competitive golf

August 23, 2024August 22, 2024

Breakfast Balls #5 – The LA Team Championship

**Introduction: Embracing the Challenge**

In the latest episode of the Holy Duffer Podcast, hosts Mark and Strolan dive deep into the intricacies of prepping for their first team event on the US AM Tour. With a wealth of personal anecdotes, strategic advice, and technical insights, this episode provides a look into the world of comepetive golf. As they prepare for the LA Team Championship at the Porter Valley Country Club, you’ll be inspired by their determination, shared struggles, and the sheer joy of the game.

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**Preparation: The Foundation of Success**

In tournament golf, preparation is everything. Mark emphasizes the importance of having lead time to focus and prepare, drawing parallels to how pros gear up for major tournaments. For Mark, this means honing specific skills and approaching the game with a heightened awareness of strategy and mental readiness. Similarly, Strolan finds that his pre shot routine makes the game smoother and more enjoyable. Yet he challenges Mark to embrace the unpredictable nature of golf and the excitement of the upcoming tournament.

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**Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles**

Both hosts share their personal experiences navigating challenging courses. Mark reminisces about high-pressure situations and how maintaining relaxation, confidence, and a playful spirit have markedly improved his performance. Strolan, on the other hand, highlights his struggles with specific elements like bunker shots. He openly admits to his lack of commitment during these shots in tournaments, highlighting the psychological barriers golfers must often overcome. Their conversation underscores the universal truth that golf, like many sports, is as much a mental game as a physical one.

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**Confidence and Skill Development**

Confidence is the cornerstone of any golfer’s game. Mark and Strolan delve into how cultivating self-belief can lead to better shot execution and overall performance. Mark’s realization of the need for separate chipping and pitching strategies led to a breakthrough in his game. By changing his chipping grip to resemble his putter grip he achieved better control and accuracy by hitting low running shots.

Strolan also discusses the importance of consistency and the cumulative effect of dedicated practice. The hosts agree that the refinement of skills over time provides a competitive edge, transforming previously daunting aspects of the game into manageable tasks.

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**Strategy: The Game Plan**

Every successful golfer knows that strategy is pivotal to winning. The hosts break down the significance of accurate short game shots such as chips and pitches, where Mark stresses the importance of direction and precision. Strolan shares his difficulty with par threes and the techniques he uses to mitigate these challenges.

In preparation for the upcoming tournament, the hosts contemplate the best ball format, showcasing their excitement and strategic thought process. From using longer clubs to avoid crowding and improve ball contact, to employing training aids like the Lag shot, they explore various methods to fine-tune their games.

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**Engagement and Growth: Expanding Horizons**

Towards the end of their discussion, Mark and Strolan reflect on their journey into the competitive golf scene and extend an invitation to their listeners to engage with their content. They express a genuine desire to hear feedback, share ideas, and learn from others. As they contemplate recording their tournament experience for potential use on other platforms, the hosts exhibit a clear commitment to growing their brand and providing value to their audience.

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**Conclusion: Ready for the Tournament**

With the National Team Championship Qualifying Event on the horizon, Mark and Strolan are a mixture of nerves and excitement. They acknowledge the unpredictability of golf but are resolute in their readiness to have fun and compete. Their journey, filled with introspection, shared challenges, and insightful strategies, is a testament to the enduring appeal of golf.

As they continue to refine their skills and strategy, they invite listeners to join them on this adventure, offering tips, laughs, and camaraderie along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a novice, there’s something to be learned from Mark and Strolan’s experiences on the Holy Duffer Podcast.

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For more golf insights, training techniques, and tournament tales, be sure to tune into the Holy Duffer Podcast and join Mark and Strolan on their quest for golfing greatness.

June 16, 2024June 16, 2024

Playing through it to get to it – Lesson’s from Sandpiper

Strolan and Lucas before the 36 hole of the tournament.

Reflections on Breakfast Balls #4 – The Western Invintational @ Sandpiper GC

What a rollercoaster of emotions this tournament at Sandpiper was. This last weekend was something that provided more than just a test of skill—it was a profound journey of personal growth and perspective.

For starters, this tournament taught me a lot about humility. I started off at the 10th hole with a decent drive, securing a bogey. All things considered, I felt pretty good. Then on the 11th hole, I managed a birdie and thought, “Wow, this is going to be a great tournament.” Little did I know, the course had different plans for me. As I reached the 16th hole and scored a brutal 13, my confidence began to wane.

Yet, it wasn’t all about the score. One of the most significant takeaways was how to manage both the highs and lows on the course. Mark and I always stress how crucial it is to embrace both the good and the bad experiences in golf, and this tournament was a shining example of that. I realized that negative thoughts can heavily impact performance. When I let the frustration consume me, I lost focus and ultimately control over my game. It was a harsh but necessary lesson in mental fortitude.

