Sticks Together Golf | Couples Golf

This week on Sticks Together, we dive into fall golf: from etiquette dilemmas to the critical debate over what color ball works best when the leaves start falling.
We kick things off with an update on our personal games. Stacey’s settling in with her new clubs and enjoying her ladies’ league, where the games creatively keep everyone engaged—like a recent round where only the odd holes counted. Slade’s feeling solid about his game, and even our son is getting more and more hooked on the sport.
Then we get into one of the most relatable and frustrating aspects of golf etiquette: what happens when someone hits into your group. Stacey shares a story from a crowded course in Boone, NC where she actually confronted a group after getting hit into twice in four holes. 
We discuss the nerves that come with confrontation and how most golfers aren’t trying to be jerks—they’re just unaware or impatient. You'll hear how Stacey's interaction turned out.
As we lean into fall golf, we talk about how changing weather affects visibility and gear. Should you switch to a yellow or colored ball to help spot it among the leaves? Slade prefers white for putting, but Stacey is loyal to her blue speckled Callaway SuperSofts. Some golfers go even further, matching their golf balls to their shoes—or even to their outfits for the day. And yes, disco balls are apparently a thing.
The episode ends with a bit of frustration over women’s golf fashion. Stacey shares how hard it’s been to find golf clothes that are age-appropriate, flattering, and available in brick-and-mortar stores. She's had more luck with brands like JoFit, EPNY, and Zero Restriction, but still finds options limited. We talk about tailoring as a possible solution and agree that the industry has room to grow, especially for women in their 40s and 50s who actually want to spend money on the game.
We finish on a lighter note: leaf blowers on the course, fall layering struggles, and the dangers of bubbly beverages in a podcast studio.

The Sticks Together Podcast is edited by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of Sticks Together, we dive into our first big couples golf getaway with three other couples — a total of eight people heading to the mountains of western North Carolina for a weekend of golf, laughs, and a bit of "dancing" — the one, two, cha cha cha. We start by explaining why we picked this spot: beautiful scenery, cooler temps, and a region still recovering from storm damage that could use the tourism boost. We remind everyone to check local conditions if they plan a similar trip.
We break down how we organized the group: four couples with different golf skill levels, so choosing the right courses was key to making everyone comfortable. We stayed together at the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club, taking advantage of their golf packages and included breakfasts — much nicer than a standard buffet. Stacey handled the travel planning, booking rooms, tee times, and managing the group’s payments to keep it simple. The only hiccup came when dinner reservations proved tricky in a small town for a group of eight, but we found great food and the best rosemary fries we’ve ever had at the Red Fox.
On Friday, a few of us snuck in an extra round at Springdale Resort, a charming course tucked into the mountains. We loved its combo tees, friendly staff, and quirky local touch — it’s the home of “The Spasm,” a hole tough enough to give you either a back or brain spasm. We dodged a quick rain shower, spotted wild turkeys, and settled into the weekend vibe.
Saturday’s main round at Waynesville was all about our unique competition format: the Cha Cha Cha. Slade, as commissioner of the competition committee, explained how it works — every three holes, the number of scores counted goes up: one, then two, then three, then repeat. To make it fun, we added a twist — a “free kick” where each player could kick their ball once to improve a lie. We learned what counts as a drop kick versus a punt, and we all bent the rules for laughs. Everyone’s scores counted at some point, which kept newer golfers engaged without too much pressure.
Saturday night, we wrapped up with a putting contest on Waynesville’s huge practice green — drinks in hand and a hilarious playoff finish. Sunday’s round switched up the teams: spouses paired up with the format calling for one male and one female score per hole, plus a mulligan that your partner had to hit for you. It kept the competition light and the jokes rolling. We made sure to adjust our official scores for the fun rules, staying true to proper handicap etiquette.
Along the way, we explored downtown Waynesville, caught the local Pride Parade, browsed shops, and even played some party games back at the inn — even if Slade still can’t quite wrap his head around the point of that one word game.
Our biggest takeaway? Traveling with other couples for golf is a blast when you communicate openly, have one person handle logistics, and plan formats that make everyone feel included. We came home feeling closer than when we left, with great stories and even better memories. If you’re thinking about trying it, we say take the shot. It’s probably more fun than you think — a true one, two, cha cha cha.

