7 APRIL 1906, Page 14

[TO THE EDITOR OF TIIR 'SPECTATOR."] SIR, — Your correspondent " Foozler

" has raised a question which is sure to interest many golfers. However desirable it may be from the players' point of view to employ boys as caddies, few can doubt that from the public point of view it is infinitely more desirable to employ men. The fact that many boy caddies are now growing up apprenticed to no trade, earning wages often in excess of what they will get when they become men, and who by this training must help to swell the army of unemployed and unemployable, should cause the committees of the larger golf clubs to consider whether it would not be better to adopt the system which prevails on all the first-class Scottish links, and employ men. Although I know of no Scottish links where the caddies are (as yet) guaranteed a fixed wage, there are undoubtedly many poor men in the neighbourhood of all golf links temporarily un- employed, or crippled in health, or too old to earn a decent living, who would willingly come forward were such an induce- ment offered. Golf clubs would then be conferring a benefit on the community, and we should not hear so much of the infringement of the rights of the public as regards our heaths and commons. "Foozler" questions the necessity of a caddie. If he would put himself nnder the care of a St. Andrews caddie for a fortnight be would cease to "foozle," and, moreover, he would become as convinced as I am that a competent caddie is indispensable to the enjoyment of a good game of golf.—I am, Sir, &c.,