When GB&I come together with the United States at Nairn for the Walker Cup on September 11-12, the US team, by request, will be using the local caddies.

Alistair Mackintosh, the Walker Cup organiser, said: "The GB&I team are taking their own caddies, except Gary Wolstenholme who will be using a local chap. We were asked to supply the US team and we have arranged for caddies from the local area who are all of a similar age to the players. W e have done the best that we can for them."

The GB&I team has already had a number of training sessions at Nairn and the US team will be arriving on 5 September in time to get to know the famous links themselves.

But are England worried the US could gain an advantage by using local caddies? The Chairman of the Walker Cup Selectors, Peter Benka, said: "Having someone you know and are familiar with is better. I wouldn't put those helping the Americans in the category of proper caddies, they are not all from Nairn either."