T-Time Podcast // Ep. 72: What a Difference a Year Can Make with Sam Engel
I sat down with Sam Engel, one of the best golfers in Arizona. Listen in as Sam unpacks the five factors that have revolutionized his golf game over the past year.
The Journey of Sam, the Arizona State Golf Champion
Despite being a renowned name in the Arizona State Golf sector, Sam's entry into this sport was surprisingly late. Sam had only begun to play golf competitively towards the end of his sophomore year in high school, during the summer break before his junior year. This timing made Sam a late starter in the sport, contrary to what many might expect from a player who consistently ranks in the top five or ten in tournament results.
When the challenge to join the high school golf team at Desert Mountain High School came up, Sam admitted he wasn't yet a strong enough player to make the cut. However, he managed to persuade his coach to give him a chance. The struggle didn't end there; gaining a spot in the lineup and competing in the high school tournaments was still a hard battle. However, his tenacity to improve and his love for the game kept him on the golf course almost every day since then.
From High School to College Golf
Sam's determination and unwavering dedication to golf didn't stop at his high school years. After high school, he proceeded to play golf at the collegiate level. He was part of the golf team at California State University in Northridge, located in north Los Angeles, taking forward his passion for the sport and honing his skills further. This stage of his journey marked another crucial point in his development as a top golf player.
Preparing for the US MidAm tournament: Sam's journey to New York
Sam shared his journey to prepping for the highly anticipated U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, commonly known as the US MidAm. Notably, Sam decided to head to New York a week early ahead of the tournament to get a head start on acclimating to the different conditions of the course.
Extra Pre-Tournament Preparations
Given his remote working situation, he took advantage of time flexibility to visit the Green where he used to work out. He was aware that it was crucial to adapt to this new environment as the Green's conditions, grass type, and ball behavior would significantly vary from his usual practice setting in Arizona. Specifically, the Green's speed is faster, and the grass type influences a different ball trajectory, so a longer acclimatization period would work to his advantage.
Qualifying Journey to the MidAm
Sam's journey to the Mid-Am wasn't his first attempt at qualifying for USGA championships; in fact, he started trying in his freshman year of college. However, it took him multiple attempts across various championships until he qualified for the MidAm – marking his debut in this championship.
Yet, qualifying wasn't straightforward either as Sam had to work around his work schedule. Being unable to participate in the Arizona qualifier, Sam opted for Idaho where his aunt and uncle reside. While he had initially planned to qualify in Albuquerque, it was a last-minute decision swayed by the family presence and the potential for cooler weather in Idaho that made it his chosen location. Friendly vibes from his last qualifying attempt made it feel like an auspicious choice.
However, Sam didn't just qualify – he secured the lowest score for the qualifying round, making him the medalist. He admitted to having moments of self-doubt, being careful about not screwing up, but he made a conscious decision to stay committed throughout.
The Medalist Round
During the round, Sam had to make strategic decisions on his performance, sometimes choosing to step back from an aggressive approach to ensure a better result. Notably, on the 17th hole, he intentionally chose a safe path, keeping away from potential water hazards and staying committed to his line – an aggressive, yet conservative approach. His focus remained on making wholehearted, committed swings, anchored in the belief that such commitment would lead to satisfactory results.
5 Things That Have Significantly Transformed Sam’s Golf Game
1. Increasing Golf Driving Distance: Experience with Stack System
The first significant change that contributed to recent improved results was adopting a speed training program called the Stack System, developed by Marty JSON and Sasha McKenzie. This system, which combines both hardware and software, was initially introduced to Sam by his brother who works at Ping. Despite his initial skepticism attributed to an experience with an unrelated product, he was drawn to the Stack System and committed to its use.
Sam noticed that he was not hitting the golf ball as far as he thought he could. He realized that while he had always focused on distance control, which resulted in a slower swing, he had ended up losing some crucial speed compared to his days in college. This was particularly noticeable when he compared himself with other players in state tournaments and national qualifiers. He noticed that he was trailing on the driving distance – an area he identified for focused improvement.
