What Makes Great Player/Caddie Teams Work?

The great player/caddie teams are relationships far different than a normal employer and employee. I began to learn this years ago on my first trip to Scotland. I was playing in the International Four Ball and the first round was at St. Andrews. The bad news was that I had never played the Old Course before. The good news was that I got one of their best caddies. Because of him I shot even par without ever having played a links course before. Without him I doubt seriously if I would have come close to breaking 80 on my own. He managed me perfectly.

I started to think more about this with all of the publicity surrounding Tiger’s ex-caddie Steve Williams and his new book. I haven’t read the book and don’t plan to, because it’s making public things that should have been left private.

The critical factor in any player caddie relationship is having a caddie that understands the player and knows when the player wants his opinion and when he just wants his own opinion confirmed.  There are times when the caddie thinks the player is wrong.  All the great players will tell you that they had much rather make a confident swing with the wrong club than to doubt the right club. No golfer at any level can hit a good shot when he is dealing with doubt.

When I start to think about the great pairings I tend to judge them by longevity and the first one that comes to mind is Jack Nicklaus and Angelo Argea. They worked together from 1963 until 1982. The really interesting thing is that Angelo was only on the bag for three of his majors. Nicklaus used local caddies at the site of the tournament for the rest of his major wins. Angelo admits that his major job for Jack was just telling him, “You can do it.”

More from Pro Golf Now

• Golf Rumors: LIV set to sign Masters Champion in stunning deal
• Fantasy Golf: Grant Thornton Invitational DFS Player Selections
• Brutal return leaves Will Zalatoris looking towards 2024
• Stars You Know at World Champions Cup Starts Thursday at Concession
• Fantasy Golf: An Early Look at the 2024 Masters Tournament

One of the more interesting facts about pairings is with Tom Watson. His caddie for nearly 30 years was Bruce Edwards, who died of Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2004, but he won all five of his British Opens with Alfie Fyles on his bag.

I would definitely be remiss if I didn’t mention the most successful pairing in LPGA history – Annika Sorenstam and Terry McNamara. In one phenomenal stretch of five years from 2001 through 2005, they won 43 of 104 LPGA events.

Another great long term pairing has been Phil Mickelson and Jim Mackay. Jim “Bones” Mackay has been Michelson’s only caddie. They are one of the most successful player/caddie pairings ever.

Maybe the most iconic is this team from the 1913 U.S. Open of the winner 20 year old Francis Ouimet and his 10 year old caddie.

The team of Francis Ouimet and 10 year old Eddie Lowery.

The one with the most potential today is Jordan Spieth and Michael Greller. They are obviously friends, but I am still amazed at how fast Greller made the transition from school teacher to successful tour caddie.

Read More about Michael Greller and what makes him tick.

I think Spieth summed it up best when he said, “I have had big changes in my life, but his were bigger. He was in such a routine, doing the same thing all the time. It’s pretty amazing. He’s learned so quickly. It’s not just learning the fundamentals or mechanics of caddying, but also the intangibles of dealing with me, too.”

Next: Golf Tips: Improving Your Short Game

Spieth and Greller are going to be interesting to watch as they mature as a team and see what the future brings.  They are off to a pretty good start so far.