In math, when one takes a negative number and multiplies it by a positive number, the number will be negative. When you takes a negative number and multiplies it by a negative number, the number will be positive.
I strongly dislike math for this concept. In real life, two negatives do not make a positive in my opinion. I believe one negative can be turned into a positive.
I was talking one of my coworkers today and he used to be a football coach. He told me that he played football in college and went on to coach for the next few years as a youth, high school coach at the varsity level and as an assistant college coach. I played the part of listener and asked some engaging questions. He stopped coaching because he didn't like the way the kids were being treated and his gut told him that having young kids playing. So he gave up coaching football and for some reason when he said that it really bothered me and I didn't know why.
He explained when he was coaching at a division 2 college program about a kid who received a large football scholarship. After two years in the program the player never really realized the potential the other coaches had hoped he would achieve. Suddenly my coworker said, the other coaches started trying to entice the kid to quit the team so they could use the money on the next prospect. He believed that this was completely unfair to the player, a negative part of the job. Theoretically of course, the players who play on a team are at the discretion of the head coach, even if it some of the things are ethically questionable.
I had an opportunity to talk to him about it when we went out and played 9 holes in the afternoon. I told him that he shouldn't give up because of a few negatives, especially if the positives are so many. I told him he should turn this into a recruiting tool. If he decides to go back to coaching football he can tell the student-athletes he is recruiting what some coaches are actually thinking. He can tell these kids that many coaches don't care about them outside of football and that he is the exact opposite of those negative coaches. This is turning a positive into a negative in my eyes.
I feel that this lesson is particularly important because, on this day, President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. Many people are upset about Mr. Trump becoming president, while others are ready for some change. Either way it is imperative that we give the new president a chance just like we gave President Obama his chance.
Happy Inauguration Day and God Bless America,
Kevin Trobaugh, PGA Apprentice
"Be the change you wish to see in the world"
Friday, January 20, 2017
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
How Good Is Justin Thomas?
It's been a while since I last posted but I was waiting for something to write about and now I have it thanks to Justin Thomas.
After successfully defending the CIMB Classic at the end of October, Justin Thomas seemed poised to break out in 2017. He has exploded during this wraparound season by completing the Hawaii Slam winning the Tournament of Champions and the Sony Open by three and seven shots respectively. The 23 year old is taking the week off of this week's CareerBuilder Challenge at PGA West in Palm Springs and rightly so. Thomas is now ranked 8th in the OWGR. Don't quote me but I believe his next appearance in a tournament will be down by me at The WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
JT now has 4 PGA Tour wins 3 in the last 3 months. After becoming the youngest on the PGA Tour to shoot 59, where does he go from here? He has always been a great player, the results just haven't come as quickly as they did for Jordan Spieth. Thomas admitted that the difference has been his maturity and preparation. Last year at the TOC, he said he spent more time at the beach and doing activities than he did practicing. He vowed that would change and boy did it ever change. Instead of spending an afternoon at the beach, Thomas spent it on the putting green. He has putted beautifully while winning the Hawaiian Slam. 🏆
Thomas is now playing with house money, meaning he has no fear of keeping his card. His card is secure. He can now freewheel his way through 2017 just like that free-flowing beautiful release he puts on the golf ball. I love basically everything about JT's game. He swings the club with beautiful rhythm and balance. His short game is outstanding which is one factor for a player's ceiling. Getting a timely up and down for par is much more important for maintaining good rounds than a 300+ yard drive.
Thomas has shown that he can win some smaller tour events, the next step is probably winning an event where all the best in the world are in attendance such as a WGC, The Players, or dare I say, a major championship.
In my opinion, the floodgates are wide open as Jordan Spieth said after the TOC.
Aloha,
Kevin Trobaugh, PGA Apprentice
"Even if the results don't happen right away, stay confident, stay poised, and keep working"
After successfully defending the CIMB Classic at the end of October, Justin Thomas seemed poised to break out in 2017. He has exploded during this wraparound season by completing the Hawaii Slam winning the Tournament of Champions and the Sony Open by three and seven shots respectively. The 23 year old is taking the week off of this week's CareerBuilder Challenge at PGA West in Palm Springs and rightly so. Thomas is now ranked 8th in the OWGR. Don't quote me but I believe his next appearance in a tournament will be down by me at The WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
JT now has 4 PGA Tour wins 3 in the last 3 months. After becoming the youngest on the PGA Tour to shoot 59, where does he go from here? He has always been a great player, the results just haven't come as quickly as they did for Jordan Spieth. Thomas admitted that the difference has been his maturity and preparation. Last year at the TOC, he said he spent more time at the beach and doing activities than he did practicing. He vowed that would change and boy did it ever change. Instead of spending an afternoon at the beach, Thomas spent it on the putting green. He has putted beautifully while winning the Hawaiian Slam. 🏆
Thomas is now playing with house money, meaning he has no fear of keeping his card. His card is secure. He can now freewheel his way through 2017 just like that free-flowing beautiful release he puts on the golf ball. I love basically everything about JT's game. He swings the club with beautiful rhythm and balance. His short game is outstanding which is one factor for a player's ceiling. Getting a timely up and down for par is much more important for maintaining good rounds than a 300+ yard drive.