Sam integrated the Stack System into his training regimen for close to a year. Its instructional nature appealed to him, and in no time, he was able to swing harder. However, following initial overexcitement leading to odd modifications in his swing, he realized the essence of the system was to enhance his swing without drastically altering his natural rhythm. He then modified his training to aim for a more regular swing, enhanced by the Stack System, which would result in greater speed on the course.
Adopting the Stack System had a transformative impact on Sam’s driving distance. He noticed a substantial increase – between 10 to 20 yards further, which marked a significant difference in golf games. This system not only improved his performance on par fives but also enabled him to hit the ball more precisely with shorter clubs due to the increased speed. Additionally, Sam dispelled the common myth that gaining speed comes with losing control on the golf course stating that no notable changes had occurred in his swing. Instead, the increase in speed, while maintaining control, provided him with an advantageous edge in his games.
2. Shifting Perspective and Prioritizing Practice
The second significant transformation in Sam's game was his shift in perspective towards "working really hard on chipping and putting." Contrary to the thrill of standard play and hard-hitting on the range, Sam figured that chipping and putting demanded more attention. Indeed, he prefers playing to spending time on the range, but he found that this mindset was inhibiting his potential growth in chipping technique and putting.
Sam found excitement in his casual rounds of golf but realized he was spending too much time trying to hit "fancy flop shots" and saw himself neglecting simple chips. His most significant revelation was that it was not about hitting the "cool" shots, but perfecting the "simple pitch shots." This, in his experience, was the difference between winning and obtaining a top-five spot.
3. Happiness Off the Course Reflects on the Field
According to Sam, his golf game took a positive turn after his engagement. The joy and excitement surrounding this life-changing event sparked a change on the green, leading to his first win right after he proposed. The correlation made him acknowledge that being in a good place in life, both emotionally and mentally, significantly bolsters his game.
Supportive relationships also have a critical role to play in any sportsperson's journey. For Sam, having a partner who appreciates and supports his passion for golf marks a definitive edge in his performance. He emphasized that this supportive dynamic is vital for his golfing career, contrary to previous experiences where there were subtle disagreements about him hitting the green.
Sam's partner may not necessarily share his fervor for golf, but she has cultivated her way of being a part of his golfing life. Rather than indulging in the sport, she prefers to read her book or caddy for him, thus maintaining a comfortable balance between their respective interests.
4. Realizing the Power of Consistency
The last, but certainly not the least impactful, change in Sam's golf game came from an unexpected source – consistency. After going through a period of inaction during his engagement trip, Sam found himself at the MidAm tournament with a sudden drop in his confidence levels. Struggling with poor game performance, Sam found himself in the common golfing pitfall of constantly looking for changes and improvements in his game. However, it was at this moment that Sam realized the importance of holding onto the strategies that had been successful for him in the past.
Sam discusses that at one point, he was tempted to try new techniques to overcome his game problems. But, a sudden realization led him to stick to the strategies he had been using for years, serving as a reminder that not everything new equates to better results. This maturity indeed helped him play an excellent first round in the tournament, setting the right momentum.
Sam extends his thoughts further, talking about the essentiality of being committed to each golf shot during a tournament. According to him, even if your shot goes awry, as long as you have been a hundred percent committed to it, you set yourself up for success. Staying in a strong mental state and maintaining confidence, especially during challenging circumstances, can significantly transform a golfer's game.
The power of consistency shone during Sam’s remarkable performance at the MidAm championship. Despite encountering several nerve-wracking moments, including not getting a lead until Sunday’s game and worrying over scoreboard outcomes, Sam managed to stay committed to his shots and maintained a strategic, yet confident approach during his play.
A testament to his maturity, determination, and sheer grit, Sam faced numerous daunting instances during the championship. Be it the bunker situation on the 17th hole or the hazardous water on the left side in the 18th hole, Sam didn’t let his game get shaken and persevered through the challenges. Remarkably, despite bogeying on the 17th and 18th holes, he came out victorious by relying solely on his tried and tested methods.
Indeed, the entire journey of Sam’s transformation in his golf game echoes persistence, mental toughness, and an unwavering trust in his well-established techniques. This inspiring story serves as an effective reminder that to excel at golf - or any sport - adopting a balance of consistent and adaptable strategies proves to be the real game-changer.
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