How much does a caddie help?

**Lovgoel** · July 19, 2009

My friend and I got into a discussion yesterday about caddies. He's about a 5 handicap but says he could shoot even if he had a caddie, specifically one that helped him line up putts. I told him it might help his putting a bit, but he still has to be the one to hit them. What do you guys think?

I'll admit, his putting and short game (specifically pitching and chipping) is the reason he's a 5 and not probably not shooting even, but how much could it possibly help? I've never had a caddie before, so I have no idea.

**iWALK18** · July 19, 2009

I think it would help me lots with alignment. A lot of times I hit it right and people tell me that was where I was aimed. Also, having the confidence and reassurance that I am aimed correctly would help make a more confident swing/stroke.

But it probably would only shave 1 maybe 2 shots a round...

**MiniMoe** · July 19, 2009

a good caddy helps out more than just alignment issues. A good caddy helps with course management decisions and shot selections. They also help talk players out of bad decisions.. like taking the most risky shot. And it's also nice to not have to carry your own bag.

**denver_nuggs_15** · July 19, 2009

My friend and I got into a discussion yesterday about caddies. He's about a 5 handicap but says he could shoot even if he had a caddie, specifically one that helped him line up putts. I told him it might help his putting a bit, but he still has to be the one to hit them. What do you guys think?

I have a biased opinion since I am a caddie, but I honestly do believe a good caddie can save you 2-5 shots per round depending on your handicap. I've worked at the same course for almost 5 years now and I know every single bounce everywhere on the course. For better golfers, when they are in between clubs and don't know what to hit, I usually have a good idea of which club will work out better since I know the greens and how the ball bounces on them. For golfers who aren't at that level yet, in tournaments they usually need some "coaching" to keep their heads in it. I also read greens, fix divots and ball marks, and get very good yardage (usually +/- 1 or 2 yards when compared to a laser). Having a caddie just makes your round so much less stressful IMO. If you have a caddie, you should never have to look for a ball or fill a divot or clean your ball or anything. You can just concentrate on golf. That's my sales pitch anyway.

**David in FL** · July 19, 2009

A good caddy can be very helpful, no doubt. But 5 hcp who honestly thinks that having a caddy will magically take 5 strokes or better off his index, needs to be tested for illicit drugs........

Having said that, a good caddy could probably help the average high handicapper drop 5 points just by helping him to make smart decisions and helping him read the greens.

**Elsfan** · July 20, 2009

As Denver Nuggs 15 said, knowing where to miss and receive members bounces is a huge benefit. Also when playing a course 150 is not the same everywhere. I want to know how the shot plays and who better than a caddy for reference.

**senorchipotle** · July 20, 2009

My friend and I got into a discussion yesterday about caddies. He's about a 5 handicap but says he could shoot even if he had a caddie, specifically one that helped him line up putts. I told him it might help his putting a bit, but he still has to be the one to hit them. What do you guys think?

obviously a caddie would help take a few strokes off, especially if you've never played the course. if anything to give you more confidence by having a second opinion. i cannot speak for you and your friend, but i certainly couldn't afford to hire a caddie every round i play. i'd be broke!!

**imtomtomim** · July 20, 2009

a caddie would do wonders for me. On the greens, I would love to have a second opinion of how they're gonna break, where, how many balls away from the hole. Talking about it gives me confidence and assurance I'm doing the right thing.

Also, the whole mental thing is a plus. I've never considered myself mentally weak on the course but I've been recently playing with this guy I just met out there and he'd just say, stick this one, or birdie this hole. I guess being told what to do lets me do only that. Since my putting has been spotty this past week, I could probably shave off 3-4 strokes per side with a caddie.

**TheNatural** · July 20, 2009

Caddie's?
they use too much gas and cost a bunch to repair.

**David in FL** · July 20, 2009

Since my putting has been spotty this past week, I could probably shave off 3-4 strokes per side with a caddie.

You do realize, they don't hit the ball for you, right?

**imtomtomim** · July 21, 2009

You do realize, they don't hit the ball for you, right?

tell me something, have you ever missed a putt on the low side? If you have, a caddie would have probably been there to give you that second opinion when it counts, before you hit it. A second eye, gets a feel for your speed and pace.

Just wondering if you've ever talked about the read of a green, how much break and grain and seen better results? Because I know I definitely putt better when I've worked out all the factors and gotten confirmation on it.

**Gunther** · August 1, 2015

Was talking about this with a friend yesterday so did a search here rather than start a new thread. I'm thinking that if I had a good caddy who knew my game, did work on the course in terms of pin placements, etc., it would save me on average 4 strokes a round. I probably misread 5 putts a round. Caddy might change my mind on 3 of those resulting in a stroke gained. +1 I probably use the wrong club off the tee once or twice a round, caddy redirection and/or reassurance off the tee perhaps another stroke. +2 I play in a lot of wind which makes pulling clubs on approach shots tough. I'd think caddie assistance and reassurance would help another stroke here. +3 Course management, knowing where to hit off the tee and especially approach shots to the green would be helpful. I don't do a lot of homework out there, since I have a range finder, I don't usually look at pin positions. This is critical and I'm certain costs me 2 strokes a round. Since part of this is related to pulling clubs, I'll add another stroke gained. +4 Sound reasonable? Giving too much credit to a caddy? Not enough?

