The rise of the dreaded Daddy Caddy...

[vkurup]

I took my nipper out on our Par 3 course during a quiet period. It was supposed to be a peaceful stroll for me in my new role as Daddy Caddy. So armed with his 4 clubs and 3 spare balls, we set off. I get the idea that kids need to have fun, so our previous outings have been more playtime with some golf thrown in. However, this time he told me that he wants to enter competition!!! So i thought i would give him a flavour.

My peaceful stroll lasted till the first tee box, as I was having more heartache everytime he would miss 3 footers. He can get onto the greens in less than 3 shots (depending on length) and then much like his old man, will consistently 3-4 putt. I never thought Caddying would be such a headache. While I dont think we have a Rory in the household, it can be a frustrating and difficult game to watch.

Any daddy caddies (or sport coaches) out there who still have any hair left on their head and any tips on managing heartbreaks

 

[Crawfy]

I took my nipper out on our Par 3 course during a quiet period. It was supposed to be a peaceful stroll for me in my new role as Daddy Caddy. So armed with his 4 clubs and 3 spare balls, we set off. I get the idea that kids need to have fun, so our previous outings have been more playtime with some golf thrown in. However, this time he told me that he wants to enter competition!!! So i thought i would give him a flavour.

My peaceful stroll lasted till the first tee box, as I was having more heartache everytime he would miss 3 footers. He can get onto the greens in less than 3 shots (depending on length) and then much like his old man, will consistently 3-4 putt. I never thought Caddying would be such a headache. While I dont think we have a Rory in the household, it can be a frustrating and difficult game to watch.

Any daddy caddies (or sport coaches) out there who still have any hair left on their head and any tips on managing heartbreaks

My six year old has started her lessons, but not been 'released' onto the course as yet - probably next summer.

In the meantime, have a look for a docu film called The Short Game. Is about the Junior World Championships (Under 10's) which is held at Pinehurst every year.
Every parent of a child who plays sport should watch it.

A great wee watch !

 

[pokerjoke]

I took my nipper out on our Par 3 course during a quiet period. It was supposed to be a peaceful stroll for me in my new role as Daddy Caddy. So armed with his 4 clubs and 3 spare balls, we set off. I get the idea that kids need to have fun, so our previous outings have been more playtime with some golf thrown in. However, this time he told me that he wants to enter competition!!! So i thought i would give him a flavour.

My peaceful stroll lasted till the first tee box, as I was having more heartache everytime he would miss 3 footers. He can get onto the greens in less than 3 shots (depending on length) and then much like his old man, will consistently 3-4 putt. I never thought Caddying would be such a headache. While I dont think we have a Rory in the household, it can be a frustrating and difficult game to watch.

Any daddy caddies (or sport coaches) out there who still have any hair left on their head and any tips on managing heartbreaks

I take mine out and never let him have more than 2 putts as I want him to get into a habit of 2 putting maximum.

This seems to have worked as a couple of weeks ago we played 9 holes and he had 7 2 putts.

The key is not to show anger or frustration and certainly don't shout at him,he will learn at his own pace.

One thing I have done with him is teach him to read a green and I ask him before he putts sometimes how hes sees the putt and if he sees it totally wrong I will guide him a little.

Its all trial and error.

How old is he?

 

[Craggles89]

My six year old has started her lessons, but not been 'released' onto the course as yet - probably next summer.

In the meantime, have a look for a docu film called The Short Game. Is about the Junior World Championships (Under 10's) which is held at Pinehurst every year.
Every parent of a child who plays sport should watch it.

A great wee watch !

I watched this last week and thought it was brilliant!
Not only for the golf, but for the kids ambition, determination and how each of them had their own journey.
And they were all happy (most of the time !!)

 

[Region3]

My 12 year old daughter has been attending beginner girls lessons for around a year now.

I'm not totally convinced she loves it for what it is, or because it's what I do, but either way I love the fact that she plays.

Tonight was the best I've seen her hit the ball, carrying about 100yds with her driver and range balls on a good hit. Impressive to me considering I can only hit it about 200yds.

We've been on the course a couple of times but she prefers the range at the moment.

