Caddying: Have you ever caddied? If not why, if so please share.

[Erin B]

Hello mi amigos and spies! The spousal unit suggested that I share my caddying experience with you. She is very supportive so I thought what the hell. This past weekend, 11-14 July was the 68th annual Wyoming Open. My buddy and MGS member @Derek Eskam asked me to caddy for him. I had never caddied before so I was a little nervous when I said yes. I didn't want to screw anything up and cause my player to have a bad round. That would weigh heavy on my soul. I never want to be the reason why someone fails. So I did what I thought I should do, reviewed the rules, thought of different strategies for different shot scenarios, trouble spots on the course and how to avoid them, and recovery strategies. I actually thought of a lot of other scenarios as well, but I won't get too far into the weeds.... Anyway, my biggest fear was misleading my player. Turns out, that didn't happen and we both had a pretty successful event other than the putter issues, which we corrected together. Derek finished in the middle of the pack but in the money, and if we would have swapped putters after the first round I truly believe he would have finished in the top 3 of his flight. He was really striking the ball well, only having one penalty the entire event. The putter was the only flaw which was fixed. He also let me change his strategy on some of his chip shots, going from a 56 to a 52 degree wedge on some of the closer chip shots. He never lost a ball, although I did find damage on two balls and had to remove them from play. That is also a good thing.

Sorry, got a little long winded. The point of this topic is Caddying and have you caddied? I think we'd all like to hear about if you have or haven't and what are your experiences with caddying. Feel free to let us know. 

[cksurfdude]

I have not caddied but it sounds like you really did it right for your friend!!

[Rob Person]

I have not. However I have to give out course management tips to players who visit our course for the first time quite often. Im not sure I would want the added pressure if the player was performing poorly and would blame it on me. I would feel pretty bad already 

[Erin B]

39 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

I have not. However I have to give out course management tips to players who visit our course for the first time quite often. Im not sure I would want the added pressure if the player was performing poorly and would blame it on me. I would feel pretty bad already 

I felt the same way when Derek asked me. I was lucky because I’ve played with him for so many rounds I feel we could both play each other’s game. If I’d find som issues with his swing he wasn’t feeling and corrected them he was receptive. I saw what he was doing wrong with his putter and his wedge play and corrected him. It gave me some validation and gave him confidence. It was a learning experience for both of us. 

Edited July 16 by Erin B

[Erin B]

3 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

I have not caddied but it sounds like you really did it right for your friend!!

It was a blast. I’m looking forward to doing it again. 

[Lefty11]

I volunteered to caddy for a friend during his club championship when riding was not allowed. Knowing his club distances well, I wasn't nervous at all. When he faced pressure, I knew I could help keep him focused. He started off strong but was tied going into the final hole. After a brilliant 300-yard drive down the middle of a par 5 fairway, he unfortunately hit his 3 wood to the right of the green. With a tricky 60-yard shot over a bunker, he then skulled his lob wedge, leaving him 100 yards behind the hole. Walking towards his ball, I encouraged him to visualize his shot. I made him explain what he was going to do with his next shot, so I handed him his sand wedge.  He hit a flawless high shot  landing the ball just 4 inches from the cup, impressing spectators at the clubhouse patio. While the others bogeyed, he calmly tapped in for par.