Loopers: The Caddie's Long Walk Review

Review by Golfshake Ambassador Andrew Picken

Loopers: The Caddies Long Walk is a movie that I Highly Recommend.

It is not “just” a golf movie but an interesting historical documentary on the game, its traditions and humour.

There could be no better pick for the narrator than Bill Murray, given his profile and prominence in the game. His starring role within Caddyshack ensuring his connection to the game alongside numerous appearances on the Pro- Am circuit. Interestingly, I didn’t know about he and his five brothers growing up as caddies in the Chicago area.

This is a film about relationships. It’s a buddy movie in the best possible sense. It is crammed packed with juicy anecdotes about famous players and the not so famous caddies who were instrumental in their successes.

There are some appearances from a host of famous caddies who supported the likes of Faldo, Woods and other superstars.

Fuzzy Zoeller won the 1979 Masters on his first ever appearance. He describes his win as being directly attributed to his caddy Jariah “Jerry” Beard. He talks about being guided around the course at every step by his caddie much like the importance of a guide dog to a blind man. He is very clear that without Jerry he would not have won this event.

The film details accurately the history and importance of the caddie to the game and references the importance of the Carnoustie 300 who emigrated from Scotland to the USA and were instrumental in the development of the game across the pond. Stewart Madden went to the Atlanta Sports Club and was the coach and mentor for a sickly child called Bobby Jones. If that’s not influential I don’t know what is?

I have had the pleasure of playing with a professional caddie several times and it has always brought out the best in my game. They also add massively to the value and fun of the experience. This film is like being given access to these larger than life characters and then being given access to the stories and tales that they have in their locker.

Not only do the caddies assist in the playing of the game. They add another ingredient. FUN. Every caddie I have played with has had a wicked sense of humour. They combine this with a lack of self - importance and a shared love for the game we all enjoy. The film details these anecdotes in a gently entertaining manner. It reminded me of some of the stories I have been told by caddies around the world and ensured I even better appreciated the skill they bring.

My caddy at Royal St Georges; and his celebrity disclosures. His incredible depth of knowledge and feel for the game and its traditions. The Alligator versus Taser incident at TPC Sawgrass, and the Heron unloading on a group of German golfers with accuracy that would have been envied by the RAF in world war two. My caddy at daiere Manor who was simply brilliant at the one liner. Will my 8 iron be enough for this shot? “Eventually” was his gentle but pithy response.

My experience of playing with Steve Brotherhood as part of The Tour Caddy Experience was brilliantly simple. He is a European Tour caddie travelling the world, plays of a plus handicap and has a cracking sense of humour. He has persuaded many of his fellow caddies to make themselves available for the amateur golfer. To test his skills I played two balls during our round. One with his guidance, one my own work. His ball scored 17 points, mine 10. This is the same day, same swing, same course the only difference being his course management skills. Is a caddy important? 100%.  

This film tells it story in a light, humourous, but accurate way. It’ s not only for the golfer as it should be easily appreciated by non-golfers as it is a cracking story, well told, by people who have a real passion and understanding of the subject.

You will not be disappointed. I keep revisiting the film as it is great fun and is becoming a guilty pleasure when not golfing.

It’s being shown at selected cinemas in the UK from July 23^rd.

For full details visit www.mycineplace.com/loopers.