May 20, 2023

T-Time Podcast // Ep. 40: 5 Keys to Stay Miserable on the Golf Course with The Par Train Dudes

beginner golfers golf tips and tricks mental hurdles of golf on the course podcast

Today on the show, Tori is hosting Matt and Evan from Par Train! Visiting Scottsdale, it was a really fun week for them as they participated in a TRUE Linkswear golf outing. TRUE Linkswear, known for their golf shoes and expanding into apparel, organized this event for its partners, friends, followers, and ambassadors. During the outing, Matt and Evan had the opportunity to team up in a three-round tournament. They also took the chance to shoot a lot of content with TRUE, creating a new series called Swing Thoughts featuring videos filmed on the golf course with some of the players. They filmed videos, and Matt and Evan recorded two podcasts during the outing. On today's show, they will discuss how they first met, their popular Par Train Podcast, and their newly launched series, Swing Thoughts. Furthermore, they will delve into an intriguing topic—exploring five ways to stay miserable on the golf course and what it truly means.

All-Things Par Train

Matt Cermak and Evan Singer met through their mutual friend, Ryan, and bonded over their love for golf. They gave a memorable speech at Ryan's wedding, which sparked their shared passion for public speaking and the mental side of golf. In 2016, they created The Par Train Podcast to help golfers improve on and off the course. Evan, a mindfulness expert, has worked with companies like Uber to manage stress and is fascinated by the mental aspect of golf. Matt, from a golfing family, excels in the short game and has played competitively since a young age. Together, they aim to help frustrated golfers enjoy the ride and use golf as a catalyst for personal growth.

The New Swing Thoughts Series

Their new series, Swing Thoughts, takes an interesting approach. In this YouTube series, Matt and Evan walk up to golfers on a tee box and flash them a $20 bill from their pocket. If the golfer's handicap is below 15, they offer $20 for par and double it to $40 for a birdie. The catch is that the golfer must share their thoughts as they play the hole, as Matt and Evan accompany them throughout. This unique experience has been both inspiring and eye-opening for them. Through their mental game round tables on the podcast, they have interviewed a wide range of players, from PGA Tour pros to your average weekend golfer. However, it was during a recent session where they played the same hole with players ranging from plus three to ten handicaps. They realized how distinctly different each player's strategies and approaches were.

Five Keys to Stay Miserable on the Golf Course

In January, Evan and Matt released a video titled Five Keys to Stay Miserable on the Golf Course. Today, they’ll talk about these keys and explore why they can lead to a sense of misery while playing golf. Although nobody wants to experience that negativity on the course, the topic resonates with many golfers. Despite our love for the sport, it's no secret that it can bring frustration and disappointment. Evan and Matt will provide a detailed breakdown of each key, shedding light on avoiding falling into these miserable patterns during your golf game.

1. Expecting the range performance to translate to the course:

One common pitfall is assuming that our success on the driving range will automatically transfer to the golf course. However, the range and the course are vastly different environments. Managing our expectations and detaching ourselves from previous range performances is crucial. Instead, we should focus on the present moment, adapting to the unique challenges presented in each hole.

2. Trying to shoot your best score:

Often, we set out on the course with the sole intention of achieving our personal best score. However, this mindset can create unnecessary pressure and hinder our performance. Rather than fixating on the final result, we should concentrate on playing one shot at a time, embracing the challenges that come our way. By adopting a more process-oriented approach, we can alleviate the frustration of striving for an ideal outcome and find greater enjoyment in the game.

3. Caring too much about what others think:

Human nature compels us to seek acceptance and approval from those around us. However, caring excessively about what others think can harm our performance when it comes to golf. Comparing ourselves to fellow golfers or trying to impress them can lead to unnecessary tension and self-doubt. Embracing our unique style of play and focusing on our game without external validation is essential to finding fulfillment in the course.

4. Assuming zero mistakes:

Golf is a game of skill, strategy, and mistakes. Even professional golfers make errors during their rounds. It is crucial to accept that mistakes are a natural part of the game and view them as opportunities for growth. Instead of dwelling on the negative outcomes, we should approach each shot with resilience and the determination to recover from difficult situations. Embracing the challenge of overcoming adversity can lead to a more positive and fulfilling golfing experience.

5. Letting emotions dictate your game:

Golf is a sport that elicits a wide range of emotions. However, allowing our emotions to dictate our game can lead to inconsistency and frustration. Getting overly excited after a good shot or excessively downhearted after a bad one can disrupt our focus and decision-making. Striving for emotional balance and maintaining a neutral mindset throughout the round enables us to make clear, calculated choices and perform at our best.

Conclusion

By exploring and understanding these five keys, we can avoid unnecessary misery on the golf course. We can approach the game with a more balanced and enjoyable mindset through mindful awareness of our expectations, acceptance of mistakes, and detachment from external judgments.