Tour News
Why PGA Tour caddies are suing the Tour
There’s nothing childish about this bib-related lawsuit: As Luke Kerr-Dineen of Golf Digest reported, the caddies of the PGA Tour have banded together in a class action lawsuit against the PGA Tour. At issue is the sponsored bibs the caddies wear and the fact that they don’t see a dime of the reported $50 million sponsors pay the Tour to use caddies as walking billboards.
It’s no secret that the game’s best loopers haven’t been happy for some time. We’re a hundred years removed from Walter Hagen decrying the fact that professionals weren’t admitted to change in the locker room during tournaments; playing conditions have improved substantially for players, who are essentially well-attended-to millionaire CEOs of minor corporations.
The caddies, according to this lawsuit at least, feel they are treated “as second-class participants of the game.”
While this may seem like hyperbole, the truth of the statement is indisputable, and it’s really only a matter of degrees (just how differently caddies are treated). The lawsuit traces the professional golfer’s rise in stature since the 1950s and the comparative flatline of that of the professional caddie, which has only become an institution in recent decades.
The suit uses an incident at the Barclays in 2013 as an essential example of the attitude toward and treatment of caddies on the PGA Tour:
[quote_box_center]“The Barclays tournament in 2013 provides a microcosm of Defendant’s treatment of caddies. During a rain delay, caddies and members of some of the caddies’ families retreated to a shelter designated for caddies. Although the shelter was not crowded, security officials entered the shelter, demanded identification, and began to shout and berate caddies and their families. While caddies who produced credentials were permitted to remain in the shelter, caddies’ wives and children were put out into the rain by security personnel.”[/quote_box_center]
Whether the above is a fitting illustration of how the Tour views and treats caddies or is a fringe example of mistreatment/the product of the stupidity of a few security officers, the point is, the caddies see it as a “microcosm.”
The bib issue is mere gilding on a foundation of deep discontent and multi-tiered complaints. The suit should be the catalyst for a frank discussion between the Tour and its caddies and a new (albeit late) understanding of their roles and significance: These aren’t the local loopers of the 1950s or Otto from Happy Gilmore, and it’s time the Tour appropriately recognized the fact.
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News
Photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
GolfWRX is live this week at the Wells Fargo Championship as a field of the world’s best golfers descend upon Charlotte, North Carolina, hoping to tame the beast that is Quail Hollow Club in this Signature Event — only Scottie Scheffler, who is home awaiting the birth of his first child, is absent.
From the grounds at Quail Hollow, we have our usual assortment of general galleries and WITBs — including a look at left-hander Akshay Bhatia’s setup. Among the pullout albums, we have a look inside Cobra’s impressive new tour truck for you to check out. Also featured is a special look at Quail Hollow king, Rory McIlroy.
Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more galleries.
General Albums
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Monday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Akshay Bhatia – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matthieu Pavon – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Keegan Bradley – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Webb Simpson – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Emiliano Grillo – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Taylor Pendrith – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Kevin Tway – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Pullout Albums
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Eric Cole’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matt Kuchar’s custom Bettinardi – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Justin Thomas – driver change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler – putter change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s new custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Tommy Fleetwood testing a TaylorMade Spider Tour X (with custom neck) – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Cobra Darkspeed Volition driver – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying about our Wells Fargo Championship photos in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Bob
Feb 23, 2015 at 3:33 pm
If you read the brief you will see they raise legitimate legal issues. It’s not a matter of choice if they can or can not wear the bibs. They don’t work for the Tour but the Tour is forcing them to act as advertising modes of media without compensation from the Tour. They receive compensation from their employer, the Player, but not the Tour. The Tour is restricting the caddies’ ability to earn personal revenue while forcing them to generate revenue for the Tour via being a form of advertising media. There are multiple laws in place to protect individuals from this type of behavior.
