Caddies In Japan
Taiheiyo Club Caddie. Professional, attentive and hard working.
It's a bold statement but I firmly believe that Japan has the best caddies in the world. I have been lucky to have played golf all over the globe and always made an effort to employ a local caddie if they were available. As wonderful as those caddies were they cannot hold a candle to their Japanese counterparts. Not only are the Japanese caddies unbelievably professional but they are part of the fabric that is the Japanese golf industry. The golfing population in Japan is ageing so the player’s reliance on the caddies has increased. As the world becomes more automated it is wonderful to see the necessity for the human element, especially in order for people to continue to enjoy this wonderful game.
As you leave the clubhouse, ready for your game, you will be greeted by your smiling caddie. They will be beside your buggy, perfectly groomed and usually dressed in traditional golf clothing. They will have already loaded your clubs onto the back of the buggy and completed a club check in order to understand how many clubs you have, just in case one goes missing throughout the day. As they drive you towards the first tee you may wonder where the other caddies are for your group. I had enough trouble taking care of one player when I caddied years ago and the thought of looking after more was beyond my comprehension. From experience it was obvious to me that one caddie cannot take care of four players, or at least not take care of the players particularly well. How wrong I was. If you have never experienced golf in Japan, and the role the caddie plays, then you are in for a multitasking extravaganza that is beyond belief.
Buggies remain on the track at all times in Japan which is either driven by the caddie or controlled by a remote placed on their belt. If you decide to walk the course, the caddie will ferry 2 or 3 clubs to you and your playing partners from the buggy each time for you to choose from. It usually takes the caddie just one or two holes to sum up how far each player hits the ball for them to determine which clubs they decide on. If you are a group of four players and decide to walk, the caddie will often have up to 12 clubs in their hands as they run from the buggy, handing each player their clubs while also giving each player precise yardages to the pin. Some of the caddies are so well versed that they know each and every sprinkler on the course and their yardage markers. After you have played your shot they are usually standing beside you, ready to take the clubs back to the buggy so you can wander down the fairway towards your next shot. Sound difficult? Well, imagine four players hitting their tee shots in different directions in the pouring rain. The caddies will look for lost balls, coordinate passing each player the correct club all whilst keeping the grips dry (which they do brilliantly). Once the clubs have been collected they will head back to the buggy, wipe the club heads, clean the grooves and place them back in your bag in perfect order, ready to meet you on the green. When you arrive on the green they will have usually already marked and cleaned your ball. They will help each player read their putt if asked, rake the mess you created in the bunker, fix your pitch mark, and pull the pin out if necessary. Once the hole is completed they will collect the putters from each player and have them back in your bag by the time you take a seat in the buggy, ready to drive you to the next hole.
They do all of this without missing a beat. The amazing thing to me is they are never out of breath or seemingly in a rush. What most people do not realize is what a huge component fitness plays in their profession. I assume they would jog/run up to ten kilometers each day, which in the middle of summer it is quite a feat, especially considering some of the caddies are not young. What is impressive is they always seem to be right beside you when you need them but have the uncanny ability to be almost invisible otherwise. They must carefully keep an eye on the players who ride in the buggy too, as they must start and stop the buggy at the correct places for them to get on and off. They will locate your ball in the trees and rough and will also do their best to fish your ball out of the pond because you are too cheap to drop a new one. I often feel sorry for the caddies because on top of their huge workload they must also act as a part-time sports psychologist, occasional swing coach and are so polite they will even laugh at your terrible jokes.
The caddies do all of this and more without expecting anything from you at the end of the round. Japan does not have a tipping culture but considering how hard they work I think you should. 1,000 Yen per player is the least you should tip them while always attempting to pass the money to them in a discreet fashion or place it in an envelope which is culturally more acceptable. The caddies will often have a look of shock when you offer them a tip and are always reluctant to take it. Be firm and make sure they do as I promise it is greatly appreciated.
Never underestimate how invested the caddies are in you playing well as your happiness is a reflection of them believing they are doing a good job. They are often overlooked when people speak about how wonderful golf is in Japan, which shouldn't be the case as the caddies are such an important component of the unique experience of playing golf here. I thought it was important to shine a little light on these unheralded heroes and ensure they get a little recognition for the wonderful job they do.