Golf is Not My Friend: 3 Quick Thoughts 10-23-25 - Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast

Summary3 min read

Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast

Host: Scott Becker
Episode: Golf is Not My Friend: 3 Quick Thoughts
Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this light-hearted solo episode, Scott Becker steps away from the typical themes of private equity and business to share three candid reflections on returning to golf after a break. Becker uses his golfing frustrations as a relatable metaphor for perseverance, impulse, and the search for quick fixes—parallels that resonate with both golfers and business professionals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Benefit of Taking Breaks

[00:10]

Scott reflects on the positive impacts of taking a break from golf:

"I took a few weeks off of golf, much needed mental break, and I felt very good mentally and physically."
He emphasizes how stepping back can have restorative effects and hints at its parallels in business life, even though the episode remains focused on golf.

2. The Frustrations of a Rocky Return

[00:23]

Upon returning to golf, Scott notes the gap between expectations and reality:

"I just started golfing again and as usual, it didn't pick off where I wanted to leave off... It was just an absolute disaster."
He shares the classic experience of underperforming and the discouragement that follows after a break.
Becker vividly describes the internal struggle between playing "within myself" and failing due to impulsive decisions:

"I try and play within myself and of course, then I impulsively try to hit longer clubs, try to hit some shots around the green and screw those up. And it's a really distressing thing..."
The sense of frustration and self-awareness gives a personal, relatable tone.

3. Seeking Solutions—The Temptation of Quick Fixes

[01:15]

Scott acknowledges the proper approach to improvement—practice and professional help:

"I know the right antidote is to go back to the pros, go back to practicing regularly, go back to working at it..."
However, he admits to a lack of patience and succumbing to a more impulsive solution:

"But naturally, I have no patience for that. So I find myself going to what's called the, I think Ed Watts Golf store... buying a couple of clubs... which of course, it doesn't really work."
The story highlights the allure of quick fixes, even when experience suggests otherwise—a theme common in both golf and business.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Return Disappointment:

"It didn't pick off where I wanted to leave off... It was just an absolute disaster."
— Scott Becker, [00:24]
On Impulsive Decisions:

"I try and play within myself and... impulsively try to hit longer clubs... screw those up."
— Scott Becker, [00:32]
On Quick Solutions vs. Patience:

"The right antidote is to go back to the pros... But naturally, I have no patience for that."
— Scott Becker, [01:20]
On Retail Therapy:

"Like any good golfer does, went out and bought some clubs to replace some of the clubs that are clearly causing the trouble."
— Scott Becker, [01:36]

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:10] Taking a much-needed golf break and its benefits
[00:23] The frustration of returning to play and performance struggles
[00:32] Impulsive behavior and self-sabotage on the course
[01:15] The right way to get better and the challenge of patience
[01:36] Resorting to buying new clubs as a quick fix

Summary & Tone

Scott Becker humorously narrates his return to golf and the predictable cycle of taking breaks, facing disappointment, and searching for easy fixes. The episode is casual and self-deprecating, serving as a light interlude from standard business episodes, yet offering genuine insights into human nature—impatience, hope for quick solutions, and the humbling process of skill recovery.

Note: While the episode is focused on golf, the themes are easily mapped to both business and personal perseverance, making it engaging even for listeners outside the golf world.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Today's discussion, golf is not my friend. Three quick thoughts. So here's the deal. I took a few weeks off of golf, much needed mental break, and I felt very good mentally and physically. Second is I just started golfing again and as usual, it didn't pick off where I wanted to leave off, where I was playing pretty well at some point. It was just an absolute disaster. So that's sort of the second point you come back to it. It's very discouraging. It's an absolute disaster. I try and play within myself and of course, then I impulsively try to hit longer clubs, try to hit some shots around the green and screw those up. And it's, it's a really distressing thing, you know, and so forth. And so the third thing is, of course, when it goes really poorly and I play really poorly, I know the right antidote is to go back to the pros, go back to practicing regularly, go back to working at it and stuff like that. But of course, that's the right thing to do, the right way to approach it, the right way to get better. But, but naturally, I have no patience for that. So I find myself going to what's called the, I think Ed Watts Golf store, which is similar to the PGA store, but in Florida, you know, in buying a couple of clubs to make my set wherever I'm at, similar to the one that's at home, which of course, it doesn't really work. So the third, so the three things are, took a couple weeks off, came back, played awful mentally and impulsively. That was that. Third, did what any good golfer does, went out and bought some clubs to replace some of the clubs that are clearly causing the trouble. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. We'll be back with you later with real business episodes. Thank you for listening.