Strategy Awareness and Caddies

[Alex Miller]

It has been mentioned that there may be economies of scale when a caddie double-bags for a twosome, this thread is not about that.


I'm wondering if there are diminishing returns for a golfer who takes a caddie based on how developed his course management/architectural eye/strategic awareness is. If a golfer is able to figure out where to aim the ball and how to play the hole on his own, then isn't he capable of one of the caddie's primary jobs? Skill or handicap should not be a factor in this discussion because any level of player should be able to think; Mackenzie was not a good golfer and clearly he was capable figuring out how to build strategic courses.

I'd like to see what others have to say before I attempt to answer my own question.

Edit: changed the title because English.

[Tommy Williamsen]

My home club encourages us to take a caddie.  I know the course well.  I have been a member since it opened in 1999.  Sometimes I will walk and carry myself. I enjoy carrying. That said, I do like a caddie and play better when I have one.  It helps me to talk over the shot into the green. The caddie generally has more up to date information on the firmness of the greens etc.  They are also better readers of the greens than I am.  I almost always putt better with a caddie.  I can figure out the strategy on my own but still like confirmation.

[Neil White]

Alex,

As someone who has never had a caddie I guess I'm not best placed to answer your question - that said, unless it was absolutely necessary to have a caddie i.e you couldn't play without one, I don't think I would use one.

Unless.

He or she was prepared to just carry the bag. 

One of the fundamental parts of the game - to me anyhow - is the thought processes used to play and hopefully beat the course.  These thought processes change depending on numerous variables, the hole and its design, weather and to a large extent; me.

I know you suggested that skill or handicap should not be a factor but surely the two go together; thus, strategy awareness cannot really be considered unless you are aware of your own ability.  That's not to say, as in your example, an average golfer cannot also be capable of understanding strategic design - it's just that even if you can read and understand the architects intent, ultimately how you play the hole depends on you.

As an aside - nothing beats playing well around a course you know nothing of - using just what you see and the odd sprint up a dune or two to see what is laid out before you.  Having a caddie tell me would ruin that aspect, for me anyway.

Neil.

[Alex Miller]

I guess the question I have boils down to preparedness for each shot. It seems that part of a caddies job, in fact a large part, is helping to prepare the golfer for the shot ahead. Where to aim, where to miss, any intracacies that the caddie has gained through multiple loops/plays. That last point is probably where the caddie can provide most of his value, but I would say that those players who are aware of the strategy diminish the value a caddie provides to them.

And while many of the golfers who have good course management or are aware of strategy are good golfers, I would bet that as a percentage the GCA crowd thinks about this more than low handicappers, and by a large margin.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Strategy Awareness is a massive part of the fun. Why ask someone else to do it for you?

[archie_struthers]

 


A nice caddy  can make your day more enjoyable. A good caddy can help you play better.  Caddying has a long and storied history in golf , and has also contributed to many young people's introduction to the courtesies and knowledge of the game. 

It can be quite expensive at certain venues to employ a caddy , which is a deterrent for many. However it's discouraging to see rampant  dismissal on the service just because of the price. It can be a good experience for both player and looper.  I know that I appreciate the many kindnesses bestowed on me to this day due to my relationship with golf thru caddying.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Alex,

As someone who has never had a caddie I guess I'm not best placed to answer your question - that said, unless it was absolutely necessary to have a caddie i.e you couldn't play without one, I don't think I would use one.

Unless.

He or she was prepared to just carry the bag. 

One of the fundamental parts of the game - to me anyhow - is the thought processes used to play and hopefully beat the course.  These thought processes change depending on numerous variables, the hole and its design, weather and to a large extent; me.

I know you suggested that skill or handicap should not be a factor but surely the two go together; thus, strategy awareness cannot really be considered unless you are aware of your own ability.  That's not to say, as in your example, an average golfer cannot also be capable of understanding strategic design - it's just that even if you can read and understand the architects intent, ultimately how you play the hole depends on you.

As an aside - nothing beats playing well around a course you know nothing of - using just what you see and the odd sprint up a dune or two to see what is laid out before you.  Having a caddie tell me would ruin that aspect, for me anyway.

Neil.

Take a caddie one day and then see how you feel.