Thomas has shown that he can win some smaller tour events, the next step is probably winning an event where all the best in the world are in attendance such as a WGC, The Players, or dare I say, a major championship.
In my opinion, the floodgates are wide open as Jordan Spieth said after the TOC.
Aloha,
Kevin Trobaugh, PGA Apprentice
"Even if the results don't happen right away, stay confident, stay poised, and keep working"
Monday, January 2, 2017
Sponsorship in Golf and the Direction It Is Heading
There has already been some major news in golf for 2017 on the sponsorship side. Jason Day has officially signed with Nike to wear their apparel and shoes going forward into 2017 and beyond. Dozens of tour pros and hundreds of Nike Golf staffers will need to find new equipment to use if they haven't already. Brandel Chamblee said on Golf Channel during the Hero World Challenge that Tiger Woods is in a "dream situation" being able to choose his clubs. Rory McIlroy is also a part of that dream.
No Laying Up was the first to post about Rory McIlroy who announced that McIlroy will will be playing the new Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero driver, Callaway Custom Apex MB irons, and the ProV1x golf ball. During the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National, Rory still had his Nike equipment through the bag. In China at the WGC-HSBC Championship, he had put the Taylormade M2 driver in the bag and fairway woods to match. McIlroy will also use Titleist Vokey wedges and a prototype Odyssey putter. McIlroy has also said he doesn't plan on signing an equipment deal in 2017.
This begs the question will we see a trend? Will others test equipment of all brands looking for the exact tools and equipment that suit their game the best?
I am actually surprised this hasn't been the case by more high profile players. Looking for every edge and advantage available to them seems like a favorable course of action. By auditing their equipment this could allow players to gain advantages they didn't even know were available. Whether it is a little bit more forgiveness on mishit irons or an extra 2 mph of ball speed on the driver, every advantage big or small is still an advantage. I believe this is the direction of the game. Sponsorship is certainly in for a change over the next few years.
What can the average person take away from an elite player like McIlroy changing his equipment? Conduct an audit in your own golf bag and decide if the club is helping you or hurting you. If the club isn't broke, don't fix it. In other words, if you hit your old Cleveland 5 wood well, don't put a new one in the bag. Take in information, test the information for yourself, and then decide. Arm yourself with equipment that fits you and that you enjoy using.
Golf is expensive enough and difficult enough without buying new clubs every year.
Cheers to a great 2017
Kevin Trobaugh, PGA Apprentice
"Audit your circle" - Gary Vaynerchuk
P.S.
If anyone knows of anyone who might be interested in helping a young pro out let me know :)
No Laying Up was the first to post about Rory McIlroy who announced that McIlroy will will be playing the new Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero driver, Callaway Custom Apex MB irons, and the ProV1x golf ball. During the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National, Rory still had his Nike equipment through the bag. In China at the WGC-HSBC Championship, he had put the Taylormade M2 driver in the bag and fairway woods to match. McIlroy will also use Titleist Vokey wedges and a prototype Odyssey putter. McIlroy has also said he doesn't plan on signing an equipment deal in 2017.
This begs the question will we see a trend? Will others test equipment of all brands looking for the exact tools and equipment that suit their game the best?
I am actually surprised this hasn't been the case by more high profile players. Looking for every edge and advantage available to them seems like a favorable course of action. By auditing their equipment this could allow players to gain advantages they didn't even know were available. Whether it is a little bit more forgiveness on mishit irons or an extra 2 mph of ball speed on the driver, every advantage big or small is still an advantage. I believe this is the direction of the game. Sponsorship is certainly in for a change over the next few years.
What can the average person take away from an elite player like McIlroy changing his equipment? Conduct an audit in your own golf bag and decide if the club is helping you or hurting you. If the club isn't broke, don't fix it. In other words, if you hit your old Cleveland 5 wood well, don't put a new one in the bag. Take in information, test the information for yourself, and then decide. Arm yourself with equipment that fits you and that you enjoy using.
 |
| Jason Day wearing new Nike gear |
Cheers to a great 2017
Kevin Trobaugh, PGA Apprentice
"Audit your circle" - Gary Vaynerchuk
P.S.
If anyone knows of anyone who might be interested in helping a young pro out let me know :)
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