Latest / The Scrambling Dads Podcast / Episode 034: Real Life First, Golf Nerding Second

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Episode 034: Real Life First, Golf Nerding Second · The Scrambling Dads Podcast

• Alex: We are back. Obviously not at IGP. We said we were going to, but just with schedules, Jason and I have some stuff for Poppy Verde coming up next weekend. So I really needed to be home tonight to take care of some stuff for that. So IGP got pushed out another couple of weeks. We'll figure that out. But it's gonna be short episode just because like I said, I certainly have some stuff I need to do in dad life, Casey was at Trips La Crosse until like 10 minutes ago. I had the other two cook dinner, got Bella to bed, ⁓ scrambled get upstairs. So it's just been one of those. we'll keep it nice, short, sweet recap last week. ⁓ I want to hear all about Jason's golf season that's picked up for the team. Um, also some of your tournament stuff. know we've kind of texted about what you got going on as far as when certain tournaments are, um, for the Grint tour. So, um, so yeah, let's, let's get into this. What, um, any thoughts on our hour and a half long golf tangent of a conversation with Colin cause there's a lot of information. SD Podcast - Jason: Mm-hmm. You it was a lot. here's the thing we've talked about this. We barely scratched the surface of what goes into everything to get dialed in to be an elite golfer on the equipment side, like having that all geared up, but all the information is definitely valid. Like, like he even put it plainly. He's like, if you're going to go get fitted for a suit, you're going to pay more time to get fitted and you'll have it for Hopefully five years, six years, know, obviously outside of body changes, health issues, like obviously swing mechanics, you know, but if you stay true to form for the most part, what, you know, get fit for a couple hundred bucks ⁓ then buy new gear, depending on what the gear is. mean, it could get expensive, but you can also piece it together and spread it out. And again, for small investment. Alex: Mm-hmm. SD Podcast - Jason: you'll enjoy the game better. And of course, if that's what your goal is to enjoy it, and also to get better. not go through that process? I mean, I know you guys tease me about it. And know, I've gone through just my own changes and looking forward to getting a fitting here probably sooner than I've been slowly just being able to get some reps in just with practice with the boys just get out just take a wedge mid iron long iron and just slowly keep working mechanics, get the body moving again and seeing a lot of progress. feeling better going through it muscles are definitely still being activated in a different way in a good way and to build that consistency. So I feel more comfortable investing knowing that I'm pretty close to probably something that is not going to harm me if I do get a fit. Cause I know that's one question that a lot of people are always going to ask. Well, if I spend a hundred bucks, 200 bucks to get fit, spend another thousand on just say irons just to make it easy. ⁓ but I'm still going with the process. Now my game's different. I go get refit. I need another set maybe or shafts. That's another 500, 600 bucks. So I get that. That's kind of where I've always been bounced around with. Well, if I do a little bit now, I get better, then I'm going to have to pay more to get refitted again. But you have to trust the process and knowing that these guys probably seen it long enough that once you're probably fit, they're probably not going to need you to get fit again, unless like I said, something dramatically happens. So lot of great information and looking forward to going into the process. know, Colin obviously a Cobra rep and we He says he doesn't push it, but of course I'd be the one that goes in. He's like, yeah, those, 3d printed cobras, ⁓ give you the best numbers with the ⁓ graphite shafts for for a new set of irons. I get to see that happening. Alex: You know, I'll touch on that in a second, but you're 100 % correct on we barely scratched the surface and it is such an individual journey, a club process, because everyone really is different. And I think the general baseline is, you know, we said at the end of that conversation is at least go do a club fitting or sorry, a club spec or a gapping session. SD Podcast - Jason: Mm-hmm. Alex: because in either one of those scenarios, ⁓ you'll at least figure out loft lie dynamics so that you can get something that works with you to some extent. Meaning I can at least know that I'm going to hit the ball relatively straight and it might help my dispersion because like you had your clubs upright by two degrees and you know that was definitely hurting your swing a little bit. ⁓ So if you're not going to go get fit, at least go do that so that your clubs can be somewhat SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Alex: meant a little bit more for you. But ⁓ that note, if you get fit at the right time, your really should last. I got fit for my Shrek songs when I was a nine handicap. And I ended up taking that all the way until this past year when I was a plus one. And the only reason I got new ones was because, again, I had a deal come whatever. But even aside, I did need new shafts. I knew that mine were way too stout for the tempo that I'm swinging now versus five years ago or four years ago when I got those fricsons. But in theory, I'm playing the same set that I've been playing for five years, right? I went from ZX7 to ZXI7, right? I did get the forged on the bottom half. SD Podcast - Jason: Mm-hmm. Alex: So some nuances, but what I got fit into when I was a nine