Landmand with Brandon Lenz

Sixteen golfers. Two unforgettable days. One legendary destination. Josh and 15 friends headed to Landmand for a golf trip they'll never forget. Joining him is Landmand rookie Brandon Lenz, who shares his first impressions of playing "Up Top" and why the experience lives up to every bit of the hype.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:29

Driver off the deck. Driver off the deck. The driver off the deck. I don't know what you're on this drive. You have to put your foot on the gas. You pull out the driver off the deck and you put it on the drain all the way off the hill.

SPEAKER_03 0:53

Welcome back to another episode of Off the Deck. Off the Deck is brought to you by IDAC. I'm actually rocking their perfect peach polo. Finally got some of the solids in and absolutely love the way this thing feels. Make sure you use promo code OTD25 for 25% off all your purchases there at Ideca, and that's ID aka.gov. I put their golf glove through the absolute ringer on the trip that we're about to talk about here in a second. And that's uh in excess of 72 holes over three days and had no issues at all with that golf glove. Uh so excited to uh to have them supporting the show. We've got Brandon Lenz joining us today. Uh Brandon just attended 7-Eleven uh with myself and 14 other wonderful human beings. And this is kind of a full circle moment for me because my very first podcast was when Robbie of Best Ball and the Whole Story podcast saw my social media content from Landman and he said, Hey, come on and talk about what it's like to be a landman. And I did not meet Brandon until this trip. And while we were on the trip, I was like, you know what? You seem like you're having an absolute blast. So what do you think about coming on the show and talking about the trip and talking about Landman? So I want to dive into that in just a second. But first, Brandon, I like for all my guests to introduce who they are, where they are, and then we'll dive into a little bit of your background of uh just golf, how you got introduced to the game, maybe those dark days like we were talking about in Indian Creek. Um, but then let's talk, we'll talk about landman. But first, who is Brandon Lenz? Where do you live? What do you do? How'd you fall in love with the game? All those things.

SPEAKER_01 2:34

Uh yeah, so I pretty much fell in the game. Uh I guess I was in high school. Uh my dad really introduced me to the game. A couple buddies and I just kind of uh you know popped around here and there. Uh born and raised in St. Louis, been here my entire life. Uh member up at the Gimme Golf Club. Shout out to them, uh the Southhouse and OG House, to those who know it. Um, but yeah, born and raised here, been here, found my love for the game. Uh yeah, pretty much through my dad and some friends, and uh what became a hobby quickly became uh a passion, you would say, yeah, especially with those guys.

SPEAKER_03 3:11

So so so how did you get introduced to the Gimme Guys?

SPEAKER_01 3:15

Um a buddy of mine actually was a member. So first time I had introduced myself to a guy by the name of Jake Kirtley, we were on a wedding together um down in Nashville. So we had played Gaylord, and I was like, you know what? My wife's a part of the uh the uh bridesmaids, and you know, I'll just reach out to some guys and see, you know, if any of like the guys who aren't in the wedding want to play some golf. So uh my wife fired off a text, and surely enough, um, you know, a couple guys reached out, so I was like, you know what, make the tea time, let's go. Wedding day morning. And uh, you know, we roll up to the tea box on one, and a buddy of mine just stepped out and all this gimme stuff, you know, and I'm going, what in the world is gimme golf? And he's like, dude, it'll just be easier if I show you. Um, you know, he kind of gave me the spiel of it, but he's like, until you really see it yourself, um, you know, you won't really understand. So about a week after that, I came up to Skins Night at the South House, and uh it's probably 35 to 60 guys up there at a time being. Um just kind of immersed ourselves in simulator golf, and nine holes, you throw some money in the pot, and uh it's really just a good time. So that was my first experience with gimme golf. And after about an hour and a half on the simulators and probably another hour of sticking around for some cocktails, uh I just found myself in love with it, and I said there's no way that I can go without this anymore. So uh it's pretty much, you know, since then I I've just fallen in love with it.

