Michael
Why not just publish my complete e-mail, in fact I will save you the bother I will do it myself.
Hi Michael
Caddies, Range Finders & Directional Aids – No Michael, I have no problem with my caddy using a range finder as I do not use Caddies.
I care not what modern players use to help them beat the field, win or get a good score. I know that unless they do it on their own ability they are not playing a Game called Golf. Nevertheless, you and others enjoy whatever it is you believe you are playing and if money in involved, then good luck.
I feel that posts like your show how weak the modern game has become, how individuals con themselves into believing that cheating oneself is the honourable way for a game called Golf. All I see is that we have sunk to the depths of the lowest common denominator, leaving very little room for honour and the Spirit of The Game. We have forsaken the game’s traditions and virtues in preference of make the life of the modern player easy, not forgetting the pressure money is also putting upon the game
I am not worried about Golf as it is still played in the correct manner in many parts of Scotland including places like St Andrews. The old attitudes including respect for the game as well as others on the course still apply and will echo down the ages to the true traditional Golfer. The game as once reported in 1890 only requires the player to have “A good eye, lasting power as a walker, nicety of calculation, and, above all, good temper” to enable it to be called Golf.
Once you have tasted the apple from the Garden of Eden or used a cart and distance aids on many occasions you have crossed the line in the sand. Now Caddies are of such poor quality that they feel the need to use aids explains just how inept and corrupt the game has become IMHO. I keep coming back to those lines “A good eye, lasting power as a walker, nicety of calculation, and, above all, good temper” written so long ago yet uphold the honour and real Sprit of the Game and Golfer.
Michael, please play the game you wish and want, that is your choice now that our Governing bodies allow aids, as for my opinion you are a Player and I look upon myself as a Golfer still true to its original concepts and teachings.
We have been in the Golfing Dark Ages for over half a Century, yet very few have noticed preferring to do their own thing, thus allowing the slow trickle of what once made Golf so popular to be washed away with the top soil of some of our modern courses, leaving a toxic waste of undiluted confusion facing the next generation of players.
RIP Golf or as I suspect Golf will go underground being as numerous as the old drinking dens during the prohibition days. Just waiting for the world to rediscover a game called Gold as played on the small hidden course of Scotland.
Please excuse me for not posting on your topic as I feel it will just direct the ‘Nutters’ to attack me rather than debate your topic.
Your post has actually sadden me, its seems the modern Caddie is reflecting the state of the modern game all to well.
Kind regards
Melvyn 
As I mentioned to Michael, his post has really sadden me. The Game of Golf is not difficult at the best of times, challenging, yes but not difficult. As per the article from 1890 its explained so well the simple approach one needs to play golf “A good eye, lasting power as a walker, nicety of calculation, and, above all, good temper”. So why would any able bodied golfer prefer to us aids instead of God’s gifts. At a stroke you have removed the first three requirements in how to enjoy and play the game. I suppose many will also soon surrender the final item (good temper) once the game has started.
For me the underlining problem is how many have the nerve let alone think they can justify using aids when playing Golf. Is the need to win so strong that one is willing to sell ones self-respect and soul for the sake of a stroke or two (or should I call it a lie, perhaps even cheating but that sounds so unfair when a weak governing body have agreed to them). OK the Governing Bodies say its legal, but clearly one has to wonder what they were on when they came to that conclusion. Am I ranting, of course I am, well certainly in the eyes of those I am challenging, yet is there not an easy way to prove me wrong. Perhaps record a round with all your outside aids then another devoid of said aids, letting ones eyes judge distance, legs do the walking. Compare the two scores. If identical or very close, why would you want these toys, if the aids do enhance your game and you achieve a better score then you have proved they are aids so should surely be made illegal. Whatever, perhaps one thing that may come out of your experiment is that you will remember why you took up golf in the first place, maybe for that extra fun and challenge, self generated without the need for outside aids.
Reading through many of the previous comments I am brought very low by how many people believe that Range Finders and/or distance aids are acceptable. One reason I suppose is that I cannot understand why so many are willing to forego the pleasure of working out distance and club selection by information calculated whilst walking to the ball. I feel that’s the closeness one will get to understand the designer and GCA. I will not willing surrender or give up that pleasure as easily as many on this site. For me its all part of the joy the game of golf gives to the golfer or are you just a player?
I wonder why so many are willing to sell their golfing souls. Is it really only about winning or making life that little bit easier or perhaps just plain embarrassed that you are not as good as you think you are without your toys.
As for Caddies and Range Finders is that not a contradiction, perhaps a rather expensive one but then we are talking about the lowest common denominator, so should not expect that much for our money. A Caddie with a Range Finder, describes the depth to which the modern game has sunk.
We each answer to our own Gods, so I presume that also applies to our Golfing Gods.
If one is going to post comments from another’s e-mail then I feel it best that the whole conversation should be posted if nothing more than to give context.
Melvyn