Both boys played today. Different tours, different times and different directions. Seeing the tee times two days ago – Rob early morning and Bear early afternoon I realized: perfect timing! For Max to do both! Rob would be happy. Also I’m a little intimidated by the dad of one of the boys Rob was lined up to play with. He is super pleasant to everyone; but his child (a very talented golfer), cannot do anything right in his eyes and is constantly reminded of it. It can be a little uncomfortable. Max has seen it all and has a ton of experience under his caddy bib ……. I know it’s a cop out on my part …….
The good (I suppose) thing is that Rob didn’t score magnificently – a triple and a double sunk any chances for a sub-40 (for 9 holes) score. This proves that Max is not necessarily the magic score maker catalyst. I’m sure I will be just fine when I resume as bearer of the bag. And that’s pretty much all a caddy at this level of junior golf really should be. You are not a mom or dad out there. Ego and emotion should be largely removed from the round for the sake of your own sanity. The player needs to enjoy him/herself as a priority. Enjoyment of the game will do more to ensure future success than any threat or incentive or tantrum thrown down by a frustrated parent.
Why did you hit that putt so hard?
You can’t miss it on the left !
You can’t miss it on the right !
An errant drive goes into a fairway bunker. Why did you put it in the bunker !
He hits the sand on the shot out. You’ve got to hit the ball, not the sand !
Finally a drive goes straight down the fairway. Eventually you hit a good drive !
Criticism like this does not not help. Golf is not an easy game. The player definitely does not mean to hit into a bunker, or drive into the rough or send a putt flying past the hole ……..
Comments must be constructive. Did you take your time? Did you follow your routine?
At the end of the day if a shot is wayward, or takes a bad bounce – it really doesn’t matter as long as the player did everything right to that point (routine, tempo, temperament).
A caddy must be more a supportive psychologist than a parent reprimanding a child for doing something wrong. A talented child is more likely to soar with the former attitude and languish demoralized in the dog box with the latter. Let it go. He definitely didn’t mean it.