SPEAKER_03 5:03

So I love that. That's that's that's so cool. I have yet to get to experience Gimme Golf Club. Uh that's something I want to do in the near future. I need to join the collect or be a collective member since I don't have necessarily a house to be a part of here in Birmingham, but it seems like a a very cool community with a lot of like-minded people and also diverse people, but all love the game of golf and love a good hang. Is that a fair assessment?

SPEAKER_01 5:30

Oh, I mean, that's that's you hit it on the head there. I mean, I I have a lot of buddies, high school buddies that play golf. Um, but since joining Gimme, I feel like the small group of friends or relatives that I golf with um has just grown to a exponential number that, you know, uh it feels like everybody in the club has has become a friend in a certain way. And it's cool to just, you know, be able to kind of widen your net to say uh with with you know like-minded people.

SPEAKER_03 6:05

So we uh we on the trip we were talking about your just golf journey, uh, and we kind of touched on a little bit there that you started playing in high school. Uh you said and you're you're I think you're playing what to like a seven right now, which uh that's questionable based on how I saw you put it. Um but you you referred to some dark days. You you started playing kind of later in life, having just started playing in high school, and is it a is it fair to say you got really good really quick?

SPEAKER_01 6:32

I mean, you know, you just kind of find those strides where you go from yourself. Oh, a 20, a 20 handicap, and then it's like a year later, you know, you jump to a 16, and then all of a sudden things start to kind of start clicking, and then you get down to a 12, and then you know, a seven, and then at one point, you know, I found myself playing a really good stretch of golf about two years ago, and uh over a course of two months I went from like a four to a 0.8, which I'll be the first to tell you right now, I am not a 0.8 golfer. Um, and let me tell you, those next two years after that was just giving people strokes left and right. So, um, but yeah, as far as like the whole game goes, you know, you you hit that number and you're like, God, this is the greatest time of my life. Everything's incredible, you know. But I think that sets yourself up for a standard of being like, all right, well, if you can do this for a month of two period or two month period stretch here, then you know, you should be able to do this continuously. And um, needless to say, I have been capped by Jin the last two years. So we went from a 0.8 to a 4.3 and then a 4.3 up to a 7.3. So, you know, you just you find these stretches where you're like, God, I hate this game. I can't figure out what the hell is going on. You almost psych yourself out before you even step on the first hole, and you kind of forget. You know, I mean, not to say that there have been incredible rounds here in in between those those two years, but you just find yourself going through a stretch of like, man, I should really be playing better. And you almost get upset at yourself that you know you're not shooting the score that you want to shoot. And uh, yeah, it's just dark days is like a little over extreme. And you anybody who knows me, I'm pretty extreme. So uh yeah, to say that it was dark days is you know, obviously a little extreme, but yeah, I mean, it's just one of those things where like you want to play the best golf that you can, and sometimes it doesn't happen, and you throw a little hissy fit about it. My hissy fit might have been for, you know, a year and a half, and I'm sure my wife loved when I would come home after a six-hour golf day with the boys, and I'd be talking about how poorly I played.

SPEAKER_03 9:02

So Right, yeah, that's that's not a great look when you come home and you're in a foul mood when you've been hanging with the with the guys for six hours.

SPEAKER_01 9:10

Yes, exactly, exactly.

SPEAKER_03 9:12

So So we uh I have uh let me back up. It was yeah, it was 2024. 2024, I went out to Landman, or actually uh on New Year's Eve of 2023, um, is when they released their tea times for the year. And I thought I had this grandiose idea that I was gonna get all these tea times and I was gonna go out there with like eight guys, and and we were gonna stay in cabins and make a whole big deal out of it. And by the time I got done with just their website and it being just overrun by the tens of thousands of people trying to get tea times, I had one tea time, and that tea time happened to be July 11th. So myself, uh the golf bench, uh Taylor Hughes, and Ryan Hardenbrook, the Gardon, we all went out and ventured out there uh on July 11th. We played Old Dane the day before and played Old Dane the next day. And but we had our tea time uh on July 11th, I think it was like 1230. And we walked off that golf course, and I was like, man, I have to play this place again. Like I can't, like it you go around at one time and you can't really comprehend what you just experienced. So then fast forward, Robbie, like I said, from the best ball, sees my content. He's like, Hey, would you want to come on a podcast and talk about it? And I was and I shared the story I just shared with you. And Will Anderson and the staff at Landman heard that and they were like, you know what, next year 7-Eleven is gonna be a 36-hole day. So you can imagine how elated I was when I heard that news, and then especially that I got to be a part of it. So it fast forward again to 2026 and we're getting ready to go out there. And Derek Langston, who has been on the show and a good friend of yours, uh, we had a spot open up kind of at the last minute. And tell me about you getting a text message and and hearing about this opening that you might potentially be able to join the landman trip.