The Sticks Together Podcast is edited by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Sticks Together, we dive into what it really meant for Stacey to get new clubs after 14 years and how she's learning to play our best with them. It's more than just picking up shiny equipment—it’s about building a real relationship with each club (and yes, we extend that analogy). We share how surprising it can be when new clubs don’t magically fix your game but instead push you to practice, test distances, and get comfortable with how each club feels and reacts. For Stacey, the new set came with hybrids, woods, and an eight iron as the longest iron, which meant she had to relearn her distances from scratch.
We tell the story of how we brought our son onto the course to help measure shots the old-fashioned way, by standing at target distances, and how that was only part of the process. We laugh about how frustrating it is to realize you can’t figure out club distances in just five swings and how competition changes everything. Stacey talks about playing more competitive rounds this year to get more comfortable under pressure, knowing she often scores worse when it counts but sees it as a way to grow. We reflect on how competition is still fun, even if it makes us sweat—sometimes literally.
Speaking of sweat, we get into the realities of playing golf in extreme heat. Slade shares his system for staying safe: hydrating a day in advance, using electrolyte tablets, bringing extra water, using cooling towels, and even carrying a powerful fan that sits in the cart. We discuss the importance of food for energy and why caffeine or sodas won’t cut it. Stacey explains how women golfers often think ahead about comfort and safety more than men do, which led to a conversation about whether men are just stubborn when it comes to calling off a round for heat.
We also laugh about the little stuff, like Stacey’s collection of mismatched head covers and how our different opinions about seat blankets for the cart sum up our compromises on the course. Finally, we wrap up with advice on whether to involve a significant other in a club fitting and why the right support—without interference—can make the experience more positive.
As we wrap this episode, we remind ourselves and everyone listening to stay smart, stay hydrated, build that relationship with your clubs, and always remember golf should be fun, whether you’re competing or just trying to break 90 for the first time in years.

The Sticks Together Podcast is edited by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Sticks Together, we dive into Stacey's big golf upgrade—her first club fitting after nearly three decades of playing and 14 years with the same set of clubs. We start off sharing a recent family round that included their 20-year-old son, a wet course, and Mother's Day vibes. Then we move into how much more enjoyable golf can be with gear that actually fits. Stacey walks us through her initial reluctance to get fitted, rooted in a common mindset among many women golfers: "I'm not good enough to deserve it." But the process turned out to be empowering and eye-opening, not intimidating.
Slade, who’s had a dozen fittings himself, was surprised and thrilled to see how transformative the experience was for Stacey. They reflect on the difference proper length and lie angle make, and how much Stacey had unknowingly been adjusting her swing to accommodate clubs that weren’t built for her. We also hear a convo Stacey and Slade had with their club pro Tim- underscoring just how personalized fittings are. Not everyone wears the same size shirt, so why swing the same golf club?
We also explore the learning curve that comes with switching to a fitted set. Stacey admits her distances were so off at first that she overshot greens by 20 yards. The fun twist? She’s now more excited and invested in improving her game than ever before. We also hear about her new league, her increased interest in distances, and yes—her growing collection of head covers. Go Syracuse!
Slade and Stacey also examine a Golf Monthly article written by Coach Katie Dawkins: “I’m a Female Golf Pro, and These Are 7 Things Men Can Learn From Women.” From ditching ego and embracing hybrids to picking the right tee boxes and remembering to enjoy the game, we break it down. Stacey points out how women often lean into the social aspects of golf—like group lessons—more than men, who may avoid them due to ego or competitiveness.
Finally, Stacey poses the idea of golfing in matching outfits.  You can listen to Slade's reaction.

The Sticks Together Podcast is edited by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Sticks Together, we mix things up with a group trip to Topgolf and dive into a discussion about whether men and women learn golf differently. We also reflect on Stacey’s experience playing in a scramble with complete strangers.
For our Topgolf trip. the setup was interesting—men on one side, women on the other—but the biggest debate happened before we even arrived: should we bring our own clubs? Most of the guys did, while Stacey opted to use the provided ones. Turns out, it didn’t matter—she won. We talk about the Topgolf experience itself, with Slade arguing it’s a mix between a driving range and a simulator, while Stacey isn’t so convinced. Also, is Topgolf a legitimate practice tool or just a fun social activity.
From there, we dive into a Golf Monthly article that claims men and women learn golf differently. The author suggests that women prefer talking through their faults and using visual aids, while men want to hit more balls and focus on technical details. Stacey finds this generalization frustrating, pointing out that everyone learns differently. Slade acknowledges that while some gender-based tendencies might exist, reducing it to a simple men-do-this, women-do-that narrative is a disservice to both groups. Ultimately, we agree that the best way to learn is by understanding what works for each individual.
Finally, Stacey recounts her recent experience playing in a scramble with three men she had never met before. While she was initially apprehensive, the group turned out to be welcoming and fun. She hit some of her best drives and never felt like an outsider. The biggest takeaway? They didn’t try to coach her, which she sees as a sign of respect. 
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The Sticks Together Podcast is edited by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.