**Phil McGleno** · August 1, 2015

Was talking about this with a friend yesterday so did a search here rather than start a new thread. I'm thinking that if I had a good caddy who knew my game, did work on the course in terms of pin placements, etc., it would save me on average 4 strokes a round. I probably misread 5 putts a round. Caddy might change my mind on 3 of those resulting in a stroke gained. +1 I probably use the wrong club off the tee once or twice a round, caddy redirection and/or reassurance off the tee perhaps another stroke. +2 I play in a lot of wind which makes pulling clubs on approach shots tough. I'd think caddie assistance and reassurance would help another stroke here. +3 Course management, knowing where to hit off the tee and especially approach shots to the green would be helpful. I don't do a lot of homework out there, since I have a range finder, I don't usually look at pin positions. This is critical and I'm certain costs me 2 strokes a round. Since part of this is related to pulling clubs, I'll add another stroke gained. +4 Sound reasonable? Giving too much credit to a caddy? Not enough?

If you are a complete idiot you could save 4 strokes as an 8 index.-If you are of average intelligence (golf) then I think 2 is reasonable. 0 or 1 if you are smart. So for you yes 4 strokes. ;-)

**SavvySwede** · August 1, 2015

If you are a complete idiot you could save 4 strokes as an 8 index.-If you are of average intelligence (golf) then I think 2 is reasonable. 0 or 1 if you are smart.

This sounds about right. Most caddies aren't exactly great or even good golfers. They've just seen every mistake there is to be made and can steer you away from them. They mostly benefit the reckless golfer.

**Patch** · August 1, 2015

The more knowledgeable the caddy is about his/her golfer, the course layout, and conditions they will be playing in, the better the help they are to their player.

**Gunther** · August 1, 2015

If you are a complete idiot you could save 4 strokes as an 8 index.-If you are of average intelligence (golf) then I think 2 is reasonable. 0 or 1 if you are smart. So for you yes 4 strokes. ;-)

I get your meaning. I think to some extent you're right, I don't always think or act smart out there. Mostly because I'm not a pro, trying to get through the round, or just laziness. A caddie would help here but yeah, if I were to take it a little more seriously, do some homework, take my time, etc, I could, on my own, shave a couple or 3 of those 4 strokes.

***iacas*** · August 1, 2015

The more knowledgeable the caddy is about his/her golfer, the course layout, and conditions they will be playing in, the better the help they are to their player.

Agreed. An average caddie will actually cost me strokes because they don't know my game very well and they may talk me OUT of some things.

I had a 40 foot putt on the first green at Oakmont where my caddie told me to aim a foot right of the hole. I ignored him and played it nearly ten feet out… and left it a few inches short dead in the heart. He was an average, seasoned caddie, too…

I had a bad experience with a caddie at Kiawah Island too. Easily cost us a few strokes.

A caddie that REALLY knew my game? Wouldn't save me more than a stroke. Probably average out to 0.5 or so over the course of several rounds. And most of that might be getting yardages for things that I am too lazy to get… like a 75-yard shot I just "eye up" out of laziness. I read greens really well. I know my club selection and whatnot.

Maybe if a caddie knew my SWING really well, he could bump up into the 1 strokes saved per round territory by pointing out things on the days when I don't quite have it.

**Lihu** · August 1, 2015

[quote name="Gunther" url="/t/26693/how-much-does-a-caddie-help#post_1178227"]Was talking about this with a friend yesterday so did a search here rather than start a new thread. I'm thinking that if I had a good caddy who knew my game, did work on the course in terms of pin placements, etc., it would save me on average 4 strokes a round. I probably misread 5 putts a round. Caddy might change my mind on 3 of those resulting in a stroke gained. +1 I probably use the wrong club off the tee once or twice a round, caddy redirection and/or reassurance off the tee perhaps another stroke. +2 I play in a lot of wind which makes pulling clubs on approach shots tough. I'd think caddie assistance and reassurance would help another stroke here. +3 Course management, knowing where to hit off the tee and especially approach shots to the green would be helpful. I don't do a lot of homework out there, since I have a range finder, I don't usually look at pin positions. This is critical and I'm certain costs me 2 strokes a round. Since part of this is related to pulling clubs, I'll add another stroke gained. +4 Sound reasonable? Giving too much credit to a caddy? Not enough?

If you are a complete idiot you could save 4 strokes as an 8 index.-If you are of average intelligence (golf) then I think 2 is reasonable. 0 or 1 if you are smart. So for you yes 4 strokes. ;-)[/quote] I'm probably a complete imbecilic moron. I play really well with a caddie, they tell me how far to hit and in which direction. I admit, that I'm basically playing a range rat dummy, and letting the caddie do all of my golf thinking. :-P

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