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| "Hey bud, maybe stop talking while I take the picture, huh?" |
“A Bad attitude is
worse than a bad swing.” – Payne Stewart
Hello!
So, it’s been about a week since I last posted here – a quick
return for me! And today, I just have a little more rambling to do.
I may not have written much (or, shit, done much) in the
last seven days, but I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the upcoming golf
season and all that lies ahead for me. And it seems to me that, for at least a
little while, this blog will be more of a hodge-podge of my thoughts and
musings about my efforts and work, tips and tricks and lessons learned than any
sort of formal blog. Hopefully that’s alright with you.
Some of the things I will be tackling in the coming weeks
while the snow hangs around will be:
Dietary changes
I have a few meal plans made up and a couple steps I want to
take. Last year, the dietary side of things didn’t really pan out as I am
currently still drinking more soda than your average human should, binging on
candy and chips and eating pizza three times a week. I managed to maintain my
beginning weight throughout the year which, if you saw my work van on a daily
basis, you might consider that proof or miracles being things.
Starting this week, I’m going to be cutting carbs and taking
in more protein and vegetables. Daily breakfast sandwiches are going to be the
first to go – opting instead for egg bowls and omelets stuffed with spinach,
peppers, onions, ham, bacon and a little cheese. The pizza will be the last to
dwindle as pizza is important.
The Carolla Effect
Anyone close to me knows I worship at the altar of AdamCarolla. The former “Man Show” host-turned Podcast mogul may be considered an
acquired taste by those on the liberal left, but for anyone who has ever sat
and listened to his poignant, pragmatic approach to life, decision making,
re-wiring oneself and getting the most out of this skin-and-bone vessel we’re
floating around in, you know that the man could make a living – and in a way,
kind of does – as a motivational or self-help guru for anyone willing to look
in the mirror and realize that maybe – just maybe – they could be their biggest
problem.
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| (photo courtesy footballmatters.org) |
Luckily, under Carolla’s guidance, you’ll also find out that
you and only you hold the keys to your rewiring and future success. It’s about
getting up and doing. As Carolla says, instead of wasting time debating whether
or not you should bring the coffee mug rolling around the floor or your pickup
in the house, you just pick up the fucking mug and do it. It’ll take less time
and you’ll be better for it.
For me, the hours of free content has been more than a blessed
break from the monotony of cruising around Western Massachusetts at work, it’s
put a little fire in my belly. Besides my wife’s decree that I can play as much
golf as I want until we have kids, the Adam Carolla Show, Take a Knee and Adam
& Dr. Drew shows on PodcastOne have been the largest motivating factors in
my actually getting this going. Instead of day dreaming about playing in the
U.S. Open, it’s time to do it.
Dealing with Defeat
I haven’t mentioned much about the manhood-robbing avalanche
of strokes I buried myself under in both the Massachusetts State-Am and Pub
Links qualifiers I played in last year, but I will. The fact of the matter is,
it was immensely difficult for me to face facts that my handicap, while
impressively low, was not necessarily accurate as none of those rounds came
with a modicum of pressure. And to go from shooting in the mid-70’s to barely
breaking 100 in a tournament was devastating to my under developed competitive psyche.
Since then, I have learned a lot and still have much more to
lose. I will tell the story of each event soon, detailing my horrific unraveling,
what I learned those afternoons and since, as well as some of the positives
from the experiences.
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| (Photo courtesy Amazon.com) |
Books and Such
For Christmas, I was given three books by Dr. Bob Rotella – “Golf
is Not a Game of Perfect,” “Putting Out of Your Mind” and “How Champions Think”
– as well as purchased “A Good Walk Spoiled” by John Feinstein and “Paper Tiger”
by Tom Coyne.
I’m going to do much more homework this year. I’m going to
really immerse myself in the game in a way I haven’t before – which should
scare those close to me, as they’re already tired of my incredibly specific and
obscure golf references and anecdotes. Sorry, y’all.
Helping Hands
On this journey, I certainly will not be alone. While I have
no formal instructor or caddie or coach or shrink or anyone else that a Tour
Pro might have on the payroll, I have plenty of support from friends, family
and industry professionals who have helped me in more ways than I can count
since I kinda-sorta started this mission last Winter.
I am eternally grateful for their support and yours, as I
know it’s much easier to shit on someone’s dreams and ambitions than it is to
throw your support behind it – and I appreciate that!
Until next time!
-Matt
