While all eyes are on the golfer at play, a caddie is the silent backbone behind every hole the golfer completes. They are not just carrying the bag but making crucial decisions that can make or break a round. They don’t always get the spotlight, but they’re the unsung heroes of the game. And when it comes to legendary player-caddie duos, one pairing that always grabs attention is Scottie Scheffler and Ted Scott. From their rock-solid on-course partnership to Scheffler making sure Scott is there for all of his biggest moments, their bond is something special. It’s no surprise that Scott holds Scheffler in high regard—after all, they’ve been working together for over three years now.
But let’s put that in perspective. Three years is nothing compared to the 15 years Scott spent with Bubba Watson. So, here’s the big question: Who was easier to work with? If Scott had to choose, he’d probably say Scheffler—not because he didn’t enjoy his time with Watson, but because caddying for Watson was an entirely different beat.
Caddying for Bubba Watson was a challenge in itself
Chad Mumm, host of the Vanity Index Podcast, recently shared a fascinating insight into why Scott’s time with Watson was so challenging. And no, it wasn’t just because of Watson’s well-known emotional outbursts.“Bubba was almost impossible to caddie for, but not for the reason you think,” Mumm shared. “You know, Bubba’s kind of famously as like a, you know, he’d get mad. He’s like a mud ball. He played with a lot of emotion, for sure. Opposite of Scotty in that respect. But what Ted meant was just from a pure, like, giving of numbers.”
Watson wasn’t the kind of player who relied on textbook club selection. He played purely on instinct and what he felt he would be best. If the pin was 170 yards away, he wouldn’t just pull out a standard club like most golfers. He could hit that number with eight different clubs. “He’d like cut a four iron. He’d hook a sand wedge. Like, every yardage was how he saw the ball landing on the green. And so caddying for him was just about giving him the number, but really, like, he couldn’t recommend a club. Because he could knock down a three-wood and hit it 120 yards. And the guy was just like a magician,” Mumm explained. “It made it really hard to caddy for him. He had to learn the language of how you give him the number and how you do the strategy.”
After navigating Watson’s unpredictable genius for 15 years, Scott and Watson parted ways in 2021. Watson took to Twitter to announce the split, making it clear that there were no hard feelings. “After 15 incredible years together, @jtedscott and I have decided to end our on-course partnership. Don’t worry! We’re still friends.”
Watson later explained that the decision came after some deep conversations about both golf and life. “When we met, I don’t think we ever imagined how much we would experience together,” he continued. “Teddy deserves more credit than anyone can imagine for our success on the golf course, but I am just as grateful for his friendship and the way he has helped me grow as a person.”
Scott was there for almost all of Watson’s PGA TOUR career, helping him secure 12 wins, including two Masters titles. But after nearly two decades of adjusting to Bubba’s unpredictable game, Scott eventually made the switch to Scottie Scheffler.
How was Bubba Watson’s relationship with Ted Scott?
Ted Scott’s time with Bubba Watson wasn’t just about golf—it was about figuring out how to work with one of the most unpredictable players on tour. Watson wasn’t the easiest golfer to caddie for, and Scott has admitted that the job required more than just handing him a club. But their bond wasn’t just professional. They shared a strong Christian faith, which kept them connected beyond the game. Scott once said that working with Watson helped him grow just as much as it helped Bubba, and Watson, in turn, always credited Scott for being a steady presence in his life. “Ted has been a big part of my success. I appreciate the effect he has had in my golf and my life,” Watson said in a pre-tournament interview at The Memorial Tournament in 2013.
Their split in 2021 wasn’t about disagreements—it was about life moving in different directions. Watson was struggling with injuries and uncertain about his future, while Scott needed long-term stability. Watson understood that even joking that Scott is now making more money without him. “I have no regrets, and I don’t think he does either,” Watson admitted, adding that he wanted Scott to have a secure future. He was also genuinely happy that Scott landed with Scheffler, believing the young golfer could benefit from his experience.
With Scheffler, Scott’s job is a lot more straightforward. Unlike Watson, who relied on creativity and instinct, Scheffler takes a more structured approach, making it easier to strategize. While Scott’s time with Watson was filled with challenges, it was also meaningful. But now, he’s in a partnership that’s a much smoother fit—and given their success so far, it looks like he made the right call.
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