It must be heavy....

Hey folks,
Can someone explain to me in the world of today where research and development into golf equipment rivals the space shuttle, and other sports around the world have modified their respective rules to improve the safety and longevity of the participants that perhaps the most important people in the game, the blessed caddies are still forced to hump a bag of considerable weight over hill and dale on their aching back

Because motorized carts aren't allowed on the PGA Tour.

Golf bags and clubs are made of much lighter weight material than in the old days so the modern caddie is getting a bit of a break. We also have those retractable tripod thingies to hold the bag up.

I guess the question is why not?
Wouldnt it be faster if players and caddies were in carts?

I don't know about faster, but it could be funny if there was no limit to the amount of "bling" on a single cart.

I'm all for carts on the tour, BUT, the only proviso would have to be that the player's Trophy Wife had to caddy/drive the cart....

I suppose it would be, as each team would have their own cart.

I wonder how many players would balk at the idea.

Here we go! I say Tomato and you say Tamato.

I think a cart in the US is what we call a Buggy in the UK? you know that 4 wheeled thing that ruins a good walk

I hope they never use them on tour, to me using them is like doing a marathon on a motorbike! OK if someone is infirm I guess they are OK, but for fit Tour Pros and golf in general, YUK!

Or back to the song "Lets call the whole thing off"

Yes, cart=buggy.

Actually, the PGA Tour mandates no cart for any reason - infirm or not.

A couple years back, there was this fellow with a (pardon the expression) bum leg. He could golf well, but it was a struggle for him to walk. SO when he played, he rode. Posted some fine scores. Was on some mini tour when the controversy came up - he rides, they walk. To 'protect the field', either everyone walks, or everyone rides.

Hey Folks,
Absolutely I am for everyone walks isn't that the idea of a good day out, I would suggest just a good old fashioned pull buggy/cart would do the trick. In todays litigatious society where I have seen footballers successfully sue venues for not maintaining the surface in good condition etc, it would be an interesting workers compensation claim for a caddy with a bum back ..

Oh by the way I shot an 85 off the stick today the first time I have broken 90, first outing at a new course as well so absolutely stoked

Merry Christmas to everyone out there and a happy New Year

Cheers, Wayne

Firstly I dont think the players having to walk 72 holes in 4 days has any impact on their play.
Walking 72 holes is not that tiring for anyone who is reasonably fit.
To me its not an unfair advantage to let someone who is unable to walk play in a cart.
The big thing is that they have people to carry the bags for them.
Right now they are taking 5 hours to play 18 holes, its crazy.
They need to start penalizing them shots for taking too long.

Someone give me a good reason why they shouldnt be able to take a cart/buggy if they want to and I will listen.

For me, it could quite feasibly simply be a "tradition" thing...

They didn't have motorised carts back in 1800 and something, why should they get them now.

I think our sport is one where it is fast becoming almost impossible to compare results for "champions" from different eras...

With all the technological advances that have come over time, I sometimes wonder if we are even playing the same game that those very first members of the R&A played way back whenever that was...

Change is a good thing, but not when it is purely for the sake of change...

__________________
Look at the Target, Look at the Ball, Swing... Dr Bob Rotella...

I agree that anyone who is medically infirm should be allowed to use a buggy in any competition, otherwise you should walk. The reason I think this is that in my opinion this is the way the game should be played. The professional game is a spectator sport, people who spend their money and come to see these word class players should see them on the course, walking between holes and playing the game.

Another reason is that Golf is an ancient sport, part of the tradition is that it includes a walk, dressing in a suitable manner, adhering to the etiquette of the game. Why change those values that have created this wonderful game?

Regarding Caddies, that's something different, it's not just to get someone to carry your golf bag, it's to have your mentor with you, someone who can advise and assist.

__________________
Best Regards
Brian

________________________________
Funny o'l game!

Do you not think that most spectators are there to see the Big Drives, great iron shots and short game rather than the players walk around...

I dont think using a cart is changing the values, if anything I think players taking 5+ hours to play is ruining the game (and ruining to for us aswell as players try to copy them)
Then why do they carry the bag?
Why not have your coach with you?
But is it just for the sake of it?
Or is it trying to address a real problem of slowness & people being ruled out of the game because of an ailment?

No. It is impossible for everyone to see that.


Slow play is a different matter and dealt with by the rules.

Leadbetter, Pelz, Bradley, Harmon etc would be hard pressed to keep up with all of them.

Slowness, no need for it and nothing to do with buggies. As I said, I agree that anyone qualifying and infirm should be able to use a buggy.