What if professional golf banned caddies?

[kiawah]

Let me preface by saying that I recognize that tour players are the best in the world for a reason, and that I am not trying to detract from their immense talent(s). 

 

But after seeing Wyndham Clark's caddie literally stand over putts to help him line up, I wonder if the whole caddy thing has gone a bit too far. I have always thought that it would be an amazing luxury to have someone to talk through a shot with who knew my game as well as I do and spent days researching the golf course I'm playing. As an ex-college player who had to carry their own bag and umbrella in multiple downpours, I think it would be cool to watch guys carry their own bags and play the same way the rest of us do. The caveat would be that rangefinders would be allowed instead. I think it would speed up the pace of play significantly and it would be cool to see how tense finishes become when nobody is talking to each other. 

 

What do you guys think? 

[Pepperturbo]

Nowadays, we're seeing PGA Tour caddies following in the footsteps of LPGA caddies; IMO providing too much help.  It's reached a point where all the tour pro does is MAYBE add a few numbers and make the shot, wander around, and look for rules official and relief. 

 

Cutting out the caddy and adding a range finder, would likely increase pace of play, and would eliminate all the time spent gabbing to keep the pro in the moment, which would drastically affect the game of the pro.

[Hawkeye77]

Caddies won’t be banned and who cares what Clark’s caddie does - it’s 100% within the rules. And I’m guessing you are way overestimating the “us” who carry their own bags. 

Edited March 25, 2024 by Hawkeye77

[GoGoErky]

2 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Caddies won’t be banned and who cares what Clark’s caddie does - it’s 100% within the rules. And I’m guessing you are way overestimating the “us” who carry their own bags. 

I don’t get the complaining about it. It has no bearing on anyone’s daily life and imo doesn’t take away from enjoyment of the game.

 

Agree on the overestimating the number of people who carry a bad as well as die it for 4 days straight and would have to do it for 2-3 days of practice 

[Bogeyman_MD]

I would like to see major limits on caddy involvement once on the green but other than that I don’t see a problem.

[Mr.Cleeks]

Spieth would be off the tour lol. Greller talks him out of a lot of stupid stuff and basically gets him aligned on every shot 

[Hawkeye77]

You want to do something productive - ban advice giving during collegiate rounds - no reason for it, get on with it already. 

[BlackDiamondPar5]

I'd support a shot clock 10x over before any caddy ban.

 

I actually find the player - caddy discussions, especially when in a tough situation, to be quite interesting to hear. 

[IndyArcher]

I think banning caddies to be a bit extreme, but I also do think that caddies go well beyond what is reasonable these days in just how much they help align shots and read greens. IMO, that's one of the things that help separate the great golfer from the exceptional and is what shows just how well the player can holistically tackle the game. With that in mind, I would be all in favor of the PGAT greatly reducing the amount of 'advice' a caddie can give the pro. 

 

But I do agree with the comment above that some of the conversations between caddie/player are interesting and even fun to hear. 

[puttingmatt]

I suspect the reason that pro golfers score so well is due to their caddies.

Another set of eyes are a big help

[MattM97]

I find golfers and their caddies to be like baseball pitchers and catchers. Some the catcher is literally calling all the shots and the pitcher just executes, others the pitcher  is basically doing everything and catcher is the yes man then you get everything in between. That's how I see golfers and caddies, part of the game just different ways to go about it.  

[GoGoErky]

23 minutes ago, IndyArcher said:

I think banning caddies to be a bit extreme, but I also do think that caddies go well beyond what is reasonable these days in just how much they help align shots and read greens. IMO, that's one of the things that help separate the great golfer from the exceptional and is what shows just how well the player can holistically tackle the game. With that in mind, I would be all in favor of the PGAT greatly reducing the amount of 'advice' a caddie can give the pro. 

 

But I do agree with the comment above that some of the conversations between caddie/player are interesting and even fun to hear. 

Who defines what’s reasonable?

 

What might be reasonable to one isn’t reasonable to another it might even be extreme. 
 

Using every advantage the rules gives you to earn a paycheck seems reasonable to me.

 

Imagine being told at your job you can only use 90% of the resources to do your job. 

[st1800e]

Pointless discussion.   Not going to happen.  

[IndyArcher]

1 minute ago, GoGoErky said:

Who defines what’s reasonable?

 

What might be reasonable to one isn’t reasonable to another it might even be extreme. 
 

Using every advantage the rules gives you to earn a paycheck seems reasonable to me.

 

Imagine being told at your job you can only use 90% of the resources to do your job. 

 

There are a lot of rules that would fall into that category of 'who defines' right? There is a lot of subjectivity to sports rules period. So, who defines? The governing body. Who determined that caddies COULD give a read to the greens or walk off yardage, or say what club a player should use? That's specifically why I noted "IMO" because that is precisely what it is: my opinion. I simply think that making the player solely responsible for some of those decisions would make the game a bit more interesting and place the player in a role that is more holistic in what they have to be able to master to be a champion. Why would I be more interested? Because no one helps me with those things on the course, and seeing them make all those choices/calculations on their own just creates more respect in my eyes because I know how challenging it can be for someone aspiring to be mediocre! 

