Caddie quiz
 

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

HB

You must be focused, that is, alert to and aware of your environment. You job is to keep your player on task, so you have to be optimizing his ability to function in that environment. Call it what you will, I call it focus. I'm an RN, and my job is conceptually very similar.

Perceptive . . . . . . . .

The Three Up's
 

1. Show Up
2. Keep Up
3. Shut Up

:laughing1

Trust
 

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 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.

On Course Chess
 

A cool sidekick name.

Other than that, I think the caddy needs to be a strategic thinker.

Focus
 

Efnef,

Good answer. I see a big part of my job as understanding how my player behaves at his best and striving to create those conditions. If he is flat, I would try to inject energy. Etc. Keeping my own eye on the prize will influence him to do the same. It does not matter what day you save the shot that wins the tournament.

HB

Trust
 

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

Two out of three ain't bad
 

Drewitgolf,

Show up and keep up are the minimum requirement. Steve Duplantis used to show up late on Furyk all the time. The other caddies were so amazed that he kept his job that they nicknamed him "Asbestos" (fire proof). He got fired. He has a new nickname.

Shut up. I had a buddy who worked for a player who always yelled at him when he hit a bad shot. It got to the point where he was afraid to say anything. He got fired for not speaking up.

HB

Humility
 

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.

A feable attempt at humor on my part. It was an old joke from the days I use to caddy at a private country club. Think the "up's" originated with Ben Hogan.

Keep trying
 

Still looking for the answer.

Hogan
 

drewitgolf,

No offense taken. It's a good topic anyway -- many people have no idea of the value of a good caddie.

Ben Hogan was special. He studied every facet of the game and left nothing to chance. It did take him a long time to become the great champion he was. I think he saw things the rest of us don't. He created every shot. He was the ultimate technician yet he played by feel. He did not need any help.

Strickly hearsay. I heard about a plot by some people in Greensboro to have the caddie (who was particularly good at clubbing Snead) who worked for Snead there to work as a regular at Pinehurst prior to one of the Opens. Locals caddies were the rule, so he had to establish himself as one in order to work the Open for Snead. The plot was found out and he was assigned to another player.

HB

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

Answer
 

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.

Patience
 

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

Prepared
 

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

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.




:salut:

Passion, Compassion and a deep love for the game. Oh, yeah...and a good pair of eyes and legs?

In a nutshell
 

Professionalism.

Attribute
 

Pair of shorts? No. Wait - I've got it! A great player!!!! YES!

Respect.
Mutual respect, preferably.

How about simultaneous capacity (and preparedness)? The player need to stay in the presence. He needs to focus all energy on the shot before him. Once the caddie has left the player to hit the selected shot the caddie can do noting but think ahead. So everything that does not relate to the present is the caddies business.

One hand close to the putter. If the green is hit he should hand the putter to the player within 2 seconds, then get the divot, clean & put back the 6-iron. Get the bag. If he or the player needs a rest room he need to plan for that. Get the yardage book. Start studying the notes on the way to the green. Catch up with the player. Prepared to provide any information the player needs or discuss any topic. Do we have enough water? Do we have enough balls? :) Is the scorecard updated? Is it time to put on and/or prepare rain gear? Will we use a new ball on next tee?

Once the player has started putting on his own: Start thinking about the next tee. Check for wind indications.

Just guessing.... A combination of simultaneous capacity, look-ahead and preparedness.

Metallion,

Good answer. I can shift out of the present to prepare for the next shot. I'm always surveying the conditions and linking them to following shots. I will pay special attention to those types of details when the conditions have changed which may call for different strategy.

Often the caddie should begin a conversation not related to golf to allow the player to relax his mind. Very few players can focus on golf throughout the round. The player just needs a trigger to re-engage.

HB

Ding, Ding, Ding
 

Mike O wins the prize. Find a great player or one on his way to being great.

All the attributes discussed define a great caddie. They are attributes that make him sought after, do his job, and help him keep his job. Like any coach trying to put a team together, the single most important attribute a caddie needs to be successful is to be a good judge of talent. The players on the field make the plays. The caddies and coaches can inspire, advise, correct, teach, improve, etc. But the player is the one who gets it done.

My definition of talent would be different from the mainstream notion of powerful and pretty. The ability to make the ball go where you look is a precious one. The ability to do it when it matters is even more important.

HB

Who's your Caddy!
 