SPEAKER_01 11:05

So, like I said, it kind of all comes back to the Give Me Golf Club. Um, you know, Derek, member of the Give Me Golf Club, uh, reached out and was like, hey, I got a spot, one spot available, you know, let me know if you're interested. So immediately reached out to him and I was like, But how many people did that text go out to that are in the in the club? Oh, over 500 and something. So yeah, I immediately reached out and I was like, hey dude, like let me know if the spot doesn't fill. And you know, I'll have a serious conversation with my wife. And uh he's like, Yeah, dude, spot hasn't been filled. Uh, if you want to try to jump in, just get your logistics down and send Josh, you know, whatever info he needs. So that was kind of my introduction to it. Didn't know who we were playing with, didn't know what tea times there were. Um, he had mentioned where he had been staying and where he was flying into. So that was pretty much my introduction to the whole landman experience before I even knew a single thing about the trip.

SPEAKER_03 12:12

Well, and I love that you did yeah, I love that you didn't know anything about who you were playing with, what time you were playing. You were just like, Yeah, I'm in, sign me up. Like here, I'll I'll Venmo right now, I'll be there. Um Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:23

So it's the only thing I knew is that we were playing 36 holes Saturday, Sunday, and there were some some potential other rounds that I was gonna try to make with my work schedule, and that was it.

SPEAKER_03 12:33

So fast forward to July 10th, and we all meet up at Indian Creek. Um, and it's the first time we've all met. And and that's one of the unique things about golf is there's a lead up to the experience, and we had a group text of all 16 of us that was absolutely remarkable. Um, the the memes that were in that group text were special. Um and we get to play Indian Creek together, which was a great little kind of warm handshake. Um, tell me about Indian Creek and your experience at that golf course.

SPEAKER_01 13:09

Oh man, I mean, from the second we stepped onto that property, um, well, first let me rewind. Um, yes, our our group text was electric, uh, especially on 4th of July to say the least. But um, no, as soon as we got onto that property, I mean, everything was pristine, and then all of a sudden guys start kind of meeting up at the driving range, you know, start introducing ourselves, and man, it just felt like we had known each other for years, you know. And I think that was just like the the first time on the trip that I'm like, all right, well, there wasn't a worry in the world to begin with. There's not gonna be another worry in the world by the time the trip's done.

SPEAKER_03 13:53

That's yeah, that's in Indian Creek. So they've got a corn ferry tour event coming up there relatively soon. Um, those greens were diabolical. Uh, really fun golf course if if you like having to find the center of the club face and center of the fairway, which I do infrequently. Um, but some some target golf, I think would be a fair way to describe it. Um, there is a lot of trouble out there if you don't know where you're hitting it. Uh pay attention to the GPS, but highly recommend if you're in that area, I think it's the Elkhorn area, um, that is the spot to go to check out. They got 27 holes, three different, uh, three different loops you can make, and they kind of mix and match. We were we went red to black, and then I heard other groups that were checking at the same time as us that were going black to red. So they've got a good staggered system going with T times. And I don't know that we ever waited on a T-box, did we?

SPEAKER_01 14:44

No, I mean the course was absolutely wide open to us, and I mean, it was in perfect condition. Greens, like you said, were absolutely lightning. Uh, if you were on the wrong side of the cup, you find yourself in some bad spots. And uh yeah, I mean, it was a perfect realm with, you know, guys that I had just met, and we we didn't take it for granted to start the trip, that's for sure. And what a what a weekend to start the trip off with a Corn Ferry tour level course. I mean, it was it was awesome, man.

