A pro comp that id like to see.

Ok as a pro, do you have a caddie that sometimes pulls you back from a bad place, or talks sense when your trying the make or break shot... and more so do you find carrying your own bats has an effect on your performance throughout a game.
 
Ok as a pro, do you have a caddie that sometimes pulls you back from a bad place, or talks sense when your trying the make or break shot... and more so do you find carrying your own bats has an effect on your performance throughout a game.

So far only trust my dad and my girlfriend to caddie for me they play the game, know my game and will tell me when they think I might be being stupid. Last year I had someone else caddie for me for one round and worst decision ever, was totally useless and actually wound me up. So I learnt I would not have another caddie without some serious work before a tournament. I would rather take charge of my clubs.
 
So far only trust my dad and my girlfriend to caddie for me they play the game, know my game and will tell me when they think I might be being stupid. Last year I had someone else caddie for me for one round and worst decision ever, was totally useless and actually wound me up. So I learnt I would not have another caddie without some serious work before a tournament. I would rather take charge of my clubs.

It's certainly an interesting relationship between player and caddie.
However you are hopefully going to move away from your current setup when you progress further. Tommy Fleetwood had his father on the bag but now has a full time caddie. Luke Donald's magic run just happened to coincide with splitting with his brother!
Certainly wouldn't expect you to go out in the first round of a tournament without having discussed things and sorted out what sort of relationship you want. That's part of what practice rounds are for! And remember that the caddie is probably trying to 'impress' as well.
 
Interesting thread. I think for the majority it wouldn't make too much difference after an initial few weeks. They have the skill to hit the ball anyway and would do enough homework in the practise rounds to have a pretty good idea of club selection. I'm not sure that many top pros use their caddy to line up and read putts anyway so that side of it wont change. I can see how carrying a bag in somewhere like Dubai would have a physical and therefore mental implication, but these guys work out and are pretty fit so I don't see it being an issue
 
It's certainly an interesting relationship between player and caddie.
However you are hopefully going to move away from your current setup when you progress further. Tommy Fleetwood had his father on the bag but now has a full time caddie. Luke Donald's magic run just happened to coincide with splitting with his brother!
Certainly wouldn't expect you to go out in the first round of a tournament without having discussed things and sorted out what sort of relationship you want. That's part of what practice rounds are for! And remember that the caddie is probably trying to 'impress' as well.

Without doubt progression will lead to a proper caddie as funds will allow this. Would be great to actually have a full time caddie, but for now I will wait.
 
Don't forget most of the tour pros would have got to a pretty high standard without a caddy, so I think as jason said it wouldn't be the scores, but maybe their stroke average. Outnofnunterest how often do you have a caddy Jason?
 
Please excuse my truly appalling spelling in that last post... It was meant to read out of interest
 
If you went on the full tour. How would you try and choose a caddie? Obviously you said you prefer someone who knows you well so would you persuade one of them to come and caddie for you to start off with?
 
had the wee nephew caddy for me a few times. i have to admit, it does make it easier when you just stroll to the ball with you hands in your pockets. "hand me a wedge kid" ! :rofl:
 
* They dont carry a bag for 18 holes, in heat, in the cold, in the rain etc etc.

* if their making a bad shot choice, the caddy tried to set them straight before making the bad call.

* they have their own stroke saver, yet a caddies s/s will have additional notes, additional distances,

* They get mental advice from the caddie as well a other advice that may relate to a swing change their going through and so on..

* 2nd opinion on club choice, line of putt, the list is endless

I'd have though a good player is a good player - but..... there must be something in it. After all, the top guys wouldn't be handing over substantial wedges of their winnings if there wasn't any benefit to having a caddy. They'd just have a (probably free) leccy trolley and a gps.

Ok I know the pros down the lower end don't get enough to afford caddies much, if at all. But there must be something in it else the top guys wouldn't be parting with the cash. Would they?
 
If you went on the full tour. How would you try and choose a caddie? Obviously you said you prefer someone who knows you well so would you persuade one of them to come and caddie for you to start off with?

I will speak to a few people I know and get some advice. I will meet up and have a good chat and play some practice rounds away from tournament venues to see how the relationship works.
 
I've had a caddy a couple of times at County events, just a couple of mates - both single figure players.

Having them was absolutely pointless. As it wasn't something I was used to having with me, it put me off my stride quite a bit. It was just not the norm for me - no doubt that if i used a caddy regularly then that would change. I just felt bad about handing him a club or ball to clean, I wouldn't trust them to do yardages, read putts (unless asked) or advise on type of shot. So they were doing nothing that a powakaddy couldn't take care of.
 
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