Caddie quiz

[Yoda]

What is the single most important attribute that a caddie must possess in order to be successful on tour?

First and foremost, the caddy must be trustworthy. This includes the ability to act independently as necessary to fulfill that trust.

Trust is the all-encompassing attribute. A player has many concerns, and his caddy serves to minimize or eliminate many of them. He should never add to them.

For example, the caddy must be trusted to show up -- on time -- at each event and on each day of the event (and, most certainly, for tee times). When entrusted with the player's clubs, they must be there, too (but no more than 14 before each round!). He must be trusted to perform, with a minimum of oversight, all his assigned duties (and some unassigned). Most of all, he must be trusted to 'handle with care' (and confidentiality) his player's innermost thoughts and emotions -- both on the course and off -- as revealed under competitive and personal stresses. We all have vulnerablilites, and the professional golfer is no exception.

In short, the player-caddy relationship is like any other. For there to be any chance of long-term success, there must be trust (both ways).

There is no substitute.

[hg]

Yoda may have it the homerun with his response.....my first thought was competence....but maybe humility ranks way up there too. The caddie is in control of a fine piece of machinery...yet he must operate in the background and not attempt to take the spotlight off his star. This is not a typical relationship where compromise is the key...but there has to be communication and the caddie must know how to keep his player's confidence high especially during adversity.

We all know what happen to Tiger's first caddie when he tried to share in the spotlight.

[Hennybogan]

Yoda may have it the homerun with his response.....my first thought was competence....but maybe humility ranks way up there too. The caddie is in control of a fine piece of machinery...yet he must operate in the background and not attempt to take the spotlight off his star. This is not a typical relationship where compromise is the key...but there has to be communication and the caddie must know how to keep his player's confidence high especially during adversity.

We all know what happen to Tiger's first caddie when he tried to share in the spotlight.

HG,

Good answer. The best possible situation for a caddie to be in is one where the player makes the final decision and knows it. Then the caddie is free to speak his mind (being very careful to be positive and not create any negative thoughts or pictures) and know that the player will own the choice and commit to the shot. Whatever info the caddie has is useless if the player cannot handle input. Some players pull clubs by feel and don't want anything more that a "yes." The caddie can still influence the play by how he gives the yardage. He might mention a backstop (slope behind the hole) if he wants to err long rather than short (infinite options here).

One of the rules I came up with early on: "If the player looks like he knows what he is doing, stay out of his way." The caddie must sense when the player needs help and be ready with good advice. I will sometimes offer two suggestions: "It's a five iron up or a six iron down." It forces the player to make a choice.

Humility. The caddie must realize that all his success lies in the player's hands. If the player does not perform, there is no prize. Caddies are sometimes in a teaching or checkrein position. Inexperienced players need the caddie to encourage smart play. Some players need a firm hand to help them avoid going for broke when the situation does not call for it. At the end of a tournament, the caddie can save a player from making a critical error.

In the end, the definition of a good caddie is very subjective. Sometimes he must step up and sometimes step back. He must always realize that it is the player who hits the shots.

HB

OK may have more input on this one.

[Hennybogan]

Still looking for the answer.

[blehnhard]

PREPARED!!

The caddie must be prepared -

For all contingencies up to an including taking blame and abuse from the player (if the player cannot accept responsiblity for his own mistakes / shortcomings).

Bruce

[Mike O]

I wasn't going to answer as I have no idea or expertise and there are probably a lot of important characteristics that are important. But the first thing that came to my mind is patience. I just see those guys standing around (don't take that the wrong way- it's a busy tough job) on the driving range while their player hits balls. To cater to and follow someone around - it seems to me it would be easy to lose your cool. Plus - your both in the game but you don't get recognized most of the time. That makes me think- why don't they and wouldn't it be a nice segment to interview the caddy after the round, etc.

[Hennybogan]

I wasn't going to answer as I have no idea or expertise and there are probably a lot of important characteristics that are important. But the first thing that came to my mind is patience. I just see those guys standing around (don't take that the wrong way- it's a busy tough job) on the driving range while their player hits balls. To cater to and follow someone around - it seems to me it would be easy to lose your cool. Plus - your both in the game but you don't get recognized most of the time. That makes me think- why don't they and wouldn't it be a nice segment to interview the caddy after the round, etc.

