Tales Of The Tour #13
Description
Introduction
Kyle Morris and Lesley Morris return for another episode of "Tales of the Tour" under the Stock Shot Secrets umbrella. They dive deep into the realities of life on tour, focusing on Kyle's unique challenges and experiences during his professional golfing career.
Setting the Stage
The couple sets the scene in Pinewood, North Carolina, where they recount an incident that highlights a significant hurdle in Kyle's career—his struggle with overthinking and playing slowly on the golf course. Despite being an impulsive person off the course, Kyle faced the exact opposite challenge while playing, often becoming obsessive and compulsive about every detail of his game.
The Struggle with Slow Play
Kyle describes his overwhelming tendency to overanalyze every factor—from the lie of the ball to the wind direction. This obsession was so intense that it affected his pace of play, causing him frustration and significantly impacting his performance. Lesley chimes in, noting the irony of Kyle’s detail-oriented nature on the course contrasting with his impulsiveness in regular life.
Impact on Career
This inexplicable behavior became a chronic issue for Kyle, hindering his performance. Kyle candidly compares it to an addiction, where he felt an uncontrollable compulsion to analyze and reanalyze every shot. This tendency made him notorious for slow play, so much so that it became a running joke among his peers. Lesley and Kyle recount a particularly humiliating moment when someone rearranged letters on a tournament leaderboard to read “Avoid Slow Kyle.” This public embarrassment spurred Kyle to channel his anger into his game, resulting in an impressive performance during that tournament.
Psychological Challenges
Kyle draws a parallel between his experience and those of athletes who play with a "chip on their shoulder." He emphasizes the psychological aspect of sports, noting how anger and the desire to prove others wrong can often lead to enhanced performance. The hosts delve into the mental side of golf, highlighting Kyle's systematic approach to overcome his compulsive behaviors.
Turning the Corner
Lesley recounts how Kyle’s slow-play struggles led him to seek help from mental game coaches Pia and Lynn. These sessions were crucial in helping Kyle manage his obsessive thoughts and speed up his pace of play. The episode captures the essence of Kyle's internal battle, describing how he devised a system to count his pre-shot routine to stay within the allocated time.
The Outcome
Their conversation shifts to how Kyle’s newfound strategies started to pay off. Once he managed to play faster and free himself from overthinking, he saw an improvement in his performance. Kyle shared that his career began to turn around, emphasizing how critical it is for golfers to find a balance between careful preparation and intuitive play.
The Element Consultant Role
Lesley humorously describes her role as Kyle's "Element Consultant," a term she uses to signify her supportive role on the course, albeit acknowledging her limitations in technical golf knowledge. This light-hearted banter provides a glimpse into their dynamic partnership both on and off the course.
Parenting and Golf
Kyle and Lesley also touch upon their experiences as parents, particularly how Kyle's rigorous standards come into play when he's coaching their son, Adler. Kyle shares a memorable anecdote where he uses tough love to motivate Adler, teaching him resilience and determination. Their discussion highlights the challenges and joys of integrating sports into their parenting.
Hawkinsville and the Toupee Grass Incident
Moving on, the episode recounts another memorable tournament in Hawkinsville, Georgia. Known for its challenging conditions with gnats and unique Zoysia grass, Hawkinsville provided yet another set of hurdles for Kyle. Lesley vividly recalls an incident involving "toupee grass"—a nickname for the tricky Zoysia grass that often caused Kyle to overthink his short game shots.
They detail how the grass led to some frustrating moments, making chipping particularly difficult. This recurring struggle marked another crucial learning experience in Kyle's career, ultimately prompting him to seek specialized short game coaching.
Lessons Learned
Kyle attributes his subsequent improvement to expert coaching and an evolving understanding of the game’s mental aspects. He emphasizes the importance of dealing with one’s psyche and how mental resilience and well-rounded skills are essential for any professional golfer.
Conclusion and Teaser
The episode concludes with the couple hinting at upcoming stories, including their experiences in Oak Creek and New Orleans. Kyle and Lesley sign off by encouraging listeners to share their thoughts and experiences, promising to continue to dig into the minutiae of life on tour.
Contact Information
Kyle reminds listeners that they can text him directly for personalized advice on improving their golf game. He provides a contact number and invites the audience to join the Stock Shot community for continued engagement and support.
00:00 Obsessive, compulsive behavior severely impacted daily life.
04:26 Visionary in business, unfazed by household chaos.
06:57 "Focused practice using punisher drill improved performance."
11:38 Share this podcast with passionate golfers; thanks.
15:13 Spent thousands on golf to avoid soil.
16:22 Dryer sheets protect against gnats in Hawkinsville.
19:11 Golf Room: Comprehensive golf skills beyond swing techniques.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/paradise-island
License code: EGCL4LAT2URKBLYU
Copyright 2025 Kyle Morris