Why do Professional Golfers Use a 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 then golfers have relied on the special skills of a caddy to help them have the best possible game.

Beginning in the early nineteenth century, caddies became an essential part of the game of golf. Courses back then were not as polished as the kind we enjoy today and held nasty surprises for the unsuspecting golfer. That is why caddies became such a necessity, in fact at that time then players would usually employ two caddies per round. The first caddy carried the players clubs under his arm, ready at all times to hand the proper instrument off, while the second caddy would be positioned ahead of the player to mark the spot where the ball would land. At this time then golf balls were an expensive commodity and the second caddy also had to retrieve any wayward or lost balls and keep them all in top notch condition.

The job of the caddy began to disappear once the golf cart was introduced to the game. 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. Caddies can really help to bring the professionalism of the game to a whole new level. Some players argue that caddies should always be used to enhance play, speed up the game, add a level of personal service, and bring the game back to its original roots.

In 1997 then the Professional Caddies Association (PCA) was founded to help promote the role of the caddy and help increase their use. This association takes care to train its members in the rules of golf and the etiquette and responsibilities expected of them as a professional caddy. They also work closely with golfers to educate them about the advantages of employing one of these silent champions of golf.

For more great information about golf then check out this article: How To Stop Slicing Your Shots, or if you are looking for clubs check out our Callaway Hyper X driver review.