Open invitation

[Yoda]

Can't believe that this thread has been dormant for so long. A true treasure trove of knowledge pertaining to playing the game as opposed to swinging the club.

Hoping Hennybogan and Overkill (is that you nickname on tour?) still looks over us poor hackers . . .

Regarding the dormancy, I can believe it. Further, it 'makes the case' for premium content.

Men are busy, and the professional caddy's day is longer than most. Yet, to date, neither Henny nor Overkill have asked for a nickel in exchange for their substantial contributions.



At the same time, it is unfair to ask either to spend their time answering questions and offering professional insights without compensation. It is my responsibility to recognize that situation and offer a 'win-win' for all concerned (contributor and reader alike).

I will broach the idea of hosting premium content -- a dedicated thread with still photos and video. If either (or both) are agreeable, we will sponsor the action, and let the marketplace determine the demand.

[Hennybogan]

Can't believe that this thread has been dormant for so long. A true treasure trove of knowledge pertaining to playing the game as opposed to swinging the club.

Hoping Bennyhogan and Overkill (is that you nickname on tour?) still looks over us poor hackers, I will chime in with a few questions of my own.

1) How do you know that the chemistry with a player is gone?

2) If you are the first to detect it, will you seek employment elsewhere? (taking one for the team kind of approach)

3) Is crowd control more difficult at certain venues, or is it more depending on your status on the leaderboard?

4) If you have looped at a links course, how does it differ from a normal tourney?

5) Have you looped outside the US? How was that?

Kumabjorn,

1) Player struggling. Caddie and/or player loses faith in the other. You can't help him if he does not trust you (after the break-in period when you both make some allowance). It is a lot like dating....you know the old story...no matter how good looking she is, somebody is tired of her....

2) Complicated question. You might just talk to the player. Sometimes just airing it out helps. If it really is over then your just wasting your time (both). Different times of the year are more difficult to make a change (find a player).

3) Crowd control becomes more difficult as the beverages are consumed. I tend to be very direct and have had patrons removed (it is my job to control it as much as possible).

4) Links golf is fun to caddie. Any time the ball is bouncing and rolling, management difficulty compounds. You have to be prepared for the wind direction changes because a course like St. Andrews plays completely differently on different winds. Strategy is more complex and fun. The player must take on more of the actual shot because it is more intuitive than analytical (How do you caddie an 8 iron from 120 yards that rolls half the way?)

5) Carnoustie, St. Andrews, Lytham, Valderama (2), Metropolitan (Aus), few in Mexico, Canada. All good. St Andrews is awesome.

HB

[Kumabjorn]

Thanx a lot HB!

I imagine links golf makes for a nice break from target golf, but it might become exhausting if it happened to often.

If you dont mind indulging me, and hopefully some other interested posters, lurkers and readers:

1) What do you guys do when your player has a break? Do you go on your own break, or do you pick up someone else's bag for the week (or two)?

2) How many caddies have a "personal" Career Slam? Fluff and Williams are obvious, maybe Dave Musgrove, but are there any else that has "achieved" something like that? Anyone with four different players (talk about picking players)?

3) What tourneys treat you the best? The worst? USGA? R&A?

4) You guys probably see more airport waiting lounges than Hugh Hefner sees Playmates, has travelling become even more of a burden post 9/11?

Again, appreciate your time and kindness, if you ever have to caddie in Sweden you'll have a place to stay, just drop me a PM.

[efnef]

Hmmm... I think Fluff only has a Masters and a U.S. Open.

[Seanmx]

Kumabjorn,

4) Links golf is fun to caddie. Any time the ball is bouncing and rolling, management difficulty compounds. You have to be prepared for the wind direction changes because a course like St. Andrews plays completely differently on different winds. Strategy is more complex and fun. The player must take on more of the actual shot because it is more intuitive than analytical (How do you caddie an 8 iron from 120 yards that rolls half the way?)

HB

It's even harder on parkland in this part of the world in the winter. When the wind blows really hard when one is down wind the wind simply blows the ball down so you loose 4 clubs into the wind, who knows how many down wind. Trajectory is king. Links is in fact easier as at least one can guage the ball running; but on parkland one does not have that luxary.

[Kumabjorn]

Hmmm... I think Fluff only has a Masters and a U.S. Open.

Thought he had a BO and PGA as well, with Ray Floyd...?

[efnef]

Check out this post. Steve Williams was on Floyd's bag, not Fluff.

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache...ient=firefox-a

[Amen Corner]

How about Annikas Caddie??

He should have a GS, or?

[Hennybogan]

Thanx a lot HB!

I imagine links golf makes for a nice break from target golf, but it might become exhausting if it happened to often.

If you dont mind indulging me, and hopefully some other interested posters, lurkers and readers:

1) What do you guys do when your player has a break? Do you go on your own break, or do you pick up someone else's bag for the week (or two)?

2) How many caddies have a "personal" Career Slam? Fluff and Williams are obvious, maybe Dave Musgrove, but are there any else that has "achieved" something like that? Anyone with four different players (talk about picking players)?

3) What tourneys treat you the best? The worst? USGA? R&A?

4) You guys probably see more airport waiting lounges than Hugh Hefner sees Playmates, has travelling become even more of a burden post 9/11?

Again, appreciate your time and kindness, if you ever have to caddie in Sweden you'll have a place to stay, just drop me a PM.

Kumabjorn,

1) Normally go home. I have worked the odd off week.

2) No idea.

3) Wachovia, Mexico (Mayacoba sp?) Worst.....don't know--it has gotten better the last few years.

4) Big Burden. I used to turn up at my small airport 20 minutes before the flight. My last flight I arrived 2 1/2 hours ahead on the return trip. Another note. Try not to leave Vegas on Sunday evening.

[Kumabjorn]

4) Big Burden. I used to turn up at my small airport 20 minutes before the flight. My last flight I arrived 2 1/2 hours ahead on the return trip. Another note. Try not to leave Vegas on Sunday evening.

Woaw, that sounds really, really bad. Bet those who caddy for a player using private jets feel pretty lucky. Maybe you guys will go back to car pooling?

I've met a few caddies on the European Tour and it is amazing how the older guys miss the earlier times when they all went by cars to different tournaments. Thy think that it has become a bit to rational and efficient these days. One guy told me about a van they christened The Belgrano (an Argentine man-o-war that was particualarly inept) that four or five caddies would traverse around Europe in and making a few extra bucks by transporting bags for some players. If it was players they didn't like they sometimes swapped shafts in even or odd numered irons, insuring that his yardages would be off for a few days before the prank was discovered.

Any stories like that from the US tour?