still worked for me as a plus one. And I think that's the case. Like I don't, I think people think this fitting is like, I can't do it until I'm perfect. No, ⁓ there is exactly a point. And we kind of touched on, there's a point in which a good fitter will fit you for where you're at right now and where you're going. Right. And if they know, and that's, I guess that's good thing about a place like ⁓ IGP. SD Podcast - Jason: Yes. Mm-hmm. Alex: They're a part of your journey. It's not just a, they will never throw anyone else under the bus. I will. There's all of these other big boxes, PJ Superstore and all these other guys that they're there to sell. I don't know if they make commission, whatever, I don't care, but they're big box. They care about production. IGP cares about the client. So. ⁓ SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah. No. ⁓ totally agree. Like I said, like even with just the minor changes and dropping them back down to a standard lie. You know, when you're hitting it well, because now I'm striking it, they feel better when I'm striking it. Flight is perfect. Like if mess up, it's because I know I mechanically did something mess bad in the swing versus the club being out of place. Alex: That's my big push for them and they're part of a journey, not just telling you clubs. SD Podcast - Jason: But, you know, when you use the mats, you know, you look at the bottom of the soul, you see that the green plastic key streaks, mine are actually sitting all pretty flush through the bottom of the soul. They're not digging one end or the other. ⁓ like I said, my flight is pretty much dead straight with barely a little fade or baby, a baby draw. Like everything is in line when I know I'm swinging good. And so I'm like, okay, that is a good process. I'm already moving in the right direction. you Alex: One, I think what people should care about from a perspective like that on loft and lie. even think about the back three quarters of your ball flight. What does that first 25 % of your ball flight look like? Is it launching ⁓ at the same, launch obviously eight iron verse seven iron. Don't do that. But if you're using the same club, is it launching at the same and are you hitting it directionally horizontal launch the same? I mean, as long as you're doing those two things, you can figure out your dispersion pretty quick. So I think those are the big things that that matter that, you know, if you're not going to a fitter, but you can at least see, OK, do I need new clubs or am I in a place? If you are launching it within a good window, you can probably go get fit and you'll be fine. SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah. Yeah. Yep. Uh, the biggest thing I think right now, I mean, if I, know, okay, so I go and get fit, I go the direction I definitely, I think, want to try to push on them and it may not work getting the fitting is, uh, going to graphite shafts. Um, I think just feeling it, um, having messed with it a little bit. And then now I'm even seeing, and we'll get this so like a little bit later, but even at some of the recent tournaments, I'm seeing these. top high school players graphite through their whole iron shaft or iron set. I kind of asked him like, why did you think, why'd you change? And they're obviously the feel they're getting the same consistency. But ⁓ one he talked about the player was the weight ⁓ distribution different and it felt better. And of course the benefits of graphite feeling smoother, easier on the joints, all that stuff. And obviously getting older, just not playing consistently enough. Alex: Hmm. Yeah. SD Podcast - Jason: That would be my push for them is let's focus on graphite. Let's see if that's something that could fit for me and my tempo and everything, if there's something there. And then ⁓ he's like, man, you need to switch out irons, then that'll be a whole nother discussion because it might need to be gapped out differently. And the only reason why I say that is think two or three weeks ago, ⁓ I a quick nine at O'Callo. The first par five, I number six. ⁓ hit a great drive just on the right side. I was like 230 or 240 out. Took my seven wood, put it right on the edge of the green and it was a high ball flight and it dropped. So I'm sitting here going, okay, my seven is getting there, which is typically 21. I think it's at 21 loft. So about a four iron. And then I go to a five iron, but my five iron may be at best gets 200. So that is a huge problem. I either need to get better at hitting the five iron, ⁓ maybe every shaft could just help that difference or obviously a hollow body type thing or nine wood. I don't know. That's, that's one major area I've already noticed with the swing improvement that the woods have definitely picked up distance. It's just can my irons now start to catch up which the bottom half are starting to but I know when we messed around with it, the wedges are still ⁓ Alex: Mm-hmm. SD Podcast - Jason: Like my loft is perfect, good number, but then my sand is like too close to that. And then it gaps out to my gap width. So I do have some issues with all of that. so again, loft changes, maybe some different iron configurations and of course different shafts. So I have a lot of pieces. So you'll have this homework cut out for me to see where they could find a blend that will work. Alex: Yeah, you're 100 % correct. And I'm, you know, I'm due for a club spec gapping session. As well, so I don't have nearly as much as you are just because you're you're looking to get new clubs that fit you. Mine are obviously pretty fit. I only have a few question marks in the bag, so a little bit easier for me. But to touch on what you said earlier about kind of Colin