2 Great Golf Courses, Imposter Syndrome, & I Don’t Belong 7-22-26 - Becker Business

Summary3 min read

Becker Business with Scott Becker

Episode: 2 Great Golf Courses, Imposter Syndrome, & I Don’t Belong

Release Date: July 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker shares an engaging blend of personal stories and reflections centered around his recent experiences at two prestigious golf courses—Merit Club and Conway Farms. Beyond the stories of the fairways and greens, Scott delves into deeper feelings of "imposter syndrome" and the lasting impressions of growing up middle-class when faced with exclusive environments. Using humor and honest self-reflection, he highlights what it feels like to be an outsider in circles of privilege and accomplishment.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Experiences at Highly Ranked Golf Courses

Merit Club (01:01)
- Scott describes the Merit Club as “absolutely stunning,” recounting feeling grateful for the opportunity to play as a guest at such an exclusive club.
- Notable members include Michael Jordan, whom Scott humorously refers to as “the professional, excuse me, basketball player, MVP of everything.”
- Anecdote about buying Jordan-brand shoes at the club, joking about feeling “cool” in an “older person's way.”
Conway Farms (01:52)
- Another “crazy beautiful course” in Lake Forest, Illinois, known for its challenge and exclusivity.
- Scott shares how he was invited as a guest, joking about not being the typical invitee for such a place.
- Honest admission of his golf struggles: “I had a great front nine on Conway Farms. Then, of course, the 10 cups of coffee I probably had that day kicked in and the course was too tough for me and the back nine was an absolute disaster.”

2. Imposter Syndrome and Class Reflections

Feeling Out of Place (02:30)
- Scott relates feelings of not belonging, tying them to his upbringing in Skokie, a “very middle class suburb.”
- Reflects on his childhood insecurities: “When I was 13 years old. I was shopping a little bit in the husky section. So when you go to these places as an adult, you know, you still feel a little bit like that imposter, like you don't belong.”
- Humorously extends the sentiment to his friends: he chooses not to mention their names to “protect the innocent and not embarrass them for inviting me... I don't want them to be tagged as imposters as well.”
Perspective on Privilege (02:53)
- “It was, you know, fascinating to play these beautiful courses, see how different people live and it was really remarkable.”
- Despite the privilege of the experience, Scott remains self-deprecating, noting: “Neither place respects my golf game, but it is what it is.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On golfing at elite clubs:
- “This club called Merit Club. Absolutely stunning place. Michael Jordan, the professional golfer—excuse me, basketball player, MVP of everything belongs there.” —Scott Becker (00:41)
On feeling like an outsider:
- “You still feel a little bit like that imposter, like you don't belong, like you're not really supposed to be there.” —Scott Becker (02:26)
On golf performance and self-perception:
- “I had a great front nine on Conway Farms. Then, of course, the 10 cups of coffee I probably had that day kicked in and the course was too tough for me and the back nine was an absolute disaster.” —Scott Becker (01:59)
- “Neither place respects my golf game, but it is what it is.” —Scott Becker (02:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:30 — Introduction and background to the episode
00:41 — First impressions of Merit Club and Michael Jordan anecdote
01:10 — Gratitude for being invited as a guest; charitable outings
01:52 — Transition to Conway Farms and Scott’s hesitant membership status
02:00 — Honest discussion about struggling on the back nine
02:26 — Reflections on imposter syndrome and middle-class upbringing
02:53 — Observations about privilege and lifestyle at elite clubs
02:58 — Self-deprecating closing remarks about his golf game

Takeaway

Scott Becker’s storytelling in this episode offers a relatable, humorous view on class, accomplishment, and the ever-present feeling of being an outsider—even when granted access to extraordinary places. His anecdotes bridge golf's exclusivity with broader business and cultural reflections, providing both entertainment and food for thought to listeners of all backgrounds.

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Transcript3 lines

[00:01]
A
When you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there's no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place. So nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
[00:30]
B
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Today's discussion is highly ranked golf courses and I get no respect. So here's the deal. Recently I had the chance to be invited to play at a couple really nice courses. And I won't mention the names of the people that invited me so as to protect the innocent and not embarrass them for inviting me. One round was this club called Merit Club. Absolutely stunning place. Michael Jordan, the professional golfer, belongs there. The professional, excuse me, basketball player, MVP of everything belongs there. He wasn't there. But I did buy some cool Jordan shoes there, which is, you know, an older person's way of thinking. They're cool. But in any event, this Mirror Club was, was stunningly beautiful. I love playing there. I'm so thankful to my colleague that brings me there for a charitable outing periodically or each year, whatever. Absolutely amazing place to golf. I played fine there. I actually played okay. I had a nice, nice outing. Then later this week I played it across a place called. Last week I played a place called Conway Farms. This is crazy beautiful course in Lake Forest, Illinois. Again, you know, these are the kind of places that don't invite me as a member. But once in a while I could sneak in as a guest. And I will tell you, I had a great front nine on Conway Farms. Then of course, the 10 cups of coffee I probably had that day kicked in and the course was too tough for me and the back nine was an absolute disaster. But it is fascinating when you go to these places that, you know, I grew up in Skokie, which is a very middle class suburb, you know, I was in when I was 13 years old. I was shopping a little bit in the husky section. So when you go to these places as an adult, you know, you still feel a little bit like that imposter, like you don't belong, like you're not really supposed to be there. So again, I won't use the names of my friends so that they're not embarrassed that they invited me to a place that this you know at one point chubby little kid from Muskogee, you know shouldn't be at because I don't want them to be tagged as imposters as well but but it was you know, fascinating to play these beautiful courses see how different people live and it was really remarkable. In any event they neither place respects my golf game but it is what it is. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. We hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoy recording it.
[03:03]
A
When you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place so nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.