My one and only visit to Bandon was much anticipated. I had been on vacation (holiday) with family and the clubs were waiting.. first hole on Bandon Dunes I hit a week 3 wood and a thin 7 iron, which, one of my playing partners' caddy deems, will be very close to the hole.  As we approach we can see no ball. He is adamant, it must be in the hole. He was correct.

Shivas

You and I shared that caddy, and I fully agree.  Frist class.  His name was Norty.

Dave, I do believe that your #1 rule is not a requisite for this new resort caddying. Maybe at the old clubs where you probably caddied, but not since the 80's boom.

In a indeal situation, there is discussion ahead of time, as to what is to be expected, from both parties. Mostly, the typical resort guest is not all that fussy, but in the case of a guy who refuses to let me change-out his louis vaton, gold plated dinasour bag, complete with his dive weights... he's ignoring my first piece of advice, and as an independant contractor I can refuse the loop and probably should. Ya see Dave, you can't get it all the way you see it. It has to be a give and take. The caddies do NOT set the bag rate, they do NOT set the dress code, they do NOT get certain luxuries (like health insurance) typical of most standard employment. They do get other luxuries, but that is more about what you take out of the experiences from meeting people from all over the world.

Everyone is different Dave. Both sides of the aisle. It's adapting to the multiple types, that represents quality caddying, IMO in this resort set-up. Not, being by the golfers side, just in case. Knowing the course, and it's tendancies was what got me off, dealing with egos came relatively easy for me, so I never had a problem. It was often most interesting to see how different types treated people differently.

I remeber one loop (a single) who was purported to be a very good golfer. On hearing that, I was a bit leary about taking the job, but took the gig anyway, On the very first hole at Spanish Bay, after his drive, he wants to know how far it is to that bunker. In my mind (and under my breath) I'm thinking 'why the f*&k do you wanna know that?' I respond thusly, " play a 160 shot directly at that bunker". Telling the guy that it was 186 yards to that bunker is useless information and possibly detrimental information. Stating the positives, avoiding the negatives was always a key. I.e. "Don't hit it right" versus "left center" seems like a little thing, but in reality isn't

While Daves reaction is way over the top, and presumes many things, it lacks any semblence of reality. Life on the peninsula, or the people who make-up that constituency.
 I can defend my answer to his question. (I was being cut-off while writting and just hit post before I finished)

Andy, the subtleties of my response were such that the player did not question my answer. He just listened. I don't remember if I explained it to him, specifically at the time, but what I do know, is that guy had immediate respect for me, and we went about our round with optimal enjoyment. How do I know that? Well, usually they only invite you into the bar for drinks when they really enjoyed their time. We discussed many things, and one of them was useless information.

Which, David, the distance to that bunker is.

You seem to really have this bias towards the subserviant form of caddying. A 'Whatever the golfer wants' kind of approach. It is just not that limited, or limiting. It's a relationship that is quick to start, and end. There is no one I know of, in the service industry, that doesn't do exactly what the customer wants, or better put, the smart ones suggest a better route, if the customer isn't aware of it. i.e. Do you appreciate it when a barmaid tells you, that a beer, that is very simialr to the expensive one you just ordered, is available for a reduced rate? Don't you still make your own decision on which beer you are going to order? And when you order the reduced price beer don't you over tip her?

Sure, I'm going to tell that guy how far it is to that bunker if he asks again, and I will probably start telling him how far it is to every bunker, (actually I'd wait for an opportune moment and likely have the othe three golfers on the floor) but that's my decision. And I will live with it.

Take for instance higher levels of caddying. Tour Pros. Caddies do have control of their rates. Ask Vejay about Scotty.
 While there is a standard or spectrum of a standard, every deal, and person is different.

Dave, I will admit that there were, and probably still are, "jerks" everywhere, and many do caddy, and even some are on the peninsula.

There, are you happy?

 BUT, last time I checked the policies at Pebble Beach Resorts, Caddies are serviced upon request. Not mandatory. If you had a problem with a certain caddie, YOU should've taken the time to explain to someone in the shop, exactly what your beef was. If they refuse to clean up the corp, don't take one next time. Or, find a good one, and try to book him when you know you're coming back.

P.s.  Better yet, after a lousy one, stiff the s.o.b. and when he whines, look him in the eye and tell him exactly what you think of HIS services. Just make sure your clubs are out of his reach, first.

