Caddies Lining up Putts

[ADB]

Screwback, not suggesting that at all - I understand the tradition of the game. I was just trying to suggest that the role of caddies has changed and maybe players should become more self-sufficient. My feelings are in the first paragraph i.e that caddies should supply basic information for the player to make a decision.

 

[Screwback]

I am just saying that the job of caddie is to aid the player in anyway the player feels necassary. I agree with you to an extent that players need to become more self sufficient thought. Perhaps if the tour allowed caddies to carry a skycaddie this would save time as they would not need to walk back and forth working out yardages.

Nice cilit bang pic

 

[Tommo21]

A mate of mine puts a line round his ball, he takes ages lining up that line to his putting line, but it works. If he had a caddy doing it he would play faster.

 

[rgs]

It should be outlawed.

However the ladies are worst with caddies lining up shots from the fairway.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

The roles of caddies have changed in the last 10yrs or so, they give advice on yardages etc so why not lines for putts.

I reckon most players are more than capable of lining up their own putts, but like the fact that a person they trust can help their decision making and i think caddies should be praised for the work they do.

Don't forget some of these caddies earn £20,000+ per event

 

[User 105]

Might be just the way I see things but I just don't see golf, in this format, as a team sport.

For me it should be golfer against the course. Best score shot by the golfer wins.

Advice from caddies on yardages etc I think is ok.

But when you get a caddy behind the golfer going left a bit, bit more, now right a little. Now hit it on that line. Sorry to me that's just making up for a lack of what I perceive as a what should be a core skill in the golfer.

There's no doubt these caddies have skill and the benefit they give a golfer is obviously worth the money they get paid for the job. And whilst the rules allow it, pro's who need this help would be stupid not to take it if it increases their chance of winning. As a result skillful caddies will be in demand and well paid for their services.

I just think lining up, basically aiming for the golfer, is beyond just providing advice.

 

[Swinger]

The whole idea of a caddie is to aid a player its been like that for years its a big part of the tradition of the game. to suggest swapping them for powacaddys imo is ludacris.

I dont think slow play is a problem on the tour the longer the golf is on the telly the better.

Not sure why it would be such a radical idea. I don't think it would benefit the game at that level but it is an interesting thought. I personally would prefer a player talking about shots with a caddy as opposed to glaring at a sky caddy with a lost expression on his face.
I like watching golf as it is and wouldn't want to see it changed but maybe Tim Heron has never won a major because he can't find the right caddy?

Who knows.

I bet you wouldn't enjoy the pace of play if you were stuck behind them either!

 

[CrapHacker]

I am just saying that the job of caddie is to aid the player in anyway the player feels necassary. I agree with you to an extent that players need to become more self sufficient thought. Perhaps if the tour allowed caddies to carry a skycaddie this would save time as they would not need to walk back and forth working out yardages.

The game of golf is made up of two skills :

1) Getting the ball onto the green using the woods and irons

2) Getting the ball in the hole with the putter.

On a par 72 course, a player playing perfect golf is making that a 50/50 split between the two skills.

The skill behind putting is based on reading the green, lining up a putt, and then hitting the ball hard enough along that line for it to take the break that the golfer has read.

If we allow the caddie to read the putt and then line it up, then all the player is, is a mechanical putting device to send the ball on it's way.

I've always thought that golf is a game designed to test the player's skill, not the caddie's.

 

[Region3]

A mate of mine puts a line round his ball, he takes ages lining up that line to his putting line, but it works. If he had a caddy doing it he would play faster.

I tried lining up the arrow/line/whatever on the ball with the line I'd picked out but I couldn't for the life of me get it right when I'm placing my ball.

It was put the ball down as a best guess, step back to check line, readjust etc etc.
I stopped doing it the same round I started because it just took too long.

If I've understood the op right and that's what the caddy was doing then it must save time.

 

[Chrimbo]

Might be just the way I see things but I just don't see golf, in this format, as a team sport.

For me it should be golfer against the course. Best score shot by the golfer wins.

Advice from caddies on yardages etc I think is ok.

Spot on and it's about time the authorities changed the rules accordingly.