S4 E17: The Final Two Weeks

Pre-round Nerves

Eli Strait and Mike Shade share their pre-round nerves as they approach the final rounds of their golf season. Eli humorously references "The Lion King" to lighten the mood, but Mike admits to feeling terrified about his performance, unsure of what to expect on the course 1. Mike recounts his recent rounds, expressing concern over his inconsistent driver performance, which has been a source of anxiety for him 2.

I'm terrified. I have no idea what's gonna show up on Sunday.

--- Mike Shade

Eli also shares a personal story, adding to the anticipation and tension leading up to their final major 3.

   

Managing Expectations

Managing expectations is a significant challenge for both hosts as they navigate the emotional rollercoaster of their golf performances. Mike describes a round where he started strong but ended up struggling with his driver, leading to frustration and a sense of defeat 4. Despite these setbacks, he experiences moments of "back nine magic," where his performance improves, yet he remains frustrated by missed opportunities 5.

It was bad enough that I almost quit the game at that moment.

--- Mike Shade

Eli and Mike also discuss the pressure of playing in front of an audience for their final major, with unexpected interest from their listeners adding to the nerves 6.