Most Americans coming to the UK and Ireland take a caddie. Local knowledge, having someone lighten the load and getting a few more local pub recommendations are worth their weight in gold. But what do caddies really think of their clients and how can you make sure you get on like a house on fire?
Under strict conditions of anonymity, we spoke to a caddie at one of the top Scottish courses to find out. Please note, the secret caddie is not pictured in any of the images on this page!
Obviously it’s nice to have a low handicap player who hits lots of fairways but they are rare to find!. The main thing is to carry a bag for someone who has a good attitude. An entire round of bad shots is excused if the person is here for a good time and wants to have some fun.
Probably about 5%. Most people are from the US and their handicaps are just not right! They put cards in after every round and normally that seems to include the odd mulligan, some dodgy drops out of the gorse and a few gimme putts. When you add in the fact they aren’t used to links golf it’s a rare day that someone beats their handicap. Some people let them get them down but you really shouldn’t. You’re playing some of the best courses in the world, just remember that and enjoy it.
What kind of golf bag do you like to carry?A stand bag is nice – preferably with two straps. Please please please leave your cart bags at home. And make sure you aren’t carrying to much stuff you just won’t need. There was one guy this year who must have had 40 balls in his bag. It turns out he was collecting them for his son at home. So every time someone in the group found a ball in the rough or in a bush they would toss it to him to add to the bag!
You’ve not got long to make a decision so some quick detective work is needed. I’ll try to see if some wedges have a lovely sweet spot worn out on them but that’s a real find. Normally I’ll look at what looks like the easiest to carry, or if I can work out whose bag belongs to the guy who has the biggest smile!
When golfers don’t take my advice, or just don’t have any clue about their own abilities. Sometimes you get a 28 handicapper who will insist on taking on shots which even a scratch golfer wouldn’t have tried. I had once such person recently who must have shot 150 and I reckon I could have got him round in under 100 if he’d listened to me. He would have had so much more fun.
I keep records of every payment and last year the average was £120, the lowest £70 and the highest £350
I have had a few and normally people are very kind, especially if I suggested a change of club on the tee that worked! One guy got his first ace and at the end gave me five pounds and told me to buy myself a few drinks. I guess he hadn’t worked out the exchange rate.
I absolutely love it when I get a father and son in my group, or two really good friends, who have been dreaming of the trip for years. They are just so thrilled to be on the course together and playing a true bucket-list course. Seeing the smiles on their faces as they create lifetime memories is worth it’s weight in gold!
