Never knew that taking a caddie meant the player was ceding his or her intellect, and then enters into the frontal lobotomy zone...they are deprived of their ability to think, is that it?
C,'mon, that is about as lame as it gets. When a player and caddie work TOGETHER, both minds are engaged. A mutually beneficial confluence of information is shared and in the end...the player makes the decision.
Analogies can often leave out significant parts of the equation ...
MANY younger or new car drivers are instructed by OTHERS in learning how to navigate the roads.
Why do we have maps? So we avoid mistakes.
Some of the finest writers on the planet have OTHERS proof or edit their writing. Why, 'cause they suck? Of course not. They want to do their best, that's why.
Now, you can take three hours to find your way somewhere that it should take an hour with directions or GPS. Or write something and be done with it, that would be better served with some outside scrutiny to improve it. But why do that, it's more satisfying to figure it out on your own. Really, it is!
I also CLEARLY stated that it is wise to try and ARRANGE to have a quality caddie or hustling youngster as your companion.
This is best done in advance of the round. Politely ask your host or hostess to request such caddies, or do so yourself in the destination or public golf settings that offer them.
Not all caddies are worth the outlay...and I have NEVER said they are.
In fact, unless the caddie can be counted on to do at least a competent job, he or she shouldn't see the first tee!
That reality is all down to the caliber of those running the caddie program.
I will say this, and I can hear the gasps coming...there are FAR more architects of fine golf courses...than there are creators of fine caddie programs.
That is a stone cold fact!
And don't even get me started on that sham caddie outsource model. It's everything caddie golf should not be.
The misleading, and often mentioned $100.00 per bag norm... a MYTH ...that gets bandied about quite often on here, and other haunts frequented by those that seem to have a peculiar loathing for caddies, needs correcting, pronto.
I have done extensive sampling throughout the US. , both private and destination golf.
While top tier, and high end destination facilities skew the reality in the minds of many, the truth is, a $60.00- 70.00 per bag rate, including tip, is closer to the truth. The forecaddie scenario, becoming very popular in certain locales with well-traIned caddies capable of doing a good job, drops that average even more significantly.
If you go to a Morton's, or Ruth Chris, the meal costs more than Golden Coral or Denney's. Golf with pedigree will generally cost you more than the lesser offerings.
The caddie experience should be top notch at the better facilities; again, that's down to who is hiring and running the program
If the talent is wanting, let the management know about it!
Just as you should in any other situation where the service level was lacking.
Cheers,
Kris