[Shane Sullivan]

I am looking for some advice.  My husband and I are playing St Andrews in March.  I am looking at the Caddie Request form and trying to make a decision:

- Caddy (40 pounds)
- Trainee Caddy (25 pounds)
- Bag Carrier (20 pounds)

We are playing the Old Course and the Old Course in reverse.

All suggestions welcome

[Lloyd_Cole]

Shane
Get the caddy or the carrier. Don't let some guy learn the course during your round. That can be very frustrating. If expense is an issue, I'm sure you could take one caddy and one of you could carry.

[Chris Kane]

Let me know when you're going to play, I'll come along for the walk and tell you where to hit.

And I won't charge a penny!

[peter_p]

Chris,
How much experience would any group have caddying the Old Course Reverse. Should you get the same person for all three days?

[Ash Towe]

Shane,
I would think Chris Kane is the best option.  If not then take the caddy.  It is a once in a lifetime experience and there is so much to take in.  The caddy I had certainley added to my day and he guided me round beautifully.

[Joe Fairey]

Shane,

At a minimun, for your regulation round, take at least one local caddie...the Old Course is probably one of the best golf experiences on Earth...you'll appreciate his/her advise, stories, and just good company during your round...in reverse I don't know...never had that experience...the caddie house there is full of great caddies...if you need some help, see Rick MacKenzie(caddie manager)  he'll take care of you...enjoy..

[ed_getka]

Shane,
   I would take Chris up on his offer if I were you. Chris is in Scotland for the year from Australia, and has played TOC more than many of us by now. Have a great trip.

[Chris Kane]

Peter, I don't know how much experience they'd have on the ROC - probably worth enquiring to the Caddie Master.

The impression I get is that a great caddie can make the Old Course a wonderful experience for the first-time player, but unfortunately most of the ones I've seen out there havn't been particularly good.  I never bothered with one because (i) I can't afford it, (ii) I wanted to unlock the secrets of the course by myself in my own time, something which is possible over a year, but difficult in a round or two.

If you choose to take a caddie, go with the £40 option, and speak to the Caddie Master as early as possible to get one of the better ones.  

[Eddie Adams]

Jimmy Reid , Bruce Sorley or Neil Ogston will be your best bet for caddies.  Both Jimmy and Bruce have caddie there for over 30 years and Neil has a great knowledge of the course.
In the late eighties the course was reversed for the winter and Jimmy and Bruce would have caddied more times than any one else around that set up.
Take it from me as someone who knows pay the extra it will be worth it.

[Jeff_Mingay]

Personally... I'd listen to Eddie Adams!

Trust me  

[Brian Phillips]

Shane,

If you are going to get a caddie, get someone decent like Eddie is suggesting or don't bother at all.  I have had some in my groups that have just been a pain in the backside and ar more interested in moving the group on than helping you enjoy the game.

I will never forget the time I was playing with Ronan Branigan, he had just screamed his second shot (a long iron) to just short of the green on the fifth. He was in the valley below the green and about to pitch with his lob wedge onto the green when in mid swing the caddie SHOUTS across the green that he shouldn't be playing a lob and should be playing a bump and run.

Ronan is a 1 handicap player from a links course in Ireland, I thought Ronan was going to wrap the wedge around the caddie's neck!!

[Andy Scanlon]

Shane:

When I played there in October I had a caddie and felt it was well worth the 40 pounds.  If its your first time playing TOC, I'd highly recommend a caddie.

Enjoy your trip!

[Joe Bentham]

Shane
Get the caddy or the carrier. Don't let some guy learn the course during your round. That can be very frustrating. If expense is an issue, I'm sure you could take one caddy and one of you could carry.

Would you go into a doctor's office with a friend and expect free medical advice??

[Gary Slatter]

I would go with Eddie Adams to get a good caddie when you play the Old Course.  Unless you are very into it I don't recommend playing in reverse until you've played many times. I did not play in reverse but was there two years ago and only the avid veterans seemed to enjoy it (as overheard in Donvegan's late in the day).  Use the money to play Kingsbarns! or the OC again regular way.

[Wayne_Kozun]

I would go with Eddie Adams to get a good caddie when you play the Old Course.  Unless you are very into it I don't recommend playing in reverse until you've played many times. I did not play in reverse but was there two years ago and only the avid veterans seemed to enjoy it (as overheard in Donvegan's late in the day).  Use the money to play Kingsbarns! or the OC again regular way.

How could you pass up the chance to play ROC???  This is a very rare experience that very few people get - I wouldn't pass it up at all.

[Brian Phillips]

I would also play the Reverse before playing Kingsbarns. Kingsbarns is one of my favourite courses in the world but how often do you get to play the reverse?

It is not a great course (in reverse) especially out by 9,10,11,12, etc as it is crowded but it is a worthwhile experience.

[Brian Phillips]

I would go with Eddie Adams to get a good caddie when you play the Old Course.  Unless you are very into it I don't recommend playing in reverse until you've played many times. I did not play in reverse but was there two years ago and only the avid veterans seemed to enjoy it (as overheard in Donvegan's late in the day).  Use the money to play Kingsbarns! or the OC again regular way.

Gary,

Have you played the reverse?

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