The argument that anybody can do this job, or anybody would do this job is moot. No Player is going to hire just anybody. These are skilled professionals, many former Tour players and the like. They are being restricted from earning monies by an entity that is making money from them. The Tour will lose.
terry
Feb 26, 2015 at 2:08 pm
The tour and the sponsors let them wear Nature Valley hats. The bib is part of the sponsor package. no one is restricting them from making money. the player pays their caddie an agreed amount. that’s their income. done. they are not the featured attraction. if they want more, negotiate a better deal with their player. caddies will lose this. and yes, they do grow on trees. there are hundreds of qualified guys waiting in line willing to take the gamble and get a player that can be top 50 every year. how do I know…because if the caddies were worth more, the players would be paying more. before tiger the top player made $1 million on tour. Now the 104th person on the money list makes $1 million. that means the 104th caddie is making $100K. I don’t make $100k. If I didn’t have a family, I would switch jobs in a second. and if by some miracle, the caddies did win, guess who the loser is…the players and the caddies. title sponsor pays less money, tour pays out less money, player makes less money and caddie makes less money. oh but the caddies won so they can advertise on their bibs…no, sorry we have a dress code on tour so you can wear a blank bib and a blank hat or advertising that matches your player. they have zero leverage. these caddies made a huge misstep. I could see asking for a medical plan or travel expenses but asking for lost advertising wages is ridiculous. there is a reason a lot of the top caddies aren’t involved in this lawsuit.
R Harr
Feb 9, 2015 at 1:37 pm
Total nonsense, like the players, caddies are free agents, period. If they don’t want the job, I’m sure there are many waiting to replace them.
The is nothing good that comes from unions being involved. Remember. Caddies carry a bag for a living, little else.
FTWPhil
Feb 9, 2015 at 2:51 pm
And mechanics just hold wrenches.
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 6:40 pm
I’m sure the NFLPA, or a local Electrician Union, would differ. Remember, without Unions, we’d still be working for $0.50/day, no health benefits, no breaks, unregulated working hours, terrible health and safety conditions, no time off (including holidays), no paid OT…
Are there employers that treat their employees fairly? Absolutely. Unfortunately, they seem to be in short supply in America.
Attila Gerber
Feb 23, 2015 at 8:56 am
R Harr,
Clearly you don’t understand the game. Possibly lack of knowledge; or perhaps you are new to the game? Carrying the bag is the easiest, smallest part of the caddies job. There is an amazing amount of work, dedication and knowledge of golf and the human psyche that go into caddying on the PGA Tour. Mapping yardage and greens, understanding what happens to putts at different stages in the day, keeping a player calm in the most harrowing tournament conditions. Knowing the most obscure rules to keep your player from being disqualified. Keeping the players equipment in top condition. Carrying a golf bag that weighs 50lbs for 6 miles is not caddying sir.
terry
Feb 26, 2015 at 2:17 pm
laughable. every player on tour carried their own bag in high school and college. no caddies and did just fine. and ever hear of a range finder? point and shoot. it works well in practice rounds to get your own yardages. and mapping a green takes just a couple minutes. the majority don’t know obscure rules otherwise every player wouldn’t call over a rules official for even the simplest of rules. they don’t keep the players in top condition. the players keep themselves in top condition along with their personal trainer and swing coaches. players make it on their own merit. they would be just fine without their caddie. sure caddies have a benefit but not to the degree the public thinks.
Dennis Clark
Feb 8, 2015 at 6:54 am
Solidarity! Go loopers!
leftright
Feb 6, 2015 at 8:06 am
I can assure you, the PGA tour does “not” want this to go to a jury trial. It will be settled shortly.
killerbgolfer
Feb 6, 2015 at 3:02 pm
agreed on that!
terry
Feb 20, 2015 at 11:06 am
the caddies have zero leverage. if this goes to trial, the only losers will be the players. I can assure you the PGA Tour has nothing to worry about. Caddies are lucky they can wear the nature valley hats which can easily be taken away. They think their caddie bib is way bigger and better and deserves more compensation. The scenario I see happening is the caddies wear blank bibs, the sponsors put up less money, the players make less money, the caddies make less money. There are a thousand caddies out there that would accept those terms in a heartbeat for a chance to caddie on tour and carry a bag for a top 50 player. The other scenario I see happening because the caddies are employed by the players, not the tour, is the players finding new caddies. And yes, they do grow on trees. If a player is threatened with making less money, I can assure you, they will do what’s best their self and their family.
