What Makes a Great Caddie

By: Derek Clements | Mon 29 May 2023

WHEN golfers win tournaments and are interviewed afterwards, most of them talk about how “we” achieved victory. It is, of course, a reference to the man or woman who carries the bag.

You could be forgiven for believing that a caddie is simply somebody who lugs a huge golf bag around and tells his or her player how far they are from the green.

If it were that simple, we would all be doing it, especially when you consider the serious amounts of money to be made from accompanying the best golfers on the world’s fairways. Steve Williams, who carried the bag for Tiger Woods for most of his major successes, was once regarded as being the best-paid “sportsman’ in New Zealand. But of course it’s not that easy.

A good caddie needs to be a friend and mentor, needs to know when to say something and when to keep his mouth shut. He needs to ensure there are enough balls and gloves in the bag and that there are plenty of snacks and drinks.

Many of today’s top tour professionals are gentlemen but a significant number are clearly very difficult to work for - Seve Ballesteros went through caddies like confetti. Would you have wanted to work for Colin Montgomerie? How much fun can it possibly be to work for Tyrrell Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau, Bubba Watson or Jon Rahm, to name but four?

Legendary Scottish caddie Willie Aitchison worked for Lee Trevino when the American was in his prime, and he loved every minute. He also carried the bag for Montgomerie early in Monty’s career. But their relationship didn’t last long.

Aitchison said: "The thing was I didn't like anybody talking down to me. I would say, and I'm not afraid to say it, Colin was the worst.” It is no secret that Montgomerie was one of the grumpiest golfers the game has ever seen and yet Alastair McLean stuck with him for years.

McLean has admitted that the Scot wasn’t an easy man to work for but their relationship lasted because McLean knew what to say and when to say it. And when to keep quiet. He was also very good at telling galleries to keep quiet.

Jordan Spieth is one of the most vocal of golfers. Whether at the peak of his powers or struggling, he provides a running commentary. You would imagine that his caddie, Michael Greller, would be driven to the edge of distraction by Spieth’s antics but Greller has been with his man throughout his PGA Tour career - and he knows what to expect from his man.

Ted Scott spent years on the bag for Watson. Over the years, the left-hander launched several verbal attacks on his man when things went wrong. But Scott took it because he knew that was Watson’s release mechanism. In truth, the way Watson treated his caddie was often truly appalling.

They were together for 15 years before parting company. And Scott hasn’t done too badly since then. He now works for a certain Scottie Scheffler. Watson and Scheffler could not be more different. Scheffler is a gentle soul who never loses his temper. But the fact that he offered Scott a job tells you everything you need to know.

One of the most famous partnerships was that of Nick Faldo and Fanny Sunesson. Faldo actually poached her from Howard Clark. Why? Because she possessed the same work ethic as Faldo, was fiercely determined and protective of her employer and understood exactly what it was that made him tick.

Tom Watson’s long-time caddie was Bruce Edwards but when Watson crossed the Atlantic to play in The Open he always employed Alfie Fyles, who carried his bag in all five of Watson’s Open victories. So why was Edwards given the week off? Because Fyles knew links golf inside out and Watson knew that he could provide him with valuable insights.

Jim “Bones” Mackay worked for Phil Mickelson for 25 years. During that time he went through many highs and lows with his man. Mackay was the voice of reason, the man who try to talk Mickelson out of taking on impossible shots, knowing full well that he was wasting his breath. Their relationship lasted as long as it did because they became close friends on and off the course.

Billy Foster

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Billy Foster is one of the best in the business. He has worked for Ballesteros, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and is now on the Matt Fitzpatrick’s bag. Foster famously sacked Clarke because he believed the golfer was not making the most of his talent.

Foster knows the game inside out. Fitzpatrick often gives the impression that he doesn’t much enjoy playing golf but in Foster he has found the perfect foil. He is an intelligent man who is great company and is very funny. He has clearly lightened Fitzpatrick’s mood, regularly making him laugh at times when the pressure is really on.

And that is a key - knowing when to crack a joke is a vital part of a caddie’s job. Too many golfers take themselves far too seriously.

When Hatton is throwing hissy fits, Mick Donaghy just ignored him. Donaghy has been a caddie for 30 years and has seen it all before. He is also a self-deprecating individual who gives as good as he gets. And that is why their unlikely relationship worked so well, but more recently, Hatton has employed Shane Lowry's former caddie Brian "Bo" Martin.

DP World Tour golfer David Drysdale employs his wife, Victoria, as his caddie. It does, of course, mean that he keeps the money in the family but how on earth does it work when he has a bad round? Drysdale says that they leave it on the course.

He says: "She is confident. She kicks my arse at times, which is good."

Drysdale has a tendency to lose the plot and Victoria knows exactly how to handle him when she spots the warning signs. “Caddies can be a bit scared to give you a kick up the backside when you get a little bit down about something because you are paying their wages. Vicky’s not.

"Vicky and I have no problems distancing ourselves from golf when we are out for dinner.”

There is no magic formula. Some partnerships just work. Many more don’t.