R5, HOLE 17: Austin Smotherman (PGA Pro), Gary Koch (Former PGA Pro/Broadcaster) on Pressure, Process & Greatness, How to Make the PGA Tour
Description
J.R. Smith sits down with PGA Tour pro Austin Smotherman and then golf legend Gary Koch at The Players Championship for a deep dive into what it really takes to compete at the highest level of golf.
From rebuilding a career on the Korn Ferry Tour to mastering pressure, routines, and mental toughness—this episode is packed with insights for athletes, golfers, and competitors in any field.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & setting the scene at The Players
00:36 – Austin Smotherman joins the show
01:15 – From Korn Ferry Tour to PGA Tour success
02:24 – Handling pressure & trusting the process
03:53 – Dallas becoming a golf hotspot
08:23 – Tournament golf vs casual golf (huge difference)
10:05 – Mental shift when keeping score seriously
12:17 – Pace of play & adapting on tour
12:56 – The “happy bubble” mindset with his caddie
14:38 – Pre-shot routines & consistency at elite level
18:41 – Ray Allen story & competitive mindset
20:32 – Playing at The Players & course strategy
22:53 – Gary Koch joins the podcast
24:00 – His PGA Tour career & transition to broadcasting
25:07 – Why golf is one of the hardest sports to win
26:17 – Journaling & improving performance
27:32 – Difference between practice golf & tournament golf
29:14 – Tiger Woods’ dominance explained
30:32 – Is Scottie Scheffler the next Tiger?
32:41 – Technology’s impact on modern golf
34:13 – Evolution of training & player support teams
35:05 – The iconic “Better Than Most” call story
37:24 – Transitioning from player to analyst
40:16 – Why broadcasting became his passion
Produced by DBPodcasts & Zill Media
Ⓒ 2023 Golf & Adulting LLC c/o Par 3 Podcast - J.R. Smith, Stephen Malbon, DBPodcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ8PBbrxj5qrnGDuA4eIE8Q
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