I was playing in the first group away at North Hills CC in a GAP match several years ago. I was assigned a caddie named Sam. I was surprised to have Sam on my bag since I knew he was one of the most experienced caddies at NHCC and the away teams normally get only the "D" caddies.

Sam explained that his members did not appreciate him and he preferred to caddie for the Away Team. On the first hole Sam gave me a great read on a 15' birdie putt. I sank the putt and won the hole.

The pin on the 3rd hole was perched back left. My tee shot on this par three was ten feet behind leaving me with a very confusing dowhiller for birdie. Sam, my partner and I all read the putt and agreed it would move about 6 inches.

Unfortunately Sam read 6 inches left and my partner and I  read 6 inches right. We switched our view to the opposite side of the hole and still disagreed on which way the putt would break.

I just could not see what Sam saw. After my partner reminded me of Sam's read on #1 and his 25 years of experience reading the green at North Hills, I actually decided to aim my putt to the opposite side of my personal read.

Needless to say, Sam was correct and I made the birdie. My partner and I were bound by Sam's opinions for the remainder of the round. I shot 73 that day and easily won my match.

I will never forget Sam!

I was on a 3 shotter that runs next to an expressway. I pulled my 3 wood second and couldnt tell if it went over the chain link fence or not. I asked my caddie if it was OK and he replied "I thinks its out, I SAW BRAKE LIGHTS"

I was at a conference in Africa and it got done early so I asked the person at the front counter about any golf courses.  He motioned a cab for me and told the guy some directions.  We drove deep into the jungle until we came to the course.  I went into the clubhouse and paid my fees and rented some clubs.  I met my caddy on the first tee and was a little stunned that he had my clubs on one shoulder and a rifle on the other.

The first hole was a par 4 pretty straight away with it being tree-lined and I piped one down the middle.  As I set up to hit my shot, a tiger came out of the trees and started charging at us.  My caddy calmy set my clubs down, aimed, and dropped the tiger with one shot!  I was definitely rattled but made par.

On the second hole a dog-leg left par 5, I was setting up for my third shot when a lion came out of the trees and was coming straight for us.  Once again my caddy put the clubs down, aimed, and took the lion down.  I hit my shot tight and made birdie!

The third hole was a par 3 about 200 yards over water.  I hit it to about 25 feet.  As I prepared to hit my putt, a crocodile came out of the water and started running at us.  My caddy stood still.  I said "Aren't you going to shoot him?"  And his reply was "You don't get a shot on this hole!"

Not true but I love the joke!

It had always been a dream to play in Scotland.  Fifteen years ago my dream became a reality.  One of the courses was, of course, Muirfield.  I set it up a year in advance for my wife and me.  I received a lettter in the mail stating that,
"Dogs and women were not alloed in the clubhouse."  Needless to say ai kept the letter quiet.
The day came for us to play and not wanting to appear to bourgiouse we arrived in dress clothes and asked for a place to change.  I was ushered into the spartan men's locker room, while my wife was led to a little shed.  Not a good start.
We each had a caddie.  Since Muirfield is a mens' club there were no laddies tees.  The caddy just decided a good place for my wife to tee it up.  Then on the second or third hole Faye asks her caddie, William,  "what should I hit?"  "Three wood, mam."  She then proceede to hit it into the deepest bunker she had ever seen.  Not happy.  William was not only a good caddie he was intuitive and people smart.  He quickly stated, "Oh that's  my fault Mrs. Williamsen.  I missclubbed you."  After which he proceeded to climb into the bunker and throw her ball out.  This event happened maybe ten times.  It was one of her most enjoyable rounds of golf of the trip.  And who said Muirfield is stuffy.

Andy-

to a perfectly normal, expected question

Andy the difference between; How far to, and how far to carry, is monumental. Why should a golfer be given a number that is useless? Why should a golfer be given a number that is not the proper shots number? So, normal is obviously relative. In my world, I want to know the number to avoid it, or carry it, not the number to it.

Dave, I cant go Mucciesque with you. it's too much for this ADD bad typer. But, if you really did pay 150 a bag (which i doubt) you might have a point about the level of asskissing needed to satisfy such a fee.

I never took a class on how to be a caddie. I did do one watching round, with an old vet, who let me do all the work by the fourth hole. I didn't mind, and he gave me a glowing report, which meant I could go to work, pronto. Heck, My first loop was at Pebble, where I wasnt suppose to be, yet.  But Mike Lahotta knew talent when he saw it, and let me go out the very next day. I got a Doc, who paid two sheets to have me video tape him, all day, every shot. I sure hope he enjoyed my cinema veritae, when he got home.  