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Maybe… but how many can read yardages, act as a counselor/swing coach/punching bag, carry the 50+ pound bag 7000+ yards a day and protect the player from unruly fans? I’d bet it’s a very small percentage of “Average Joe’s”.
leftright
Feb 6, 2015 at 7:58 am
Please don’t unionize not unless you can keep it strictly inhouse. Issues like this could be resolved early if corporations, government, the PGA tour, etc. would exercise a little common sense and better judgement. We saw what unfair working conditions in the middle of last century brought which were unions and fairer labor conditions. Now the unions have way too much power, are corrupt and in bed with organized crime and have despicable politicians in bed with them. They would rather see the company go bankrupt and fail than give in and pay millions to fat cats to bargain for them who have no stake in the real game. The PGA tour could have taken some initiative and this would have never come up but like so many in the past, cannot learn from history or are just to greedy or complacent to care. Good luck PGA tour, I feel you are about to lose bigtime on this one and I hope so.
killerbgolfer
Feb 6, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Your union generalizations are absurd. They are no more corrupt or in bed with organized crime than the corporations that you’re referring to.
FTWPhil
Feb 9, 2015 at 2:53 pm
Obviously a slippery slope to somebody getting capped for not raking a bunker.
killerbgolfer
Feb 5, 2015 at 11:45 pm
The only answer to organized greed is organized labor. Like other sports, time for a players (and caddies) union.
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 6:48 pm
Agreed, especially with the Tour’s want to randomize drug testing. Look at the Doug Barrone incident: if he was taking the beta-blocker for a legitimate condition, the Union would’ve had his back. Instead, he was penalized harshly without even bothering to listen to him. HeII, some guys had to stop taking certain medicines because they register as PEDs, even though that’s not what they were being used for.
RG
Feb 5, 2015 at 3:23 pm
Wow what a reflection of society. Caddies are PEOPLE not free advertising space. If golf is not a team sport then make the pros carry there own bags ,clean there own clubs, get there own yardages, and get reads and advice from no one. Oh I almost forgot, crowd control. If you acknowledge all of these things exist then you realize that professional golf is a team sport, and the caddie is part of the team. If so treat him as you would the player.
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 6:49 pm
The swing coaches and “sports psychologists” seem to get better treatment than the caddies…
graymulligan
Feb 5, 2015 at 10:05 am
A legitimate question:
If someone works for the local tournament, and drive back and forth to hotels/airports picking up the golfers, caddies and families in a car emblazoned with the sponsor logo on the side (a fairly common occurrence), should they be compensated by the sponsor? Probably not.
I would argue that the caddie is employed by the player, and not by the PGA or sponsor. Wearing the bib is a term of employment, and not something that should merit further compensation. I understand the caddies would like to be paid more, but so would most financial analysts, salespeople and others who work on commission. If that’s the case, I would suggest either caddying for a better player with higher earning potential, or moving into a mode of employment where the compensation better fits what the expect. The fact that most of the “big name”/”known” caddies aren’t a part of this speaks volumes.
HIGHfader
Feb 5, 2015 at 2:23 pm
hahahahahahahahaha that is definitely NOT a legitimate question.
You old white men are blind.
Caddies will finally get to table with Tour, they’ll win this.
RG
Feb 5, 2015 at 3:15 pm
Wow, “legitimate question”? You equate a car to putting something on a person. This is where your reasoning breaks down. Caddies are human beings with rights when it comes to there personages. They are people not free advertising space.
rkristopher
Feb 5, 2015 at 5:36 pm
Those drivers are not on TV. Caddies are.
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 6:57 pm
If the driver is willingly on a volunteer basis, s/he’s getting what they deserve. If they want compensation for their time (which I would, given the need to keep the people in the car safe, seems like a big deal to me), they should definitely seek that out.
The PGA doesn’t employ caddies, but they are using them for their gain- without due compensation. Think about it… let’s say you’re an electrician, a good one. You get paid to do your job, but some company wants to put their logo on your uniform. You get nothing from it, even though every time you go someplace and perform your job (admirably), the people you help are thinking “Company X… I’ll have to check them out”.
To put another way, do you think the NFL and its players aren’t getting something out of having sponsors logos on their practice uniforms (their PRACTICE UNIFORMS! (sorry… no italics for emphasis)). How many pro golfers are getting paid to play or wear certain items, even if it’s “just” $2K for the Darrell Survey? Why can’t caddies have something similar?
Attila Gerber
Feb 23, 2015 at 9:12 am
For all the people below, you do realize that we advertise on humans in almost every job in the service industry right? It’s called a uniform, and it is typically emblazoned with the company logo. Everywhere from fast food restaurants, to hospitals use these “human advertisments”. Does the person wearing the uniform get paid more? No, in fact sometimes we have to purchase the items ourselves. Like nursing scrubs for instance.