[IndyArcher]

1 minute ago, st1800e said:

Pointless discussion.   Not going to happen.  

 

Ah, yes, because all other conversations here on WRX are dedicated to philosophical thoughtfulness and pointedness! 

[vman]

I’m in favour of caddies NOT lining players up….ever.

[Nickb333]

Leave the caddies alone but give them rangefinders. 
 

Move it along boys. 

[jordan2240]

If caddies were banned, I would find religion.

[otto6457]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye77 said:

You want to do something productive - ban advice giving during collegiate rounds - no reason for it, get on with it already. 

 

 

So much this.  College coaches inserting themselves into matches constantly is a clown show.  The bigger the event the bigger fools they become.  If it's televised......Katy-Bar-The-Door.  They have to get on camera at every opportunity, "advising" players on break, club selection, wind speed, and anything else they can think of.  And invariably, it's their top player getting all the unsolicited advice.  It's never the poor #5 that's down 5 and 6 and getting mauled.

 

Just set your line-up and let them play.

[manku]

I’m sure Kutch is in favor of a caddie ban.  
 

Imagine how much bigger his bank account would be!

[Mcfly]

I believe this to be the seventh sign of the apocalypse.

 

[GoGoErky]

53 minutes ago, IndyArcher said:

 

There are a lot of rules that would fall into that category of 'who defines' right? There is a lot of subjectivity to sports rules period. So, who defines? The governing body. Who determined that caddies COULD give a read to the greens or walk off yardage, or say what club a player should use? That's specifically why I noted "IMO" because that is precisely what it is: my opinion. I simply think that making the player solely responsible for some of those decisions would make the game a bit more interesting and place the player in a role that is more holistic in what they have to be able to master to be a champion. Why would I be more interested? Because no one helps me with those things on the course, and seeing them make all those choices/calculations on their own just creates more respect in my eyes because I know how challenging it can be for someone aspiring to be mediocre! 

Yep and the ruling bodies have made the rules that allow the caddies to do exactly what they are doing. 
 

The game is already interesting. It’s a game that can’t be mastered and even the best don’t make every shot they attempt or every putt. Despite getting all that alignment and guidance they still have to execute the shot.

 

Theres nothing stopping you from getting that help on the course other than not finding someone to do it for you. It’s not a rule specifically for the tour. 

[Shilgy]

2 hours ago, puttingmatt said:

I suspect the reason that pro golfers score so well is due to their caddies.

Another set of eyes are a big help

Makes one wonder how they ever got good enough to turn pro.

[ChipNRun]

2 hours ago, kiawah said:

The caveat would be that rangefinders would be allowed instead. I think it would speed up the pace of play significantly and it would be cool to see how tense finishes become when nobody is talking to each other. 

 

I think you're seeking a cure for which there is no disease. Speed up the pace of play? Keep the players on the clock, and burn 'em bad early when they dilly-dally.

 

Also, too many people are vested in a lively pro-caddie relationship... 😁

• Sponsors would get less $$ due to absence of caddies wearing those bibs adorned with corporate logos.
• Caddies serve as an unofficial bodyguard for their player. I've been a hole marshal at several pro tournaments, and a stern glare from a caddie is as likely as a marshal's reprimand to chill an unruly fan.
• Unimaginative sporties would have less to write about without pithy quotes from caddies.
• GolfWRX would have two less thunder threads each year!

[dekez]

2 hours ago, IndyArcher said:

I think banning caddies to be a bit extreme, but I also do think that caddies go well beyond what is reasonable these days in just how much they help align shots and read greens. IMO, that's one of the things that help separate the great golfer from the exceptional and is what shows just how well the player can holistically tackle the game. With that in mind, I would be all in favor of the PGAT greatly reducing the amount of 'advice' a caddie can give the pro. 

 

But I do agree with the comment above that some of the conversations between caddie/player are interesting and even fun to hear. 

 

I agree. I could be wrong, but weren't there rule changes put in for caddies on the LPGA?  I recall that caddies used to line up the putts to the point where it really left a bad appearance - like the women just swung where the caddy directed them and had no idea themselves what was going on.  Now clearly they did. But that's the impression it left and it made them look less talented than they are.

[Justsomeguy]

Nobody would carry a staff bag for 4 days. Fitness and endurance would be even more important.

Some guys would thrive. Others would wilt. The younger players would have an even bigger edge.

[iBanesto]

Then we won't get this memorable kerfuffle.

 

[Creedo77]

14 hours ago, Nickb333 said:

Leave the caddies alone but give them rangefinders. 
 

Move it along boys. 

They don’t speed up play at the pro level. It’s been tried before and showed no signs of it improving speed of play 

[Vardon Grip]

I say ban the golf bags, player and caddie can haul what they can carry. Range finder or gap wedge? 6 balls v 3 balls and a towel. Did you get enough tees? That's compelling golf. 

[MaineMariner]

I don't really have an opinion on banning caddies, but I am totally curious as to what a professional golf tournament would look like without caddies. I wish I could see it just once. I imagine the round would go at a much different pace (faster most of the time, slower at other points) and it would be an interesting test of golf skills.