WATCH: A Wholesome Video Showcasing a Widely Unpopular Yet a Beautiful Tradition in Golf

Pro golfers sweat it out across multiple days against numerous other players for the big prize on Sunday. The victory is often sweet with a humongous trophy alongside the hefty prize money and all the glory. However, what does a caddie get, apart from the appreciation nods and (probably) a bonus from their employers?

Traditionally, though, there has been a unique prize for caddies winning any event. Since the early days, it’s an unwritten rule that the winning caddie keeps the flag at the 18th tee. Though it’s an unpopular tradition, it was in full flow after Lydia Ko’s victory at the CME Group Tour Championship.

Caddie shares sweet moments with kids in an old tradition

Kiwi golfer, Lydia Ko, secured victory at the season-ending CME Group Tour Champions last weekend. Among the well-wishers was her caddie, Derek Kistler. While the tournament was not a major championship, it had significant importance due to its ground-breaking purse and prize money.

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After the win, Kistler was joined by his two young kids on the 18th hole, where he performed the age-long tradition. The caddie pulled the flag off its stick, called the caddie trophy. He bestowed it upon his son before lifting his daughter in his arms. The former followed his father wherever he went, paying little attention to the piece of souvenir in his hands!

What is the ‘Caddie prize’ all about?

The ‘caddie prize’ is essentially the golf flag at the 18th hole. It is unofficially the caddie’s prized possession after their employer wins the tournament. However, the tradition has its own problems, none more than the ire of event organizers.

The flag adds up to the cost of conducting the event, with a heist on the item unwarranted. Apart from that, however, golfers have had their own issues with the tradition.

The most notable example comes from 6-time major champion, Phil Mickelson, who kept all the 18th hole winning flags to himself as souvenirs for his family. This prevented Mickelson’s caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, from taking home a single major flag.

The situation was one of the many reasons why the pair eventually broke apart. However, Mackay was finally treated to a caddie prize at the 2022 PGA Championship, courtesy of golfer Justin Thomas’ victory at the Southern Hills Championship Course.

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