SPEAKER_03 15:34

So let's fast forward to Saturday morning. Um we had we stopped and had dinner at Marteau Brewing downtown Sioux City, which is a great spot. Uh we get up top for the first time. What was the first thought that went through your head when you stepped out from behind that bar that is the clubhouse at Landman and and stood at at the top and overlooked what is that golf course?

SPEAKER_01 16:00

Uh I mean it it was a little overwhelming to say the least. Um, you you don't get to experience those moments very often on courses that you know just kind of take your breath away, but also the whole experience and and being up there with everybody. I mean, I I just remember walking on that 18th green, and this sounds so corny, but I mean I I legitimately had tears in my eyes, and just thinking back on it, I I get teary eyed on it because I mean just the experience alone was so spiritual to just step up there, not a care in the world, no other thoughts on your mind other than just go out and have a good time and oh my god, look what's in front of your face. Because I mean, between you know, the the Toyota Bonker looking out on the first tee, how big that 18th green is, I mean, it was unbelievable. It was absolutely unbelievable.

SPEAKER_03 17:04

And and we had 36 holes that day. Um, so so and and we didn't get to check into the cabins until after that first loop. Um and of course, one of the things that Landman does is when you arrive, if you're staying in the cabins, they load your luggage in, you tell them which cabin you're in, and that way you can go ahead and go play golf, and they're gonna make sure that those bags get placed in the cabin appropriately. Um, so first loop, what it's it's kind of kind of hard to comprehend the expansiveness of the place. What what were your feelings like having completed that first loop um once that final putt dropped? Again, for the first loop, and you have three more of these uh on the 18th hole.

SPEAKER_01 17:47

Um well, first and foremost, I mean I to rewind it a little bit, stepping up on the first tee on my flight over, I had uh listened to the audiobook of Zen Golf, and I was like, you know what, dude, just go out here, don't have any sort of expectations whatsoever. Don't be afraid of the course and just play it aggressive as possible. And uh from that first T shot all the way to the last T shot on my first 18, we played as aggressively as possible, and I think it was on hole five, looking back at where we were compared to the T sheet or to the T-Box on hole one, I was like, oh my god, this place is massive. And you just told me just wait, just wait until the golf holes that we have to play. And man oh man, I mean, just the vastness, like you said, of that land is incredible. I mean, you look around you, there are cornfields, and that's about it. And the the curvature of you know, the layout, the how grand all the greens were, I mean, it was it was stunning. And when I got done with that 18th green, I just remember being like, How lucky am I? And I think I also thought, how in the world did I get on this yeah, how am I on this?

SPEAKER_03 19:20

With all these Yahoos with all these guys from Sweeten's Cove that are straight degenerates.

SPEAKER_01 19:26

Oh my god. Uh yeah, and it and it it just kind of took my breath away, like, one, how am I even here? And two, you know, how am I playing, you know, some of the best golf that I've played in quite a long time. So that kind of that kind of sweetened the pot a little bit.

SPEAKER_03 19:42

So what was your favorite hole on the entire property?

SPEAKER_01 19:49

I mean, I could go on and on, but as far as like a couple different experiences, um I think it would have to be number 17. As as corny as it sounds, it's a short par four big drive. You know, the first round that we had played against each other, I had pulled the ball left, didn't make a very good score, and then uh the next two rounds that I had played there from about you know 285 yards out, driving the green both times and just looking up after a few cocktails, being like, God, this is it, man. This is it.

SPEAKER_03 20:27

Yeah, I I think 17 might be my favorite hole too. Um I I love Rob Collins and and Tad King and Trev Dormer and their architecture and how you played it the first loop is one of the things I love about that architecture because that, like you said, that green is huge. And so it is, I mean, it is a big flashing neon sign that says hit driver, you can hit driver, you can hit driver. And if you miss that green, you're deader than dead. If you miss it right, you're in the fescue. If you miss it left, you're in the fescue. If you miss it short, you might be in that bunker. Um, and oh, by the way, it's a three-tiered green that uh in both days we had pins that were kind of benign, kind of center of the green, center center. Um, but yeah, it's it's it's begging you to go for it, and if you miss it, you're in trouble.

