Golfing Strategies: Ride, Walk, or Caddy

This is a strategy that is not always under control of the golfer as at many courses, course rules determine what you will do.

If you have a choice however, as you make that choice, consider the amount of time you have, and if this is a mixed choice course. If the players ahead of you are “walkers”, then a cart won't necessarily save you a lot of time unless you have the option and choose to “play through” for many of the golfers ahead of you.

Another consideration is your personal endurance. Everyone knows that walking is considered one of the best exercises. Your walking can be “brisk” or it can be strolling.

If you have great endurance and want the best work out, physically carry your bag. Caddies do it all the time. If you can't carry, then use a golf cart. If you are a “some time golfer” and don't have one, courses that allow walking generally have them available.

If you ride, know the course rules. Do you have to stay on the paths? Of course you NEVER drive onto a green, and hardly ever a tee.

Caddies

Like everything else, you may or may not have a choice. If it's a public course, you may have the choice of a couple of people. If it's a private course, you may have to bring your own. And of course if you are a pro... why are you reading this?

If you have a choice, you want someone who knows the course. Is the caddy quiet and talks to you only when asked? Is he or she proficient if you are a beginner to help you with club selection? Do they know the course intimately? Do they know where green holes have been changed to most recently?

If you know these caddy selection strategies, again you can improve your score.