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Caddies in Scotland - where have you used and experiences?


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Our family enjoyed the caddies we had at Royal Dornoch (twice), The New Course and The Old Course. We didn't make use of caddies at the other courses we played, but we didn't play that many others: Traigh (don't even know if they have them, but not needed - okay there was one hole we went the wrong way, lol, but we figured it out pretty quick - clubhouse was closed and no scorecards/maps were out by the honesty box), Struie (definitely not needed), Brora (very much right in front of you, but some blind shots, semi-blind approaches and would have been fun the first round, but course guide and watching group ahead helped - second round was a lot easier, did see a few out and in hindsight my oldest daughter and I had fun exploring and that was a big part of the fun and both times hardly anyone on the course so we weren't worried about pace), Crail (even more in front of you than Brora, didn't see any out and in hindsight, not needed for us, and could see how others were playing the holes). Briefly, the caddies we did have were just great.

I'm mostly curious whether those that have used caddies at particular courses felt they were necessary or of benefit and in what ways. We are headed there again this summer (this time just the wife and myself) and spending time in Ayrshire and then the North Berwick area and I'm less inclined to use caddies at any of the courses we have lined up, but who knows. Playing North Berwick twice so maybe the first time? Playing Royal Troon and Prestwick. So many of the other courses just look pretty straightforward, but of course, I've never played any of them. Part of it on those courses is having someone loop for my wife and then I don't have to worry about her ball as well as mine (then again, she's straight to the point of boring off the tee, lol, I like a little more adventure). And part of it is, I really do enjoy having a caddy once in awhile (but my limited experiences have been very positive).

Just thought other experiences throughout Scotland might be of help to others headed that way or planning future trips!

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Only at TOC for me - as far as Scotland goes. Mostly for the "tradition" factor.

We played Dornoch with a local -so that helped.

Didn't have any major difficulties on any other courses we played - NB, Leven, New or Jubilee.

 

Previous trip to Ireland - used caddies on Bally & RCD. Definitely recommended for RCD

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I hired a caddie at the old course who then carries for the new course and also hired a regular at muirfield.... I was 2 for 2 as far as enjoying their company and agreeing about golf. Played with a former caddie at Carnoustie and he would save you strokes and knew the place very well. I'd schedule well in advance and give the booking agent your preferences if you are picky i.e. prefer a more experienced fella or a good player etc.

 

North Berwick would be a great place to have one as it's blind in a few places and tricky with the wind, the walls, and the creek.

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Per the other thread - I do tend to think about it more in the vein of is it _that type of course_ as much as whether it actually "helps" you get around the place and enjoy it more. I tend to think of the rota courses and high-end resort courses as those types and the rest not.

There are some tricky shots/blind shots to be played at Prestwick and NB, but the yardage guide and a quick shoot with the laser'll see you through. They are both great fun too, you shouldn't need anymore out of a golf course than what those two provide and I'd not caddy it up at either.

 

Personally in Scotland I've only had caddies at:

TOC - One of the best I've had anywhere, saw others who seemed just OK to good

Renaissance Club - Another one of the best I've had, played college golf in the States and did a stint on the Euro Tour, top notch

Kingsbarns - Fleet of pro caddies, a lot like Kohler, Kiawah, etc... IMHO, mine was fine

Carnoustie - Caddies are members, accordingly YMMV, we weren't particularly impressed

Played with, but not had, at:

Western Gailes - solid caddy who bounces around the Ayr courses, think that's pretty standard over there

[url="http://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTOZNxdsDKajrKxaUCRjcU8eB7URcAMpaCWN-67Bt6QG8rmBUPYW3QAQ7k87BlYizIMKJzEhuzqr9OQ/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true"]WITB[/url] | [url="http://tinyurl.com/CoursesPlayedList"]Courses Played list[/url] |  [url="http://tinyurl.com/25GolfingFaves"] 25 Faves [/url]

F.T.

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I hired caddies for most of my recent rounds in Scotland (Turnberry, Troon, Western Gailes, Prestwick, Castle Stuart, Nairn, Dornoch, Trump Aberdeen, Carnoustie, North Berwick, St Andrews Old, Kingsbarns) and have never been disappointed. It's a budget but I just love the combo "links course + caddie". IMO, a caddie is fully part of my links experience. Most of them are (way) better players than I am, friendly guys and really provide valuable help (+ finding balls in rough I would never get back by myself :-) )

 

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I've had caddies at the Old Course, Carnoustie, and Royal Dornoch. I've used a forecaddy a couple of times, at Kingsbarns and Prestwick, and thought that was a good middle ground between maximum expense and minimal assistance. He was particularly valuable at Prestwick, with a number of blind shots. For the most part, I'm fine with a course guide and a trolley for my clubs.

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Caddie at TOC who was average, but entertaining rolling his own cigarettes.

Caddie at Kingsbarns was helpful in reads for sure.

Caddie at North Berwick was great, Pat. An older gentlemen who was knowledgeable and full of stories.

Caddie at Turnberry was terrible and other than handling my clubs during the round didn't know much of anything.

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Had a caddie on the Old Course at St Andrews, really added to the experience, cant say id get a caddie again though

And since when did everyone start abbreviating The Old Course as TOC, come on now its not them many extra letters

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> @Superbrit said:

> Had a caddie on the Old Course at St Andrews, really added to the experience, cant say id get a caddie again though

> And since when did everyone start abbreviating The Old Course as TOC, come on now its not them many extra letters

 

TBH IDK. ICYMI WRT using TOC many people access the site from mobile devices, so it is simpler and AFAIK no one misunderstands what is being referred to. HTH

[url="http://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTOZNxdsDKajrKxaUCRjcU8eB7URcAMpaCWN-67Bt6QG8rmBUPYW3QAQ7k87BlYizIMKJzEhuzqr9OQ/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true"]WITB[/url] | [url="http://tinyurl.com/CoursesPlayedList"]Courses Played list[/url] |  [url="http://tinyurl.com/25GolfingFaves"] 25 Faves [/url]

F.T.

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WGAF?

 

Just kidding. Seriously, I'm not big on the acronyms either, especially in speech where my daughters' generation and my wife with all the teacher seminars and new lingo for stuff educationally related often frustrate me when they are conversing, and they will pause and look at me if I interject but continue right on. Isn't it funny how my little shorthand expressions I perceive as perfectly fine! On here though I've learned so many and seen so many, it's just the way it is, and it's fine. I was about to say I always type The Old Course, but who knows, I may have slipped a TOC in there once or twice myself. I did make a point of trying to look a bit dressed up when I played there, just made me feel good to stroll around in some nice slacks.

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What are slacks? Do you mean trousers? It's only one extra syllable :)

[url="http://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTOZNxdsDKajrKxaUCRjcU8eB7URcAMpaCWN-67Bt6QG8rmBUPYW3QAQ7k87BlYizIMKJzEhuzqr9OQ/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true"]WITB[/url] | [url="http://tinyurl.com/CoursesPlayedList"]Courses Played list[/url] |  [url="http://tinyurl.com/25GolfingFaves"] 25 Faves [/url]

F.T.

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