SPEAKER_01 21:21

Yeah, I mean, uh not even to mention the bunker, huge bunker on the right, huge bunker in front of it. I mean, it's just it's gnarly, but yeah, I mean, how could you not love the layout of hole three? How could you not lay the full love the layout of hole five? I mean, the list goes on and on. And the first time that I saw and we got to corn corner, I legitimately was in awe of where we were. I mean, it was crazy, crazy. It felt like we were 10 miles away from the clubhouse at that point.

SPEAKER_03 21:55

Yeah. So corn corner, he's referring to, is is basically eight, nine, ten. Uh, ten's a giant punch bowl. Eight is one of the most gnarly par threes that I think has ever been built in a game of golf. Uh reportedly, uh Rob Collins actually uses putter when he is playing that hole because that's the safest play. Um, but it it's it's got bunkers all around it, and that green on number eight might be 10 yards wide, maybe, and just runs, uh yeah, it it runs away from you, and there's bunkers all around it, and then that's where the halfway house is. It's funny you mentioned that you're 10 miles out there. I actually asked one of the girls in the pro shop, I was like, Hey, I was like, when you got to load up and drive a cart all the way out there, how long does that take? And she was like, Oh, like 10 or 15 minutes just just to drive from up top. All the way to number eight is ten is a 10-minute drive in a golf cart to tell you how far out that is. But yeah, number nine is fantastic. The punch bowl is great. How was your experience in the cabins? What was it like staying in the cabins on site?

SPEAKER_01 23:16

Well, first and foremost, I gotta say, Mr. Collins, good for you that you used putter on that hole. I, for the heck of it, uh used putter on number eight and made a triple bogey from the right bunker. So tip tip of the cap to you, sir. Um, but no, the cabins, the cabins were so much fun. I mean, between uh cabin F, A, R, and M, um, you know, just all the guys you you take a golf cart about five minutes down from the clubhouse. Um, you're rimmed up with four guys, and uh, I mean, it was beautiful between the look off the back deck, um, guys of hitting golf balls at, you know, different, you know, silos and tractors and you know, different things in the back. Um and just kind of being next to everybody to, you know, being able to kind of escape for a second, but also going back up top with everybody was was incredible. The convenience of it, um, you know, the the interior design was perfect. Um what cabin were you in? I was in Cabin M.

SPEAKER_03 24:27

Okay. So each cabin, I don't know if you know did you know this, each cabin has a different design.

SPEAKER_01 24:31

We I think we were maybe up there or down there, you know, ten minutes before I went to bed and then woke up and you know, I was either back up top or I was at the local bar.

SPEAKER_03 24:42

So yeah, and that's did you go to Bonanza?

SPEAKER_01 24:47

Uh may or may not have went to Bonanza with some of the guys. Uh that was I figured I figured if I'm gonna immerse myself in uh you know Homer, Nebraska, I might as well do it at at the local watering home.

SPEAKER_03 25:02

So so so how was Bonanza? It that is um yeah, I words don't do Bonanza justice. The kitchen was closed, is that what I heard?

SPEAKER_01 25:13

Kitchen was closed, but of course one of our guys is back there frying up onion rings. Um, you know, we're probably you know 12 deep in this bar, and there's maybe four to five other people in it. So, um, and we're just ordering drinks. They stayed open late for us. I mean, they were the most accommodating ever. And to just go up there, dip your toe in uh in a little bit of Nebraska was uh Yeah, it was it was it was something special. You know, we're swinging, we're lion dancing, we're doing all sorts of of different things up there.

