THE DIGEST EXCHANGE

The Exchange
Once upon a time, it was only the Kardashians who could incite me to throw the remote at the TV. But Kim and her vacuous siblings no longer have to fear my metaphorical missiles after being replaced atop the public enemy order of merit by the current plague of banality afflicting womens

Tour caddies should be allowed to help align their players before each shot

no

doesnt make it right. It does, however, make it boring, tedious, monotonous, sleep inducing and uninspiring. At a time when golf is crying out for spontaneity and initiative, we are being delivered paralysis by analysis. And if it can even be mentioned in the same breath as Kimbo then it cant be good for anyone. Grant Dodd

Perhaps my friend and colleague across the page had a bad experience with a caddie in his playing days and preferred the show up, keep up, shut up approach with his bagmen? To me, the player/caddie relationship is a dynamic to be fostered and cherished, maximised for and enjoyed by

yes

attraction, but tapping into the experience of someone who knows the course intimately helps your decision-making process and boosts your confidence. If I were good enough to be a professional golfer, I would certainly hope my caddie was capable of drawing the best out of my game. Be it a simple setup quirk or a swing glitch, Id want to know if my trusty caddie could see something I could not. Alignment is an easy aspect of setup to neglect or where errors can emerge without the players knowledge. If my play improves because the caddie is happy to stand behind me and make sure Im aligned correctly then thats great. It might appear a little unsightly to a gallery spectator or a television viewer, but if it helps then Id be doing it all the time, too. One more straight iron shot at the meaty end of a tournament could potentially be worth tens of thousands of dollars in prizemoney. To me, this debate is like the belly-putter argument: while ever its legal to do so you cant fault those who take advantage of it. Steve Keipert

professional golf. Perhaps thats being a little selective, as if memory serves me correctly the practice of caddies lining up players found its genesis in Nick Faldo, when he seemingly lost his compass in the 1980s and 90s and called on Fanny Sunesson to be his third eye when lining up putts. But the practice that Sir Nick popularised went underground for a decade or so until being revived dramatically on the LPGA Tour in the noughties. For some reason, caddies on that tour have become sports modern equivalent of seeing-eye dogs for many of the worlds finest women golfers, who are suddenly and inexplicably unable to see a flagstick 150 metres away. As a result, we are being constantly greeted by the riveting view of caddies backs, obscuring everything else as the looper moves into position to issue his directives. Television, blessedly, has resisted the temptation to eavesdrop on the missives being exchanged. But if we were so privileged, I imagine it would go something like this: Right, right, right no, left, a bit more too far, back the other way, just a bit more, yes, that looks good. No, the winds changed; no it hasnt, OK, go. Apparently it is legal. But that

Former touring pro Grant Dodd is a television commentator and columnist for Australian Golf Digest.

both parties. Ive thoroughly enjoyed the experience the few times Ive played golf with a caddie. Having someone else lug (or drive) my golf bag around was the initial
When the stars align: Is it fair that tour players can get caddie assistance when lining up a shot?

Steve Keipert is the editor of Australian Golf Digest.

ANDREW REDINGTON/GETTY IMAGES

What do you think, yes or no? To lodge your vote and to explain why e-mail us at golfdig@newsmagazines.com.au. The best entry will win a Jesper Lou jumper and cap, valued at $159, courtesy of Jesper Lou. Phone (03) 9502 0254 or visit jesperlou.com

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/ FebruAry 2012