But perhaps the most meaningful aspect of this experience was sharing the journey with my son, Lucas. There’s something profoundly special about having your son by your side, guiding you, and offering support, even when things aren’t going well. Lucas, who was my caddy, provided not just technical advice but emotional support. He was there during my highs and, most importantly, my lowest moments.

I remember on that menacing par-5 13th hole. I was initially reluctant to take the shot Lucas suggested, a 165 yard 6 iron over a forced carry and a bunker protecting the elevated green. From where I stood the green looked as if it was floating out over the Pacific. He encouraged me and, with his guidance, I managed to pull off the shot. Leaving it 12 feet from the pin. We celebrated together, and it felt like a shared victory.

However, the next day, I struggled on the same hole, leading to another big number. My subsequent missteps at the 14th hole further dampened my spirits. If not for Lucas’s unwavering support, there were times I considered walking off the course out of pure embarrassment.

One of the biggest lessons from this round was learning to accept support, especially from family. Lucas’s encouragement and guidance were vital. His presence reminded me of the importance of staying grounded and maintaining perspective, even in challenging circumstances.

Another valuable lesson was resilience. I faced the shanks, yips, and tops—all within the last nine holes. Mentally, I felt drained and defeated. But golf, much like life, demands resilience. It pushes you to pick yourself up after every setback, to reflect on your mistakes, and most importantly, to keep moving forward.

After the tournament, despite my initial disappointment, reflecting on the entire experience offered a new perspective. The scores might not have been in my favor, but the memories and lessons gained were invaluable. Sharing meaningful moments with Lucas, feeling uplifted by his presence, and acknowledging my own emotional and physical limits enhanced my appreciation for the game.

Ultimately, whether it’s golf or life, it’s about the journey, the learning, and the shared experiences. The laughs, the frustrations, the wins, and the losses—all form an intricate tapestry that makes it all worthwhile. I’m eager to embrace my next tournament with renewed wisdom and, of course, the support of my incredible son by my side.

Instagram: @holyduffer

March 23, 2024March 28, 2024

Embracing the Challenges of Competitive Golf: Insights from the Holy Duffer Podcast

**The Essence of Competition**
On the Holy Duffer Podcast’s recent episode titled ‘Fairways to Fortitude: Strolan’s First Major on the US Am Tour’, hosts Strolan and Mark dove into the intricacies of what makes competitive golf both demanding and exhilarating. As Strolan recounted his experiences at the Red Hill Country Club in Southern California, listeners got a candid look at the pressures and challenges faced on the course.

**The Mental Game**
Tournament golf isn’t just about perfect swings and birdie putts; it’s a test of mental endurance and adaptability. Strolan’s narrative of his day emphasized the need for resilience. He shared a particularly taxing hole where he went ‘bush to bush’, chipping from one troublesome spot to another. This tale wasn’t about the score—it was about his response: maintaining composure and focusing on what he could control.

**Reflection and Resilience**
Despite a ‘triple, double, then quad’ series, Strolan didn’t let frustration consume him. Past Strolan might have ‘gone nuclear’, but the man on the microphone reflected on recognizing good strokes amidst bad breaks. It highlighted a universally relatable point: the importance of learning from each shot and carrying those lessons forward.

**Glimpses into Professionalism**
An intriguing segment of the discussion provided a window into the echelons of professional play. Strolan brought up John Daly’s awe-inspiring shots at Red Hill—hitting a seven iron over a 70-foot fence—emphasizing the otherworldly skills at the professional level.

**Practice Under Pressure**
Strolan and Mark discussed the value of simulating high-pressure situations in practice—a technique emulated by golf legends like Tiger Woods. It’s about challenging oneself to the extreme to make real competition feel more manageable. Such dedication to deliberate, difficult practice stood out as a key takeaway for aspiring competitors.

**Perseverance Through Every Round**
An essential principle that recurred throughout the episode was the necessity of not dwelling on past mistakes. Each hole is a new opportunity, demanding focus and a short memory for errors. This isn’t just a golf lesson—it’s a life lesson on perseverance and presence.

**The Continuous Learning Curve**
As the podcast wrapped up, so did the broader discussion on the perpetual learning curve in golf and the importance of gaining experience. The duo underscored the relevance of practice, experience, and the ongoing adjustment to varying conditions as instrumental in a golfer’s growth.

In summary, the Holy Duffer Podcast episode ‘Fairways to Fortitude: Strolan’s First Major on the US Am Tour’ imparted key wisdom on competitive golf: embrace the struggle, never surrender to frustration, and always find meaning in every swing. The path to mastery, as Strolan and Mark show us, wends through the rough.