SPEAKER_03 25:51

Oh, that's awesome. That's awesome. So one of my favorite parts of this past trip was when we would finish our second loop. And if you haven't been to Landman, the putting green is is is connected to the 18th green. Um now they don't for safety purposes and whatnot, they're not gonna put a pin where you're gonna actually be preparing for your round by putting. But when you're done with your round, it's a great place to hang, kick off your shoes. And that's where I think a lot of the the bonding was done in our group because at any given point in that evening, all 16 of us, unless you were in the caravan that went off to to Bonanza, we were all up there putting. Uh I think some guys were trying it with their feet at one point Sunday night just to try and get balls in the hole, maybe. Um what what is it like up there after a round when you've got uh a decent group around?

SPEAKER_01 26:47

Well, I mean, you step off that that last tea box and you're like, man, you know, you just kind of want more and more, and uh, you know, seeing everybody kind of come in, you know, grab a drink, um, grab some food and grab a putter and just kind of hang out on on the side of the hill and just relax and and chop it up and you know, still get a little competitive after the competitive had already uh, you know, taken care of itself. But I mean, it's just like the camaraderie up there and the views were just incredible. And I mean, sitting there just like I said, chopping it up with all the guys, you know, having yourself a drink and just really taking it all in, especially on sunset, was in a a sight that will live long and dear to my heart. So um, you know, I probably had more mosquito bites in the last two nights every day. Oh, oh my god, from you know, nine o'clock until about you know, shutting it down at 11 o'clock or whatever time we decided to shut it down. That might be generous at this point. You know, uh you couldn't get me off that green because it was it was truly special, especially with those guys too. I mean, going with 15 guys that you know you're you hardly know. Um, I consider those guys to be some of my best friends for life, and who knows when the next time I'll see you.

SPEAKER_03 28:18

Yeah, yeah. So I love that you mentioned the sunset because I was trying to FaceTime my wife like crazy. She was at a high school reunion, so she was completely ignoring my calls. But I just wanted her, I was like, oh my gosh, like I want to share this with my wife because you don't realize, and and maybe this is just me not being very bright, but uh because of the elevation of land management being up on a mountain, and then there's nothing but cornfields in lower elevation around you, you have a sky that never ends. There aren't any trees up by this clubhouse. I mean, in every direction you look, you can see sky. Um, and you can see Iowa. Um, you can probably see South Dakota. Actually, I know you can. Uh so when that sunset, I mean, it is, and there's already been some pictures that have been shared on all of our socials of all the colors and how vibrant it is. Um, it's really special. I had a great moment with Derek, uh, I think it was Sunday night. Um, and we were both just kind of emotional. We're we were just uh ball of tears, and just because it was just like, man, like what a what a trip. Sunsetting, uh, we've all had a couple cocktails, maybe some of us a few too many at that point. Um, which that's actually one of the questions I wanted to ask you. What was your favorite drink uh in the bar?

SPEAKER_01 30:02

Um, well, just to kind of piggyback off of your thought in the sunset. Um, I had the exact same thought. You know, I I FaceTime my wife up there, but I also FaceTime my dad up there. That's it. You know, not that not that, you know, he may never see that in his life, but I just wanted him to kind of experience the moment with me. And, you know, I'm sitting here telling him, you know, how unbelievable this place is and you know how much he means to me to, you know, kind of get me into golf. Because I mean we're back here in St. Louis, we golf, you know, probably two times together in a month. And, you know, it was it was just n kind of a natural reaction at that point, especially when cocktails are flowing, oh pull up my dad FaceTime and just show him, you know, just the vastness around you. Um so that was that was pretty crazy. Um as far as the cocktails up there, I mean, which cocktail wasn't there to like? I mean between between the pickle shots that we took, between all the the other indulgences we did, um, there was one drink, I forget the name of it. Derek bought it for us. Um there, tried and true, uh something like that. Uh it was it was unbelievable. So yeah, a few of those were consumed and needless to say the uh the whiskey was was flowing as well.

SPEAKER_03 31:20

So I'm I I don't know that they have a stat on this, but I you'd have to you'd have a hard time convincing me that that's not the most pizzas that have ever been bought from the farmer's table food truck. Because every time I looked around, I was hungry, but every time I looked around, someone was carrying a box of pizza.