selling the Cobra ⁓ or just, you know, you're joking about a four thousand dollars set. ⁓ I will tell you. SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah Alex: And all of my time working with Colin, like he's never pushed me to buy something. And there was actually, um, when I got fit for my driver last, there was a shaft that actually performed really well for me, but it was like, no joke, probably a five, $600 shaft, not even the head. Like, I mean, you're talking, you're talking, this is a 11, $1,200 driver at this point. And, and it. SD Podcast - Jason: Was it an autoflex or something like that? Okay. Alex: Yeah, yeah, it was an autoflex. And it was obon. Yeah, yeah, it was an ⁓ ⁓ And I loved it. ⁓ performed well, but it it perform well enough for me to want to spend that even column was like, look, like it's fun for you to hit it. Like not many people get to hit that shaft because you just have to be in a certain swing speed to make that one work. SD Podcast - Jason: Oban. That was my next question. The air burst Oban. Yeah, I've seen that one. . Alex: So there's only a select amount of people that are going to go in there and hit something like that. So he's like, dude, like it's fun to hit, but like, you don't need it. Like we can, we'll get close enough with something else. That's a third of the price. So like he's, he's really good about like telling you when the money makes sense and when it doesn't. And for me, like I ended up buying an Acura, which is like a $300 shaft, not $800. SD Podcast - Jason: Right. Yep. Yeah. ⁓ for sure. And obviously I can't invest through the whole bag and I don't know if I'll need to, but the first target area is the irons. I mean, there's no question for me. It's gotta be the irons need to be dialed in. Well, however it's going to look. Alex: Yeah, I'm interested to get in because kind of where we tailed off on the fitting conversation, we started talking about the driver for me. Getting into a higher spin head, maybe like the Max, you know, he said the GT2, the 10K, ⁓ going to a 10 degree versus because right now my driver set up as a low, ⁓ launch, low spin kind of tumbler seven degrees. And I just can't control the edge. I don't think I have near enough spin. I don't I don't know. SD Podcast - Jason: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I mean, I think if you I mean, honestly, I would because what is it a stock eight or stock nine? Your Alex: So I don't. Stock nine out a seven and a half or seven. SD Podcast - Jason: I would just take it right now and crank it to the nine back to the nine or maybe nine and a half or 10. Like just mess with it. Just see what happens. I know that extra loft. I mean, it might even just make those two degrees probably could change a whole different world for you. That's for sure. It might even just give you enough spin to keep it more in line. Yeah. I mean, that's pretty significant. Alex: just go all the way up on the other side. Yeah. Well, it'd be a four degree switch from where I am now or three degree switch, I guess, whatever it is. No, that's a that's a great experiment for me to go do. Yeah. Now, that'd be that'd be a really good experience or experiment. mean, I'm cut down to 45 inches now just because I tend to like a shorter, like the longer shaft has always kind of thrown me off. I just need something that carries. 310, I know that sounds really stupid. SD Podcast - Jason: Mm-hmm. Alex: But if I can carry 305 310 when my mini driver is carrying 285, then I have a weapon and it's usable. SD Podcast - Jason: You Yeah. I mean, there's no question your speed ball, speed, club of speed match well above probably the tour average. you definitely should, be carrying an average of two 95 ⁓ ⁓ average on a carry with like a 20 yard rollout, maybe depending on conditions and such, et cetera. Alex: So. Yeah, that's the hardest thing when I watch the PGA Tour is I watch, you know, they throw the metric of swing speed and ball speed and I'm like, I'm not that far off of both those numbers. I mean, some of the top guys are hitting 185 plus ball speed. Mine's not that mine's closer to, you know, the 175 range. But even at 175 ball speed, like I should get decent carry and these guys are carrying it 15 yards farther than me. So it's always annoying to watch that. SD Podcast - Jason: Right. It's like the math. Yeah. I said, yeah, the math doesn't add up. You know, know your numbers are this and doesn't fit quite right. I think that's kind of like where I noticed it. It's like. Alex: ⁓ no. Yeah, exactly. SD Podcast - Jason: Oh, are we a little delayed? Oh, that's kind of where I noticed it. It's like my three or many go as far as my driver. And so just sitting there and like, okay, if those are going that far, because I know they're going that far based on, you know, GPS on the map, but then my driver is only right there with it. So, but I also know mechanically Alex: Yeah. Mm-hmm. SD Podcast - Jason: already noticed a big difference, not chicken wing in it, keeping my extension through my swing at the bottom is already added a better truer spectrum of range. So that is something I've been excited to see ⁓ Alex: Mm-hmm. Yeah, absolutely. mean, I'm excited for you to go down that the path in general. It's just exciting because I think and I've talked to Colin about this. Like he says he likes working with people that are high caliber from the sense of like they kind of know what they're looking for. And if they miss hit one, they're like, ⁓ no, I miss hit that. Let me hit again. They can generally do what they want with the ball. But I know he gets a lot more satisfaction out of working with guys that are or guys and girls clients that are, you know, in that