Expert: Paul Dolman - 9/21/2009

Question
Why don't pga caddies use pull/push carts

Answer
Ruben,

They do in Asia and Europe.  I think it's partly a tradition on the American tour to carry a staff bag and partly a matter of advertising.  The huge tour bags that American caddies carry are billboards for some sponsor and that means revenue for the player.  They want the golf company or other sponsor name to appear plus the name of the player.  The larger the better so the gallery can see it and more importantly, so the TV camera can see it from a distance. If the bag were smaller so it could fit on a pull cart, it couldn't be used as effectively.

The bags are full of important supplies and materials (such as rain gear, sweater or jacket, extra towels, etc.) but all of that stuff "could" be loaded into a smaller bag.  The huge staff bag is a status symbol like driving a big car or living in a large house...it means "I'm important".

My answer is probably what you already suspected...

Best regards,

Paul Dolman
PGA Golf Professional