19th Hole
Caddie Corner: 11 questions with PGA Tour veteran Gerald “G.W.” Cable (Kevin Chappell’s caddie)
In this new GolfWRX feature, called the “Caddie Corner,” we’ll be firing off questions to a different caddie every week on the PGA Tour.
Caddies, or “loopers,” as some call them, are the too-often-overlooked people who actually have a huge impact on players every week on the PGA Tour. They’re tasked with many objectives – everything from carrying the bag, raking bunkers and getting yardages, to playing psychologist on the golf course as their player competes for millions. If you’re curious to learn more about the caddies, as well as their stories, lifestyle and insights, then welcome to the “Caddie Corner.”
In our first iteration of the Caddie Corner, we spoke in-depth with Shannon “Shan” Wallis. Check that out hilarious and insightful interview here.
This week, I grilled Gerald “G.W.” Cable, a 14-year PGA Tour caddie and former tour player who currently loops for Kevin Chappell. He’s also formerly worked with names such as Steve Marino, Chris Kirk, Morgan Hoffmann, Heath Slocum, Matt Every and a slew of others.
Enjoy the talk below!
How’d you end up being a caddie on the PGA Tour, and what’s been your career progression before caddying?
So I played for 7 years professionally. Got to play in some tour events. Hurt my back, was a club pro for a couple years working down in South Florida and Steve Marino called me, he was having a few issues. He just asked me to come out for a few weeks. Then it turned into 14 years. That’s basically how it started.
What’s the best restaurant where you go and it’s like, I can’t wait for that event so I can go there to eat?
That’s a great question. I’m more of a dive bar guy (laughs). Hmm, best restaurant…I’m not too high class, so I can’t even give you one. Like I said, I’m more of a dive bar guy, so like I find a nice bar with shuffleboard in it and that’s where I head.
What’s your favorite sport aside from golf and who are some of your favorite teams and players?
I’m a D.C. guy, I grew up in the D.C. area, so I’m a Football Team fan. I root for the Virginia Cavaliers in college sports, and I’m really into football. It’s tough to beat last weekend in the playoffs, that was pretty amazing. But sports in general, I love following ’em.
What’s on your music playlist right now?
Man, I’ve got everything. I’ve got two little girls, a 3 and a 1 year old, so I’ve got some different kids songs. They love some of the teeny bopper s*** like NSYNC. My sisters used to play ’em, so I’ve gotten them into that. Then like, I can go with pretty much anything. Let’s see, what was a listening to? I was listening to some Haste the Day, like some screaming music on the way in. But yeah, I do it all.
What’s been your most important lesson you’ve learned along the way about caddying?
So it’s crazy. You learn so much. Obviously when you play, for me it was hard to learn a lot of stuff. When you caddie, you really learn a lot more. It’s been really valuable in that way, just kind of seeing what…I don’t know how to put it, but it’s like you don’t really realize it when you’re playing, but you can see it in some of the players. You can give them some decent advice on mental things, or when they’re getting a little too quick. It’s kind of easy to see things in the future when you’re caddying, as opposed to when you’re playing, you’re kind of stuck in the moment, but you can see things snowballing. So it’s been kind of cool to see.
Aside from actually carrying the bag, what’s the most difficult part of your job?
There’s really not many tough things. You get to do this and see this type of stuff almost every week (the view at Torrey Pines). I mean there’s not many bad things, to be honest.
Life’s good.
It is. It really is. I can’t really give you one. Yeah, it’s all good.
Caddies are known for having the best stories. Without incriminating yourself too much, what’s the funniest story you have about caddie life?
I mean, I’ve done a lot of things for money. I’m not scared. A quick one: British Open trip. It’s pretty nasty, but I started it off with… it was a thing of dip, and somebody said, “Will you drink that for a thousand dollars?” And I chugged it, with the chew in it. So I made a quick grand on the way to the British Open. And then there was some stuff to follow that I’ll leave out. But it paid for my rent for the week.
What’s the biggest, “Uh oh, I messed up,” moment of your career with a player?
Oh man, there’s been a few. I’ve left a yardage book in a car one time and I had to run because I didn’t realize it. I had to run back to the car and we were on the tee, that was pretty bad, but I made it.
One of the guys I caddied for, all he wants is waters. And he was leading a tournament, ended up winning it. But I mean he was chugging water so fast, and I couldn’t keep enough. They were those little shot waters. I mean, I had five in the bag, I’m not kidding, and all five were gone and I’m asking people in the crowd to like give me some water, and they did. So that was pretty cool. But that was a pretty bad one. I was like, man, there’s nothing I can do. I was pretty prepared.
If your player’s a little bit nervous going into a first tee shot or last tee shot, what’s something you might say to calm them down?
You just gotta try to make fun of ’em or something. Something to get ’em off that topic or whatever they’re feeling. Yeah, lighten the mood up a little bit.
What’s your favorite tour stop to caddie at, whether it’s the course itself, the location, or the perks you get?
There’s a lot of them. Hilton Head is great. Torrey Pines is always great, it’s nice to come out west. Charlotte is pretty cool. Obviously, course wise, it’s always nice to get to The Masters, that place is so pure. Yeah, there’s so many it’s hard to pick one.