five to 15 handicap or even more because you see the effects of the decision so much faster. And that's fun. Like you kind of get that dopamine kick. So it's exciting to watch you go through this process because we're to get to see real life. You're, you know, a 12, 13 handicap. You know, can we get down to a 10 handicap with some pretty quick changes? to the bag? Maybe. I mean he said last week he had some people that shaved four or five six strokes off their average pretty quick. SD Podcast - Jason: I think the biggest, the biggest part first was as he discussed, get the Indian fixed. ⁓ And that is definitely shaping up because I'm seeing better fields, better results, better control my flight. and then ⁓ learning more my setup, which was causing me to miss ⁓ a lot greens. ⁓ Cause that's where I was. ⁓ I can out in the fairway pretty safe. with driver three, many, whatever. So that's never been a big issue, but then it's what's next. And then the what's next is what kills me. And just the setup and learning how to swing properly into the ball. The striking is definitely improved now just got to get the aim. And then with the aim now understand my ball flight that's new new ball flight that is coming from these changes because it is looking different. So all in a good, good directions. Nothing's strained or getting out of control. So yeah, it's, it's exciting. I'm looking forward to putting a little bit of a test to it with my first ever ⁓ event, ⁓ tournament coming up. ⁓ March 14th. So a few weeks. Saturday. It should be Saturday the 14th. Is that right? Yeah. Alex: When is your first one? Okay. Yeah, that is a Saturday. I know that because not to completely derail us. SD Podcast - Jason: Yep. Alex: Yeah, 14th is Saturday. Yeah, no, saying I know that because I'm just completely derail us, but I got a text for, know, like some girls would do like a wine and like maybe they have like a boutique clothing company over. And I got a text about something very similar. It's whiskey and bourbon. And then there's a custom like ⁓ suit that ⁓ is jackets and custom shirts. SD Podcast - Jason: ⁓ that actually sounds like a lot of fun. Alex: I know I was like, okay, like, and I took a so like, look, I really don't care. Like I don't want to spend a lot of money right now. So I'm not looking to get a new suit, but I have lost 45 pounds. So like all of my dress shirts are pretty big on me. My suits, my suits definitely don't fit. Some of my sport coats are fine. They work. So I'm kind of due for something. I was like, whatever, I'll go have a drink, maybe get a custom shirt and move on. But anyways, ⁓ just funny because you said the 14th and that's the same day as that. So that keyed in pretty quick for me. ⁓ SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah, that's funny you mentioned the clothing because I need to get back in shape, but I also know I need to update my wardrobe. So I'm using Stitch Fix again, just like, throw me some stuff. Let's see what you can come up with because I do need to upgrade some stuff and just not just more, not so much size wise, but I just need some refresh. Alex: All right, no problem. Yeah, I'm honestly not far off that, but like we're at sports so much that it's going from work clothes to clothes to run outside with the kids. And I ⁓ ⁓ jeans and stuff like that. But whatever, we're off to get into summer in Texas. That's not going to happen. Well, ⁓ there? Yeah. Is there anything that we didn't talk about last week that you kind of thought I wish I would have asked or I wish we would talked about? SD Podcast - Jason: athleisure. There was one thing and I don't know, I kind of bounced with it in my head. You know, he talked about obviously all these new drivers, all the new tech, like let's say this is to stay with all the 460 head sizes, obviously Ping. And I think Ping is technically still the one that's advertising the 4K max deal. But at some point, I'm just wondering is the forgiveness that much different now between Taylor May Calloway being Titleist when you're talking about like kind of that same range, the 440 Max versus like even the Triple Diamond Max that he mentioned and then whatever the Max Cobra. And it's like, is there a significant difference? And he's like, if it's like, no, then okay, then it comes down to then what feeling looks so ⁓ It's kind of weird to kind of think about like, they have these 10 K's, but I'm like, is it or 10 K max, whatever they call it. Is it really that much different? And he might say yes, I don't know. Like, ⁓ really don't know if there is genuinely much between them, between all the different companies. Alex: Yeah, I mean, I can almost tell you he's not going to say yes or no. He's going to say it depends. ⁓ SD Podcast - Jason: It depends. Yep. That's why I didn't ask it. I was just like, it goes, depends. What are you looking for? Do you want forgiveness? Do you want distance? you want? Yeah. So other than that, yeah, I mean, realistically, I don't think that really had any other questions. Alex: Yigz. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, he's... But I agree with you. I'd be interested to know that too. Yeah, the only thing that I wish we would have gotten into that we didn't is training aids. With the PGA show, there's always this influx of all of these training aids and things you can do. So from a coach's perspective, I would have loved to understand. as people are trying to better their games, what are the training aids that you may or may not endorse more than others? Which ones are complete gimmicks? That would have been just a fun conversation. And again, he's probably gonna say, depends. What's your problem? What do you wanna fix? But I think there are some that are just straight ridiculous. And then there's some that make a lot of sense that can work for virtually anyone. So that would have been kind of fun to have that conversation with him and get a coach's perspective the thousands of training aids that get released in the PGA show. SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah, I mean, I know Ben and I have talked and we haven't touched bass since his baby, but I know he's talked to the Mach 3 guys they're the ones that have a bunch of different swing tools, the weighted swing bars or tools, ⁓ the with the handle. really, they really support those. And because you, it gives you the ability to still mechanically go through a golf swing, but really feel the work. that it actually takes to move the needle. that's something that we're definitely, think I'm going to look into using the booster club to help invest in for the team and through those notions because right now I don't have a lot of training aids except for a few different ones because some guys are just, wow, you're just, need to understand the basic foundation of being connected. So I got that connector foam thing and Alex: Yeah. SD Podcast - Jason: it's helping the kids just learn how to connect because I got to find stuff that I can give them that all right, here it is. Here's how you use it. All right, practice it. Now I got to go over here. So there's can't have the same one on one effect with 12 kids at the same time. are all different levels. So ⁓ I'd be curious to see like Alex: Mm-hmm. SD Podcast - Jason: hey, you need to use this for these kids, especially if they're middle of the road. And then here's some things that you can use that they're really advanced, but they need just a little bit more help to kind of sequence things a little bit better. So yeah, that'd be a great conversation. Maybe we're in the studio next time and they have some stuff they could show us. Alex: you Yeah, absolutely. go. Oh, that's I was looking at my stuff and it was looking fine, but now it's dropped. It'll be fine. Yeah, no, I heard. Yeah, I know I what you were saying. It's yeah, the biggest thing that I think like, at least from a training day, like to like the putting because there's so many putting gimmicks that are out there, too. So like, I'm pretty basic mirror chalk line. SD Podcast - Jason: I think it all piece I just held on. I just waited. Alex: But is there other stuff, right? So I just think that would have been fun to kind of talk through some of the gear head side of the training aids. But you are talking about your team. How is season going? SD Podcast - Jason: We've had two tournaments for varsity. One of them, I think we chatted a little bit that we were at tour 18 and it was, the wind was so bad. then, you know, but part of me is, well, these other teams played in the same wind and they still managed to shoot better. But I know it was really brutal. Like in some instances it was dead in the wind, two, maybe two, three clubs difference. team's young and just don't, they just don't have the experience. ⁓ top guy shot pretty well on that day. And then the last one where it was at our home course, some of the guys did really well. And then a couple others just didn't do terrible, but definitely we're not, we're not on. So a couple more, got one next week, one after that. And then ⁓ than districts. So we'll see. as a team, there's no way we can compete with the other schools. So it's really. If going to have anybody out of districts, it would be my one guy who can. Who could have and has the ability to easily get out, but he's he's kind of going through some demons right now to just. They're like bad Mrs, but he's definitely. going through some quirks that we'll have to try to get ironed out in a couple of weeks. Alex: Yeah. That's always tough. What is his problem right now? SD Podcast - Jason: way he describes it is for reason he doesn't know why he just gets in these weird funks where his setup feels off, which it doesn't look off. And then it could be his sequencing. He's saying he just feels stuck and then the face just gets left open a little bit. And I was watching him and it's like, his timing is a little off. But again, I'm not sure what he's feeling compared to what he's seeing. So tomorrow. Alex: . SD Podcast - Jason: I'm gonna do some video and see what we're looking at and see maybe, and the good thing with him, it's like even you and I, we can look at the video and we can definitely see the minute minute minute things. It's like, oh my gosh, that's what it is. Oh, all right. And then now you will understand it and we can adjust and make the change and apply it. Alex: Is this one of your players that has an outside coach? SD Podcast - Jason: He does not a full-time outside coach. works with a guy down in Cheryl Park. But he, the coach works with, only works with elite junior golfers and elite golfers. So you have to be at a certain level before he'll even talk to you. Alex: So he's not really working with this guy full time. SD Podcast - Jason: No, so I don't know if we can't. I think if something does of still stick out with him. Over the next week during spring break. It's like, hey, get an appointment with your guy like he knows your swing like maybe it's maybe it's not your swing. Maybe it's something in your head and your head is now transferring that thought to your swing. Alex: Get him over to Ben. SD Podcast - Jason: I that's why I try to get Ben over and unfortunately, know, life, dad stuff, you know, in general life got in the way and weather got in the way ⁓ it would have been nice to get him in there before our season really took off. And now it's like, we'll have to do postseason, which