I respect what caddy’s do, they clearly do not just carry a bag. However I do agree that theres a ton of guys who would do the job for a flat 100k per year and love every last second of the work. Like me for instance. … 🙂
erkr
Feb 5, 2015 at 3:02 am
Its pretty normal in sporting events that athletes wear bibs or number patches with the athletes number/name and events sponsors name. Regardless of the athletes sponsor. The tour caddie wearing a bib with sponsor and player name is just that. I dont think they will Win.
Caddies though are very valueble, are very much part if players result and should get better treatment/recognition.
Dan
Feb 4, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Why bite the hand that feeds? Caddies should be grateful the sponsor provides a place for them to work. We live in an entitled society for sure. Oh well, I’m sure the caddies will get some money out of this and that’s great for them. I just don’t think its necessary.
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 7:02 pm
So Tiger shouldn’t be compensated for using Nike clubs, or wearing whatever watch brand he’s under contract with now? Companies will pay around $2000 for players (especially those not under contract with one of the “big boys”) to use certain items on Thursday and Saturday for the Darrell Survey… even if, for clubs, they don’t hit one shot with it! How come caddies can’t have that, especially when they have no choice in the matter?
Geoff Dickson
Feb 4, 2015 at 6:45 pm
In think the ballboys at the tennis grand slam events will watch this case with interest.
Raven
Feb 4, 2015 at 8:15 pm
Why, do they have to wear sponsored bibs as well?
Christopher
Feb 4, 2015 at 5:32 pm
It seems like a simple fix, at the start of each tournament the bibs with the sponsors logo are handed out to each caddy with a cheque, if the caddy refuses to accept that offer they can wear a blank-bib or one that’s they’re paid to wear by another sponsor. How many times have you seen a photograph of a player knocking in a winning putt with the caddy in the background with the sponsors logo on their bib? Every week? Pretty much I’d say! It’s only fair that the caddies are compensated or given alternative options and it should be the sponsors that are paying the bill (unless it’s a joint sponsor/PGA Tour effort), they’re the ones benefiting unless the bib has the PGA Tour logo on the back and front.
Caddies work incredibly hard for their players and the best ones are worth their weight in gold. They should be paid to promote – not made to promote!
The notion that they should be abandoned for carts is ridiculous, play would halt to a crawl on some courses and moving the crowds for carts would be time-consuming. Players need their input too, what are they supposed to do on a difficult putt? Phone a Friend?!
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 7:03 pm
Well said Christopher!
David
Feb 4, 2015 at 1:46 pm
I have no problem with the Caddies doing this. They should get something in return for wearing them. After all they are not employees of the PGA Tour, so they don’t get all of the employee benefits that a normal PGA Tour employee would receive. The PGA Tour Pros are not even employees of the tour and I would be curious to know how many PGA Tour Pros provide their caddies with a benefits package. I am sure some of the big name pros do but I would venture to say many Caddies are on their own when it comes to those costs. As we all know, the majority of Caddies have to cover their own expenses such as travel, meals, etc.
Robeli
Feb 4, 2015 at 1:40 pm
The PGA is paid by sponsors for the bibs, but none is filtered down to the wearer of the bib (at issue).
As comparison, a sponsor pay the PGA to hold a tournament at a certain club. Then put signs, e.g. scoreboard up to promote and actually pay the club to hold the tournament (i.e. PGA rent the club). So some sponsor money goes to club and eventually player as prize money.
Something that will determine/settle this lawsuit is what PGA will do if following happens: Bones or Fluff get a sponsorship to wear a logo that must be visible on chest, i.e. it has to show on outside of bib. If PGA allows it, this lawsuit is thrown out. If PGA does not allow it and force caddie to wear sponsors bib on outside, the caddies win and PGA has to filter some of sponsor’s bib money to caddies. Settled.
Bert
Feb 4, 2015 at 1:01 pm
My thought is they are employed by the player and not the PGA Tour. The player is an independent contractor who is required to follow guidelines imposed by the tour and approved by the players board. I would suggest if the player or their contracted caddy doesn’t like the requirements, work somewhere else.
Robeli
Feb 4, 2015 at 1:26 pm
And where will that somewhere else be?
Bert
Feb 4, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Who cares?
