I have done it both ways. The caddies really do help on the lines to play as there are some aim points that you may not see. If it's your first visit, I'd get the caddie.

Any high profile course I play at that offers a caddie. I generally take it for the full experience as well as guidance to navigate the course. If cost is a concern I would just go without as you may have expectations above the level of service you may receive. If I'm not totally satisfied with the level of service I receive it's reflected in the tip at the end of the round which rarely happens.

Keith, no experience at Chambers but have mixed reviews over caddies. In theory i support them, old school as i am. In reality, my experiences have been far from enjoyable. Had a bad one at Pebble. Had a mediocre one at St. Andrews. My best experience was not taking one at Streamsong but getting occasional advise from the playing partner's caddie. I gave him a nice tip at the end of the day even though he wasn't mine. Seems like Chambers has a lot of blind shots so a caddie or a fore-caddie might be best. If you opt for none but one is in the group, throw a little money his way and he will be glad to give you at least aiming points on the blind shots.

If this is a bucket list trip and you're not likely to return, a fore-caddie would be a minimum to give you the best path, on and off the green, Nothing ruins a day more than laying up in a bad spot due to lack of knowledge. In my case, a bad misread on a green, as well.

I played there a few years ago and got a caddie and glad i did... The greens there are tough to read (they were in good shape when i played there) . And it's nice to know where to hit off the tee, some blind shots and good spots to be. If you can afford the caddie, do it...

Keith J-

I would recommend a caddie your first couple of times around the course. As Speedy said above that the greens can be hard to read.

Plus with a caddie it allows you to stroll the fairways and have good conversations with your playing partners.

I’ve played Chambers Bay once, and it was a very sunny and hot day for the Pacific Northwest. With that said, unless you are very young (30 years old or less), what I can tell you is that you don’t want to carry your bag yourself for 18 holes on that track! It’s VERY HILLY in spots, and by the back 9 it feels like it’s all uphill. A caddie can provide other guidance to you to enjoy your round, and will carry your bag. At a minimum, get a push/pull cart and a forecaddie.