Based on working so closely with tour players throughout the years, what advice might you have for amateurs golfers trying to improve their games?
Ideally, it’s like the time you put in. I feel like, at least a lot of the amateurs I’ve been around, they think it should just happen overnight. And it’s just not the way it is. You just have to be a little gentle on yourself. People expect a lot, and I get it, but it’s just unrealistic. At the end of the day, if you put in the time you’re gonna get better, in my opinion. You see how it is out here, these guys work their butts off, and they still, they’re not the best all time. So it’s like, you gotta give yourself a break. But that’s all. If you put in the time, you’ll get better. There’s no secrets. Put in the work.
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19th Hole
Phil Mickelson reveals he won’t be pursuing broadcasting career when he retires from golf
On Tuesday, Chris McKee, a Toronto writer and radio host, wondered aloud on his X account if Phil Mickelson will be a commentator after his playing days are over.
The second Phil Mickelson retires he'll instantly become the most sought after TV analyst in golf. Would any PGA Tour broadcaster (CBS, ESPN, NBC or Sky) bring him in or would he have to stick to LIV broadcasts? #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/ulrtBHcyB6
— Chris McKee (@mrmckee) May 7, 2024
“The second Phil Mickelson retires he’ll instantly become the most sought after TV analyst in golf. Would any PGA Tour broadcaster (CBS, ESPN, NBC or Sky) bring him in or would he have to stick to LIV broadcasts? #LIVGolf”
Mickelson saw the post and responded, saying he’s not interested in moving from the course to the broadcast booth.
Thank you for the kind words. However, just cuz someone CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do it. Instead of commentating, I’m going to shoot some Pros vs Schmos 9 hole matches. I’ll share insights throughout as well as talk a little smack. It won’t be the highest quality…
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 8, 2024
“Thank you for the kind words. However, just cuz someone CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do it. Instead of commentating, I’m going to shoot some Pros vs Schmos 9 hole matches. I’ll share insights throughout as well as talk a little smack. It won’t be the highest quality video but it’ll be fun for me to do and fun to watch I think too.”
While I believe many fans would like to see Phil in the booth, his idea of “Pro’s vs Schmo’s” could certainly be intriguing.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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19th Hole
PGA Tour pro sounds off on ‘unfair’ PGA Championship invites
This week, the PGA of America made some surprising announcements regarding the field of next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
The event now will feature 16 LIV players with Talor Gooch, Dean Burmester, David Puig, Adrian Meronk and Patrick Reed receiving special exemptions.
PGA Tour player, Dylan Wu, took issue with how the exemptions were used and went to X to share his thoughts.
Why is there never “real” qualifications for the PGA Championship? You have a points list and World ranking invite. Usually just outside top 100 in OWGR gets in. Chan Kim ranked 104th in OWGR doesn’t get in. SH Kim at 107th isn’t in. @NUCLRGOLF @Daniel_Rapaport @PGA https://t.co/8Snkq0l2Vg
— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) May 7, 2024
Jesper Svennson ranked 108th gets in. Tim Widing 120th gets in. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald gets a spot. A bunch of guys get leapfrogged even though they’re ranked higher than others. Seems like they just invite whoever they want. Unfair to the guys on the edge like Chan and SH
— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) May 7, 2024
Just seems like the world of professional golf is in a weird spot and I love that the tournament invited a handful of great LIV players but figure out a correct system for a major championship where guys know they’ll be in or not. ???? @NUCLRGOLF @Daniel_Rapaport @acaseofthegolf1
— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) May 7, 2024
“Why is there never “real” qualifications for the PGA Championship? You have a points list and World ranking invite. Usually just outside top 100 in OWGR gets in. Chan Kim ranked 104th in OWGR doesn’t get in. SH Kim at 107th isn’t in.”
“Jesper Svennson ranked 108th gets in. Tim Widing 120th gets in. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald gets a spot. A bunch of guys get leapfrogged even though they’re ranked higher than others. Seems like they just invite whoever they want. Unfair to the guys on the edge like Chan and SH”
“Just seems like the world of professional golf is in a weird spot and I love that the tournament invited a handful of great LIV players but figure out a correct system for a major championship where guys know they’ll be in or not. ????”
Fans who replied to Wu seemed to agree that a more definitive ranking system for the PGA Championship should be established.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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19th Hole
Report: LIV star turns down PGA Championship invite due to ‘personal commitments’
On Tuesday, the full field for the PGA Championship at Valhalla was released. In some surprising news, a handful of LIV players were granted exemptions including Dean Burmester, Patrick Reed, Lucas Herbert and Adrian Meronk.
The most surprising omission was Louis Oosthuizen. The South African has been one of the most consistent players on LIV this season, and also won two DP World Tour events in the fall.
According to the AP’s Doug Ferguson, Oosthuizen was actually given an invitation, but declined due to “personal commitments”.
Turns out PGA offered Oosthuizen an invitation. He turned it down because of personal commitments. Not sure what those were.
— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) May 7, 2024
In total, there will be 16 LIV golfers teeing it up next week at Valhalla.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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