The only reason why we should use a Caddy

[Melvyn Morrow]

The real reason why some still need to use a Caddy

Like the early Golf Course Designers, the some of the duties of a Golf Caddy has long been forgotten. The idea that he is there to carry a set of clubs and make the odd comment about the course is not in itself totally correct.  The Caddy has other more pressing duties (i.e. pathfinder & target) and may have been the inspiration for the requirement of a man with a red flag to walk in front of an automobile.

The Caddy or perhaps we should say to-days equivalent of a Clay Pigeon would be required to give all including his life for his golfer. Perhaps I jest slightly, but the letter in the Scotsman from ‘An Old Golfer’ dated Monday the 9th July 1860 may spread more light on the dangers some expected their Caddies to undertake on their behalf.


Melvyn

PS Jim, I await with interest your take on this – some have already suggested that you are that ‘Old Golfer’ due to the time it takes you these days to play a round.    Also apparently, you need someone ahead to show you the way.   

[Bill_McBride]

Melvyn,did this article refer to the Old Course? 

Back in those pre-widening days, it must have been very dangerous indeed playing into other golfers' shots in either direction.  It can be fairly harrowing today!  The forecaddy would probably have been a sensible investment!

[Andy Troeger]

The Caddy or perhaps we should say to-days equivalent of a Clay Pigeon would be required to give all including his life for his golfer.

Perhaps this is why some intelligent Caddy of old chose to pick up the set of clubs and change the job requirements! 

Sounds quite a bit like today's forecaddie responsibility though, so the old tradition in this case has not been totally lost. Many good caddies still perform this part of the job as well whenever possible.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Bill

Gray Street is not in St Andrews, I believe it may be in Edinburgh (that city of lost and suffering souls), so I would say he is not referring to TOC.

Andy

You guys over there certainly expect a lot from the Caddies. I for one just expect them to earn their money and if that requires them to fall upon a sand wedge, then so be it for the good of (my) game. After all, they are just Caddies – thankfully I hold them in much higher regards than some of our earlier golfers although my Scottish blood hates the idea of parting with money for some of their advice – sorry, words of wisdom might be more amusingly appropriate.     

Long live the Caddies, just keep them quiet about distance to the pin

Melvyn

[Tags:]

Tags: