As usual, a very interesting array of responses. From my experience, the quality of the program is usually in direct correlation to the level of commitment by the facility ownership/management, and the caliber-selection of a seasoned individual, or team, to lead the caddie staff.
Most outsource models, including Augusta, have a great disparity in actual caddie ability within the staff. The great majority of the folks hired by these entities to run them do not have the years of experience, and multiple skill sets required, to run a top-notch caddie program...no matter the elite level of the course. These outsource organizations offer outstanding lip-service about preserving the caddie tradition and the like, but in the main, it's all about the bag fee and conforming to a certain "caddie 101 by the numbers" approach. As long as there are no major complaints, let mediocrity reign and rake in that extortionate fee, sometimes up to $25.00 per bag of the caddie's fee!!!
As someone who caddied at Pebble Beach for over a decade, it is unfortunate that some caddies there, including veterans who should know the proper approach, sometimes take a cavalier attitude and don't ASK the playing guest if they may switch out their bag. That should NOT happen! I hate to say it, but that's what persists when an outsource model is your answer to running a caddie program.
Now, with all due respect to the many former caddies in the GCA ranks, and I also packed the Burton and leather trunks during my early years in the caddie ranks of that era...we can't think there is ANY COMPARISON in judging the demands on career-caddies' backs, that in the case of Pebble and Bandon(which has only been around since 1999), work YEAR ROUND in an often very harsh environment. Just having worked Summers, or Northern or Southern seasons, and some cameos doesn't stack up when comparing the wear and tear that a decades looper, year-round, racks up. The strap on the bag MUST be a quality SINGLE strap. It also is NOT just making due with one appendage of the awful double-strap efforts many players feel is no problem for a caddie, EVEN those carrying double. Wake up folks, those things ride the shoulder like crap, are poorly balanced and only ensure that you will have a grumpy caddie.
So long as the caddie asks the player about switching the bag, WELL before the round, when he is INTRODUCED to the player by the caddie manager/mentor on duty, things generally go well. There are also the "Linus-types," that INSIST on having THEIR bag carried. Think about that one fellas. So long as all your equipment and personals are on board..what DIFFERENCE does having YOUR bag make...other than enabling the caddie, who is DOING the job, to be more comfortable while carrying. Where's the crime in that?
Some players seem to have difficulty with the one "one caddie working for two players" mantra. Players, especially most of those that frequent this site, should understand that you need to work WITH the caddie. I've rarely ever had a problem sharing a caddie. Take the proper attitude, use a partnership approach, and the round should go well.
It's GREAT when you can have a QUALITY one caddie-per-player dynamic, but that is rare. Good caddies don't grow on trees. They also need to earn a living, something many on this site seem to take exception too. It's easy to be cheap. Go play non-caddie golf. As we all know, many of the greatest courses, in the main are...thankfully, STILL caddie facilities.
To those that believe caddie golf is some dying vestige of yester-year, please read this next line slowly.
The more caddie golf suffers from a lack of "re-investment" from the game, the quicker golf will continue it's descent, worldwide.
When somethng has contributed more differencemakers and champions to the game than any other single source, by ANY MEASURE, and you neglect it...decay is sure to follow. Examine the golf landscape. How's that picture looking? From an American perspective, bear in mind that the PGA Tour and USGA are currently enjoying milk and honey days according to their own reports.
Old Memorial has a superb caddie staff. The best depth, save Pebble in the glory days of the 90s, that I've been around. Cypress Point is right up there at the top. While I'd like to rip off a short list of Philly's finest, I feel that while a number of our tracks have some fine caddies, the overall depth, particularly younger caddies, needs improvement. We're working to rectify that! I'm sure the Evans, Ouimet boosters in our gang have some strong youth-oriented caddie programs to note.
To me, the very best caddie programs have a total commitment from the facility top-to-bottom that they are about "caddie golf." That doesn't mean that every round must be with caddies, or that carts are out. Rather it means that players will take caddies regularly and embrace the opportunites it provides for both their game AND benefits for others that might otherwise have limited access to find and stay around the game long enough to play it for a lifetime. The finest also have diversity in: age groups, ethnicity and gender. The are very few that hit all these notes consistently. Like anything done well...commitment and craft are essential.
The more golf invests in the caddie dynamic, the richer the rewards for the game.
Cheers,
Kris
