CHAT WITH A TOUR CADDY! Mike Christensen, caddy for Kevin Streelman Friday 7pm ET!

[mshills]

Is there any consensus among the Tour caddies about how terrible the pace of play has gotten at the highest level of the game? How do the players AND caddies feel about the issue and any action that ought to be taken?

[mikeychr]

[quote name='TheDarkOne' timestamp='1326493949' post='4079459']
1. Have you ever heard tour players/tour caddies discussing golfwrx or online forums. What were their thoughts?

2. What is the most memorable thing someone has said from a gallery.

3. If you could caddy for any of the greats from the past, who would it be and why?

4. Who is the greatest player of all time?

5. Who is considered the greatest caddy of all time?
[/quote]



more great questions.
1.greg moore does a great job out on tour and he has a great relationship with most of the players and caddies. I think we are all golf nerds in some sense, so yes, we do talk about equipment and a bit of golf gossip!
2. We get a huge kick out of the galleries. #16 at Scottsdale is 20 minutes of non-stop comedy.
3. I would have loved to have caddied for Watson. Played aggressive and always seemed to have a smile on his face.
4. Tiger will be.
5. Caddie of all time is tough... Right now, the caddie I learn the most from is Paul Tesori- Webb Simpson's caddie. Incredible guy who loves his job and is fantastic at it.

[damnorcross]

How good was the lasagna that Amanda made during the PGA?

[damnorcross]

Did you wish Deuce a happy 40th today?

[QMany]

Thanks for joining us!

1. What is your personal take on belly putters?
2. On tour, who would you consider the best with: Driver, Irons, Wedges, and Putter?
3. Are there any courses that present really tough challenges for caddies (elevation, wind, etc.)?
4. What is in that huge bag?

[SteveL1]

I've always been curious if most caddies pay for all of their own expenses or are they covered by the Pro? Things like travel, hotel, food, health insurance, etc. And for the guys that caddie for the players with their own private planes, do they make the caddie fly commercial?

We've all heard the stories about a player giving their caddy a Rolex or some nice car after a big win. What's the biggest gift you've ever heard of a caddy getting?

Thanks for sharing your time with us golf geeks and good luck this year!

[mikeychr]

[quote name='mshills' timestamp='1326503072' post='4080487']
Is there any consensus among the Tour caddies about how terrible the pace of play has gotten at the highest level of the game? How do the players AND caddies feel about the issue and any action that ought to be taken?
[/quote]



It is constantly talked about amongst caddies. Some caddies keep track of how long it will take another pro in the group to hit a shot. We have zero pull, but at some point, there are going to have to be aggressive penalties to change it.

[pga43]

[quote name='mikeychr' timestamp='1326503492' post='4080543']
[quote name='TheDarkOne' timestamp='1326493949' post='4079459']
1. Have you ever heard tour players/tour caddies discussing golfwrx or online forums. What were their thoughts?

2. What is the most memorable thing someone has said from a gallery.

3. If you could caddy for any of the greats from the past, who would it be and why?

4. Who is the greatest player of all time?

5. Who is considered the greatest caddy of all time?
[/quote]



more great questions.
1.greg moore does a great job out on tour and he has a great relationship with most of the players and caddies. I think we are all golf nerds in some sense, so yes, we do talk about equipment and a bit of golf gossip!
[b][i][u][size="4"]2. We get a huge kick out of the galleries. #16 at Scottsdale is 20 minutes of non-stop comedy.[/size][/u][/i][/b]
3. I would have loved to have caddied for Watson. Played aggressive and always seemed to have a smile on his face.
4. Tiger will be.
5. Caddie of all time is tough... Right now, the caddie I learn the most from is Paul Tesori- Webb Simpson's caddie. Incredible guy who loves his job and is fantastic at it.
[/quote]

[size="4"]What's Kevin got in mind this year for #16? Last year it was lemonhead candy[/size]
[size="4"]
[/size]
[size="4"]
[/size]
[size="4"]Greg[/size]

[mary2cute]

When Kevin made the switch to Wilson, did he ask you for your opinion or advice since you work so closely with him and his equipment? Or was it solely a decision on his own?

[pga43]

Does Kevin's new house have a putting green like the old one?


