Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast
Host: Scott Becker
Episode Title: Golf & Therapy 1-7-26
Release Date: January 7, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lighter, storytelling-focused episode, Scott Becker steps away from hardcore business insights to share personal anecdotes about the intersection of golf, therapy, perseverance, and the sometimes-comical struggle for progress. Becker uses his recent golf experiences as an analogy for confronting setbacks and dealing with well-meaning—but possibly misguided—advice, all delivered in his practical-yet-humorous tone.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Promise and Peril of “Breakthroughs” in Golf

• Practice Success vs. On-Course Reality
  • Becker shares a recent foray into improving his golfing technique by adopting a new wrist-hinging swing for his irons.
  • In practice, this new approach felt transformative:

    “It's going great in practice and I think, you know, this is the holy grail. I've now solved the game...I’m probably going to start hitting course records and golfing at a different level.” (Scott Becker, 00:55)

  • Once on the course, the new technique falls apart, leading to a poor performance:

    “Of course, most people that are golfers can tell where this is going and where it's going to end. It ends up being a horrendous, horrendous day of golf. I'm hitting balls all over the place.” (Scott Becker, 01:30)

  • Becker notes the familiar cycle of overconfidence followed by setback, prompting him to "go back to the lab" and simplify his approach.

2. Therapy and the Golfer’s Dilemma

• Coping with Golf-Related Frustration

  • Becker relates the emotional impact of golf, connecting it to a period of personal difficulty when he consulted with a therapist.
  • He relayed to the therapist how golf could leave him frustrated and upset.
  • The therapist’s advice:

    “You shouldn't golf. You should give up golf.” (Scott Becker quoting therapist, 02:10)

• The Non-negotiability of Golf for Devotees

  • For Becker—and many golf enthusiasts—quitting golf isn’t an option. His reaction:

    “You have a choice at that point. You... give up golf or you fire the therapist. And, of course, anybody that knows golfers...knows, of course, that we, of course, moved on to the next therapist...advice I couldn't take or wouldn't take.” (Scott Becker, 02:22 – 02:40)

3. The Unending Cycle

• Acceptance of Both Setbacks and Bad Advice
  • Becker concludes with two key (lighthearted) life lessons:
    • Any breakthrough in golf is fleeting—disasters are just around the corner.
    • If a therapist suggests giving up golf because it frustrates you, “you obviously have to fire that therapist.” (Scott Becker, 03:10)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On False Epiphanies in Golf:
  “It's going great in practice and I think, you know, this is the holy grail. I've now solved the game...” (00:55)
• On Golf-Induced Humility:
  “It ends up being a horrendous, horrendous day of golf. I'm hitting balls all over the place.” (01:30)
• On Therapy Advice for Golfers:
  “You shouldn’t golf. You should give up golf.” (Therapist, as related by Scott Becker, 02:10)
• On the Unbreakable Bond with Golf:
  “You have a choice at that point. You give up golf or you fire the therapist…we, of course, moved on to the next therapist…” (02:22)
• On What to Do if Golf Frustrates You:
  “If you ever have a therapist that tells you, well, if you don’t like how you feel after golf, you shouldn’t golf, you obviously have to fire that therapist.” (03:10)

Timestamped Breakdown of Key Segments

• 00:30-01:55 – Introduction; golfing technique changes, the allure and downfall of “breakthroughs.”
• 01:55-02:40 – Personal story about seeking therapy for golf frustration; the therapist’s advice.
• 02:40-03:10 – Becker’s perspective on handling unwelcome but logical advice.
• 03:10-03:35 – Humorous wrap-up and key takeaways.

Takeaways

• Mastery and improvement—on the course or in life—often come with setbacks and require persistence.
• Sometimes, cherished passions can be both the source of joy and frustration, but giving them up isn’t always a realistic or acceptable solution.
• Seek advice that aligns with your values—or, as Becker puts it, don’t be afraid to “fire your therapist” if they don’t understand your commitment.

For Listeners:
If you’ve ever faced setbacks after expecting a breakthrough, or have received well-intentioned advice that misses the point, Scott Becker’s candid, relatable musings on “Golf & Therapy” will likely make you smile—and remind you to stay true to what you love, warts and all.