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[Jack Crisham]

Tim, Any caddie that is willing to stand where a ricocheted 3 wood can hit him will learn a valuable lesson regarding moving out into the fairway in the future. As Monty Python said its just a bloody flesh wound! No harm no foul. It livened up our match- Jack 

[Tim Bert]

I just did a quick re-count of all the rounds I've played with caddies on the bag.  I can count 11 different caddies with whom I've played at least one round of golf over the course of the past 8 years.

Of those 11, 6 wore jumpers and 5 didn't.  The best caddie I've ever had did not wear a jumper.  2 of the best 3 did not wear jumpers.  Joe is the only one in the top 3 that did wear a jumper.  I've had good ones and bad ones in jumpers and the same without.  

My point throughout this thread, just in case that hasn't been clear, is that I'd much prefer the best caddie ever not wearing a jumper to a crappy caddie in a jumper.  I'm completely indifferent to the attire, and I think that something less formal than a jumper is fine - just as I think business casual is fine at work if you don't have a client or external meeting going on.  I see no need for the folks on my team to dress up just to sit at their desks or to meet with me.  We're all more comfortable being less formal.

I don't think that people who prefer their caddies in jumpers treat them with less repsect, though I do think they should follow through with a "pants only" standard for themselves whether the club requires it or not.

By the way Joe, you are one of 4 caddies I've seen in action at Bandon.  You were by far the best caddie we've had at the resort.  You were also the only one out there that I've seen wear a jumper.  For what its worth, I'm quite confident that those two facts have nothing to do with one another.  

[Ryan Potts]

I don't think that people who prefer their caddies in jumpers treat them with less repsect, though I do think they should follow through with a "pants only" standard for themselves whether the club requires it or not.

So those who "prefer" rolling the ball back should follow through and roll it back by themselves? 

Sorry I missed you guys last week and I appreciate the invite.  Beverly, I love that place.  In fact, the last time I had a caddy at Beverly, I believe he spent more time tracking down Seabreezes for my partner than carrying our bags...but that is what we asked of our servant....so that is what he did.

[David Botimer]

What's Mike got on his belt there, a Bushnell or a cell phone? 

I really don't want a caddie with a rangefinder.  Just me but I don't.

That would be a Bushnell.  At Bandon Dunes we aren't allowed to use rangefinders, and frankly, at 30 mph winds, it's far more important to judge the wind correctly than get the actual yardage to the yard.....

But Mike is in So Cal, home of speed golf, minimal wind and excessive usage of rangefinders.

[Joe Bentham]

Tim--
Thanks for the kind words.  I enjoy my job and enjoy doing it well, I hope it shows.

Joe, no offense....BUT:

If you don't want to carry 2 bags in 100 degree heat, don't.  I carry a single bag in that kind of heat every now and then - and I'm a broken down borderline old man.  Yes it's more difficult than when it's 60, but it can be done, and nobody is forcing you, are they?

I agree with the comment about useless junk.

However, I hope you don't think chasing a couple of golf ball and carrying a couple of golf bag for 5 hours is really, truly hard work.   Compared to all the other forms of much harder work with much longer hours in much worse conditions with much worse stress, carrying a couple of bags is analogous to a walk in the park.

Come to think of it, it IS a walk in the park....

Now, I have a ton of respect for caddies, but I'm never going to go as far as saying that they have a tough job, relatively speaking.

Shivas--
My point was that carrying double bags on a hot day is hard work weather your wearing a white jumper, shorts and a golf shirt, an easter bunny custom or your birthday suit.  Not sure how or why you got to where you got with it....

[HamiltonBHearst]

Tim Bert says-

"I'm completely indifferent to the attire, and I think that something less formal than a jumper is fine - just as I think business casual is fine at work if you don't have a client or external meeting going on."


Isn't the person a caddy carries a bag for the client?

[Jim Tang]

As in many professions in life, I think what you wear impacts people's perceptions of you and how seriously they take you.  Often your physical appearance and what you are wearing dictate the first impression someone has of you.

I loop out at Black Sheep Golf Club.  This year, the club has us wearing white/brown shorts, a white polo and a white bib.  I think that is perfect.  When guys pull up to the club I think it is great to see the caddies all wearing the same thing.  It looks nice and suggests you're in for a special day.

I think the jumpsuits are a bit over the top.  I've worn them at other clubs and they are more of a hassle than anything. 

