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I would like to see one tournament where PGA pro's carry their own bags (no caddies) and play like they do in college, high school, junior high, and even like the 11-and-under kids who have to carry their bags in 100-degree mid-summer heat during tournaments. It would be enjoyable to see them play the same way they did all the way up (like most other sports that is played the same in the pro's as it is in earlier years). It would bring physical fitness into play for sure.

I have seen one currnet PGA pro on our local club course always walking and carrying his own bag when he plays (BG).

-Bulls9999

I would bet they wouldn't have those big ol' bags that weekend! And they'd probably leave a couple of those water bottles and bananas in the clubhouse too! *laugh*

It would be interesting that is for sure. I know caddies help out alot. I mean i bet if i had an actual caddy that knew my game it could shave a stroke off every round, just giving me advice and talking me out of stuff and carrying my clubs and hellping with putts. and yardages. Would be interesting for sure.

yeah...golf is definitely a game that's meant to be walked...at least the PGA pros don't take carts.

Bulls9999: OU or OSU? I see you're an Oklahoman

No3Putt, OSU, but not a student. Charles Howell, Hunter Mahan, and now hated to see Casey Wittenberg leave and go pro (to early imo, but good luck anyway).

-Bulls9999

Have you been reading my mind? I think it would be GREAT. I think the fatigue factor could help weed out competitors during 72 holes, without having to trick up the greens or rough (like at the US Open).

I'd love it - but I certainly don' tsee it happening.

Caddie uproar! - There goes their paycheques! (paychecks for USA?) :)

The young kids, the students, and rest of us recreational amateurs, play the game for the joy of playing and the friendly competition. The professionals play golf for a living. They (pros) must use the best available tools to assist them in their quest for a paycheck each week. A good caddie is one of those valuable tools. Yes, carrying their own bags would certainly add an unnecessary "fatigue factor". Much like NASCAR's Jeff Gordon having to change his own tires, Barry Bonds, Shaquille O'Neil, Peyton Manning having to tote their own equipment bags, or Lance Armstrong maintaining his own bike. Every sport and every athlete has people behind the scenes that make their job easier. Caddies are just more visible because they are right there on the TV screen for everyone to see.

I know how lousy I play when I'm tired (I use a pull cart, not a caddie) so fatigue is already a factor in golf. I'm not sure I want to see professional golf evolve into a "Survivor" show. I want to see great, and sometimes not so great, golf shots... not hunks with more physique than game. Today's pros have shown us that being "in shape" is an asset to their games, but there's still room at the top for guys who spend more time on the practice range than they do in the gym. I guess that's a vote for caddies on tour huh?

"I know how lousy I play when I'm tired (I use a pull cart, not a caddie) so fatigue is already a factor in golf. I'm not sure I want to see professional golf evolve into a "Survivor" show. I want to see great, and sometimes not so great, golf shots... not hunks with more physique than game. Today's pros have shown us that being "in shape" is an asset to their games, but there's still room at the top for guys who spend more time on the practice range than they do in the gym. I guess that's a vote for caddies on tour huh? "

But the point is, all the other sports play the same way all the way up the ladder... you don't switch to touch football when you make it in the NFL, you don't put the basket lower when you make it to the NBA, and you don't switch to walking in pro tennis.... but in golf, you CARRY YOUR BAG WITH EFFORT as 10 yr old....in high school...in college....but then get cushy in the PGA. Having 1 event where they carry their bag would draw huge applause from everyday golfers who do the same. Think of it... you have a chance to draw praise from your fans, more so than on a regular tour event.... that is, if you can endure it. Hey, one more event during the 'silly season' with PGA pros huffing their own bags and no caddies, great audience appeal !!

-Bulls9999

I know I'd watch it! I love it when a pro hoists his own bag, even if briefly, as Tiger did at Shinnecock and Watson did at one point last year, I think.

Bulls: Great to see you here, buddy. Hope you'll become a regular.
(Everybody else: I "know" Bulls from other boards. He's a good guy, IMHO.)

I watch a lot, I mean a lot of golfchannel, just ask my wife. Anyway, I believe it was last year sometime and they were showing a round of a European event and I swear to god some guys had caddies and some guys were using pull carts. It might have been some lower tier Euro division, I can't remember, but most of the guys had pull carts.

If you play golf at a private course (which I don't) you have the option of a caddy, no matter what your age. What's the difference between playing at a private country club, or the professional tour?

As far as the argument that other sports retain their basics from amateur to pro, I'm not so sure. When I played basketball as a kid, and practiced free throws, I had to chase down every ball. Think Kobe has to do this? Maybe the professional basketball players should do away with ball boys. Not many amateurs have personal trainers, should we eliminate personal trainers in all professional sports?

Caddies have been around for as long as I can remember. Personally, I want to see the best golfer win, not the one who can lug their bag around the best.

Just my opinion.

The rules do change, in most sports, as you move up to the professional level, but I understand your point. I'm curious as to what percentage of golfers actually carry their bags these days. My observation is 10% or less at the courses I play. Most in my area use pull carts or ride even when walking is an option.

I would watch a silly season "Caddieslack Open" (sponsored by GM's "Caddielac" Division) just to see who would play and how it affected their games. I think the curiosity factor would attract viewers the first time, but after that, I'm not so sure. The sponsors rely on viewers and once would be enough for me. Who do you think would enter such an event and who would win, or better yet, who wouldn't survive?

While it would be somewhat amusing to see Tiger, Ernie, and Phil cleaning their own clubs, raking their own bunkers, and lugging their own bags; I don't think it would be as fulfilling as watching them look mortal on a tough golf course. I can't wait to watch them battle it out at Whistling Straits. Let the whining begin!

JimSomebody,

Thanks. Locally, I have often seen Bill Glasson carrying his own bag when he plays. Actually, I've never seen him in a cart.

Glad to be here....cool board.

-Bulls9999