S7 Ep 24: Swing Cloud

Rushed Play

Playing golf without proper preparation can be a real challenge, as Mike Shade and Eli Strait discuss. Mike shares his experience of arriving at the course with only a few minutes to spare, leading to a rushed warm-up and a lack of game feel 1. He describes the sensation of swinging without any real control or awareness, likening it to a "swing cloud," a term inspired by the movie "Joe versus the Volcano" 2.

I had a swing cloud. There was a black fog of tissue running right through the center of my swing.

--- Mike Shade

Eli empathizes, noting that life often forces golfers to hit the course without the ideal preparation time, impacting their performance.

   

Consistency

Consistency in golf is crucial, yet elusive, as Mike and Eli explore through their personal experiences. Mike recounts a round where despite achieving three birdies, inconsistency led to a score that didn't reflect his potential 3. He highlights the importance of a repeatable setup, as demonstrated by his friend Josh Nichols, whose consistent approach significantly impacts his game.

The most clear thing about him this time was just his setup is so repeatable, solid, and exactly the same.

--- Mike Shade

Eli adds that finding a flow can take several holes, especially without a proper warm-up, which can disrupt the entire round 4.

   

Unusual Events

Golf can be full of unexpected and memorable experiences, as Mike and Eli illustrate with their stories. Mike shares a bizarre encounter at River Ridge, where a staff member quit mid-sandwich preparation, leaving him without his order 5. He also recounts an unusual etiquette breach when a fellow golfer refused to play with them, opting to join another group instead 6.

The guy gets to the first tee, looks at us and says, I don't want to play with you guys.

--- Mike Shade

These experiences highlight the unpredictable nature of golf, where even the most routine rounds can take unexpected turns.