In this episode of Sticks Together, Stacey and Slade dive into some unique and fun tournament formats, discuss a memorable golfing trip to Colorado, and explore the dynamics of playing golf as a couple. Stacey opens up about playing in a women’s “Bubba” or “one-woman scramble” tournament, a format that allows for a second shot on each stroke, making it a lively experience. This twist on the traditional scramble has proved popular among the women at her club, sparking ideas for more of these in the future, despite Slade’s clear preference for more conventional formats.

The conversation moves to discussing other unique tournament types, like the "three-club" challenge, where players can only use three clubs for the entire round. Slade shares his mixed feelings about these formats but explains his preferred club choices for such an event, while Stacey ponders her own strategy.

They then recount a recent work trip to Colorado that allowed for a couple of rounds at some unique courses. The first course, Colorado National, provided expansive views and forgiving fairways but left Stacey and Slade slightly underwhelmed due to its sparse service and somewhat dry conditions. Their next round at Arrowhead Golf Course, however, delivered spectacular views with dramatic red rock formations surrounding the holes. While picturesque, Arrowhead’s compact layout made for a slower pace, and the course’s quirks left the couple both in awe of the landscape but ready to move on after one experience.

Shifting topics, Slade brings up an LPGA Women’s Network article on whether couples should play golf together, sparking a lighthearted discussion about the advantages and challenges of golf as a shared activity. They agree that while it’s enjoyable and builds camaraderie, it can also reveal sides of one another that might not appear elsewhere—especially when the competitive spirit comes out. They encourage couples to try different formats or shorter rounds to keep things light and fun.

Finally, Stacey hints at a big change on the horizon—she’s finally ready to upgrade her clubs after 14 years. This announcement leaves Slade thrilled at the prospect of her finally embracing newer technology and even getting fitted for the first time. Stay tunes for updates on this developing story in future episodes!

• LPGA Women's Network: https://www.lpgawomensnetwork.com
• Colorado National Golf Club: https://www.coloradonationalgolfclub.com
• Arrowhead Golf Club: https://www.arrowheadcolorado.com

In this episode of Sticks Together, we share the highs and lows of our summer golf experiences and introduce a concept that resonated with us: “NFL Rules” in golf. NFL Rules. You'll have to listen to find out what this means.

Reflecting on summer highlights, Stacey talks about her commitment to improving her game, including practice and lessons, which led to a noticeable drop in her handicap and personal victories like breaking 90 on her home course. She recalls memorable moments, such as birdieing a difficult hole and making an eagle, milestones that kept her motivated. Slade shares his own season highlight—three impressive rounds with friends on familiar courses from his youth, showing how good friends and familiar greens make for a rewarding experience.

Of course, no golf season is complete without a few frustrating rounds. Slade and Stacey swap stories of less-than-stellar days and the emotional challenges they can bring, especially when playing as a couple. Slade’s toughest day included losing multiple balls off the tee, while Stacey recalled a high-stakes tournament day when nothing seemed to go right. We agree that there’s a unique struggle in couples' golf—when one is in a bad mood or struggling, it’s hard for the other to remain unaffected. Slade and Stacey reflect on how they've learned to manage this dynamic by giving each other space, respecting each other’s mood, and sometimes just embracing the bad day.

Bad moods manifest in each of our hosts differently! Slade tends to go quiet when he’s struggling, which can be tough for Stacey, who finds talking it out helpful. The conversation shifts to a philosophy from a friend: unlike the gym, where you may dread going but always feel accomplished after, golf often draws you in with excitement but sometimes leaves you walking away frustrated. Yet despite the challenges, the joy and triumphs of golf keep us coming back.

This episode of Sticks Together dives into the variety of golf formats we enjoy playing, with a special focus on match play and Ryder Cup-style formats. We start by catching up on our week in golf, where Slade recounts his participation in two Ryder Cup-style events, and Stacey shares her match play experience in the President’s Cup. Although Stacey’s team didn’t win the second round, she enjoyed the challenge of fighting back from a deficit in a thrilling match.

We then explore the key differences between match play and stroke play. Match play, where each hole is its own game, allows players to recover from bad holes and stay competitive throughout. We both agree that match play is fun because it keeps players engaged, even when they struggle on certain holes. In contrast, Slade prefers stroke play in competitions like club championships because it tests players over a series of rounds, which he believes better reflects the best golfer.

Ryder Cup formats introduce more complexity with various games like alternate shot and Pinehurst. Stacey thinks alternate shot could be a fun couples format, though we both admit some couples might struggle to handle the pressure without affecting their relationship! We also touch on our recent experience playing "sixes," a format where partners rotate every six holes, which kept the day interesting and competitive.

We talk about the upcoming “Bubba Tournament,” a one-person scramble. Slade isn’t a fan, feeling it’s more like practice than competition, but Stacey is excited to try the women’s version, seeing it as a chance for fun and personal improvement.

Next, we reflect on how we play together as a couple, noting that golf with your partner can either enhance or detract from your performance depending on mindset. We invite listeners to share their own experiences and thoughts on playing golf with their significant others, asking if it improves their game or adds pressure.

Finally, Stacey bought new golf clothes - Slade asks her about her thought process there.