 

[MendieGK]

I cannot stand playing in scratch opens when juniors have their parents caddying for them. In the saunton open in April one lad (admittedly off +1) had 7 people walking round with him and his dad caddying. I believe a lot of junior opens are banning caddies

 

[fundy]

I cannot stand playing in scratch opens when juniors have their parents caddying for them. In the saunton open in April one lad (admittedly off +1) had 7 people walking round with him and his dad caddying. I believe a lot of junior opens are banning caddies

I know of some that have banned all caddies, and some that have banned family as caddies. Think I prefer the latter but either is better than playing against a moody 14 year old and his dad on the bag thats for sure, which seems to happen too often in scratch opens/matches etc

 

[Foxholer]

My lad will be 6 soon.. so very early days... I have seen Short game, I hope I won't turn into such a monster (but who knows). Unfortunately I know the type ..
A friend's son plays under 10s but his dad (my friend) gets very worked up and it was not helping, so he stopped being daddy caddy and got replaced by his much calmer mummy.. only to see scores improving..


Why ban family caddies? If my son wants to participate in under 8s, there is no way he can take a set of clubs around the course and I don't think I can afford a non-family caddie. I think having the family on the course is good as it can be a day out for everyone as long as no advice is given. Golf can otherwise be a very lonely 4-5 hours for kids.

If you know the type, then you have answered your own question!

 

[vkurup]

My lad will be 6 soon.. so very early days... Though on the range this week, he was kissing distance from the 100y marker with his driver!! But he did shoot the next one backwards and restore the confidence that he is my son

I have seen Short game, I hope I won't turn into such a monster (but who knows). Unfortunately I know the type ..
A friend's son plays under 10s but his dad (my friend) gets very worked up and it was not helping, so he stopped being daddy caddy and got replaced by his much calmer mummy.. only to see scores improving..

I know of some that have banned all caddies, and some that have banned family as caddies. Think I prefer the latter but either is better than playing against a moody 14 year old and his dad on the bag thats for sure, which seems to happen too often in scratch opens/matches etc

Why ban family caddies? If my son wants to participate in under 8s, there is no way he can take a set of clubs around the course and I don't think I can afford a non-family caddie. I think having the family on the course is good as it can be a day out for everyone as long as no advice is given. Golf can otherwise be a very lonely 4-5 hours for kids.


edit: had to repost as not sure how the prev post disappeared..

 

[MendieGK]

My lad will be 6 soon.. so very early days... Though on the range this week, he was kissing distance from the 100y marker with his driver!! But he did shoot the next one backwards and restore the confidence that he is my son

I have seen Short game, I hope I won't turn into such a monster (but who knows). Unfortunately I know the type ..
A friend's son plays under 10s but his dad (my friend) gets very worked up and it was not helping, so he stopped being daddy caddy and got replaced by his much calmer mummy.. only to see scores improving..



Why ban family caddies? If my son wants to participate in under 8s, there is no way he can take a set of clubs around the course and I don't think I can afford a non-family caddie. I think having the family on the course is good as it can be a day out for everyone as long as no advice is given. Golf can otherwise be a very lonely 4-5 hours for kids.


edit: had to repost as not sure how the prev post disappeared..

I dont know why it should be lonely, it should be about socialising with his playing partners....

 

[vkurup]

I dont know why it should be lonely, it should be about socialising with his playing partners....

That is the right thing when you are an adult... it would be a bit difficult for kids to do that... they would rather kick a ball down a field than spend time socialising with PPs on a golf course.. (that my view)

 

[Lord Tyrion]

My son is 15 and has played in open comps for 2-3 years now. I have never caddied for him and think it is generally a bad idea. If they play a bad shot kids with parents as caddies turn to them for advice or to blame. They never talk to their pp. Let them go on their own, let them work things out when they go wrong and it means you don't come back a gibbering wreck.

I play rounds with my son and that is when I pass on etiquette and other issues. Comps, for me, are best without parents around.

 

[MendieGK]

My son is 15 and has played in open comps for 2-3 years now. I have never caddied for him and think it is generally a bad idea. If they play a bad shot kids with parents as caddies turn to them for advice or to blame. They never talk to their pp. Let them go on their own, let them work things out when they go wrong and it means you don't come back a gibbering wreck.

I play rounds with my son and that is when I pass on etiquette and other issues. Comps, for me, are best without parents around.

This is exactly the approach i would take with my son if he got into golf when he gets into it.

 

[banacek303]

Oh, the joys of parenting.

The little people are going to make 'schoolboy errors' as we all do. Oh what fun to get a roasting for missing that 12" putt (I never do Guv)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Maybe see if he'll try a few putts on the carpet and get use to making the shorter ones. Turn it into a game at home and hopefully the practice will pay dividends on the course