. Don't worry about trying to impress the caddie, most likely he has caddied for players much better than you, and don' worry about embarrasing yourself, he's also caddied for players much worst.

I was in the middle of shooting a mid 90's round at Whistling Straits and I apologized to my caddie for making him work that round (left to right, huting for a few balls) he laughed and said. "man I've caddied for guys out here who can't break 140 and who routinely take double digits on holes. You're like a single digit compared to them. May not have been exactly true, but made me feel better. Of course he got a good tip as well


It's a great experience I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

I once played a high-end private club (a Champions Tour stop) with a caddie. My friend shooed me to put my Skycaddie back in the car -- said the caddie knows all the distances.

Turns out the caddie knew how to read a sprinkler head and tell me what it said. He did not know a single fairway bunker distance or darn near anything else. I really, really like to know bunker distances off the tee.

Still, it's fun to hit a shot, hand the club off and stroll away.

shoal creek in birmingham, al is the best caddie experience i've ever had. at some of the other courses it seemed like the caddie was just like having the cart boys carry your bag. didn't really have much insight (similar to the guy who just read the sprinkler head). at shoal creek some of the caddies have been there for 20+ years. it's a great classic golf experience if anyone ever gets the chance definitely take it. also had a pretty solid caddie experience at the honors near chattanooga, tn.

Twice - both times on courses where it's mandatory - Whistling Straits at Kohler and Lakeside in Burbank.

Both were polite, knowledgeable, attuned to my game and saved me probably 6 and 3 shots per round respectively, given that I had played neither course before. Both were very much on my side, in terms of the matches we had going. On the Straits course, with 1,000 bunkers and unbelievably shaggy rough, I played one ball all the way around - not that I was hitting it straight - he just knew where to find it. He carried two bags and read every putt and set up every other shot. My playing partner wasn't as ready to listen as I, and paid for it.

I really enjoyed it, but it's a really expensive luxury.

yup. couldnt agree more. have seen more than my share of visitors to bethpage get thrown off their game by some of the "reads" the "caddies" there provide.

Had a nice young lady as a caddie this summer at a remote course. She had just graduated from the local high school back in the spring. She could do some yardage calcs, but I was not concerned with her course knowledge..

I've had some very good experiences with caddies over the years while visiting some private and/or resort courses. My only problem, believe it or not, has been with the handling of my clubs while they are hoofing them. The only damage that has been done to my Scotty (two dings on the topline) and my 3 wood (scratch across the top) has been done while under the "watchful eye" of a caddie. Oh well, I can always get them refinished when it's necessary...just wasn't too happy with the idea of somebody else marking up my clubs.

On long putts that didn't break too much I'd have my outside foot on the extension of the line of the putt when I tended the flag. Not touching the line, an extension of the line as the line breaks in before the cup. I'd say nothing about what I was doing, I'd just do it and see if they figured it out.

Touching your actual line with the flagstick? That's just bad.

I have used a caddie in state amateur tournaments where walking is mandatory. Here is one such experience. I went to the tournament some distance from my home and I had no practice round. On the first hole I asked the caddie if there were any trouble up ahead where the landing area was blind from the tee. He said, "I don't know, I have never been on this course before." The club needed to recruit caddies from other courses and I got one of them.

Using caddies from one time is not that useful. A caddie really needs to know your game to be beneficial, especially if you are playing a course where you are not familiar. Caddying is a lost art in most places. It's the way golf should be played.

I have played with a caddie several times. Like most others, some of my experiences have been great, and others pretty bad. When playing bethpage, had a caddy (was my playing partners - i didn't have one) put me on the right club for the last3 par 3's. He also had a lot of other good advice throughout the round, despite not being my caddy. The bad - at a highend private course in MA i had a caddy who was zero help. He kept telling me to hit driver, when I don't hit many drivers (my fault for listening). He also would try to have me hit outrageous recovery shots from the woods, and very diffucult pitches. (again my fault when I listened to him).

With that said it would be easy to get useed to playing with a caddy all the time.

I've played with a caddie several times. Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, several courses in Scotland and La Costa. I left La Costa for last because it was the best experience by far. My caddie was just awesome. He really became my partner for the round. He paid attention to what I was doing the first several holes. He learned my distances with clubs. After several holes, we would walk up to the ball, he would say, '150 to the middle, 156 to the hole, you want to hit it 160, you should go with a full 7, or you can choke up on a 6 if you prefer'. After a few more holes, he just started handing me clubs and would say 'same swing as last approach'. He whispered in my ear when he heard another caddie give questionable advice or info. We chatted about all kinds of stuff.

