Forecaddies

[Greg Tallman]

Greg-

It seems to me that at a resort the advantage of a forecaddie, especially on your course with many photo stops, is the ability to increase the speed of the rounds. The downside is the increased cost on an already expensive venture.

There is an odd entitlement when spending big $$ on around. I think that people feel that if they are spending that much on golf that included in that price is someone on the grounds keeping crew to do that for them after hours.

Why don't you just hire a couple more security guards like you have on #6. That guy certainly has free time on his hand he could fill/replace some divots  

Were you bothered by dozens of less than attractive tourists in bikinis walking all over the 5th, 6th and 7th holes?

And for those who dislike a forecaddie I woudl simply suggest you have not had a good one. A bad forecaddie can ruin a round and a good one can add to the experience for anyone. My concern has always been presenting a program whcih I am comfortable with in terms of professionalism and quality.

[John Kavanaugh]

I'm always amazed by the golfers who exploit young fully clothed women in the guise of a forecaddie. It is a common Vegas scam.

[John Foley]

My unescorted group had a forecaddie at a very nice "private" course in SC. You cannot call this place up and make a tee time but it did not require us to have my pro call their pro. It was their rule that unescorted guests need a forecaddie.

He was 100% worth every dime he earned and made the experience well worth it.

I would think balking at a course who required it would question why our going out of your way to see it.

Their resource, their decision - end of discussion.

[Emile Bonfiglio]

Greg-

It seems to me that at a resort the advantage of a forecaddie, especially on your course with many photo stops, is the ability to increase the speed of the rounds. The downside is the increased cost on an already expensive venture.

There is an odd entitlement when spending big $$ on around. I think that people feel that if they are spending that much on golf that included in that price is someone on the grounds keeping crew to do that for them after hours.

Why don't you just hire a couple more security guards like you have on #6. That guy certainly has free time on his hand he could fill/replace some divots  

Were you bothered by dozens of less than attractive tourists in bikinis walking all over the 5th, 6th and 7th holes?

I brought my own fans to root me on..

[John Kavanaugh]

That pic says it all.

[Emile Bonfiglio]

I called the club and explained the situation. They said that if as single goes out that they will send a forecaddie as a playing partner. I quote the gentleman from the pro shop "The caddie doesn't make much for the day, but he does get a free round of golf out of it". Not sure how I would feel about that as a looper.

[Sean_A]

I don't think I have ever had a forecaddie in my life and I don't have much interest in them or real caddies.  However, if a club insists one needs to belly up or leave the bar. 

So far as being a member of a club which requires visitors to use them, I guess it depends on how much the club needs visitor fees.  I do think JakaB is right in that decent caddies will be more cognizant of what is happening in the group behind and encourage faster play or encourage the guys to let the members through.  On the maintenance side, I haven't seen anything to suggest visitors leave courses in poor condition, but then I play most of my golf in the UK and I think in general golfers are more respectful of courses than in then US.  That doesn't mean I don't often repair more than one pitch mark on greens, but it normally isn't that bad. 

Ciao

[John Kavanaugh]

I called the club and explained the situation. They said that if as single goes out that they will send a forecaddie as a playing partner. I quote the gentleman from the pro shop "The caddie doesn't make much for the day, but he does get a free round of golf out of it". Not sure how I would feel about that as a looper.

I had that situation as a single at a course where my forecaddie actually carried my bag the first 18.  I needed a cart for my second round so I asked if he was interested in playing rather than just riding along.  He was thrilled. He had seen me play the first 18 and told me several times how he was going off to play in college. We agreed on a fee of $60 plus or minus $10 per hole match play for the second round.  I beat him out of 10 bets so he owed me $40. Lucky for him I still owed him for the first loop of 18 so he came out fine. Turned out to be a great day at least for me.

[Greg Tallman]

Greg-

It seems to me that at a resort the advantage of a forecaddie, especially on your course with many photo stops, is the ability to increase the speed of the rounds. The downside is the increased cost on an already expensive venture.

There is an odd entitlement when spending big $$ on around. I think that people feel that if they are spending that much on golf that included in that price is someone on the grounds keeping crew to do that for them after hours.

Why don't you just hire a couple more security guards like you have on #6. That guy certainly has free time on his hand he could fill/replace some divots  

Were you bothered by dozens of less than attractive tourists in bikinis walking all over the 5th, 6th and 7th holes?

I brought my own fans to root me on..

Not sure if you are being serious... amazing we have not had a sand castle pop up in front of that green complex as yet. If that photo were taken today the photographer´s feet would be wet!

[John Kavanaugh]

I've had great forecaddies before but the problem with that is that they deserve at least $50/man because it is easy for each cart to give him a hundo.  For that kind of money I would rather do shots of scotch that I can't afford. I mean really, who doesn't love doing $200 worth of shots?

[John Kavanaugh]

Speaking of Loopers, I left work early and saw the movie of the same name. If you ever get full of yourself and think you are a cool older dude, go see Bruce Willis. Best golf movie ever.

[Mark Johnson]

I grew up caddying at a club that required all guests to take a caddy (forecaddy or bag carrier) if one was availble, regardless of whether they were playing with a member.

The reasons had less to due with maintenance than with pace of play given that there were many holes where the best line wasn't necessarily obvious.

[Stephen Davis]

Emile,

I understand your dilemma completely. I have had caddies in the past and generally found them to be useful and quite enjoyable. My two rounds at Tetherow are an exception to this rule though. Both times I felt like I had more understanding of the course than they did. Maybe it is more of a commentary on this specific course's program, but I wouldn't want to have to have one too if I was playing there again.

[Mark Chaplin]

Mark - I've played several places where you have to take a caddie but the double bag rather than speeding play they slow it down. Only at Pine Valley where the caddies have a tried and tested system does double bagging work.

JK - It's no wonder golf is shrinking in the USA if false markets are made and compulsory. Making people pay a $100 between them for a chap to rake the bunkers, attend the flag and give the odd line is a complete waste of money.