Greg

[mikeychr]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1326503702' post='4080577']
Thanks for joining us!

1. What is your personal take on belly putters?
2. On tour, who would you consider the best with: Driver, Irons, Wedges, and Putter?
3. Are there any courses that present really tough challenges for caddies (elevation, wind, etc.)?
4. What is in that huge bag?
[/quote]

1. Belly putters are a fun debate and I think they help a lot of players. No use in discussing the ban of them in my opinion. They are here to stay.
2. Driver- Rory Mac, Irons- Kevin and Allenby, Wedges- Phil, Putter- Luke/Stricker/Webb
3. Wind is always the main factor. And if the course condition (firmer or softer) changes. Augusta is the toughest.
4. Kevin keeps it pretty light for me and I THANK HIM! Depends on weather though.

[mikeychr]

[quote name='pga43' timestamp='1326503989' post='4080619']
Does Kevin's new house have a putting green like the old one?


Greg
[/quote]

Kevin should post some pictures of his basement. A golfers dream. No putting green.. just the accelerator for putting.

[mshills]

I got to caddy for Tom Purtzer years ago in a pro am. Heaviest damn bag I have ever encountered and will ever encounter. He had an extra pair of shoes in there! I was young - no way could I hump that bag today. Who has the most brutal sack out there now?

[pga43]

[quote name='mikeychr' timestamp='1326504073' post='4080633']
[quote name='pga43' timestamp='1326503989' post='4080619']
Does Kevin's new house have a putting green like the old one?


Greg
[/quote]

Kevin should post some pictures of his basement. A golfers dream. No putting green.. just the accelerator for putting.
[/quote]

I'll talk with him. About time to update his Cameron collection and then I can photograph his "Man Cave" in the basement.


Greg

[mikeychr]

[quote name='mary2cute' timestamp='1326503862' post='4080601']
When Kevin made the switch to Wilson, did he ask you for your opinion or advice since you work so closely with him and his equipment? Or was it solely a decision on his own?
[/quote]

Whenever he is thinking about making a switch with any club, we have a pretty lengthy discussion. The move to Wilson was very easy for him. He fell in love with the FG Irons (now using the V2's) and said they are the best he has ever had. His iron game is his strength and Wilson was the perfect fit for him. Plus, their Tour Bag is lighter!

[KevCarter]

Hi Mike. Just wanted to say hello, haven't had a chance to talk to you since that whooping you gave us in Hudson. :-)

Have a GREAT year!!!

Kevin

[llamont]

Thank you for joining us! Im not sure if the question has been asked but would you give us your current "WITB" ? Thanks again!

Loren

[mikeychr]

[quote name='mshills' timestamp='1326504212' post='4080649']
I got to caddy for Tom Purtzer years ago in a pro am. Heaviest damn bag I have ever encountered and will ever encounter. He had an extra pair of shoes in there! I was young - no way could I hump that bag today. Who has the most brutal sack out there now?
[/quote]

Here is a funny story, but I can't use the name. At the end of the year a player said to a caddie-

Player-"this is your chance, what would you like to be done differently next year?'"
Caddie-"everything is great... but is there anyway we can lighten up the bag?"
Player- "i appreciate your honesty."

The next year at the Sony, the player walked up to the caddie with the bag and a guy standing next to him

player- "this guy is my trainer, because you think the bag is too heavy, you need to start working out with him everyday"

[mikeychr]

[quote name='kevcarter ' timestamp='1326504357' post='4080671']
Hi Mike. Just wanted to say hello, haven't had a chance to talk to you since that whooping you gave us in Hudson. :-)

Have a GREAT year!!!

Kevin
[/quote]

Thanks Kevin! Great hearing from you. I still thank you for letting me play at Elk River for free as a junior.

[mshills]

^^^^ LMFAO ^^^^

[mikeychr]

[quote name='pga43' timestamp='1326503855' post='4080597']
[quote name='mikeychr' timestamp='1326503492' post='4080543']
[quote name='TheDarkOne' timestamp='1326493949' post='4079459']
1. Have you ever heard tour players/tour caddies discussing golfwrx or online forums. What were their thoughts?