It certainly didn't hurt that he would make comments like, 'I've got a player' to the other caddies, or 'it's fun carrying for a player who knows what he's doing out here'. I'm sure it was good marketing on his part, but it also boosted my confidence and I shot a great round. Ultimately, that is the most you can hope for when you take out a caddie.

Many, many times.

I only have one request of a caddy. Hand me my putter w/ the headcover on and I'll hand it back to you the same way. Other than that, do whatever you like

My advice for those who don't use caddies all the time and get one for a round: YOU make the final decision. There are bad reads, but YOU pull the putter back. If you don't agree, it's your right to talk about it. If you don't want advice, tell them that you'll ask them if you want any. Don't spend the entire day annoyed because a caddy is or isn't doing something you don't like. It's their job to make your day more enjoyable, not the other way around. They aren't mind readers, it's best to tell them before you ever tee off what you would like them to do.

Been playing for almost 50 years and have played with a caddie once - at Bandon. She was a college player working at the resort during the summer. She was extremely polite and knowledgeable. Helped a great deal in getting around the course. The "A" caddie in our group with a real pro - a retired dentist who came to Bandon for his health after becoming disabled. Really knew the course and was happy to help everyone in the foursome if we asked. And believe me I did. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Thank heavens for courses like Bandon.

Tried it once, since it only cost me about $10 USD ($5 + $5 tip). I was on a vacation in Boracay, Philippines and golfed out there. The caddie only cost $5 USD, after conversion, so I figured what they heck. Didn't really help me much as far as reading greens, since I think there was a communication gap. Even though I was born in the Philippines, my Tagalog (main language) isn't really that great. But she did hold an umbrella over me, since it was sunny. And when I hooked a shot into some long, deep weeds/fescue, she retrieved it for me.

First, let me apoligize for all the hacks who claim to be caddies. I put myself through college and now a year of unemployement caddying. Really the best job I've ever had and I've owned and run my own business. Ohh yeah if anybody needs somebody to go on tour with, I'm avaliable and a better caddie than speller. With that being said I love playing with a good caddie, and will make life hell for a bad one. Also I learned caddying that if your man has 2 putts to win up hill left to right on the edge, damn well don't tell him firm. Mainly cause he will lag it up there and teach you a important lesson about betting. Sorry about the rambling, proceed but seriously I'm all about getting out on tour if anybody needs somebody for cheap.

We have a Caddy Program at our Club and I have taken a caddy 100's of times and am fortunate to help with the program. Young Men and Women often start caddying at 13 or 14 years of age and we see them grow and mature and receive scholarships to Indiana or Purdue University.

click here


Caddies progress from "Learner" to "Honor" caddies while carrying bag, estimating yardages, raking traps, have duties at tee and greens and locating golf ball.

One of my most enjoyable days of the year is the day that Caddies are interviewed and given scholarships!

While the young people are not professional caddies in any way, it is great to have one carry bag while I walk and interact with young people. (often each in our foursome takes a caddy).

Our Course was built in the 1930's (hosted an early LPGA event in the 1950's) and plays around 6600yds from black tees. (Slope 132) Very enjoyable with a caddy and about the same cost as using cart.

Often I take Guests that have not experienced a caddy and they enjoy experience. I use caddies for all tournaments (including Invitational and Club Championship), as well as weekly rounds.

Have also taken caddies at Kiawah, Ocean Course and it was a very enjoyable experience.

Caddies are highly recommended!

I have played quite a number of rounds with a caddie. I agree with what someone else posted...I would do it every round if I could afford it and played where they actually had caddies. I enjoy walking, hate pulling/pushing my clubs and just too old to carry my clubs as much as I play.
I have only had a couple of bad experiences with a caddie. The good far outweighs the bad. Probably the most fun was having my wife carry my clubs a couple of years during the city amateur tournament. She played golf back then, knew my game, was good at yardages...it was just fun.

I've taken a caddy lots of times. It is expensive, but the way the game is meant to be played.

