When is a caddie not a caddie?

[balaclava]

In a match play game I was caddying for another and was told by the referee that I was not a caddie as I was not carrying the players bag (we had a push cart) and as such I could not step onto the greens (and assist the player with advice on lines etc).

How much of that is correct and how much is not true?

 

[Doh]

I have seen Caddys with push trollys before so i dont see why not i have done it myself without any problem.

 

[chrisd]

The rules say that the Committee can prohibit the use of a caddie or the players choice of caddie. The referee, I wouldn't think, can arbitarily act on behalf of the committee and there is nothing to say that you have to actually "carry" the bag as, to my certain knowledge the Europro Tour allow caddies to use trolleys. If you cant caddie due to a committee ruling then you cant be a caddie at all, not just banned for putting or going on the green


Chris

 

[DCB]

Not something I've heard of. If you're a caddy that's it, carry or push doesn't make any difference.

 

[CMAC]

sounds complete Tosh to me, I hope it is for the sake of the game

 

[Monty_Brown]

Maybe he didn't like the football boots you were wearing

 

[rosecott]

Here's what the Decisions on the Rules says:

6-4/2.5 Status of Individual Who Transports Player's Clubs on Motorized Golf Cart or Trolley
Q. During a round, a player's clubs are transported on a motorized golf cart or trolley by a friend who performs no other functions of a caddie. Is the friend considered to be the player's caddie?
A. Yes. By driving the cart or pulling the trolley, the friend is deemed to be carrying the player's clubs — see Definition of "Caddie."

However, the committee can make a Condition of Competition as follows:


Caddie (Note to Rule 6-4)
Rule 6-4 permits a player to use a caddie, provided he has only one caddie at any one time. However, there may be circumstances where a Committee may wish to prohibit caddies or restrict a player in his choice of caddie, e.g., professional golfer, sibling, parent, another player in the competition, etc. In such cases, the following wording is recommended:
Use of Caddie Prohibited
"A player is prohibited from using a caddie during the stipulated round."
Restriction on Who May Serve as Caddie
"A player is prohibited from having ___________ serve as his caddie during the stipulated round.

 

[balaclava]

Thanks for the helpful replies rule 6.4 etc in particular.

Presuming that the ‘committee’ has issued no instructions one way or the other and that in this instance the ‘referee’ comes up with a ruling which is without foundation and wrong and by imposing that ruling disadvantages the player with the (non) caddy and that player subsequently loses the match, what, if any, recompense is there?

 

[rosecott]

I guess he has to write to the committee, giving details of what happened and quoting the rules as shown. If the referee happens to be a committee member, who knows what the outcome might be but I would be inclined to push it. Let the forum know if anything develops.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Never heard that a caddy can't use a trolley and the Rules don't support that. It's bad enough when another player gives you duff advice on the Rules but when it's a referee I despair. Would have been interesting if you had asked him to show you the specific Rule in the book.

Let us know the result if you take it further.