HIGHfader
Feb 5, 2015 at 2:26 pm
bet you walked through snow barefoot to school back in the 1800s, huh?
rgb
Feb 5, 2015 at 2:52 pm
Luxury !
terry
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:25 pm
a private club that offers no benefits but pays cash
HiDuce
Feb 5, 2015 at 5:55 pm
Agreed. If you dont like making 10% of a pro golfer’s winnings for carrying his bag then get a 9-5. Most people would be super happy to have that job.
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 7:08 pm
Yes, because someone else making $50 million with your uncompensated help is desirable. If this were happening to you, I’m sure you’d complain or fight to get a piece of the pie. It’s not, never will, so that’s where the apathy comes from.
Al
Feb 4, 2015 at 12:27 pm
How might the benefits to sponsors/The Tour from bib logos be measured? Mine would be zero. How much camera time do caddies get? When the caddie is in the frame, you’re not looking at him/her, you’re wishing they would get the hell out the way, or that the director would switch cameras. Not to mention you’re probably numb to advertising in the first place, we’re literally inundated with it. Or in it, whatever.
What value sponsors might place on bib advertising would be interesting, but that raises the question of dress code The Tour is undoubtedly entitled to dictate. How much is too much? How do you specify it?
Would caddies settle for nothing if their bibs were plain?
upnthebid
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:47 am
I hope this goes to Trail.
The world will become knowledgeable about how the Tour really operates. I am particularly interested in the Tour-Player relationship, revenue and purse dynamics, and how the Tour maintains their non-profit status.
That will make for good TV.
We might even find out the truth about Dustin Johnson.
Jafar
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:53 am
I hope they win, they deserve better for being an integral part of the professional game.
Abraham
Feb 4, 2015 at 2:16 am
I am a caddie since 1979 at the age of 12.
Caddies are seen as second class on and of the golf course,
regardless of our valuable input to the player.
We are more than just carrying the BAG. We can make or break the
player with one word, one small gesture, one wrong decision enforcing
on him.
We are his confidant in a tornament, his second pair of hand,
his second pair of eyes and most importantly his advisor.
And if the PGA or any other tour for that matter gets money for
us to wear the bibs, why are not paid.
Barry S.
Feb 3, 2015 at 11:26 pm
The PGA Tour should immediately institute a spread the wealth Social Justice policy. Pool all the prize money and the players and caddies get an equal share. That’s the only fair way to do it.
PS: I get Tiger’s mega yacht and his girlfriend.
adam
Feb 3, 2015 at 11:02 pm
Just went to the Phoenix open this weekend and don’t think I even noticed a caddie. I don’t think the bib argument is valid because there would be no difference to anyone even if they wore skirts.
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 7:12 pm
There is a difference to those that have a stake in it. The PGA Tour and the Sponsor are the biggies. You may not think you notice it, but you do. Just like when its on the scoreboard, or on the tee box. The Sponsor is paying a hefty sum for that, while using the Caddies as uncompensated walking billboards.
Scooter McGavin
Feb 3, 2015 at 8:43 pm
There shouldn’t even be caddies on tour. Make the players carry their own bags, judge their own distances, and read their own greens.
Double Mocha Man
Feb 3, 2015 at 5:02 pm
And they should be paid extra for the caddie races… (I bet those bibs get hot)
Sean
Feb 3, 2015 at 4:27 pm
I believe that we missing out not including the caddie as a player. He is a pro’s navigator. His Marvel side kick. I think they should have endorsements, royalty contracts, benefits, and more. There are more talented caddies as much as there are more talented golfer’s. Where is the statistic for shots gained by caddie advice, you never see that on a Monday analysis of the weekends tournament. I think there should be caddie’s in high school and college athletic programs. Just saying
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 7:13 pm
No, but you might hear about it if something goes wrong…
Gypsy
Feb 3, 2015 at 4:03 pm
the big problem is that each tournament pays into the players retirement fund because the players caddies advertise the tournament on their backs and not one penny is given to the caddy in retribution their is no pension for the tour caddies . And the tour will say don’t wear the bib don’t work I think the tour would have their hands full if 144 bags were to lay on the ground instead of on caddies shoulders in any given week , bring out the carts I am sure they can come up with the right club down the stretch when the pro is spitting cotton .
frendy
Feb 3, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Caddies shouldn’t expect to be treated like players.
Good for them, though, for suing the Tour. Hope they win.
Alex
Feb 3, 2015 at 3:18 pm
It seems to be a pretty simple argument. The caddies are generating revenue for the PGA though they aren’t employed or paid by the PGA.
