Caddies No More?

[Slab]

Another GM miniblog that might be fun for us to chew over on the forum He suggests getting rid of tour caddies to help pace & improve elite pro golf as a sport

I’m sure there are merits in restricting certain caddy activities with regards shot making that would help pace but overall, I think they help rather than hinder pace. There’s also a bit of a difference driving down the motorway for a player in an elite AM/mini-tour event with all their extra gear in the car compared to a tour player traveling internationally who needs to bring that extra gear for various weather etc hence the larger/heavier bags


I’m not sure he’s thought through his ‘example’ of LeBron James doing it all himself on a free throw. I don’t watch much basketball but from what I have seen the player never collects the ball for the 2nd throw. The fella has team mates/officials passing him the ball for his 2nd throw. Also there’s lackies almost continually wiping the sweat off the court when play is at the other end so players don’t stop to do it themselves. And he’s indoors in a temp controlled environment on a course that never changes its dimensions, so why would he need advice on distance/temp/humidity/air density etc etc LeBron James is very far away from doing it all himself

 

[Lord Tyrion]

It's clickbait but I understand where he is coming from. The analogy is poor, imo, but again, that is part of the bait.

Does it slow them down, speed them up? I would say definitely slows them. The chat, the decision over what club to take, that would happen within seconds in the players head. The caddy stretches out that conversation as they mull over between them what to do.

For what it's worth, I think the caddy is ingrained in pro golf and the pro's outweigh the cons. Lugging the bag, keeping stuff dry and clean, I don't think it is unreasonable. The tour could limit the input, don't allow them to give advice on a green, shot clocks etc that could deal with the slow aspect. That can be effective without getting rid of caddies altogether.

 

[3 jabber]

There are shot clocks to speed up play but the last player to be penalised that I can remember was the young Chinese amateur at the Masters years ago. The tour haven't got the balls to impose them on the players. Recent video of Rai on social media taking over 2 minutes to hit a putt

 

[Lord Tyrion]

No point in having a shot clock if you don't start it. The tour have failed completely on this issue, not that they seem to care.

 

[Springveldt]

There are shot clocks to speed up play but the last player to be penalised that I can remember was the young Chinese amateur at the Masters years ago. The tour haven't got the balls to impose them on the players. Recent video of Rai on social media taking over 2 minutes to hit a putt

I can still remember Pat Perez talking about Rai on a podcast a few years ago "We've got this guy out here now that wears two gloves and he's slow as sh*t".

I guess he hasn't changed.

 

[Springveldt]

No point in having a shot clock if you don't start it. The tour have failed completely on this issue, not that they seem to care.

Why would they? Longer broadcasts, more adverts shown.

 

[Dunesman]

Caddies doing aimpoint is certainly a step too far. But apart from that, overall, Id guess they save the player as much time as they cost. Plus, you couldnt have a Masters without the white boiler suits.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Would be happy to see the caddies just carry the bag etc as opposed to helping with shot selection and clubs and putting

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Certainly the case that the time some women golfers take consulting endlessly with their caddies is an issue; and it’s something that frustrates and irritates many of their fellow pros. You might not notice it if watching on TV broadcast, but you certainly do if you are there spectating. For some reason South Korean players seem particular culprits.

 

[Dunesman]

Certainly the case that the time some women golfers take consulting endlessly with their caddies is an issue; and it’s something that frustrates and irritates many of their fellow pros. You might not notice it if watching on TV broadcast, but you certainly do if you are there spectating. For some reason South Korean players seem particular culprits.

Their overall shot time limits should be resolving than now I guess.
But, yes, sometimes it does look like caddy chat is pointless, and just delaying players from grasping the nettle and just making a decision.

 

[Neilds]

Do we need to start a crowd funding page for @Slab in case he loses his income from caddying?

 

[Orikoru]

Don't see any mileage in it, caddies are an intrinsic part of professional golf. It would like if Formula 1 decided they're not allowed mechanics anymore and the drivers have to get out and refuel the car themselves. That would be funny to watch though actually.

 

[SteveW86]

Don't see any mileage in it, caddies are an intrinsic part of professional golf. It would like if Formula 1 decided they're not allowed mechanics anymore and the drivers have to get out and refuel the car themselves. That would be funny to watch though actually.

Especially seeing as they havent had refueling in F1 for quite a while now.

Changing the tyres would be funny, especially if they could only use one of the crappy scissor jacks you have in the back of your car.

 

[Imurg]

Do we need to start a crowd funding page for @Slab in case he loses his income from caddying?

Just to note that Slab's charge's form has gone through the floor since their collaboration........
What did Slab do to him....

 

[Slab]

Just to note that Slab's charge's form has gone through the floor since their collaboration........
What did Slab do to him....

Nah, not having it
'My' recent bag is sitting top 15 in Singapore after 1st round with only one missed cut all season and several top 20 finishes means comfortable R2D entry (atm) C'mon

 

[Crazyface]

Caddies should not give any advice. They are there to carry and clean clubs.