When I want your opinion I will ask for it!

During the 1940s and 1950s Tommy Bolt was one of the world’s most successful golfers. Bolt was known not only for his smooth swing, but also for his tempestuous temper. Often times Bolt’s intensity would get the best of him. In fact, in an attempt to liven up a golf clinic one day Bolt asked his teenage son to “show the folks what I taught you.” Bolt’s son ran to his father’s golf bag grabbed a 9-iron and threw it into the air.

During one tournament the impatient Bolt found himself paired with a caddy who was well known for talking golfer’s ears off. Bolt would tolerate no chatter during his round, and let his caddy know it. Before the start of his round Bolt ordered the caddy not to speak at all during the round, unless he was asked a question. Even then, the caddy was told he could only answer with a “yes” or a “no.”

Later in the round, after an errant tee shot, Bolt found his ball lying next to a tree. Bolt soon realized that it would take a remarkable shot to clear him from this danger. Bolt would be required to hit the ball under a branch and over a lake if he wished to reach the green. He got down on his knees and looked through the trees, sizing up the shot. Bolt then tunred to his caddy and asked him:

“What do you think? 5-iron?”
“No, Mr. Bolt,” the caddy replied.
“What do you mean not a 5-iron, watch this shot” Bolt quipped.
The caddy held firm. “No, Mr. Bolt.”

Bolt hit the 5-iron anyway, and hit an amazing shot, putting it within a few feet of the pin. He then turned to his caddy, handing him the 5-iron, and said “now what do you think of about that 5-iron?” With Bolt’s permission to speak freely his caddy replied: "Mr. Bolt, that wasn’t your ball.”