is still opportunity for these guys to improve. But yeah, it would have been good to get him in front of them before we really kicked off. Yeah. Alex: Yeah. Yeah, but even postseason it's really good to get them in because they have so much time to make swing changes between. mean, you're saying districts is what early April so between between August to late March. So between April 1st and you know August 1st you got five months there that you can. SD Podcast - Jason: But no, it's right after spring break. Yeah. Alex: really four months there that you can really make some good changes. So, you know, hopefully some of those guys will decide to go see Ben and. ⁓ SD Podcast - Jason: I'm pretty sure there's a couple of them that can do it. I mean, I know they can afford to do it, but I was hoping my number one guy can do it, get in, he could still do it because he's, he's with colleges. Nothing D1, but ⁓ it's all opportunities, but they're not all the schools that he was kind of feeling for. So he's still kind shopping and trying to figure out how to get to the level get a little bit more noticed and that's a whole other avenue that I've talked to him and started working on with him. Alex: You know, and this is a whole nother conversation that we probably don't have time to get into tonight, but I don't think there's anything bad with going D2 ⁓ college because one, you knock out all of your electives at probably a much lower cost. ⁓ you know, all of your core classes, you can kind of knock out, but I mean, you look at any of these guys and I could be completely talking out of my rear side. I know for a fact, Neil Shipley not start at Ohio state. He started at James Madison and then he transferred to Ohio state. I want to say Chris Gotterup also started at a different school and then finished at OU. So I mean, there is a market trend of which, you know, just because you don't get signed by a Texas or an OU or one of these top tier golf schools doesn't mean you can't end up at one of them two years later. SD Podcast - Jason: Oh, exactly. And he knows that his dad knows that I talked to his dad. That is going to be the direction he's probably going to go because now the whole portal system, the transfer system is so different. So it's easy to do. But the data was telling me of within the nation right now, statistically, there's only 30 spots for D1. the numbers have just come way down ⁓ the teams he's saying most of teams now don't even carry more than 10 players. So it's it is really tight. You just got to be smoking it out there at the state level and all the junior tournaments to get a D1 offer. ⁓ Alex: Yeah. Well, and that's kind of where, and now we're really getting off, but that's kind of where slid into on the poppy verde side. You know, it's. I started with ⁓ the sports and it's kind of moved into. Almost ⁓ helping and create that brand, getting good photography, even some videography, doing these like media days. for clubs because with NIL like player's brand is just as important as their talent now and it's ⁓ not really anyone that's focused on that at a high school level You know you get to college and obviously you have all these agents and stuff like that But like obviously you have your top-tier NFL prospects that have support from that But I was talking to some of the parents that have multiple kids, both genders, in the lacrosse club. And they were like, for the girls, for the most part, getting a scholarship, it's not but it's not easy. It falls somewhere in between. But for the boys, like, it's really hard. And like, you have to be on top of sending them highlight reels and pictures and all of this type of stuff that I mean, these kids aren't equipped to really do. So. know, ⁓ Verde has kind of fallen to that ⁓ of serving that junior senior level with photo and video content. just naturally because that's where the demand is. So it's interesting that you're seeing that from a golf side too. ⁓ Yeah, no, I there's definitely ⁓ there's definitely a market So it's interesting that even in college, you're kind of seeing that. I don't know. ⁓ I guess it's tougher to have highlight in college ⁓ or in golf. Like you're not hitting you're not scoring goal. So I guess it's a little bit tougher. SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah. It's funny that you mentioned that because I ran into a guy. and I've talked to him before he's a parent as a kid over another high school local he actually comes from the Hollywood production like ⁓ his company is designed to focus on helping get notice ⁓ and promote themselves highlight reels cinematic stuff website portals all of that I know if it's golf related but I think he could do anything but it's kind of funny bring that up that he's the only one that I know of that helps high school kids as far as what his niche is right now to get noticed and promoted and them put their names out there to send to all the colleges and stuff and then like he even said he's like ⁓ yeah you could send us stuff and we'll clip it and put it all together or could have an upcharge ⁓ and can come with a crew ⁓ and you as you play or rain session and put it all together ⁓ Alex: Hmm. That's interesting. SD Podcast - Jason: Wow. But I don't know many other places that do that. Alex: No, I mean, I don't think there are many, but there's definitely a market for it, for sure. So, well, that's interesting. That's what you're seeing as well. But, ⁓ I to your point, your kids still have time. They could try to get better in the off season and turn it around. ⁓ Golf ⁓ tough the DFW Metroplex. There's so many good schools and so many good players that it's hard to compete. SD Podcast - Jason: Mm-hmm. Even at