How great would it be to have a caddy?

[adamgoodman]

I was just thinking how great it would be to have a caddy. Not even like a tour caddy who walks every inch of the course, but just a person to carry the bag, hand you clubs, and give you advice on your shots. I just wish I could have the experience a couple times.

[jamo]

If you want, I'm caddying tomorrow morning about 1 hour and 15 minutes from you.

I've caddied plenty, but I've never had one myself. It would be pretty neat, we do basically everything you normally do when you play golf except actually hit the golf shot.

[drglew]

Some upscale (usually REALLY upscale and pricey) public courses will at least have forecaddies (my home course, Bear's Best outside Atlanta is one). Although not quite the same as a personal caddie as your foursome shares one and you're still riding in carts, they're really helpful: course management (if you haven't played the course before), exact yardages (they carry laser rangefinders), read putts, and of course clean clubs, balls, pitchmarks, and also help spot errant shots. I'd say more courses should have them, although realistically in this economy i'm guessing courses might find them a deterrent--my course has made the forecaddies optional this season as opposed to mandatory....most people just don't want to shell out an extra $25+ tip for these services i'm afraid.

[Comeback]

  drglew said:

Some upscale (usually REALLY upscale and pricey) public courses will at least have forecaddies (my home course, Bear's Best outside Atlanta is one). Although not quite the same as a personal caddie as your foursome shares one and you're still riding in carts, they're really helpful: course management (if you haven't played the course before), exact yardages (they carry laser rangefinders), read putts, and of course clean clubs, balls, pitchmarks, and also help spot errant shots. I'd say more courses should have them, although realistically in this economy i'm guessing courses might find them a deterrent--my course has made the forecaddies optional this season as opposed to mandatory....most people just don't want to shell out an extra $25+ tip for these services i'm afraid.

I used to caddy when i was younger. Every once in a while i would have to forecaddy it sucked , I was always worried that I was going to get hit by a ball. And then one day SMACK right in the leg.

[jonnythan]

I dunno if I'd like it. I'd be a little nervous with someone I didn't know watching every shot. I'd also feel bad that they didn't get to play. I'd probably offer to let them take a few shots.

[tsajjad]

we have caddies here at IGC. (Islamabad Golf Club..and all of them could put most players here to shame lol)
having a caddy is a different experience, i only find them useful on the greens. other than that i know which club to hit from what yardage so im pretty okay. of course having someone carry your bag and clean the clubs is a big bonus.

[senorchipotle]

i've played at a couple swanky clubs where we had caddies. it was a bit strange at first, but the next few rounds suck cause you don't have anybody to carry your clubs and clean them, etc. for you after each shot.

[uttexas]

In my mid early 20s, I injured my neck/arm and couldn't play golf for about 3 months. I missed the golf course and would caddy for my friends during their rounds. I really enjoyed it--but not as much as playing golf.

[cody west]

i take a caddy in some of the bigger tournaments i play. hes my best friend and we hang out a lot for me its not about having someone to carry the bag because he forgets it sometimes but having someone there to lighten the mood and joke around with when everyone else gets all serious. iv also taken serious caddies but there not as fun because they all tell you nice shot and stuff. i really like when you hit a terrible shot and the caddy is like well at least you found a fairway somewhere

[uttexas]

My folks have lived in Asia over the last 20 years. There are almost always caddies over there. Really luxurious having someone carry your bags, help you on the greens, etc.

[bshack]

To the OP if you play in the Nature Valley Amateur series tourneys and win your location you get a trip to Sawgrass. It includes two championship rounds at the stadium course with a pro caddy and a pga tour experience. I have a round in september. If I win my flight Il let you know how things go :)

[Shanks A Million]

I have a friend I practice with, and we sort of caddy for each other. He knows all the local courses well, and I can strategize well. Try it with someone who's game you know.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Caddies on the Tour help their player save stokes by helping to decide which shot to play and with which club. I don't see why a good one wouldn't do that for me, either. Once a caddy learned what my skills are, I'll bet he could help me knock five shots off a round.

I would like to see what Tour players shoot if they were not allowed to get advice from anyone, and their caddy was only a beast of burden and janitor.

[iPutt]

I know Bethpage has caddies for the black if you want but they're really expensive. Like 50 bucks at least and then a tip.

[UPPandDOWN]

I tried to get my wife to do it for me....How do you think that went?

[Shanks A Million]

  The Recreational Golfer said:

Caddies on the Tour help their player save stokes by helping to decide which shot to play and with which club. I don't see why a good one wouldn't do that for me, either. Once a caddy learned what my skills are, I'll bet he could help me knock five shots off a round.

Tiger's handicap at his home course is around +9.

[adamgoodman]

I wish I had a friend who would be willing to caddy for me. Heh heh...
I'm thinking about a career in golf management so caddying might be in my future. Mainly, I just want someone to carry and clean, and also I like to voice my possibilities. Somehow it makes me make choices better.

[WUTiger]

Experienced caddies can help you score better at their home course. They know it inside out. Also, once they see you hit a few shots, they can tell pretty much how far you hit the ball, and what shots you can hit vs. those you just think you can hit .

drglew on target for mentioning forecaddies. I play in lower-level tournaments a couple of times a year, and most courses have two or three holes where they should put a forecaddie to prevent slow play. There's the hole with the blind, hillside landing area, or the hole that snakes along a creekbed with lots of "nature lover" vegetation.

I played a new nine-hole course in our area. As my group waited to tee off on No. 7, somebody said, "Ya know where they should put forecaddies?" We came up with a full plan before the drives flew down range.