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Club News
Feature
THE SCIENCE BEHIND A CADDIE’S
IMPORTANCE TO A GOLFER
By Sudershan Singh
n golf, a caddie is the person who
carries a player’s bag and clubs,
and gives insightful advice and
moral support, almost like a coach.
A “good caddie” is aware of the
challenges and obstacles of the golf course
being played, along with the best strategy in
playing it. My best friend can be my Good
Caddie.
New research from sports psychologists
has found that the support offered by a
good caddie can help professional golfers
to improve their performance. The study
indicated that caddies infl uenced golfers’
fl ow states by helping their player select
targets, maintain concentration and avoid
distractions, and preserve confi dence after
setbacks such as missed putts.
This will need a regular training program
of caddies to enhance their level of skills.
In many ways these caddies help in making
a positive to your game. Their course
knowledge will guide even a novice golfer
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GolfPlus Junior July-August 2019
fi nd their way around a course better. They
will keep you away from hazards and show
you the best route to the green, as well
as reading the green so you have the best
opportunity to make putts. They can help
you mentally by recalling your best shots
and best thoughts, and help you banish any
negativity.
If a golfer is playing well, the caddie is
maybe not as important as people might
think. The caddie’s role in a golfer’s
performance is of utmost importance. He
or She is like an ear and eye to the golfer
which helps in motivation, determination
and decision making at crucial times.
The role of the caddie has been diminished
by the yardage book and modern
technology. Caddies have lasers to tell them
the precise yardage and even factoring in
the elevation.
Caddies must know how their player reacts
in every situation. A good caddy knows
what to say and when to say it and, most
Very good example of a “good
caddie” Less than three weeks
after being fi red by golf legend
Tiger Woods, caddie Steve
Williams helped new employer
Adam Scott to victory in the
WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
importantly, when not to say anything.
Respect each caddie as a good human being
and keep the tradition of caddie alive.
Very good example of a “good caddie” Less
than three weeks after being fi red by golf
legend Tiger Woods, caddie Steve Williams
helped new employer Adam Scott to victory
in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
The old caddie mantra is “show up, keep
up, and shut up”.