I just read this entire thread, which is a rarity for me and something of a time-indulgence. I never would have suspected that there would be so many posters who either:
1) Had little or no experience with caddies.
2) Had such negative (or indifferent) experiences with caddies.
This ennui among the general golf population? I can totally understand.
But among the GCA--Discussion Group? You of the supposedly high golf IQ's, lover of the ODG-designed courses, aficionados of Bandon, Sand Hills, Ballyneal, etc? I am shocked, to say the least!
Personally, I've had caddies at tons of name-brand courses throughout the USA, Scotland and Ireland, including two rounds at Whistling Straits just this past weekend. (Which is the only way you can play most of these courses, anyway) I also belong to a caddie-only, walking-only club. Maybe I've been lucky, because most of the caddies I've had have been pleasant and helpful, and some have been fantastic. There have been a few dogs, but the same can be said of a certain percentage of waitresses, barbers, etc.
The bottom line is always the Bottom Line: If someone else was picking up the tab, or the caddie fee wasn't prohibitive, wouldn't most of you prefer to have someone carrying the bag, raking the bunker, cleaning the ball? Pulling clubs and green reading are more personal choices, but I generally ask the caddy from the outset if he/she feels as if they are competent green readers, and plenty have demurred, saying it wasn't their field of expertise.