What if professional golf banned caddies?

[Mike412]

33 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

 

Why? How does this affect you?

 

Professional golfers are happy with how the caddie relationship works and I'm sure those caddies that are better at certain things appreciate a better standard of living - not really for you to judge, IMO.

I think how it affects fans should be a major consideration. Thats the whole point at the end of the day, fan interest. I know you disagree but I’d be all for less caddy involvement in lining up shots and almost nothing on the greens. But that’s just my opinion that I doubt will ever come to fruition. I would just like the talent to be more on their own. And yes I know being a caddie requires talent.

[Maine Golfer]

Nascar to ban spotters would be more fun. 

[Zach.buckler23]

Caddies have their roles and i think it’s great! But lining the players up for putts is insane to me. Caddies don’t get the credit they deserve, but some caddies take it way too far

[RSLP]

Let ‘‘em use golf carts and sell sponsorships 😂

[sergizmo]

On 3/25/2024 at 6:51 PM, vman said:

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

Completely agree. Alignment is a fundamental skill in golf.

[Port and Starboard]

Ban caddies........hell no!  😉   They have a history on the tours, and many of them "had or have" a fanbase of their own.  

 

(Herman - Fluff- Bones - Williams - Tip- Billy Foster -Bruce edwards - Fanny - Squeaky - Willie Aitchison)

 

Bones was probably more liked by the other players than Phil was.

 

Herman & Trevino were a two man sideshow. 

Edited March 27 by Port and Starboard

[Golfinfloridaafter40]

On 3/25/2024 at 5:40 PM, stinger_gc said:

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 

He only seems to try about half of the time anyway, but you are correct

[AmateurAmateur]

On 3/25/2024 at 6:44 PM, st1800e said:

Pointless discussion.   Not going to happen.  

Good thing this isn’t a petition then. 

[FriedEgg]

On 3/25/2024 at 6:07 PM, BlackDiamondPar5 said:

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. 

 

YES, shot clock please, especially when on the tee box and on the green.   AND definitely no caddies laying on the grass or the green eyeballing putts

Edited March 27 by FriedEgg

[jarhead]

I'd rather keep caddies and ban Wyndham Clark. 

[Ant-Man]

On 3/26/2024 at 5:18 PM, Zach.buckler23 said:

Caddies have their roles and i think it’s great! But lining the players up for putts is insane to me. Caddies don’t get the credit they deserve, but some caddies take it way too far

Wait they actually do this?

I know Wyndham Clark has a unique routine but the caddie doesn't actually like it up for him though, does he? 

For what it's worth I hate Clark's routine. 

[tacklingdummy]

It would be very interesting to watch one or two tournaments a year where the players have no caddies. I think it would get a lot of ratings. 

[tacklingdummy]

I haven't watch much golf lately, so I don't know Clark's specific interaction with his caddie on putts, but I don't think Clark's caddie is actually lining up him because it is against the USGA rules. 

 

From USGA

New Rule: Under Rule 10.2b(4):

The previous prohibition is extended so that, once the player begins taking a stance for the stroke, and until the stroke is made, the player’s caddie must not deliberately stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball for any reason.

There is no penalty if the caddie accidentally stands on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball, rather than in trying to help in lining up.

Reasons for Change:

Although a player may get advice from a caddie on the shot to be played, the line of play, and other similar matters, the ability to line up one’s feet and body accurately to a target line is a fundamental skill of the game for which the player alone should be responsible.

Allowing a caddie to stand behind a player taking a stance so as to direct the player how to line up undermines the player’s need to use his or her own alignment skills and judgment.

We believe that an appropriate line is drawn between allowing advice from a caddie and prohibiting the caddie from being involved in directing the player in the act of taking a stance to play the ball.

[FriedEgg]

I think I would be good if they simply banned caddies getting down on all fours or worse yet, on their bellies to read putts

[Barfolomew]

Forget that I'd use two caddies!

[betarhoalphadelta]

1 hour ago, caddytalk said:

Cancelling caddies and the tradition they bring is a bit much but keeping them off the greens would be good in my book.  

 

Who is going to tend the pin?

[chillybilly]

On 3/26/2024 at 8:18 PM, Zach.buckler23 said:

Caddies have their roles and i think it’s great! But lining the players up for putts is insane to me. Caddies don’t get the credit they deserve, but some caddies take it way too far

 

I thought I'd seen it all in (televised) golf but I was still shocked recently when I saw Clark's caddie with a club in his hand who was more or less simulating the way he would play a shot or a putt. 

 

Obviously, caddies handle equipment all day long. They've always read greens (most of them at least) and have always provided any and all assistance, advice, analysis etc required. But the club-in-hand, addressing-the-ball act just seemed to be a situation where it's within the letter of the rules but is it within the spirit of the rules?

 

I texted a friend who is an ex-Tour caddie. He noted that many caddies, in particular the one I saw, are good players in their own right and can easily slip into 'player mode' in demonstrating their strategy. But where does advice end and what we might call modeling or previewing begin? He wasn't 100% on board with the phenomenon.

