On the road

So much to write about…

I haven’t written in a while so I’m just gonna spew about the random different categories that I’ve deemed worthy to discuss.

Prairie Dunes:

Splendid. I still can’t put my finger on what it reminds me of, but there are bits and pieces of a lot places. If I had to compare it to one golf course it would probably be Erin Hills. Elevated, grand, difficult, and really windy. I loved it. The 9th hole reminded me a lot of Long Island. A handsome, long par 4 with a dated clubhouse perched right behind the green. The clubhouse — dated, understated, but more importantly, perfect — looks like it could be in Southhampton. Also, my mom played the US Amateur there… that’s fucking sicccccccckkkkk.

First experience at a casino:

Walked out a winner. Went in with $100 bill. Went in with the mindset that we are throwing it on black. And we walked out with an additional $100 bill.

Observations:

• casinos are disgusting

• we were in there for like 90 minutes and it felt like 15

• slot machines are a fun way to watch someone lose their mind/money

• “I’m stopping at ____” is a statement that is quickly ignored

• don’t go in with friends if you’re the only one with cash

• why would you play anything besides roulette?

Professional golf:

Not what I was expecting. This is literally as glamorous as it gets for someone with a good college career, full status on the Korn Ferry Tour. It’s a great opportunity. But professional golf is lonely. Many see the lucrative sponsorships, the perfectly manicured courses, the free golf stuff — but that’s window dressing.

It’s long hours at the course. It’s deserted hotel rooms. It’s long calls with your agent about a contract. It’s facetiming your girlfriend across the country. It’s Wichita in the summer. It’s missing cuts. It’s trying to figure everything out.

It’s admirable but not enviable.

Now, with that being said, they do get taken care of. There are fitters roaming the range begging to handout whatever they can to the players.

Don’t like your putter? Here are two Circle Ts to try. If you don’t know what that is, look up “Circle T Scottie Cameron” and check the prices.

Don’t like how your driver is flying? Here is the brand new driver that hasn’t been released yet.

Hit a few too many bad shots last week? Here are 2 dozen ProV1s.

Glove a little too worn? Go grab a few in the truck.

Tired of old golf shoes or the same shirts? Order something off of your designated sponsor and get some new ones.

That part of it is great. But it’s what these guys need (and deserve). They deserve to be catered to. They deserve to be coddled. If you spent a day with a high level professional golfer, you would shake your head at all of the cool stuff they get, but at the end of the day they’re going to go sit in a hotel room by themselves.

Range after a missed cut:

The most motivating thing for a professional golfer. Last week, on Saturday we were hitting balls in between Christo Lamprecht and Austin Greaser on Saturday afternoon.

All three had missed the cut and were searching for improvement on the range. Hours on a scorching range, wind pumping off the right, and these guys are grinding. No coincidence that they were all top 20 amateur players in the world.

Anything to avoid the same result next week.

Wichita:

Why would one choose to live there?

Greenville:

Underrated. If the city of Greenville were an NBA player it would probably be Jrue Holiday. Great vibes. Could see myself there at some point.

OKC:

I understand why KD left. Norman ain’t bad though.

Professional golfers:

So good. Like incomprehensibly good.

Things they do that might not look sexy but is what separates them from scratch golfers:

• lag putting is surgical… three putts just don’t happen

• long irons are well struck. they might not go exactly where they want but they are always hit solidly

• a good chip is inside of 7 feet. a great chip is in the hole. a normal chip is inside of 5 feet

• wedges are either at the pin or they’re considered bad

It’s not a huge difference from college, but it’s noticeable when you’re around these guys for an extended period.

Scottie Scheffler:

I made a bet with a buddy that if Scottie didn’t win the U.S. Open by three then I would have to write a blog talking about it. Well, I don’t want to waste all of your time with a mediocre blog when I haven’t written in a while. So here’s a TLDR take on it.

Disappointing. Unenthusiastic. Uncompetitive. Rory-like.

I understand winning golf tournaments is an extremely difficult thing, especially when many would consider it a failure if you finish as low as 3rd place. But that’s where we are with Scottie.

It’s time to shit or get off the pot, Scottie. You can’t be giving us a T41 performance in the middle of the best stretch of golf since Tiger. That’s weak.

The dialogue is going to get interesting if he finishes this season with only two majors. Can he only win majors in small towns in Georgia?

It’s getting to the point where the regular tournament wins don’t really matter for him… show us in the majors. C’mon Scottie!

Boston Celtics:

Congratulations, I guess.

Tatum copying KG and Kobe in his Finals celebration was perfect. I’ve never seen an NBA player with less aura. Your big moment was “WE DID IT”? C’mon.

The Celtics had one of the best teams of the last 15 years. They had 5 of the top 50 players in the league. Their best opponent was knocked out in the second round. And the East was as healthy as a prime Derrick Rose.

So, here’s what I’ll say. The Celtics need to validate this title. Go win it again next year and leave no doubt. I think if they run through the league next year then they will be undeniable. But we’re in a weird era in the NBA right now. We haven’t had anyone win multiple championships since the Warriors (which was somehow 7 years ago). Someone has to take the belt. I’d love to see a Nuggets/Celtics Finals next year. And the winner puts their stamp on this era.

Caddie food:

Fluctuates between food that would be unservable in an elementary school cafeteria and quality catering. Norman has been the best so far, Wichita probably the worst. If there is a common theme in this blog it’s that Wichita blows.

I think I had 5 Chick Fil A biscuits yesterday. Why? Because they’re free. Nothing better than free food.

Tour bag:

Not bad to carry. Sucks when you have to load rain gear and umbrella. I’m single strapping because I’m a beast… but most use a more standard double strap.

Thing I’m thinking about doing:

7 day fast. Why? Cuz it sounds interesting.

Dealing with stubborn people:

Make fun of said person until they realize that they’re being stubborn. “You’re right, I’m wrong. You’re the best, I’m the worst”. So far it’s working.

Fight stubborn with stubborn.

Okay that’s enough for today. I probably left out a lot but like most things in life… the best things are left unsaid and up to your imagination.