The compensation per caddie shouldn’t be very much.. ($50M / ~50 Tour Events / ~125 Players per Event = $8k in Revenue per Caddie per Week). Assuming the majority goes to tournament costs, caddies could be missing out $1-2K a week. This would be a huge chunk of money for the caddies representing players who continually miss the cut..
The argument is sort of nullified if the money raised from bibs goes entirely into the prize pool, where the caddies have a chance to win it back by supporting their boss as best they can.
Jason Hutty
Feb 3, 2015 at 8:32 pm
The money raised from sponsors goes to the tour. Some makes its way to the prize pool obviously, which in turn makes its way to the caddies. The players pay the caddies from their significant prize money, raised on the back of tournament sponsorships. So basically, a portion of the bib money does indeed make its way to the caddies already. They are trying to double dip, at best. It is greed. I also note that a number of the best and most valuable caddies in the game are not involved, which speaks volumes.
Justin
Feb 20, 2015 at 7:15 pm
Or, since they already have a better existence than the average caddy, they don’t feel the need to stick with their peers. That, or they’re afraid of sticking their neck out for others.
Barry S.
Feb 3, 2015 at 2:55 pm
“The caddy profession is a very noble profession however some caddies give the profession a bad name. They show up late to the golf course, slovenly dressed with the smell of alcohol on their breath.” I think Bobby Jones said that.
frendy
Feb 3, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Same can be said for professional golfers.
ChrisK
Feb 3, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Those days are over, Barry. I’m sure the occasional idiot still acts like that, but most guys these days are in shape, professional guys. The money is just too much these days for the players not to have a steady hand on the bag.
Josh
Feb 3, 2015 at 2:42 pm
The caddie is more than just a hired help Terry, A caddie is a on course therapist, giving advise, helping with club selection. Every time a pampered golf pro has a miss hit, or chucks one into the crowd, you think he is going to find is own ball? What a arrogant comment. Good for the caddies, they have carried more than just a bag to victory for these golfers.
terry
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:55 pm
then the players should pay them more, not the tour, not the sponsors.
Chuck
Feb 3, 2015 at 2:31 pm
Filed in the notoriously liberal and labor-friendly U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in the Ninth Circuit, based apparently on the Tour’s “place of business” in San Francisco which I presume is Harding Park.
frendy
Feb 3, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Oh hey, look! A pointless political comment!
Take it somewhere else.
terry
Feb 3, 2015 at 2:26 pm
caddies are hired help and guests of the sponsor. get a new job if you don’t like getting paid to carry a golf bag and travel.
Andrew
Feb 3, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Wow. Pretty sad if you actually think that. The only caddies that get payed well are the ones carrying high profile bags. Most have to find their own way to the next course. You really think they only carry a bag? Get real.
terry
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:37 pm
the 104th ranked player on Tour last year made just over $1 million. That means his caddy made just over $100K. That’s more than 90% of Americans. Caddies know very well what they are getting into when they sign up. There are no guarantees. If you can’t hack it at the bottom, this job isn’t for you. And yes, the majority really do just carry a bag otherwise the players would pay them better.
dr bloor
Feb 3, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Thanks for your thoughts, Judge Smails.
Marc
Feb 3, 2015 at 3:47 pm
No, they are not guests of the sponsor. The PGA requires all players on the Web.com, Champions, and PGA tours to have caddies employed by the players.
terry
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:41 pm
And if 144 caddies went on strike, how many guys do you think would line up for the opportunity to fulfill the requirement set by the PGA tour? 1000? 2000? 10,000? The line would be longer than one of Bubba Watson’s drives.
Robeli
Feb 4, 2015 at 1:42 pm
You have NO idea what a caddie’s life is.
terry
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:48 pm
Yes. Actually I do. I played on the hooters tour. You try to pile as many as guys as you can into a room. You eat at subway or quiznos for breakfast lunch and dinner. You jump on the opportunity when the tour or golf course provides free food. We did receive discounts at the hooters restaurant. We also received special rates at baymont hotels. You car pool from event to event, split gas. Its pretty fun actually. Its an experience but Its a gamble.
terry
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:54 pm
Yes. Actually I do. I played on the hooters tour for one summer. You pack as many guys as you can into one hotel room. You eat every meal at subway. We got discounts at hooters. We carpooled. We had special rates at baymont hotels. Sometimes the course offered free food. It was fun. It was an experience. that life is also a gamble. I didn’t make it. not everyone is built for it.