Should Caddies be banned from lining up putts for their player?

[LongButWayward]

I have noticed more and more caddies lining up their professional player for putts on the green, some are even laying down on the green to do it.

Do people think this should be banned?

My opinion is that it should

First of all it slows down the game, second where a caddy lays down his toes and knees could leave impressions in softer greens which then effects the putt of someone in a later group.
Most of all though golf is an individual sport and if a player makes a putt that a caddy has lined up would they have made it without the caddy lining him up.
I don't mind caddies having a read of the putt and giving advice (before address) as I see this the same as when making an iron shot and assessing yardages and wind, it is the lining up when the player has addressed the putt I object to.

Surely this is part of the game the should be left to the player to make the entire shot including lining up.

I know this may divide opinion but let me know what you think

Thanks

 

[TWM]

I would ban it. Finding your line is really part of the game.

 

[bobmac]

I agree.
All players on the European tour are brilliant golfers and got there on their own merit. They shouldn't need to be lined up by their caddy, but if it's allowed and its a final check to make sure, I understand why they do it.

 

[Fyldewhite]

No.

A caddie is there to assist the player in all aspects of the game and always has been. It would be chipping away at one of the traditional aspects of the game. A caddie is far more than just a guy carrying the bag.

I don't dispute that slow play is an issue but throwing some grass in the air to check the wind speed and direction also wastes time but you wouldn't think of banning that. It's the total time players spend that matters not the things they do. I don't really care how the players and caddies prepare for a shot so long as they get on with it !

 

[HRC99]

No, I don't think so. People's livelihoods are at stake so if caddies are allowed to advise then they should be allowed to check alignment.

 

[drawboy]

Sorry, but for me a professional golfer should not need the assistance of a caddy to line up the putts for him.They already tell them all the information they need to make any decision tee to green.The PGA needs to make a stand on this. It seems to be a contentious issue for many spectators of the game.

 

[viscount17]

No, I don't think so. People's livelihoods are at stake so if caddies are allowed to advise then they should be allowed to check alignment.

offer advice yes, but line up - no
(and they should stay off the greens)

 

[Sneds]

No, I don't think so. People's livelihoods are at stake so if caddies are allowed to advise then they should be allowed to check alignment.

offer advice yes, but line up - no
(and they should stay off the greens)

I agree with this, you could never stop caddies from offering advice on breaks etc. But the players can line up, although this wont stop caddies standing behind the line and commenting on whether it needs to be adjusted x

 

[richart]

Yes banned for all shots.Just another reason to play at a snails pace.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Don't see why it's any more contentious than telling the player what club to take from 150. A professional golfer should be quite capable of clubbing himself but we've allowed caddies to advise for centuries with no issues.

You either have caddies, giving advice within the rules or you don't and for me it's part of the game.

 

[mono217]

One word. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[USER1999]

No, but they should all be told to get a wriggle on, and get round in less than 4 hours. More than that, dq.

 

[Screwback]

was there not a post about this a couple of weeks back???

Anyway for me its a no they should not be banned!!!

As far as i can see a caddie as others have said is there to aid the player in anyway the player sees fit and i think there is nothing wrong with a 5 hour round as it means the golfs on the telly longer....

 

[USER1999]

No it isn't. You only see the shots. You would get the same number of shots if they ran round.

Did I fall for that?

 

[Yerman]

Definitely yes, also ban marking and cleaning the ball, bring back the stimie rule and play the ball where it lies.

 

[matt01]

Sorry, but for me a professional golfer should not need the assistance of a caddy to line up the putts for him.They already tell them all the information they need to make any decision tee to green.The PGA needs to make a stand on this. It seems to be a contentious issue for many spectators of the game.

i would have to agree with drawboy they need to put a end to all this it was bad in the womens game and now getting just as bad in the mens

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would say yes. I'm all for them giving advice on breaks and yardages as they have been doing that since caddying began but pro golf is already crawling along at a snails pace and this won't help. In the long run it won't be good for the image of the sport as a TV brand. Ultimately if sponsors can't get the exposure they want and TV networks can't fit the tournament into their schedule because it overruns for slow play then they will simply move away.

At the end of the day they are the top players in their profession and so it should be in their remit to be able to align themselves correctly

 

[stevek1969]

IMO i think they should on the LPGA Tour its a disease its like groundhog day it takes them 6 hours to go round it sgot that bad that Michelle Wie has her caddy line her up to hack it 10 yards out the rough.Its poor really that they need to do that.

 

[toyboy54]

Re Caddies on Tour.........to digress from the op,sorry guys, but does anyone know who Alistair Forsyth's caddie is?
Was thinking that it's an old mate of mine called"Titch"?
from E.K.Anybody any info??
Good scoring from big Al in 1st round 64,hope he carries it on as he could be a good 'un!
Met him a few times in various spots around Europe and is always approachable and honest!
How many other pros can you say that about??

Jimbo

 

[roccokj]

No, if we end up creating different rules for the caddie it'll become to complicated. Besides, in a way everybody is able to get somebody to be a caddie and line them up