Bandon and Caddies

[Craig Sweet]

Other than the "romance" and "tradition" of using a caddy, do you really need one when playing Bandon?

Isn't some of the experience finding your way around the course on your own?

[Dan Herrmann]

Let's let the advice thing slide for a minute.

They sure make playing 36 or more much more doable, just from a physical standpoint.   My guess is making that trek on Bandon Trails up to #14 wouldn't be a ton of time if it were the second 18.

A good caddy is also a great asset if it's raining/drizzling, which it certainly does from time to time.

Lastly, they sure help in the fog.  I don't care how familiar you are, when you can't see, it's tough!

[Tim Pitner]

Other than the "romance" and "tradition" of using a caddy, do you really need one when playing Bandon?

Isn't some of the experience finding your way around the course on your own?

No and yes.  I definitely think some of the fun is in plotting your own way around.  You can always ask the caddie's advice and then ignore it, but that can get you in trouble with the caddie.  Particularly if you're going to play the courses multiple times each, I'd say it's better to go sans caddie.  

For my last round at the resort in June, I decided to take a caddie and follow her advice for every shot and putt (mostly for experimental purposes but also because I was very fatigued).  It was okay because I didn't want to do a lot of thinking at the time, but I'd say it wasn't as fun, on balance.  And, the caddies aren't always right--it seems like they follow too rigid of a formula.    

[Tom Dunne]

I like a 50/50 split. Carry your own in the morning, then play with a caddie in the afternoon (or vice versa, depending on how you feel). Looking back at my scores from my week in Bandon, my highest and lowest scores were with a caddie, with the middling rounds occurring when i carried my own bag. I will say that I enjoyed the caddied rounds more, and remember them more vividly today.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I say no! I am glad they have a caddie program for those who do need them. I am happy with a trolly and a strokesaver. Ther eis not anything on that course where serious local knowledge is needed other than those rookie architecture blunders on Bandon Dunes by Kidd,

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