Should caddies correct players in big moments? 2 loopers weigh in

We’ve all imagined having a putt to win a major championship. Perhaps the biggest key to making such a putt is being committed to your read.

So what’s a caddie to do when he disagrees with his boss’s read in that moment?

That’s exactly the question posed by GOLF Subpar co-host Drew Stoltz to two veteran loopers, Joel Stock and John Limanti, on this week’s episode with co-host Colt Knost.

Stoltz brought up the example of Xander Schauffele, needing to hole the final birdie putt on the 72nd hole at Valhalla to win last month’s PGA Championship.

“He calls you in. You’re his guy. Your player calls you and says, ‘What do you got? I love inside left,’” Stoltz poses. “You think it’s half ball outside left. What do you do?”

Limanti quickly came up with a middle-ground answer.

“If he’s if he’s aggressive, you just remind him that it’s uphill,” Limanti, the looper for Akshay Bhatia, said, pointing out that in the specific scenario, Schauffele’s putt was uphill. “Yeah. So knowing your guy if he’s a die putter like if you think he’s going to die that.

“So I mean I would definitely say something. I would say ‘I see more.’”

Stock, who caddies for Will Zalatoris, didn’t necessarily agree.

“Affirm that confidence man,” Stock said. “If you read the situation, if he loves it and I mean if you’re nitpicking in that situation, just instill that confidence. I think that’s the best way to go.”

For more from Stock and Limanti, check out the full episode of Subpar below.

Jack Hirsh

Golf.com Editor

Jack Hirsh is an assistant editor at GOLF. A Pennsylvania native, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He was captain of his high school golf team and recently returned to the program to serve as head coach. Jack also still *tries* to remain competitive in local amateurs. Before joining GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as a Multimedia Journalist/reporter, but also producing, anchoring and even presenting the weather. He can be reached at jack.hirsh@golf.com.