Two men. One a 15 handicap, one a 5. One in California, one in North Carolina.
We are not pros. We steal hours for the game.
We want to get better - and we've unlocked a framework for how to get better. One that works with the constraints of a normal, busy life.
Each week we talk about the challenge. We talk about mind, body, strategy, practice, tools - the Five Pillars of Golf Improvement.
We talk about what works, what fails, what keeps us coming back.
So, what is The Low Point? It's going low, it's the bottom of your swing, it's rock bottom when you just can't find your game. The Low Point can be where you ride high or it could be where you quit the game (until tomorrow).
If you play golf, if you grind for your pride, if you chase and care about your score, then The Low Point is for you. Give us a listen.
Two men. One a 15 handicap, one a 5. One in California, one in North Carolina.
We are not pros. We steal hours for the game.
We want to get better - and we've unlocked a framework for how to get better. One that works with the constraints of a normal, busy life.
Each week we talk about the challenge. We talk about mind, body, strategy, practice, tools - the Five Pillars of Golf Improvement.
We talk about what works, what fails, what keeps us coming back.
So, what is The Low Point? It's going low, it's the bottom of your swing, it's rock bottom when you just can't find your game. The Low Point can be where you ride high or it could be where you quit the game (until tomorrow).
If you play golf, if you grind for your pride, if you chase and care about your score, then The Low Point is for you. Give us a listen.
"Dream big. You gotta dream big."
In this episode of the Low Point Podcast, Ryan and Nik discuss their recent breakthroughs in golf fitness and strategy, including how they have navigated physical challenges and improved their mental game.
They share insights on strategic course management, particularly focusing on single holes as problems to be solved, and reflect on their experiences at the challenging Saticoy Club.
The conversation also touches on the importance of equipment choices and how they impact performance, as well as future goals in their golfing journeys.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Breakthroughs in Golf
02:53 Physical Fitness and Golf Preparation
06:12 Mental Strategies and Course Management
09:13 Adapting Techniques for Better Performance
12:00 The Role of Equipment in Golf Improvement
15:04 Caddying and Mental Support on the Course
17:56 Breaking Through Plateaus in Golf
20:45 The Importance of Strategy and Course Knowledge
24:06 Final Thoughts on Golf Improvement
33:25 Navigating Course Challenges
37:20 The Saticoy Experience
43:30 Building a Versatile Golf Game
52:34 Equipment Changes and Future Goals
Takeaways
In this episode of The Low Point Podcast, hosts Ryan and Nik recap their recent golf trip to Wisconsin and check in on their goals.
The boys played three great, but very different golf courses: 2017 Men's US Open host Erin Hills, golf course architecture darling Lawsonia Links, and college golf standout University Ridge, where the Wisconsin Badgers call home.
We also talk about our time in and around Madison, WI and discuss some of our favorite parts of the trip, including the food, the beverages, and the non-golf experiences.
00:00 Introduction
01:21 Personal Golf Goals and Progress
06:09 Trip Overview
08:22 Lawsonia Links: Golf Course Architecture Darling
20:17 Erin Hills: A Championship Experience
34:41 The Caddy Experience
35:29 University Ridge: An Unexpected College Golf Gem
41:34 The Inaugural Continental Results
51:58 Favorite Parts of the Trip Beyond Golf
56:16 Surprises of the Trip
58:29 Looking Ahead: Future Golf Plans
In this episode of The Low Point Podcast, hosts Ryan and Nik recap their Five Pillars of Better Bolf and recap their goals for the year.
They dive into Nik's recent rounds at Rustic Canyon and Torrey Pines South, including their strategies and mental approaches. Ryan reflects on his first round back after a five-month hiatus and his adjustment to North Carolina golf courses.
They explore ways to improve preparation and review of each round, emphasizing the importance of having a game plan, managing expectations, and focusing on mental resilience.
Throughout the conversation, they share insights on course management, practice routines, physical conditioning, and the benefits of journaling specific holes to enhance memory and performance.
