High Handicappers and Caddies
Should a high handicapper use a caddie?
Short answer is absolutely, YES! The first time I used a caddie was when my brother added a caddie to a round we were playing with our 85-year-old Father for his birthday. My Father and Brothers play a lot of golf. I have never used a caddie, and I rarely ever play golf, so when my brother mentioned a caddie was coming, I was visibly and vocally disappointed. I didn’t want the caddie to see how bad I was. What could a caddie do for me and my game except snicker and get impatient? I told my brother I would not use the services and he, my Dad, and my other brother could just use the caddie that day. My brother assured me it would not be a painful experience and that I should just relax and take advantage of the opportunity.
He was right! Having a caddie that day was wonderful! The caddie wasn’t focused on my crappy game, he was focused on my time. My valuable time with my Father and Brothers. I could move on immediately after every shot because the caddie had my back. My divots were repaired, my sand traps were raked, and on the occasion I hit the ball far enough into the woods that I couldn’t see it anymore, the caddie went to find my ball. My afternoon was spent with my Father and family and not the frustrations and time-consuming activities that typically surround my golf rounds. The course was very crowded that day and ordinarily the group behind me has to wait for me to finish out and that adds to my anxiety of playing. Not on this day. We played at a comfortable pace all day.
The caddie took my club after every shot and cleaned it before he placed it back in my bag. The caddie helped me putt at spots he pointed to versus my normal whack-away strategy of poor putting.
I played my best golf for a number of reasons that day, and it all flowed from the caddie. I informed my brother that I was totally sold on the idea of having a caddie and that I would never play without one going forward. Golf is usually a mix of fun and frustration for me, like everyone else, but as a high handicapper, the frustrating side discourages me from playing. Adding a caddie made all those frustrations go away.
The most fun this high handicapper has ever had playing golf!
— Layne F