Mike O,

Patience is big. Doing the right thing and being patient about the rewards can be tough. Before cell phones there was more standing around but it is still a pain. Atleast now, if a player is running late, the caddie can do a little work or rest in the tent instead of hanging around the clubhouse.

When working for a player who values your eye, "watching divots" can be fun and engaging. If they just want you to wipe off the clubs, it can be dull. I enjoy looking at the course and watching the practice, but slow practice rounds wear me out.

I always try to get a firm time to arrive, meet up after lunch, etc. If the player leaves you hanging all the time, it's a drag. I have even made the move to the parking lot after waiting on the range for too long. The player called just before I pulled out. I came back, but the relationship did not last much longer.

Interviewing the caddie after the round. I will discuss clubs and yardages and some history, but you won't get me to say anything out of school. Protect the player.

HB

[Hennybogan]

PREPARED!!

The caddie must be prepared -

For all contingencies up to an including taking blame and abuse from the player (if the player cannot accept responsiblity for his own mistakes / shortcomings).

Bruce

Blehnhard,

Prepare. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity (or something like that). Harder I work luckier I get.

I don't take complaints for things I did not promise. I just won't take flack from a player for his own mistakes. I think that it is childish. I might stick it out for a bit to try to change the player. Often repeating outloud what they say has them backpedal a bit (when they hear what they say, they know it is wrong). The only exception I would make would be to deflect a mistake under final hole pressure. I am perfectly willing to be blamed for my own mistake.

My favorite Seve line to his caddie, "That's not your fault. It's mine for listening to you."

Golf is not a Game of Perfect Why pretend you don't make mistakes. Get it up and down. Move on.

HB

[Overkill]

Thanks for putting me on the spot Hb

I've read all the posts with interest and may post a more indepth response, however for now, I believe that doing your job is a given and to be successful, your ability to read and understand human nature (deal with people under strees) ranks right up near the top.

Oh, by the way, a caddie should never, never take abuse from anyone under any circumstances. No one respects a 'whipping boy'.




UPDATE:

During the first round of the Canadian Open this week it appears that the caddie of a Tour player decided that enough was enough. As the story goes; after an incident, he dropped the bag, cleaned out all the balls; gave two to the pro, threw the rest in the water and walked off the course.

There are at least two sides to every story but general comments coming from members of their group would tend to indicate that the Pro was out of line.

The caddie had another job on Friday and his old boss missed the cut.

[Hennybogan]

First and foremost, the caddy must be trustworthy. This includes the ability to act independently as necessary to fulfill that trust.

Trust is the all-encompassing attribute. A player has many concerns, and his caddy serves to minimize or eliminate many of them. He should never add to them.

For example, the caddy must be trusted to show up -- on time -- at each event and on each day of the event (and, most certainly, for tee times). When entrusted with the player's clubs, they must be there, too (but no more than 14 before each round!). He must be trusted to perform, with a minimum of oversight, all his assigned duties (and some unassigned). Most of all, he must be trusted to 'handle with care' (and confidentiality) his player's innermost thoughts and emotions -- both on the course and off -- as revealed under competitive and personal stresses. We all have vulnerablilites, and the professional golfer is no exception.

In short, the player-caddy relationship is like any other. For there to be any chance of long-term success, there must be trust (both ways).

There is no substitute.

Yoda,

Good answer. Trust is critical in the player / caddie relationship. The player must trust the caddie to do his work and be ready to answer any and all questions regarding the course (Yardages to and over obstacles. Which side is OK to miss when playing a trouble shot. Accurate yardages. Etc.). The player will benefit from accepting advice from the player--two heads better than one. It also saves the player from having to do alot of basic learning of the golf course. I always want to see a new course before my player. By having a clear idea of how I think he should play a course, we can save time and create success from the first day. The player may choose a different play on a few holes based on visuals or feels rather than numbers.

"Handle with care." The player must be confident that his caddie is on his team--not out for himself other than as a result of aiding his player. The caddie is in a support position. Anything he can do to create the environment the player needs to be successful is job one. Professional golf is difficult. Everyday the player gets a grade. The mindset of the successful golfer has many dimensions. He must be driven yet patient. He must picture the best and accept the worst. He must be creative yet task oriented.

Often, breakthroughs are the result of mental preparation-- Dreaming bigger that your results might project. The caddie must be very aware of creating a positive environment while allowing the player to be himself.

HB