Film Review: Scotland's Caddies

"It must be a great feeling when you've set your heart on coming to play golf in Scotland on one of these fantastic courses. You get on the first tee, you hit your drive, you hand that driver to your caddy and he's off with your bag and you're just walking up the fairway." - From the documentary, Scotland's Caddies

I've never been one to fantasize about playing golf in the birthplace of the game. No matter how many times I would read about the hollowed grounds of St. Andrews or the majesty of a links course carved out of a rugged coastline in the North Sea, I never really had the urge to play in Scotland.

Until, that is, I watched Scotland's Caddies. This documentary (produced in 2010) has literally inspired me to plan a trip to the cradle of golf (at least at some point in my lifetime).

I now join the ranks of countless other golfers whose dreams are to play where Old Tom Morris chased around a ball stuffed with goose feathers. I dream of this not because I long to see the Scottish countryside, but because in Scotland, it seems, golf is still played the way it was intended to be played two-hundred years ago.

The film (which is just over an hour) follows the director's (Ron Colby) journey across Scotland as he visits some of the country's best-know links. But the focus is not on his golf game, but rather the caddies he encounters.

It seems caddies are a breed all their own - from their interesting origins to the present day loopers - all there to help you get the most out of your round. Listening to these guys talk about what it means to caddy - especially in Scotland - can inspire any golfer to start surfing Priceline.com for airfare and accommodations.

They've carried bags for presidents, celebrities and tour pros - and they have great stories to boot. They've also carried for hacks and average golfers of all nationalities - and can tell you who will tip the best based on the country they are from!

Scotland's Caddies is a fascinating window into an otherwise unappreciated occupation. The film not only touches on the history of caddies, but provides their modern-day counterparts with a voice (albeit one with a heavy Scottish accent) to tell their story. This film is well-worth the hour on the couch.

As a special bonus, the good folks over at Scotland's Caddies have shipped us a free copy of the DVD to giveaway to one lucky Golf Stinks reader! We'll be choosing a winner at random from our Facebook page one week from today. So make sure you like our page and good luck!

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