Q&A With Mark The Caddie
A conversation with Mark Milatz, a caddie at Whistling Straits (and @caddietales on X)
Issue No. 50, November 12, 2025
In today’s newsletter, we have an interview with Mark Milatz, a caddie at Whistling Straits, who is better known as Mark the Caddie or caddietales on Twitter. We talk about how his Twitter account came to be, his book, his first loop, and golf and life from the view of taking loops around the course nearly every day.
Welcome to the From the Drop Zone newsletter, where our focus is on conversations you can have over cocktails in the clubhouse.
I know there are a lot of newsletters out there, and I’m thankful this one found its way into your inbox. Let’s hang out, pour a cocktail, and talk some golf.
This issue of the From the Drop Zone Newsletter is brought to you by members of The Circle Golfing Society. Join The Circle today, the official golfing society of From the Drop Zone, to support our writing and other projects, get discounts to events and merchandise, and be a part of a community of golfers who don’t mind a cocktail in the clubhouse after the round.
This issue is also brought to you by Acorn Hills. Manufacturer of the official From the Drop Zone Polo, we partner with Acorn Hills because of their industry-leading eco-friendly way of giving back to the environment and community. Their clothing tags are seed paper that can be planted and to eliminate waste. And their clothing is high-quality. Use code DROP15 at Acorn Hills to get 15% off your order.
FTDZ: Thanks for stopping by From the Drop Zone! I hope you don’t visit it too much with your players on the course.
You share a lot of stories on Twitter and in your book, Caddie Tales, about your time on the course. How did this start? When was the moment that you realized that you had stories worth telling?
Mark: I started my Twitter (X) account on a whim because I was bored one night and was feeling silly. I had no intentions of keeping up with it or seeing it grow. But I quickly realized there are people who enjoy a sneak peak into the caddie life. Over time, I also found my voice, realizing that it was healing and therapeutic for me to have some sense of positive purpose and impact after going through a very difficult period in life.
FTDZ: What was your first loop like? Any stories from that day that still stick with you?
Mark: My first loop was a single bag for a nice gentleman from Savannah, GA. I actually remember very little from that loop other than a sense of relief that I got through it. The more vivid memories are from the next day. I was sore from my first day. And this was my first double bag experience. I was with very good golfers, and paired with a veteran and crusty caddie partner. I felt so ill-equipped. And by the end of the loop my body was seizing up because I hadn’t learned to drink enough on the course. I was so utterly exhausted. I look back on that day and shudder at the thought of how bad I was.
FTDZ: Now you have hundreds of loops around the course and probably many of those are for players that never have had a caddie for their round. What’s the biggest misconception golfers have about caddies?
Mark: I think a lot of the people who don’t have caddies often think we care about their level of play. Of course we’d rather walk a straight line than zig zag the course, but on the list of things most caddies care about, how a player scores isn’t in the top 5. We care about pace, vibes, attitude, etc.
FTDZ: What do you think most golfers can learn about the game from a caddie’s perspective?
Mark: I think data points and thinking things through is good...to a point. But countless rounds have taught me that a player is usually better off when they settle down and just step up and hit the ball. Think about how good “Player B” is. That’s all muscle memory and athletic ability taking over.
FTDZ: Have you ever had a round where something small — a shot, a word, a view — reminded you why you love this job?
Mark: Every single loop! There is not a round that goes by that I don’t give thanks for finding caddying. Sometimes it’s the players that day and how we’re meshing. Other times it’s as simple as the way the sun is shining on the lake.
FTDZ: Okay, the marshal put us on the clock, so we need to pick up the pace.
FTDZ: Best thing to get at the turn? Mark: Our hot dogs and brats are undefeated
FTDZ: Most underrated thing about being a caddie? Mark: The feeling of hanging with the other caddies after a loop and shooting the bull
FTDZ: One word to describe golfers in general. Mark: Obsessive.
FTDZ: How do you hope people see the caddie’s role in golf — as storytellers, guides, or something else?
Mark: A beauty of the job is that it changes depending on the group. I like that some days players really lean into my course knowledge. Other days they just want someone fun. Some need an encourager. I feel like it keeps things fresh that every day is different. I just hope all groups see us as adding value.
FTDZ: If you could describe the spirit of the caddie in one word, what would it be?
Mark: Encourager.
FTDZ: Your book, Caddie Tales, tells a lot more stories than we can get into here, and goes through your journey of finding hope, healing, and growth through caddying. How can someone get their copy?
Mark: Check it out on Amazon, or get a signed copy at caddietales.co
FTDZ: Thanks Mark. I already have my copy and enjoyed it! Hope we can get a walk around Whistling Straits one day.
