Author: Sean Zach, Zephyr Melton, Jessica Marksbury February 3, 2024
Caddies, like professional golfer bosses, are traveling warriors.
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It wasn’t that long ago that people thought golfers weren’t athletes. So is the outdated notion that all caddies are lazy, smokers, and scoffers. Be real. Today’s smocked men and women are more integral to the professional game than ever before. Part stats geek, part guru, part pack mule, part therapist, the typical looper is both the center of the action and a side player. This week’s continuation (and his January/February page in GOLF Magazine) is filled with snapshots of life and information about the game.
ICYMI: 9 important lessons every caddy should learn from a professional caddy.
ICYMI: 10 things a professional caddy will tell you about your game.
ICYMI: Joe LaCava talks about what it takes to carry the bags of the game’s greats.
ICYMI: 3 Drills to Improve Your Game from a Pro Caddie
3 essential travel tips
The person who coined the adage “It’s not about getting there, it’s about getting there” was definitely not a caddy. If you spend as much time flying around the world as they do, you’ll no doubt develop strategies and strange techniques for getting around.
1. Get the most out of aerobics
It’s not uncommon for caddies to sleep on air mattresses here on tour, but you need to know how to make an air mattress comfortable. Always make sure it is fully inflated. There’s a good chance it’s deflated by the time you wake up, but you want to keep it inflated for as long as possible. Oh, and bringing your favorite pillow is also a good idea. —Nate Blasko, Hannah Green’s caddy
2. Do you long for legroom? Go southwest
I often fly southwest. I think some people don’t like that. But I’m quite tall, so if I’m not flying first class, I’ll be facing southwest, since all the seats are the same. No need to upgrade to get 3 more inches. —Rich Mayo, Ernie Els’ caddy
3. Do not check in your baggage.
As a travel caddy, I have never checked luggage in 23 years. This duffel, purchased from LL Bean, is complete with a soft shell and no wheels, so it fits on every plane in American Airlines’ fleet. Just bring two weeks worth of shorts, a golf shirt, and a few pairs of jeans and that’s all you need. After traveling for two weeks, I’m going to find a place to do my laundry. But most of the time I’m not under the control of the airline. I got off the plane and went outside. In 23 years, I’d say I’ve saved about 2 years of time not having to wait at baggage claim. Saving time is all I care about. —Jeff Willett, Kevin Kisner’s caddy
