What Good is a Professional Caddy?

The professional caddy has always had a very important role in the game of golf. They are often overlooked but they work tirelessly in the shadow of the player to tend to their needs, give advice, and also keep the clubs in perfect condition. For hundreds of years, golfers have relied on the precision skills of a caddy for the best possible game.

Around the start of the 19th century then caddies became an essential part of golf. Courses of this time were not as polished as we find today, and some help was always a good idea to help negotiate unexpected obstacles. That is why caddies became an essential part of golf and each player would usually employ two per round. The first caddy didn’t have a bag so they carried the clubs under their arm, then the second caddy would run ahead to where the player was going to play to, and help them line up their shot. During this time, golf balls were extremely expensive and the second caddy’s job also included finding all balls and keeping them clean and dry.

Unfortunately the role of the caddy began to disappear once the golf cart started to emerge. Now less than 10% of country clubs in the States employ caddies, and even in the traditional country of Scotland (the birthplace of golf) then the numbers have fallen steeply. Luckily at the moment professional caddies can still be found and provide a great help to serious players.

A caddy does much more than simply carry the bag and clubs, they provide advice on setting up shots, give moral support, club selection help, yardage estimates, as well as any specific knowledge they may have about the course. These hard working professionals can help to bring the quality of the game to an entirely new level. You’ll find that some players think the game should be brought back to its original roots and caddies should be used by everyone to speed up play and add a level of professional service to the game.

In 1997 then the Professional Caddies Association (PCA) was founded to help promote the role of the caddy and help increase their use. This worldwide association properly trains and educates individuals on the rules of golf, as well as the etiquette and responsibilities of a professional caddy. The PCA also works to educate golfers about the importance of caddies, and how often these professionals are the true champions of the game.

For more great information about golf then check out this article: How To Increase Your Golf Driving Distance, or if you are looking for clubs check out our Command BK Driver review.