the, I mean, pro level, like Scotty last couple of tournaments outside of the one he came back and won the last two, almost dead last or low, almost missed the cut. And then by Saturday, Sunday, he was top 10 or almost top 10. So you. Yeah. ⁓ Alex: Yeah, he broke his top 10 streak, but what, got 12th or something like that? SD Podcast - Jason: Like you can have off days it will happen, but it's how you respond and try to make up for that but you know, even if he was hitting him well, I think I forget it was either AT &T or the Other one Genesis I was watching he was getting it there, but his putts just weren't like this happens Alex: Yeah, putter matters. mean, we talk about fitting, and we didn't talk a lick about putter fitting, which I know Colin doesn't necessarily do. They partner with machine for that. that's probably why we need to have machine on this and really talk to them more about the putter fitting process. man, putter matters. I actually saw a graphic on social media that showed, I wanna say, like maybe it was the top 10 players in the world, or maybe it was top 10 that finished in the tournament, whatever it was, all of them had a mallet style putter. SD Podcast - Jason: I think I've seen seen that speaking of putters lab or releasing or just released their link to blade style with a HS Alex: ⁓ really? I'm surprised they're doing that because I don't think the link did well. Like, I don't think it was received well. SD Podcast - Jason: It's called the link. It's like the link 2.0 or link extra. ⁓ let me see. Like I just saw it and I, it, they, think the one of them is center shaft still. And then the other one is, the H. Alex: I'm gonna have to look this up while we're on this podcast here, because that's... wow. Yeah. So post it on. I'm looking at Golf ⁓ or whatever it's called. Golf Works, guess that forum. Yeah, it's the link 2.1 and they have heel shafted. Yeah, it looks like a straight. SD Podcast - Jason: off works. Yeah. Alex: Blade putter. Interesting. SD Podcast - Jason: Mm hmm. Yeah, I think as Rick Shields was like one of the first ones to pop it up and I'm like, it looks good. It's got a narrow, it's a narrow head and then a little bit wider head. So I'm like, so it's a blade, essentially a blade. Alex: No, it looks really good. Yeah, I mean, if it's a blade that's square to square, that's going to appeal. OK, so they have two. They have a 2.1 and 2.2. The 2.2 is more of a square back. SD Podcast - Jason: Mm-hmm. Alex: Okay, yeah, I mean, if it's if it's a blade that performs square to square, I mean, there's a market for it for sure, because I I personally a traditional blade putter. But I've just never I have one an old Odyssey, but I don't ever use it because it's never really performed well for me. So I've always ended up with a mallet. I would love to have a blade. I'm not saying I'm gonna go switch my clubs. That ain't gonna happen. But I mean, would be interesting to try for sure. SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah. I mean, I'm been practicing with that old Odyssey XO seven center shaft and I like it. It like, when I know I'm off the toe, I feel it, but it, still holds a pretty good line. The ball rolls off of it. Great. I wish the head weight was a little heavier for its design. So, I don't know if that's something I just try to add lead tape and customize it, or now I know I'm getting better feel for this. this is like what I'm looking for, then do I go get a fit and try to get something more suitable? Like, I don't know, whatever we talked about machine or even the DF3 that I've said that felt the best with the forward press being with that left hand low, is really good. I mean, my pace and my lines are holding really well. It's just, I'm like, this is unbelievable. Like how much it's... Alex: Mm-hmm. SD Podcast - Jason: May not have hit every putt, I haven't hit a ton, but messing around with it, it already shows a difference. So I don't know, we'll see. But yeah, that, that. Alex: Well, how's your ramp up? How's your ramp up looking to get ready for your tournament? I mean, you're talking about this putter and you know what part of you are going to use and what grip, you know, how's everything looking? SD Podcast - Jason: Um, so I had a range session last week just to get the corks out. I'm going to the range end of this week to just keep, to try to, you know, get the swing mechanics in routine and more in place. I think I might get another practice round in. I want to get to heritage, but I don't know I will on this weekend, maybe Sunday. don't know. I don't know if we have time. So that's kind of where I'm at. But then yeah, as ⁓ team practices, you know, making sure they're doing their stuff, but then I'll say after a little bit or like in between, I still keep kind of working on some different things. But right I'm probably going to move forward with the X07 center shaft with the left low because ⁓ It just it works better for the grip and I like the forgiveness with the head weight and the design because it's a little bit more face face balance than the Scotty. So yeah, we'll see. too worried about a golf ball. I'll probably just stick with the Pro V because know it's the most consistent I can play with. Alex: Yeah, that brings up a good point. We both did some testing over the winter with different balls. And I'm just going to end up saying in the Pro V1X, it's just like one, the availability to get it at virtually any pro shop is just very enticing for me. Someone that can barely charge my speaker when I want to go play. Just being able to walk into a shop and buy a sleeve of balls is amazing. But it's just it's just always performed the best. So. SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah, I