Any advice on caddying?

[Neil20]

I'm late 30s and playing off 20. Marked the card for one of our club juniors (16 and playing off 5) yesterday in the midweek medal.

He's a good kid but struggles a bit with forgetting his errors on the course.

Anyway, at the 13th tee yesterday, having doubled the 5th and recovered his round (38 points by the end) he suddenly suggested that I caddy for him in an upcoming junior open.

He doesn't want me to club him (though I probably can quite well) and he doesn't want advice and he doesn't want much at all.... what he wants is for me to be my normal self and talk too much!
It turns out that he genuinely feels that my ability to chat relentlessly actually relaxes his play and helps him not to worry about the more serious things in life (like double bogeys).

I think it's probably worth giving a go both for me and him, especially as I'll get to see good juniors playing Stoke Park and learn something - but I want to do things properly and I'm not the most organised of people (cleaning clubs, balls, having stuff ready)

Any advice on any aspect of this welcome, serious or otherwise.

 

[nil1121]

Usually in Junior opens adults are not allowed to caddy so he better double check the rules beforehand.

 

[Swinger]

CIB check???

 

[rickg]

ask Murph...he's an expert!!

 

[Ethan]

'show up, keep up, shut up' is the traditional instruction to the caddy.

 

[Neil20]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll get him to double check the rules, but I think it's no parents rather than no adults.

 

[EZprophet]

I used to caddy at my course ever summer growing up and if you are caddying for a good player it can be great fun.

He clearly doesn't want any advice so just make sure you do all the basic stuff right I guess. You've just got to take care of all the boring little tasks around the course to make his life easier (raking the traps, repairing pitchmarks, tending the flag etc.)

Make sure you've always got a wet towel on you to wipe his clubs after each shot and clean his ball when he's marked it on the green and always keep tees and markers in your pocket incase he needs one.

Other than that just keep him chatting I guess as that is what seems to work for him! If for some reason he does ask for any advice I would just not give any to be honest... just tell him to go with his instinct. If you absolutely have to then no matter what make sure that by the end of the conversation you are agreeing with what he thinks. Last thing you want to do is put any doubt in his mind.

I used to be a member at Stoke Park actually and it's a great course, almost always in immaculate condition so I'm sure you'll have a great day. Good luck!

 

[Smiffy]

He doesn't want me to club him (though I probably can quite well) and he doesn't want advice and he doesn't want much at all....

If he got a paperround, he could buy a GoKart

 

[Neil20]

Some good advice in that post EZ, thanks.

Assuming it ends up happening I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[RGDave]

Any advice on any aspect of this welcome, serious or otherwise.

I say don't go there. Either you're there to help him or not.
Helping means being able to talk stuff through and making a decision quickly; it doesn't sound like he wants your help.
Pro Golf and Amateur are not the same i.m.o. when it comes to caddying.