Founders' Choice: My Day At Pebble Beach
For my 51st birthday, my wife said I should play Pebble Beach Golf Links. Like a good husband, I didn't argue with her.
Today’s piece is the next in our “Founders Choice” series. This one has been requested from a few different founding subscribers who asked if I would write about my obsession with playing golf. Jay wanted to hear about some of my habits and Darren wanted to hear my best golf story. I blended them together for the one-year anniversary of my best experience yet.
This one is going to be pretty self-indulgent and I want to tell you – you probably should not read this unless you really think its a good idea. We could argue this one is a personal diary entry so that when my memory starts to slip, I have a written record on it, but certainly not something that the average subscriber would want to read. I recognize this, but its summer and like my trip to see Pearl Jam last September, please take it or leave it and know that I am good with anyone opting out here.
So, let’s start with Jay Beerley, one of our very kind founding subscribers who had some questions for me as a guy who loves to play golf.
Pre-round meals? - Yes, because I don’t like being hungry out there, but aside from some Egg Bites or a bad choice at the McDonald’s drive thru (McGriddle Sandwich, there is no routine.
Stretching? Yes. I have a very moody L4/L5 situation that is a reasonably rough case of sciatica, so I have to baby it at times. Yoga is my friend.
Range/practice? Always range before we play and like everyone, I should practice more, but playing is too much fun.
Typical courses played? I have been a member at Hackberry CC (2016-18), Grapevine GC (2018-2023), and now Las Colinas CC (2023-)
Shot tracking/GPS/etc things used? Bushnell Wingman is good, but mostly a range finder and vibes.
Playing by yourself or with people? I used to be a solo player, but now have some buddies and we play regularly. Also, I have started walking my rounds in 2024 and while the heat has tapered that off, I am planning on 25 rounds on foot this year.
During round snacks? Clif Bars and when I am lucky, UnCrustables (more on that below).
Any post round routine? Shower and get back to work!
Now, for Darren’s side of the assignment…
July 17, 2023 - A Day I shall never forget.
In 2015, I made a decision about my life and playing golf. The decision was that I was going to make it a real priority. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I had always loved golf and never made any progress in it because I was the type to play 10-15 times each year and remain a very mediocre player.
If there is one thing that is pretty easy to learn, it is this: if you wish to get better at anything, it is vital to commit to getting better. Here I was, 44 years old, with five jobs. I was working myself silly. I loved my career, but between that and the love for my family, there was hardly any time to consider playing golf. So, as the 2016 football season began, I did two things: started working for Troy Aikman and promised myself that I would play golf every Thursday morning. It would be a cut-out in my schedule that I could plan for and, by golly, I was going to do it. No writing and no sports media on Thursday mornings from now on. Again, I know it seems absurd that someone would do this.
Since that day in mid-2016, in 416 weeks, I have played 427 rounds of golf. I am beyond addicted to this game. It is the best, and I have made some very long strides, even though my GHIN stopped moving a while back. I am pretty much between a 10.5-12.5 handicap index and currently sit at a 12.4, where I probably belong. I don’t hit the ball very far, but doggone, I love this game.
Anyway, people ask me about the exotic locations I have been able to play, since I play this much. The truth is this: I have played almost all of my golf in DFW. I do go to Lajitas every December on a golf trip and I do have plans to go about 100 places, but I just haven’t played long enough and when I go on a “guys trip”, it is usually chasing English Premiership Football in the UK and I just don’t make the time. Yet.
Last year, my wife wanted to vacation in one of her favorite spots—the incredible Monterey Bay in Northern California. Carmel and Big Sur and all that this implies would be our family Airbnb play, so I started to think about the locations of Pebble Beach and my extra wild dream of the nearly impossible Cypress Point. That area is a golf Mecca for many, but I had only read the books and watched the YouTube videos. I had never even been there.
Then, around came my birthday, and her gift to me was to take one of those days for me to play Pebble Beach. This is usually not something I ever do on vacation with the family as part of our unspoken agreement that I play every Thursday all year, so perhaps I can take a week off when we have the rare treat of everyone together. But this would be a neat exception, and maybe Brett would want to play, too. I didn’t have the heart to tell her Brett can barely handle Lake Park since he plays about once a year right now, but he quickly agreed that he would rather join me as photographer/encourager and make this about Dad turning 51 and thinking he was ready for his first exotic round of golf where the big boys have played historical matches and tournaments.