[John Burzynski]

As in many professions in life, I think what you wear impacts people's perceptions of you and how seriously they take you.  Often your physical appearance and what you are wearing dictate the first impression someone has of you.

I loop out at Black Sheep Golf Club.  This year, the club has us wearing white/brown shorts, a white polo and a white bib.  I think that is perfect.  When guys pull up to the club I think it is great to see the caddies all wearing the same thing.  It looks nice and suggests you're in for a special day.

I think the jumpsuits are a bit over the top.  I've worn them at other clubs and they are more of a hassle than anything. 

I think you hit the nail on the head...all of the caddies wearing the same shorts/shirt/bib combo is classier than the jumper.    The sameness still implies a uniform and a sense of service (a service that you will be paying for, both in caddy fees and tips), and the caddie is still comfortable.

The jumpers for some reason remind me of coveralls, which remind me of the old stereotyped greasy full service gas station attendants.   It just looks creapy.

[Tim Bert]

Tim Bert says-

"I'm completely indifferent to the attire, and I think that something less formal than a jumper is fine - just as I think business casual is fine at work if you don't have a client or external meeting going on."


Isn't the person a caddy carries a bag for the client?

Good point!

There are times when it is appropriate to be less than formal in front of a client as well.  Particularly, when that client's dress code is less than formal as you may not want to "show them up."  Again - if formal attire for golfers is reqired, then I'm all for formal attire for caddies.  If golfers are allowed to enjoy their experience in a more casual environment (shorts, sport mocks without a true collar, etc) then the same should go for the caddie.

I wouldn't be completely opposed to the idea of my caddie wearing a business suit...

[Chip Gaskins]

i would rather have a caddie with a mohawk, cut off jeans, and flip flops that knew the history of the course, could read greens and knew the best angles

VERSUS

a white suited (or properly dressed) caddie that knew nothing about the course, the history, the game, grain on the greens, etc. 

i value their brain, their knowledge and their personality, not their appearance. 

some the best caddies i have had (which aren't all that many, i would rather carry my own versus being waited on) have been some of the worst (as many describe) appearance and vice versa

[Adam Clayman]

To the Caddy the player is a client. To the player, the caddy should be viewed as a partner. Treating the caddy as a servant is a poorer reflection on the player than the caddy.

[Ryan Potts]

To the Caddy the player is a client. To the player, the caddy should be viewed as a partner. Treating the caddy as a servant is a poorer reflection on the player than the caddy.

Your sanctimony is bleeding all over my computer screen. But that's to be expected.

[Matt Bosela]

What's Mike got on his belt there, a Bushnell or a cell phone? 

I really don't want a caddie with a rangefinder.  Just me but I don't.

That would be a Bushnell.  At Bandon Dunes we aren't allowed to use rangefinders, and frankly, at 30 mph winds, it's far more important to judge the wind correctly than get the actual yardage to the yard.....

But Mike is in So Cal, home of speed golf, minimal wind and excessive usage of rangefinders.

Interestingly enough, while Mike was a long-time looper at Riviera, he took one year off to caddy somewhere else...

That year was spent at Bandon!

[David Botimer]

What's Mike got on his belt there, a Bushnell or a cell phone? 

I really don't want a caddie with a rangefinder.  Just me but I don't.

That would be a Bushnell.  At Bandon Dunes we aren't allowed to use rangefinders, and frankly, at 30 mph winds, it's far more important to judge the wind correctly than get the actual yardage to the yard.....

But Mike is in So Cal, home of speed golf, minimal wind and excessive usage of rangefinders.

Interestingly enough, while Mike was a long-time looper at Riviera, he took one year off to caddy somewhere else...

That year was spent at Bandon!

And I was surprised to see Mike left.  He clearly enjoyed working here.  So now he's back in Rome, and working by Rome's rules......

[John_Cullum]

Isn't the person a caddy carries a bag for the client?

No Hamilton. Having a client denotes a professional relationship. A guy who carries your golfbag is no different than your chauffeur or a bellman. They are intended to be subservient. That is not to say they should not be afforded respect. They should be treated well, but remeber who is in charge.

[Chris Kurzner]

If your really concerned about us you'll empty all the useless junk out of your golf bag and remember at the end of the round that we just spent the last 5 hours chasing YOUR golf ball while carrying YOUR golf bag.

Or, better yet, you'll go into the pro shop and buy a brand new Pac Dunes bag and dump the POS 50 lb. cart bag you hauled all the way from Dallas. 

Looking forward to October....