mean, is it the best ball for me? Maybe, maybe not. But I think I know how it's going to perform. That's the one thing I could say. It's like, I know how it's going to feel. I know how it's going to go when I'm obviously not shanking it, but you know, hit it well. It's like, I know what's going to do, especially even on the greens. That's the big one. Alex: Well, and I think at our level, we're splitting hairs on what we see out of a change in ball. think at the pro level, yeah, 300 RPM probably matters. ⁓ and sound probably matters more. But for us, it's like we're looking at more at tears, not... you know, necessarily X non X. Like I can go hit a Pro V1 and a Pro V1X and within my margin of dispersion, they're going to work fine. Whichever one I go with. I just personally, if I can get the X, I'm going to get the X. But if I can only get a Pro V1, I'll get a Pro V1. So we're not ⁓ good that little nuances matter. SD Podcast - Jason: Mm. Now the biggest thing I just, prefer a slightly firmer ball versus the softer one. know the triple diamonds. ⁓ still got a box. think I'm just gonna, I'm going to use it at some point. They're definitely hard and I don't like how hard they feel. Alex: Mm-hmm. SD Podcast - Jason: So the Probi 1X is just a hair softer or the Chrome Tour X. I just don't have any of those and I do like the Chrome Tours, but they just feel a little soft for me. And I think they launch a little too much for my, what I like to see, but I don't know, splitting hairs probably. Alex: Yeah. What was that last part? You cut out for me. SD Podcast - Jason: I think I was talking about the Chrome Tour and just I think it's a little soft and I don't quite like the way it flies. I think it flies a little too high for my swing. So I'll just kind of stick with the One X or Chrome Tour X for now until something really jumps out differently, but I don't think there ever will be. Alex: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I mean, we have another podcast between now and then, but is there anything that's jumping out at you that's that you're worried about or making you anxious about the tournament other than it being kind of your first tournament now? SD Podcast - Jason: actually know. Like, because I know, like, it's always nice to go out and win, but I know it's my first one, and going through a lot of different things, so. ⁓ Alex: Yeah. SD Podcast - Jason: I'm going to keep it more realistic with expectations and goals. Just, I think my strategy is just I know heritage well enough, I can manage it. I just need to focus on making solid strikes and we'll just see what happens. So it'd be fun. looking forward to it. I mean, I'd probably be nervous as hell. Hopefully I don't shank off the first T. Alex: I don't know what's going on. running a speed test on my side and I'm upwards of 150. So I honestly don't know if it's... said would like to get out to Heritage, but you didn't know if you were gonna be able to. SD Podcast - Jason: All right, what was the last thing you got? Yeah, and then you ask the question of. Prep or looking forward and then. Alex: ⁓ if there's anything you're nervous about, said not really. Yeah, said not really. you that you're not going to really do amazing. Like, you're not looking to win. And the only thing I was going to add to that was I think it helps that you. You're a coach and you see this process. So you kind of like, you know, there's nothing that's going to shock you as far as, okay, you got to check in, you got to hit balls. You're going to be mixed in with all these other people. And then you got to sign your scorecard after and blah, blah. Like none of that is making you anxious. I'm sure because you've seen that process for the kids. SD Podcast - Jason: So that'll be all fun, but I think my biggest advantage compared to maybe some of these guys ⁓ I just, I've played heritage ⁓ dozen times. So I'm pretty familiar with where to go with it. just we'll see what nerves feel like on the first couple shots. Who I may pipe one down the middle or hit one into the house. Alex: I have found outside of the tournament you came to, I have found that my first drive of every tournament I actually hit really well. I don't know what it is, but I'm always generally right down the middle. A lot of times it's because I don't hit driver. I'll pick different club to hit. Whether it's a four iron or seven wood or many. But you know, that's good. That's good that you're not nervous. So. Well, good. Anything else? I know we were trying to keep this one nice short, sweet, and we're both been busy lately, so. SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah, no, I think we're in a good spot. Yeah. I think this is awesome. Like caught up with last week, got new directions that we're moving towards and new goals. So I think we're rolling. Alex: Perfect. Well, I think this is the first time in our podcast history that you're playing a little bit more in golf than I am. So that's a good thing. SD Podcast - Jason: I think so. least one of us is trying to represent right now. Alex: Yeah, I'm practicing every week. I just haven't touched a golf ball outside since I think seven weeks ago. I've practiced and I've been good about getting three, four hours of practice at an IGP. I'm just not actually hitting a ball the elements. So it what it is. I'll find some time sooner than later, get outside and play, but perfect. All right, man. ⁓ SD Podcast - Jason: Yeah, you'll get there. Alex: Well, good. As always, everyone, you know, give us a like, listen and a follow on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, Apple. And we'll be back ⁓ week. Jason, see you later. SD Podcast - Jason: See you.