One of the nicest compliments I've ever received didn't come after a great read. It came after a round where my player looked at me and said, "You have a calming presence."

Early on, I made the mistake every new caddie makes. I talked too much. I wanted to prove I knew what I was doing. Most golfers don't need a lecture. They need clarity.

"One sixty-two." "A smooth seven." "Trust it." Three short sentences can do more than ten minutes of explanation. I've started wondering if that's true in marriage, parenting, and friendship too.