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golf SMARTER

The Compelling Journey to Play America's Top 100 Courses...In One Year!

golf SMARTER

Josh Karp

Golf, Sports, Society & Culture

4.3577 Ratings

🗓️ 4 June 2024

⏱️ 81 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

950: Jimmie James shares his compelling new book 'Playing From the Rough: A Personal Journey Through America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses'. It's the story of James' journey to play the top 100 golf courses in the United States in one year, starting with Augusta National. The conversation covers James' experiences at Augusta, his goal to play the top 100 courses, and the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. James also discusses the contrast between his upbringing in poverty and his experiences at exclusive golf courses, highlighting the progress that has been made in the world of golf. The conversation explores the themes of empathy, progress, and the power of human connection. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by African-Americans in the past and the progress that has been made. The power of golf as a metaphor for life is discussed, emphasizing the resilience and determination required to overcome obstacles. At the end of the episode, Fred shares an episode from his wife's podcast "In This Story...by Joanne Greene" where she reflects on their recent journey of the Civil Rights Tour in Georgia and Alabama.  TakeawaysJimmy James set a goal to play the top 100 golf courses in the United States in one year, starting with Augusta National. The book 'Playing From the Rough' tells the story of James' journey and contrasts his upbringing in poverty with his experiences at exclusive golf courses. James faced challenges along the way, but through the kindness and generosity of others, he was able to achieve his goal. The book highlights the progress that has been made in the world of golf, but also emphasizes the need for further progress. Empathy and understanding are crucial in building connections and bridging divides.  Golf can serve as a metaphor for life, teaching resilience and the ability to overcome challenges.     ***Summary and Takeaway were AI generated from riverside.fm, our recording platform.You're invited to our next Golf Smarter Adventure!  We’re going to Portugal September 5-13, 2024! This is a couples trip, so non-golfers are also invited to join Fred and his wife (non-golfer) for 9 days that includes 3 rounds of golf (more if you'd like), exceptional sightseeing, and fun activities.  Learn more and register at tmigolf.com/golfsmarter.    Two ways to become a Golf Smarter Ambassador and receive a choice of one of these great prizes including:        • A private link to Tony Manzoni’s video “The Lost Fundamental”.        • *A pack of 8 Flightpath Golf Tees. A Tee Above All. Learn more at https://flightpathgolf.com.        • *A Glove + Glove Compartment from RedRoosterGolf.com where you can now choose from a  large variety of styles of gloves in 34 sizes!  Request to introduce an episode to GolfSmarterPodcast@gmail.com. Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also post articles and video shorts on LinkedIn @FredGreene (from Novato, CA). This week’s episode is sponsored by PutterCup! Go to puttercupgolf.com and use code GOLFSMARTER to get 20% off your order.  And combined with the discount you get with the Pressure... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hi, this is Gene Thornton from Nutley, New Jersey, and I play at Hendricks Field Golf Course.

0:05.6

This is Golf Smarter number 950.

0:10.1

Playing from the Rough takes two stories. Both actually have contrasting parameters to them.

0:16.8

One is the story of my life, starting in abject poverty, moving into a world of successful businessman, globetriding around the world, filled with more privileged than poverty.

0:29.0

There's a parallel story that's told of me playing the top hundred golf courses.

0:32.9

I use that story also to show the contrast in the world of golf,

0:38.6

which for so long was like a standard bearer for segregation.

0:42.8

So you have this black guy who grew up in poverty

0:45.6

that's going to all of the most exclusive golf courses in the country,

0:50.5

places where people who looked like me were prohibited from going.

0:54.3

The compelling journey to play America's top 100 courses in one year with author Jimmy James.

1:08.4

This is Golf Smarter.

1:16.3

Sharing stories, tips, and insights from great golf minds to help you lower your score and raise your golf IQ.

1:18.9

Here's your host, Fred Green.

1:21.3

Welcome with the Golf Smarter Podcast, Jimmy.

1:23.7

Hello, Fred.

1:24.9

Happy to be here.

1:25.8

How are you?

1:26.0

I'm great.

1:26.7

How are you today?

1:28.6

Doing well. How are you? I'm doing well, too. Happy to be here. I'm great. How are you today? Doing well. How are you?

1:47.5

I'm doing well. I'm so excited to talk to you because your book, it comes to me. And last week we talked to somebody about, you know, creating your own bucket list. And then this week I have this book where you exceeded bucket lists goals. Right? I mean, the quote alone from Rick Riley on your book is so perfect. He says,

...

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