Kind of like how Mike O rides Bucket's coat-tails :naughty: ; or is it the other way arround :naughty: . Actually, I think they are both good judges of talent :thumright .

Mike O has a talent for riding on short school busses.

I would have thought it more important for the caddie to have some talent rather than just be able to identify it.

So to be a successful tour caddie it's not 'what you know' so much as 'who you know'.

John Cook told a radio show host the other day that a caddie can say three things to their pro:

1. Pro, you were right.

2. Pro, I was wrong.

3. Pro, you got screwed.

When I see the obvious talent and work ethic of Overkill and HB this perspective sickens me even more than it would have a couple of months ago. I am curious if this kind of ignorance is pervasive on tour or if there are only a select few idiots of this sort.

Matt

Matt

Thanks for the support; this is not the John Cook I know; I will ask him about it next time I see him. There are a few players who want very little input from their caddie, but they are few and far between.


:salut:

Jag
 

Come on Strav- you're just jealous that I won the Jag! Ooh and it rides nice!

No Way Mike. Congratulations and be careful with all that power. We don't want to lose you.

No worries
 

No worries- the jag was repossesed last night and all my calls to Benihana's are answered in Japanese. I'm not sure how to reach him!:confused1

Who you know
 

Strav,

I thought I might take some heat for my answer (the one I was thinking of when I asked the question), and as I read all the great answers, I thought about choosing a different one. I decided to stick with the one I started with rather than jumping the fence.

Part of the scenario I pictured was choosing a player on a lower tour to come up with, which is the best shot for a caddie to break in these days.

I stuck with my answer for another reason, as well. The better the player is able to hit his line and yardage, the more the caddies' information matters. If the player is just chasing his ball around the course (think Ben Doyle, "It's all smoke and mirrors out here."), knowing the precise yardage will not help much. The database will be scattered with abnormalities that make it difficult to apply analytical thinking. The only sensible play would be to aim away from difficult pins rather than figuring the shot so well that it becomes possible.

When a player is on and you tell him it is 169 to the pin, you better be right, because he will hit it the number. You want a player who is on more often than not.

One man's success might not satisfy another. Certainly, there is satisfaction in helping anyone improve. I was thinking more in terms of contending often, winning sometimes, and playing well in majors.

The better the player, the more useful the information the caddie provides. It's much more fun to try temper the player's excitement about having a chance to win than trying to pump him up to birdie the last three to make the cut on the number. Having a chance when you wake up Sunday morning is what all the work is about. Being out on the course and knowing that each decision could be the difference between winning and loosing.

I don't want to downplay the importance of the contribution a caddie makes. Finding a caddie whose skill set meshes with his will add a great deal to a player's results.

Analogy. Buying a stock low with the hopes that it will rise. Is the stock under-valued and primed for long term growth? I don't mean to suggest that the road to success should be as quick and easy as jumping on Tiger's bag (not that the job is easy, but success nearly a lock). One of the caddie's jobs is to see the leaks in a player's game and try to plug them. They might be mental, strategic, physical, etc. To provide an objective analysis of the player's game (shared or not) and contribute to the improvement. It could be a long road, but the caddie wants to know deep down that his man can play. That the player can acheive, in part, as the result of the caddie's diligent efforts.

All of the attributes that were descibed in earlier posts describe a great caddie. To acheive any success, the caddie must cultivate the player's trust by being professional, knowing the course, knowing when to jump in and when to back off, by keeping accurate notes, by thinking ahead, by knowing when the player needs a pat on the back or a whip on the butt, by making correct decisions/suggestions under the gun, etc, etc.

HB

Tough question. I would assume that an excellent caddie for someone like a DL3 is very different from the requirements of a Kevin Na. The experienced player may sometimes turn on autopilot (being nine strokes behind on Sunday morning and the card secured) and it would be the caddies job to get the player focused and excited, whereas a young rookie or sophmore might get overly excited (being two strokes behind on Sunday and watching the leaders hit a wild shot) and the caddie has to cool down the player.

I would probably summarize the requirement most sought after is a keen sense of responsibility, but I realize the content will differ from player to player.

Caddies
 

Tour caddies are a bit different from the "honor" caddies at your club. A tour caddy needs to be a sounding board, a researcher who understands stats, a psychologist, an encourager/motivator, and timely in his comments all at the same time. Did I mention enjoys travelling...
Steve Williams wrote a good book describing his philosophies and how he works with players. Check it out.