Caddies Optional Whenever The LPGA Returns

Of course we love caddies and the player-bagman dynamic is an integral, irreplaceable part of the professional game.

But admittedly, a couple times a year, I think I speak for most saying it’d be fun to see players carrying their clubs, making decisions and having no one to blame.

Fans of the LPGA Tour might get a partial version of this when the tour resumes play this summer, Randall Mell reports for GolfChannel.com.

LPGA tour media director Christina Lance confirmed players were informed of the caddie option Wednesday during a players’ meeting in a video conference call.

"We expect an overwhelming number of players to use their full-time caddies," Lance said. "This is meant mainly to avoid the local caddie situation, where we don't know a caddie's background, and the player doen't know their background, and may feel health concerns working with someone they don't know."

Mell quotes a caddie who is understandably displeased. Overall though, if this helps some players and allows any concerned about safety to return, the policy seems wise.

Other changes are in store and Commissioner Mike Whan outlined those as well, reports Steve Eubanks.

The tour lost another event and also confirmed a fall shift for another tournament. The current plan calls for a late July re-start.