Tom MacWood,
That wouldn't have been Greg Powers, would it ?
Rich Goodale,
I think you have to differentiate between CADDIES, and bag toters.
CADDIES are great.
They take an interest in your game, they want to help you in overcoming the obstacles the course presents, and they want to be a contributing factor in having you play better, having you score better. Good CADDIES are positive, not negative.
They understand your personality and your game after a few holes.
Some of the best company that I have ever had, has been a CADDY in a competitive setting.
One CADDY at NGLA during the Singles Tournament went above and beyond in his efforts to help me win.
In the morning round of the Championship flight, as I was riding from the range, back to the first tee, my bag fell off of the cart, snapping off the head of my biggest big bertha driver
Billy, the caddy master lent me a driver with an AJ Tech shaft that I never hit higher then 10 feet off the ground.
I was lucky enough to win my morining match, and had time to have lunch before the start of my afternoon match against an opponent who was a far better player than I was.
In the interim, my caddy called all his friends, found one with a biggest big bertha driver with my specs, drove out of his way, picked it up and brought it back for me to use.
I was lucky enough to win my afternoon match, primarily because my caddy cared enough, and made an extra-ordinary effort to assist his player, in a true team spirit effort.
From the moment we met at the first tee, we connected, and irrespective of the outcome of each match, we had a good time, and enjoyed each others company.
I could recount story after story of wonderful golf experiences that were made possible by the efforts and companionship of a CADDY.
As TEPaul says, in competition, they become your partner in your duel against the golf course and/or your opponent.
Unfortunately, there are some "bag toter" stories that I'd like to forget, of rounds made unenjoyable by the presence and actions of an individual who didn't care about anything except payday.
Given the alternatives, I opt for taking a caddy who gets into your game, the golf course, and the competition.
GCGC is fortunate to have a very good CADDY corps, as does NGLA in season. I suspect that FH will have the same.
It makes a difference.