A good caddie is vital for a golfer's success

Tiger Woods with his caddie Steve Williams

London, July 17 (IANS) A good caddie, one who carries a golfer's bag and clubs, and a source of insightful advice and moral support, can improve a golfer's performance by 30 percent or more, says a study.

Based on the feedback from our participants, the right caddie can improve a golfer's performance by 30 percent or more. Golfers highlighted how caddies energised, motivated and supported them, said Sophia Jowett from Loughborough University in Britain. The study identified a clear link between the golfer-caddie relationship and performance success.

"There is, of course, anecdotal evidence which highlights the importance of the player-caddie relationship but we wanted to scientifically evaluate the caddie contribution - I guess you could call it the 'Caddie Factor'," Jowett added.

Both caddies and golfers felt that the length of good quality relationships can help their purpose and bring about performance success. The majority of golfers and caddies felt that performance accomplishments can promote the relational bonds between golfers and caddies - strengthen the relationship and its longevity.

"The 'four Cs' are fundamental to a successful partnership - closeness that includes trust, appreciation and respect; commitment about long-term orientations; complementarity about responsiveness, openness and acceptance of roles; and co-orientation that is about shared knowledge and understanding," she added.