2. What is the most memorable thing someone has said from a gallery.

3. If you could caddy for any of the greats from the past, who would it be and why?

4. Who is the greatest player of all time?

5. Who is considered the greatest caddy of all time?
[/quote]



more great questions.
1.greg moore does a great job out on tour and he has a great relationship with most of the players and caddies. I think we are all golf nerds in some sense, so yes, we do talk about equipment and a bit of golf gossip!
[b][i][u][size="4"]2. We get a huge kick out of the galleries. #16 at Scottsdale is 20 minutes of non-stop comedy.[/size][/u][/i][/b]
3. I would have loved to have caddied for Watson. Played aggressive and always seemed to have a smile on his face.
4. Tiger will be.
5. Caddie of all time is tough... Right now, the caddie I learn the most from is Paul Tesori- Webb Simpson's caddie. Incredible guy who loves his job and is fantastic at it.
[/quote]

[size="4"]What's Kevin got in mind this year for #16? Last year it was lemonhead candy[/size]


[size="4"]Greg[/size]
[/quote]

I am sure there will be something... he loves that tournament and that hole.

[damnorcross]

what would you shoot at Augusta?

[mikeychr]

[quote name='SteveL1' timestamp='1326503705' post='4080579']
I've always been curious if most caddies pay for all of their own expenses or are they covered by the Pro? Things like travel, hotel, food, health insurance, etc. And for the guys that caddie for the players with their own private planes, do they make the caddie fly commercial?

We've all heard the stories about a player giving their caddy a Rolex or some nice car after a big win. What's the biggest gift you've ever heard of a caddy getting?

Thanks for sharing your time with us golf geeks and good luck this year!
[/quote]

Every deal is unique, but I would say that for 99 percent of the caddies- we get our weekly wage, plus percentage. Beyond that, we are responsible for all of our expenses. Caddies will occasionally sneak on the private planes depending on the player. But most are commercial.

One player paid off his caddies house mortgage. That is pretty sweet.

[mikeychr]

[quote name='damnorcross' timestamp='1326504649' post='4080717']
what would you shoot at Augusta?
[/quote]

Haha. I played there a couple of years ago and shot 74-74-79 two weeks after the tourney. So much fun. During tournament conditions.... a million?

[mshills]

Outside of the majors what are your favorite Tour stops?

[mikeychr]

[quote name='llamont' timestamp='1326504404' post='4080677']
Thank you for joining us! Im not sure if the question has been asked but would you give us your current "WITB" ? Thanks again!

Loren
[/quote]


Wilson V2 3-PW Irons, 54 degree Wilson SW, 60 degree cleveland 588, Tour Edge 3W, and I would be guessing on the Driver, Hybrid, and Putter. He has been tinkering a bit with those.

[damnorcross]

[quote name='mikeychr' timestamp='1326504838' post='4080731']
[quote name='damnorcross' timestamp='1326504649' post='4080717']
what would you shoot at Augusta?
[/quote]

Haha. I played there a couple of years ago and shot 74-74-79 two weeks after the tourney. So much fun. During tournament conditions.... a million?
[/quote]

I shot 77 my first time. 2 under after 8, bogeyed 9. had too many beers at the turn. 42 on the back. but it was the best day ever.

[mikeychr]

[quote name='mshills' timestamp='1326505022' post='4080751']
Outside of the majors what are your favorite Tour stops?
[/quote]

So hard to chose, but I love San Diego, Pebble, and Hilton Head. Riviera is an incredible golf course and the Players is fun with the purse and strong field.

[mikeychr]

[quote name='damnorcross' timestamp='1326505050' post='4080755']
[quote name='mikeychr' timestamp='1326504838' post='4080731']
[quote name='damnorcross' timestamp='1326504649' post='4080717']
what would you shoot at Augusta?
[/quote]

Haha. I played there a couple of years ago and shot 74-74-79 two weeks after the tourney. So much fun. During tournament conditions.... a million?
[/quote]

I shot 77 my first time. 2 under after 8, bogeyed 9. had too many beers at the turn. 42 on the back. but it was the best day ever.
[/quote]

My wish would be for every golf lover to play there just one time. Incredible experience.

[damnorcross]

what is your favorite non-tour course? (outside pokegama)