00:00 Introduction to The Low Point Podcast
00:44 Recapping Our Golf Goals
01:11 Nik's Handicap Ambitions
03:06 Ryan's Health-Focused Approach
05:21 Balancing Golf with Life
08:42 Nik's Round at Rustic Canyon
12:18 Mental Toughness on the Course
19:42 Ryan's Round at Torrey Pines
28:27 Analyzing Performance and Strategy
32:44 Final Thoughts and Next Steps
33:44 Understanding Anti-Handicap in Golf
34:43 Analyzing Recent Golf Rounds
36:00 First Round of the Year at Duke University Golf Club
37:05 Challenges of Playing After a Hiatus
43:11 Course Knowledge and Strategy
50:43 Physical and Mental Fatigue in Golf
56:49 Improving Golf Techniques and Routines
01:02:45 Upcoming Plans and Final Thoughts
Strategizing Torrey Pines South: A Deep Dive into Course Management
In this episode of The Low Point Podcast, recorded in Aprile 2025, hosts Ryan and Nik focus on one of The Five Pillars of Better Golf - STRATEGY.
Nik has an upcoming round at the famous Torrey Pines South Course in San Diego. The discussion focuses on course management, with a hole-by-hole breakdown of strategies to maximize scoring potential. Emphasis is placed on executing game plans, adapting to course conditions, and managing mental fortitude.
Key points include leveraging strengths, playing to misses, and understanding when to take conservative approaches. The episode also covers the importance of self-reflection and remaining loose, particularly on challenging holes, and culminates with practical advice on breaking 80 by playing smart and minimizing errors.
00:00 Introduction to The Low Point Podcast
00:20 Nik's Upcoming Round at Torrey Pines
01:03 Strategy and Game Plan Execution
01:34 Discussing Torrey Pines South Course
05:55 Choosing the Right Tees
09:16 Holes 1-9: A Hole-by-Hole Breakdown
44:28 Reflecting on Past Rounds
45:52 Hole 10: Strategy and Memories
48:42 Hole 11: Staying Loose and Focused
56:09 Hole 12: The Beastly Par Four
57:45 Hole 13: Navigating the Valley
01:02:54 Hole 14: Short Par Four Challenges
01:06:32 Hole 15: A Chance to Bounce Back
01:11:02 Hole 16: Mid Iron Par Three
01:12:59 Hole 17: Tight Landing Area
01:15:06 Hole 18: Memorable Finishing Hole
01:18:47 Scoring Strategy and Final Thoughts
01:22:45 Upcoming Rounds and Future Plans
The Low Point Episode 1: The Five Pillars of Better Golf
In this inaugural episode, recorded in April 2025, hosts Ryan and Nick introduce themselves and set the stage for a golf improvement journey. Ryan is a 5-handicap golfer and Nick is a 15-handicap, and they candidly share the challenges they face in their games and their goals for the year. They discuss how small, consistent changes and focusing on specific aspects of the game can lead to significant improvement, even with limited practice time due to busy schedules.
Time-stamps
(00:00) Introduction to The Pod
(00:40) Nick's Golf Struggles and Goals
(02:27) Ryan's Golf Journey and Improvement
(06:50) The Five Pillars of Golf Improvement
(11:35) Physical Fitness for Golf
(19:48) Mental Game Challenges
(27:02) Strategic Play and Course Management
(34:56) Changing Strategies on the Course
(36:46) Mental Game and Swing Thoughts
(40:19) Practice and Structure
(42:17) Lessons and Swing Adjustments
(58:13) Goals and Improvement Plans
Key takeaways include:
• Improvement in golf is often about breaking the game into manageable components: Physical fitness, Equipment, Mental game, Practice, and Strategy (acronym PEMPS).
• Mental resilience and course strategy play a huge role in lowering scores.
• Practice should be structured and intentional, with a focus on drills and correcting specific bad habits.
• Managing expectations and learning to accept misses is critical to staying calm and focused during rounds.
• Playing smart by knowing your strengths, yardages, and strategically choosing shots can improve scores immediately.
• Equipment matters, but it should complement the stage of your game and swing improvements.
• Regular fitness targeting golf-specific movements supports better performance and injury prevention.
Visit thelowpointpod.com to learn more and follow their journey, or reach us by email info@thelowpointpod.com. On Instagram, we are @thelowpointpod.
This episode is perfect for golfers of all levels looking for practical advice and motivation to enhance their game through a thoughtful, realistic approach.