Uber for Caddies

[jamtom422]

Hey everyone,

I'm seeking validation for a startup I've created which is essentially the UBER for hiring one or more Caddies for your round. This would be an app that allows you to find or post a request for a caddy and hire them for your round. 

Rates would be cheaper than hiring a caddy from a clubhouse and all monetary transactions would occur within the app. 

Keep in mind that the caddies on the app will most likely be high school and college kids with 1-5 years experience. I envision the Caddies will create a profile with reviews and courses they know best as well as a brief bio and years of experience. All of this information will affect their cost of hire. 

Please let me know if this is something you would use as a golfer. 

Much appreciated, 

James 

[rkim291968]

As a golfer, I don't use caddy unless I am playing a course in my bucket list.   So far, that's 5 times in 3 year span.  And when I do, I will contact the course rather than trusting an app that can connect me to "kids" as you say.

Edited October 22, 2015 by rkim291968

[Psyber]

These apps work better for low skill commodity services. I just don't see this taking off. It's a neat idea in concept but I don't imagine many people would use it. Golf is expensive enough for most people without hiring a caddy. 

[DaveP043]

I with @rkim291968, I only take caddies at really special courses, and I'd want someone familiar with the courses.  I see a potential glitch, in that many courses would not allow "spectators or walk-alongs", which is how the course would probably define your unauthorized caddies.  Good luck, but I don't see too big a market for this.

[ncarlsongolf]

You are not going to get the courses to sign off on this is they are being undercut with cheaper caddies.  They have the prices set at what is fair for the property and the caddy to make money.  You can't take their fee away from them or there is no reason to have caddies, so if you are now getting that fee they wouldn't allow you to bring your caddy out.

[JP golf]

I think the concept is cool but it wouldn't work unfortunately.  I think it's cool but I would never use the app.

[Shorty]

Save you efforts for something else.

Courses who use caddies have their own.

The ones you hire will be banned from every course.

[jamo]

I don't think there would be much of a market for it. Most courses also won't let you bring someone on the course just to walk, so they definitely wouldn't be happy with you bringing a caddy on the course with you without paying.

[Jeremie Boop]

I with @rkim291968, I only take caddies at really special courses, and I'd want someone familiar with the courses.  I see a potential glitch, in that many courses would not allow "spectators or walk-alongs", which is how the course would probably define your unauthorized caddies.  Good luck, but I don't see too big a market for this.

I've only run into this one time, and they just gave me a putter to give my daughter so she would technically be a player even though he didn't charge me for her to ride along. She did enjoy being able to putt every hole and now wants to try golf next year. However, I do agree that having some random person caddie when you don't even know if they have any good knowledge or ability to help ready putts etc wouldn't make much sense.

[k-troop]

I think it sounds like a brilliant idea. I love using a caddy; I never do because it's outrageously expensive. Courses who provide caddies definitely would not use it. Other courses..hard to say how they'd react. Caddies speed up play and add to the player experience, so it's really not in the course's interest to block this so long as they're not losing cart revenue. 

[Leebonium]

It kind of goes without saying that any company providing this service would be letting the courses take a cut and only allowing caddies on courses that approve it. That's no reason to shoot down the whole concept. If a course is willing to allow it, and they get a little more money, why not?

[turtleback]

It kind of goes without saying that any company providing this service would be letting the courses take a cut and only allowing caddies on courses that approve it. That's no reason to shoot down the whole concept. If a course is willing to allow it, and they get a little more money, why not?

Liability.

[SavvySwede]

It kind of goes without saying that any company providing this service would be letting the courses take a cut and only allowing caddies on courses that approve it. That's no reason to shoot down the whole concept. If a course is willing to allow it, and they get a little more money, why not?

It is not obvious or any way implied by the original post that the courses would be getting a cut. I also don't see how the courses could get a big enough cut to offset the loss of cart revenue without the price of the caddies getting too high.

Edited October 24, 2015 by SavvySwede

[Leebonium]

It is not obvious or any way implied by the original post that the courses would be getting a cut. I also don't see how the courses could get a big enough cut to offset the loss of cart revenue without the price of the caddies getting too high.

If the creator of the idea didn't consider having to get approval from courses, then yes, it's a completely implausible idea. So implausible that I would give them the benefit of the doubt that they didn't overlook that fact. 

Plus, I think anyone who would use this service is not going to be put off by prices... this isn't for most people, or most courses for that matter.

Edited October 24, 2015 by Leebonium

[WUTiger]

Hey everyone,

... Rates would be cheaper than hiring a caddy from a clubhouse and all monetary transactions would occur within the app. (A)

Keep in mind that the caddies on the app will most likely be high school and college kids with 1-5 years experience. I envision the Caddies will create a profile with reviews and courses they know best as well as a brief bio... (B)

You hope for (B) enhancements, while paying (A) rates?

I can't really see what value-added you bring to the caddies. Working for less is value-negative.

Plus, most caddies in metro areas have relationships with a particular golf club. At many private clubs, you have to schedule a caddie. These days you don't have too many just "hanging around" waiting for a loop as caddies did in the 1960s.

[dennyjones]

Most courses around here, unless they are private do not have caddies.  I live in a blue collar area where caddies are almost nonexistent.  If you want to bring somebody along, like a spouse or child, a lot of the courses are charging full green fees for a ride along 

[mvmac]

 

Please let me know if this is something you would use as a golfer. 

Not a great idea for a couple reasons.

- I don't see the app increasing the demand the caddies. I don't think most golfers want to add another $100 to their round.
- The market for golfers that use caddies is extremely small.
- The clubs/courses that offer caddies wouldn't allow a caddie that wasn't approved by the club. Most caddies have to go through an interview and training process to get the job. I know a golf pro that just flew across the country to interview at a course in Vegas.

[jamo]

If the creator of the idea didn't consider having to get approval from courses, then yes, it's a completely implausible idea. So implausible that I would give them the benefit of the doubt that they didn't overlook that fact. 

Plus, I think anyone who would use this service is not going to be put off by prices... this isn't for most people, or most courses for that matter.

Then you're just layering niche on top of niche. Not a great way to make money.