高爾夫球運動有悠久歷史，早已流行於歐洲和北美洲，不過在中國近年才興起，是一項昂貴的消費。
到中國私人球會打球，規定要租用球車和僱用球童陪打。有球車代步，當然可加速打球的進程；有球童從旁協助，可提高打球的水準。在北美洲打高球則沒有這些硬性規定，一切可豐儉由人；球車和球童可有可無，球員可用手推車携桿或揹着球桿走。公開的職業高爾夫球賽則另有規定，參賽者要嚴格遵守，違規的會喪失參賽資格。
在中國大陸球會服務的球童，一般都是年輕的小伙子，女性多於男性。他們經過嚴格的培訓，能揮桿擊球，熟識球道和果嶺的環境，並了解天氣和風速對發球的影響，還熟讀球例和安全守則。由於有球童的參與，球員較容易發揮他們的技術，增加打球的趣味。不少球童還會說英語，可和外國人溝通。有些更懂得如何鑒貌辨色，能舒解客人發球失誤時的情緒，因而加強他們的信心。要成為一個有專業水準的球童，絕不簡單。
球童從球會獲得的待遇非常微薄，他們的收入全賴小費。昆明之陽光高爾夫球會僱用超過百名球童。在平日球會的生意都很清淡，由於僧多粥少，球童的收入大受影響。他們都寄望於繁忙的週末，入息才有所改善。同樣以球童為職業，男女有不同的期待。女性的都能够專心一志，男性的就放眼於成為職業球員的機會：在球會工作可得到高球名師的指導，亦可免費打球。他們利用工餘時間努力練習，不斷求進。希望有朝能够打出驕人的成績，乘機投身職業球壇，脫穎而出。
球童的工作非常沉悶，每日遭受陽光暴曬，皮膚容易受到傷害。在生意清淡的日子要參加球場的維修工作，不會被投閒置散。投身於這項職業，人各有志，命運不盡相同。大底來說，球童對他們的工作很快就會產生厭倦，經過兩三年之後就會離開球會另求出路。
我對高爾夫球情有獨鍾，嚮往到昆明打球，直至兩年多前才如願以償。球童對我照顧得無微不至，留下美好的印象，特此一記，表示感激。
黃啓樟。2010/10/30 (2010/11/4 現代日報)
David:
ReplyDeleteThere are some more interesting facts about caddies in China (or at least in MissionHill).
The guests have to provide an evaluation card at the end of the round. Excellent, good, fair or poor.
If a caddie gets a poor, he may be fired or certainly would get disciplined. If the golfer had a bad day and even if the caddie read the green or putting line correctly but the golfer missed, the caddie may get a poor rating. A less than excellent rating would be punished by sending the caddie to do work that does not involve caddying and therefore no tip.
A golfer can book a favorite caddie but has to pay extra to the club. The caddie does not share in this extra amount. But at least they know the golfer and they may be treated a little better or a little more tip.
Mission hill has different grades of caddies. A golden caddie is supposed to be better and more experienced. Can read the green and offer suggestion better.
You are correct in saying that they can make good suggestions. I have been told many times to take an extra club because they know I cannot hit it as far as I thought.
Peter