In my younger days I was known as Cecil B deWhale.

Dave, I disagree with you when you say " the caddy is subservient to the player", the caddie fee puts us on equal ground, to view it otherwise appears to be a prejudice on your part. We are not wait staff. I figure the pay is more for my knowledge. And Yes, I'm there for the golfer, maybe others are not? But I am also not there to blow sunshine up some guys ass. There are those types of guest that really need that. Plus, it makes it easy to remember what I say, when I tell it like it is. No sugar. No wasting my time with figuring a number to a bunker, that should not be placed anywhere the players thoughts.

And give up on your reading the putts rules thing, it aint gonna fly for resort golf. This aint no usga golf, its corporate golf, mostly. Plus most all caddies read their own guys putts. Serious golfers, need to be able to trust their own caddies. And that usually happens on the first hole. Under certain circumstances I can see a situation where the better green reader/knower caddy (it aint so much reading as you HAVE to know) will assist everyone, at the request of the disadvantaged caddy, or for time considerations.

As for changing out the bags, I will explain, but please just take it for what its worth? Your opinion is inconsequential to the facts that are;

Most Caddies work almost everyday, many go out twice a day. Some even three. The Ping change bags are ours, we buy them, we use them, and the reason we use them has absolutely nothing to with you, the guest. It has to the with how physically challenging it is to traverse those hallowed grounds. Our change bags are lighter than yours, GAURANTEED. The flip out legs are essential to have some sort of balance. We are NOT 15 years old, and I'd speculate that If I did carry your Louis Vaton w/ dive weights, I'd likely have to sit out, a day or more, recovering. Our change bags have big enough pockets to bring rain gear. The decision not to bring it, should've been the golfers, Not the caddies.




 

Andy-

Quote

to a perfectly normal, expected question

 Our change bags are lighter than yours, GAURANTEED. The flip out legs are essential to have some sort of balance. We are NOT 15 years old, and I'd speculate that If I did carry your Louis Vaton w/ dive weights, I'd likely have to sit out, a day or more, recovering. Our change bags have big enough pockets to bring rain gear. The decision not to bring it, should've been the golfers, Not the caddies.

Adam,

When playing at clubs with caddies available I take a lightweight bag that is well balanced, has generous storage pockets and wait for it..... is clean. Some of the things I have seen at Cypress needed to go through an autoclave.

Before the round I remove any superfluous items and leave the headcovers in the trunk. I have one admonition to any caddie that suggests that I don't need my rain suit or umbrella and that is... at the first drop of rain you hie back to the locker room, retrieve my gear and return to me asap. In some forty years playing around the world, no one has taken that chance.

a good caddy story i like to tell involves one of my  dads best friend Perry,  who he used to play with all the time.

this guy was a really nice guy but he tended to be a little tough on his caddies.  if a caddy would say something like, "its about 130 yards", he would be known to say, don't tell me its about, tell me the goddamm exact yardage!  grant it, this guy was never better than a 12 or 13 handicap at best.

a good story with him was that years ago he had this young kid who had just started caddying, the kid was a little on edge already by the 6th hole, when the guy hit a shot that landed short of the green, as Perry began to yell, RUN, RUN the caddy dropped the bag and started runnign towards the green!  everybody who was in the group that day swears it was true and remains one of the funniest caddy stories i have heard.  

Andy the difference between; How far to, and how far to carry, is monumental. Why should a golfer be given a number that is useless? Why should a golfer be given a number that is not the proper shots number? So, normal is obviously relative. In my world, I want to know the number to avoid it, or carry it, not the number to it.

Adam, I find this kinda fascinating. I have never had (or been) a caddy.  Back when I played my rounds over the Old Course, I probably could have used a caddy but couldn't afford one.
But I see a big potential issue with your view of what a caddy should be doing. For all I know, its the accepted and proper role I don't know. But--if the caddy has all the course information (such as yardage to different places, preferred angles etc), and he doesn't share any of it with his player, and the caddy just tells the player what to hit and where, then what exactly has the game been reduced to?  Is there any reason at all to have ANY strategic options?  Is this truly what most players would want from a good caddy, to be totally removed from decision-making, to have the the options and strategy of a great course utterly removed?