Pebble Beach caddies

rgjusa · April 8, 2007

The past few times I have had a few "issues" with caddies that are caddying for others in the 4-some (I always carry my own unless I can get the caddy that I know there and trust, but he is often n/a), trying to carry my bag too (what I mean is that they are single bagging and do not like the loss of dollars), offering advice on putts, and then wanting a tip at the end of the round for the excellent help they offered. This is all despite me telling them to go about their business with the guy that they are carrying for. I don't have a problem with dealing with it but it is just unnecessary and detracts from one of the best golfing experiences available.

1) Is this a common problem or specific to PB?

2) Is it just me or have other people had the squeeze put on them like this?

DemolitionMan · April 8, 2007

I haven't had that problem, but in your shoes I would either just be friendly and go about your business at the end of the round and never think twice about this or give them $20 which is not much considering how much PB green fees cost.

Personally, when I play PB I am already blowing so much money for the week I tell the Caddy to carry my bag only and pay him double. He rarely helps out anyone else in the group.

golfernut78 · April 8, 2007

ocean course at kiawah island has caddies and they can be a little pushy. your suppouse to "reserve" a caddy or forecaddy when you book your tee time, yet when i don't ask for one and show up they are trying to stick one with me even though i don't want one. my last trip out there i was matched with another single who wanted a forecaddy and then i was expected to contribute for the tip. i don't want the forecaddy. i've played the course a number of times, i've got a yardage book, and no matter what you tell me on the green - if i don't see the break, i'm not going to play it.

tpariff · April 8, 2007

My worst experience with a caddy came at Pebble. He was double looping, and the other player in my group was a chop who hit it about 210 off the tee and all over the yard. I had to chase down my clubs all day and barely had the caddy available to help read putts, clean my ball, etc. because he was running around with the other guy raking bunkers, looking for lost balls, etc.

After 6 or 7 holes I just starting taking a towel with me up to the green and cleaning my own ball and doing my best to read the putts.

If I had to do it again, I would either take a cart or pay double for my own caddy.

jswanson · April 9, 2007

Next time you are at Pebble and want a single bag caddie, request Dennis Tunstall. HE IS AWESOME!!! I was out there last year and he guided me around Pebble. We got along so well that I asked him to come to Spyglass. He told me he couldn't walk the course but I wanted his knowledge anyhow. He rode in the cart as I walked. He gave me very good numbers and did a hell of a job reading my putts. I highly recommend him if you are going out there.

dcmidnight · April 9, 2007

My worst experience with a caddy came at Pebble. He was double looping, and the other player in my group was a chop who hit it about 210 off the tee and all over the yard. I had to chase down my clubs all day and barely had the caddy available to help read putts, clean my ball, etc. because he was running around with the other guy raking bunkers, looking for lost balls, etc.

After 6 or 7 holes I just starting taking a towel with me up to the green and cleaning my own ball and doing my best to read the putts.

If I had to do it again, I would either take a cart or pay double for my own caddy.

This would drive me absolutely insane and to me totally detracts from the whole idea of having a caddy.

But paying double for your own caddy seems like an equally terrible idea.

i don't want the forecaddy. i've played the course a number of times, i've got a yardage book, and no matter what you tell me on the green - if i don't see the break, i'm not going to play it.

Exactly.

I'm hoping to get out there with my brother at some point in the next few years to play a few local and want to avoid pitfalls like this - so I really appreciate any advice in this thread. Would my brother and I be better off carrying?

golfernut78 · April 9, 2007

i don't want the forecaddy. i've played the course a number of times, i've got a yardage book, and no matter what you tell me on the green - if i don't see the break, i'm not going to play it.

Exactly.

I'm hoping to get out there with my brother at some point in the next few years to play a few local and want to avoid pitfalls like this - so I really appreciate any advice in this thread. Would my brother and I be better off carrying?

i've always had a cart, but walking might not be so bad since the place is cart path only. its a hike between the 2 nine's, but they have carts they've got carts they take you between the two.

kiclub690 · April 10, 2007

the reason why is the caddy company that runs the caddies at pebble. they get paid a bag rate and dont get as much with a single. they are pushy because they only want the money. next time you go tell them you are gonna carry before you get there, this will let the caddiemaster know ahead of time. as of Jan 1 ocean is walking only before noon i think. its not bad to carry there either i do it like once a month