NEWS & PROMOS
GOLF IN THAILAND...THE CADDIE
Oct 04, 2017
Think of golf in Thailand and the images that come to mind are the lush green fairways fading into the azure blue skies, the hot days on course followed by the balmy nights off it, the warmth of service and unbeatable value.
Golf in the Kingdom has all of the above - and more - but part of the charm of golf in Thailand lies with the caddie. Not the strong muscular variety the you see lugging bags for the tour professionals, or the elderly aficionados whose course knowledge has been gained from years of plying the fairways.
No, the Thailand variety are much more easier on the eye, usually petite and fun-loving and just as ready to offer you a sweet smile or a soothing neck massage as they are a yardage or seven or eight iron!
Your caddie experience will begin on arrival at the links where you will be greeted with a veritable bevy of ladies all dressed in the club caddie uniform. Unless you are from the professional ranks or a regular visitor to that said club, the choice of caddie will be taken out of your hands, and will be made by the caddie master. But worry not, as whoever is entrusted with your beloved weapons, will treat them and you like a visiting dignitary.
Emerge from the locker-room and search for your bag, standing next to it will be your chosen caddie. She will welcome you with a warm ‘wai’ - the customary Thai greeting of hands clasped together in front of her face a motion of prayer - and escort you to the first tee.
The walk is a great chance to build a basic ‘working’ relationship with your caddie. English may be limited but exchanging basic pleasantries, such as names, age etc should be well within language capabilities.
‘What’s the point of a caddie if you can’t communicate?’ I hear you ask. Well at this point it’s important to stress that your caddie is not there as a walking sports psychologist, providing detailed line reads, driving you on to a record round. But that’s the charm of it.
She will give you yardages, replace your divots and rake bunkers. Will sometimes emit a sly chuckle when a wayward shot finds sand or water, and inform you of the fact with a smile. Yet it’s on the ‘dance floor’ where she really comes into her own, marking, cleaning and replacing and lining up your ball, then holding your beer while you take the putt! And when it’s sunk, she will take credit, give a high five and mark the card. Leaving you to, well wonder what to do!
What the Thai caddie lacks in knowledge is more than made up for with enthusiasm and a desire to please. It’s not driven by money, although it is always advisable to offer the caddie a small monetary reward at the end of the round - usually in the region of 300-500 baht depending on your satisfaction.
All caddies sport a designated number, so if you would like to use the same caddie on a subsequent visit, simply take note and give the course a call prior to your visit and ask if the caddie is available.
Having a caddie is a luxury enjoyed by very few golfers outside of Asia, a Thai caddie can make you feel like a king, play like a professional and leave you itching for a return!
FEES
The caddie fee will be added to the green fee to be paid directly to the golf course upon arrival.
Tipping is expected and paid directly to the caddie post round. The amount should be in the region of 300-500 baht depending on the course standard and caddie performance.
SHARE
RELATED NEWS
Oct 04, 2017
Think of golf in Thailand and the images that come to mind are the lush green fairways fading into the azure blue skies, the hot days on course followed by the balmy nights off it, the warmth of service and unbeatable value.
Golf in the Kingdom has all of the above - and more - but part of the charm of golf in Thailand lies with the caddie. Not the strong muscular variety the you see lugging bags for the tour professionals, or the elderly aficionados whose course knowledge has been gained from years of plying the fairways.
No, the Thailand variety are much more easier on the eye, usually petite and fun-loving and just as ready to offer you a sweet smile or a soothing neck massage as they are a yardage or seven or eight iron!
Your caddie experience will begin on arrival at the links where you will be greeted with a veritable bevy of ladies all dressed in the club caddie uniform. Unless you are from the professional ranks or a regular visitor to that said club, the choice of caddie will be taken out of your hands, and will be made by the caddie master. But worry not, as whoever is entrusted with your beloved weapons, will treat them and you like a visiting dignitary.
Emerge from the locker-room and search for your bag, standing next to it will be your chosen caddie. She will welcome you with a warm ‘wai’ - the customary Thai greeting of hands clasped together in front of her face a motion of prayer - and escort you to the first tee.
The walk is a great chance to build a basic ‘working’ relationship with your caddie. English may be limited but exchanging basic pleasantries, such as names, age etc should be well within language capabilities.
‘What’s the point of a caddie if you can’t communicate?’ I hear you ask. Well at this point it’s important to stress that your caddie is not there as a walking sports psychologist, providing detailed line reads, driving you on to a record round. But that’s the charm of it.
She will give you yardages, replace your divots and rake bunkers. Will sometimes emit a sly chuckle when a wayward shot finds sand or water, and inform you of the fact with a smile. Yet it’s on the ‘dance floor’ where she really comes into her own, marking, cleaning and replacing and lining up your ball, then holding your beer while you take the putt! And when it’s sunk, she will take credit, give a high five and mark the card. Leaving you to, well wonder what to do!
What the Thai caddie lacks in knowledge is more than made up for with enthusiasm and a desire to please. It’s not driven by money, although it is always advisable to offer the caddie a small monetary reward at the end of the round - usually in the region of 300-500 baht depending on your satisfaction.
All caddies sport a designated number, so if you would like to use the same caddie on a subsequent visit, simply take note and give the course a call prior to your visit and ask if the caddie is available.
Having a caddie is a luxury enjoyed by very few golfers outside of Asia, a Thai caddie can make you feel like a king, play like a professional and leave you itching for a return!
FEES
The caddie fee will be added to the green fee to be paid directly to the golf course upon arrival.
Tipping is expected and paid directly to the caddie post round. The amount should be in the region of 300-500 baht depending on the course standard and caddie performance.
SHARE
RELATED NEWS