One thing that nobody has mentioned is that in the UK, caddies do not double-bag. Here in the US, they do. I have no idea why that is, it just is. I'd be interested in knowing the answer.

I have played at a few courses where it is walking only and the caddies were great.

It makes you want to have a caddie all the time.

They have great knowledge of the subtle breaks in the greens and that is key, because you want to play your best at some of these facilities where it may be your only chance to play.

jay

played once (using) with a caddie at congressional, completely worthless, i must have gotten a dud
played once (in a 4 some) with a guy who use to be a caddie on the LPGA, that dood could read some greens like there was no tomorrow. He saved me 3 or 4 shots on the greens when i asked him.

i'm sure at bandon/pinehurst or somewhere i would get a better one.

This past May, I was lucky enough to play Royal Dornoch and the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. Had a 15 year old caddie at Dornoch. I didn't expect much from him other than giving me the general layout and line on blind shots. He was a nice kid and very pleasant company. At the Old Course, I had a caddie with 15 years of experience and, thanks to him, I shot 3 under my handicap (I was carrying a 10 at the time). Without him, I probably wouldn't have broken 90. Loved the experience and in the future I will take a caddie whenever possible. Unfortunately, that is not an option on any of the courses I regularly play.

A former boss invited me to play at his club maybe 5 times, an occasional Top 100 course that requires caddies unless you're over age 70 or so and/or disabled. I don't know why, but I felt uncomfortable and played 10-15 shots over my handicap. The caddies double-bagged it, and were good with yardages and lost balls. I prefer to read my own putts so I didn't ask them for advice, and they didn't offer any. They were the typical "50 year old drunk who caddies because it pays fast cash" types of caddies.

It's funny because I caddied myself all through my high school and most of college years, but feel very uncomfortable having someone caddie for me. It's nice in theory to be able to walk the course without carrying your bag but I play 95% of my rounds carrying and I don't mind it.

I also decided against joining one local club because they require either a caddie or a cart before 3pm, you can't carry your own bag until that time. Well mainly because I didn't want to spend $5,000+ a year on caddies with all the rounds I play.

Used my first caddie a month ago at The Old Course and am i ever glad i did. There is no way i could have known where to hit the ball given the large number of hidden bunkers. The caddie was well worth the price 40 pounds plus tip. A great experience and wish i would have spent the money on Carnoustie and hired one as well.

Your post rings true to me too. Since I so rarely play with a caddie, I find it odd to have someone running around doing things for me, and it takes some mental energy from me to deal with the fact that the caddie should, for instance, rake the trap for you. One time at Harbour Town my group was assigned a forecaddie, and we all had to take carts as well. It is a "cartpath only" course. When I play on a cartpath only course, I regularly walk over to my ball with three clubs, the one I think I'll need and one on either side of it. I habitually select the club I'm going to use and then gently toss the other two on the ground before I shoot. I found myself doing this out of habit while the caddie stood by me after giving me a yardage, and as I tossed the clubs down he would pick them up, and I'd look like some jerk who was intentionally making the guy bend down when I could have just as easily handed him the two clubs that I wasn't going to use. I apologized to him for having done this, and then did it all over again next time. I believe he knew it was just out of mindless habit, but I still felt like quite a jerk.

I grew up caddying, and still get to do it in the summer time at a great club I've lived near my entire life. That being said, I never pass up a chance to play with one. I don't care if they're great, or worthless, just walking down a fairway without having to carry a bag is a joy for me. I've been fortunate to play some nice places, and I've had bag-toters and top-notch caddies, and it's always a lot of fun. If you want to make sure you get a good one, just speak to the caddie master ahead of time, and be sure you take care of who you get, if you're satisfied.

Swap out La Costa for Pebble Beach and you would have my only experience with a caddie.

This guy was great - he gave me some serious confidence and talked me into some shots I never would have tried (like hitting my second out of the left bunker on 6-given the circumstances the best 5W of my life as I got it to within 10') but never talked me into the hero shot.

Our guy was also part bloodhound - didn't lose a ball that didn't end up in the ocean all day.

My feeling about giving advice - it's the caddie's job at a resort to make the round enjoyable for the player. Each player has a different definition of what that means. I took all the help I could get - I didn't keep a handicap at the time and had no intention of "posting" a score - I just wanted to have the most fun I could.

Someone said it earlier, one of the best feelings is walking up a fairway with a putter in hand.