Edited April 4 by chillybilly

[nsxguy]

On 3/26/2024 at 4:15 PM, munichop said:

THIS is what a pro caddie should be limited to doing.  Each pro should have to figure green reads and wind on their own.  Give them range finders and a yardage book and send them out.  Their "assstant" can help with the other stuff during practice rounds.  Here is and idea to make the sponsors happy.  You only can  put your caddie on the course before the tourney if you play in the pro am.  Otherwise no help during practice rounds.

 

Your username gives a hint as to where your opinions come from.

 

But to put an entire occupation out of business ? For shame, for shame.

 

I mean how much would a Tour player pay a guy off the street to carry his bag, rake the bunkers, and replace the divot ? I wonder if the Tour guys would be for or against your proposal(s).

 

Not to mention the Rules of Golf having to be overhauled.

[SurfDuffer]

If caddies on tour were banned could pros bring along an emotional support dog to get them through?

 

[munichop]

13 hours ago, nsxguy said:

 

Your username gives a hint as to where your opinions come from.

 

But to put an entire occupation out of business ? For shame, for shame.

 

I mean how much would a Tour player pay a guy off the street to carry his bag, rake the bunkers, and replace the divot ? I wonder if the Tour guys would be for or against your proposal(s).

 

Not to mention the Rules of Golf having to be overhauled.

The better players would want the caddie to have less input would be my guess. As for the rules of golf the tours have conditions of competition for rules they want to impose such as the one ball rule so caddie restrictions can be whatever they want.  

[nsxguy]

8 hours ago, munichop said:

The better players would want the caddie to have less input would be my guess. As for the rules of golf the tours have conditions of competition for rules they want to impose such as the one ball rule so caddie restrictions can be whatever they want.  

 

Not so sure about that. I wonder how many Tour players would, or do, just have someone to carry the bag or fix up the course. I mean they CAN do that already, no ?

 

And no doubt you've come to realize how often the word "team" is used nowadays Everything is "team".

 

Our team did this, our team decided that, our team did a great job today,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, it almost becomes ludicrous at times hearing it.

 

But there's always a "captain", and in this case it's the player. Up to him to make the final decision as well as keep his "team's" input to a level he's comfortable with. i.e. "Shut up already. I'll read the putts".

 

The one-ball rule is a local Rule of Golf that the Tour uses all the time. And sure, I suppose the Tour, no doubt with the "approval" of the players, could do away with caddies.

 

Just not sure why they would. But my point was, caddies are mentioned all through the Rules of Golf. If caddies were "officially" done away with, the ROG would have to be re-written, no ? I mean why refer to someone who no longer officially exists ?

[munichop]

6 hours ago, nsxguy said:

 

Not so sure about that. I wonder how many Tour players would, or do, just have someone to carry the bag or fix up the course. I mean they CAN do that already, no ?

 

And no doubt you've come to realize how often the word "team" is used nowadays Everything is "team".

 

Our team did this, our team decided that, our team did a great job today,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, it almost becomes ludicrous at times hearing it.

 

But there's always a "captain", and in this case it's the player. Up to him to make the final decision as well as keep his "team's" input to a level he's comfortable with. i.e. "Shut up already. I'll read the putts".

 

The one-ball rule is a local Rule of Golf that the Tour uses all the time. And sure, I suppose the Tour, no doubt with the "approval" of the players, could do away with caddies.

 

Just not sure why they would. But my point was, caddies are mentioned all through the Rules of Golf. If caddies were "officially" done away with, the ROG would have to be re-written, no ? I mean why refer to someone who no longer officially exists ?

I outlined the limitations I would like to see placed on the caddie.  Those limits still allow a caddie but restricts some of what they can do for the player.   A lot of what has evolved will be cut back if the tour decides the optics are bad.  Everyone was ok with long anchored putters until guys started winning majors.  I'm sure someone decided the caddie alligning the player on a shot didn't look good. so it was changed.  If the tour decides they don't want caddies helping read putts with a wedge over the line of the putt they will do away with it.  

[nsxguy]

25 minutes ago, munichop said:

I outlined the limitations I would like to see placed on the caddie.  Those limits still allow a caddie but restricts some of what they can do for the player.   A lot of what has evolved will be cut back if the tour decides the optics are bad.  Everyone was ok with long anchored putters until guys started winning majors.  I'm sure someone decided the caddie alligning the player on a shot didn't look good. so it was changed.  If the tour decides they don't want caddies helping read putts with a wedge over the line of the putt they will do away with it.  

 

On 3/26/2024 at 4:15 PM, munichop said:

THIS is what a pro caddie should be limited to doing.  Each pro should have to figure green reads and wind on their own.  Give them range finders and a yardage book and send them out.  Their "assstant" can help with the other stuff during practice rounds.  Here is and idea to make the sponsors happy.  You only can  put your caddie on the course before the tourney if you play in the pro am.  Otherwise no help during practice rounds.