SPEAKER_02 31:39

Yeah, kind of winning.

SPEAKER_03 31:41

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was like, okay, I'll just come come grab a slice and then I'll be good for a little while. Um, did you try did you try anything else from the food truck other than pizza? Do you have any breakfast burrito or anything like that?

SPEAKER_01 31:52

Oh, I tried everything. Uh, you know, just really dipped my my toe into that for Brandon Lynn's. Exactly. First morning, breakfast, burrito, uh, skipped lunch, ate the pizzas. Next morning, had a breakfast sandwich, went with the crunch wrap up there, um, you know, coffee, water, Gatorades, the old school thirst quencher Gatorade cans.

SPEAKER_02 32:17

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 32:18

Um, and then yeah, obviously, you know, the bar inside.

SPEAKER_03 32:22

So And nobody's gonna leave Landman without swag. So what was your favorite swag purchase?

SPEAKER_01 32:30

Um, well, I don't think it was a purchase necessarily. I think it was one of the uh head covers that that you had given out for the uh the merchandise for for the crew, and then also that ball marker was so good. But I mean from the Pro Shop, I pretty sure I maxed out my credit card at some point, you know, between a couple hats, um, a couple towels, um, got this really cool water bottle. Shout out to all the boys. Um, got my off-the-deck sticker, tour visor vibes, you know.

SPEAKER_03 33:04

Cigar Island shooter shoot. Yeah, you've got everybody over there.

SPEAKER_01 33:07

Yeah, we got banks over there.

SPEAKER_03 33:08

You got banks, yep. Yeah. So yeah. Um I heard you may have already lost your ball marker.

SPEAKER_01 33:16

I did indeed lose my ball marker. I may or may not on what was that Monday when we were headed back to the airport. Uh, we played an extra round just, you know, kind of footing it around and whatnot. And at one point, I guess I was laying down in my single man golf cart, and I guess that ball marker came right out while I reached out and he's already on it for me.

SPEAKER_03 33:43

So yeah, well, so another one got lost somewhere before I was able to give it to Scotty Young, and so I've already reached out to have another one made. Um, shout out Nick, uh SB Golf, uh, I believe is the correct, um, did tremendous work for us on the ball markers, laser engraved these things, paint filled, uh, and highly recommend him and his work. I mean, it was we we had a great time trying to put these designs together, and everything that I kind of dreamed up, he would send back a proof and he's like, What about this? And I'm like, that's it. You nailed it. Um, so he did a great work on that. Uh the head cover you mentioned was shooter shoot and rawhide golf. Uh, so I think you actually have one over your right shoulder, maybe. But we did uh yeah, we did team big golf versus team Slurpee for this event because it was 7-Eleven. Uh and so for those on YouTube, you can say he was just holding it up. But it was truly an incredible, incredible weekend. And and Landman, it sells out so fast. Um, so hop on there first thing New Year's Eve and get ready because I think at 8 o'clock is when they dropped this two times. But there's there's nothing like it. What what other before we got some questions before I let you get out of here, what are what other parting thoughts or or anything you want to say just about the trip in general and being at Landman Indian Creek, the crew, the the the table is yours.

SPEAKER_01 35:03

Um, well, I think just in general, I mean, you know, I'm still asking myself how did I go on this trip? And, you know, I think the camaraderie mixed with the culmination of playing an unbelievable golf course. I mean it was truly spiritual. And you don't get those moments often in life, and then especially to do it with a hobby like golf, and then on top of it, you know, you meet 15 new best friends. Uh it's it's truly something that I will be thinking about for a very, very long time to come, as long as I'm on this earth, and uh, you know, the pictures just keep rolling in, which are incredible. Shout out to two revisor vibes, Derek Langson.

SPEAKER_02 35:52

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 35:53

I mean, guy has a camera out at the most inconspicuous moments, but finds the true pure moments of golf. And there are a couple of shots that he has of all the guys that are just I mean, it's just pure bliss. And it it's hard to put those moments into words, and I think he he physically manifests those through his camera, and you know, just seeing them rolling the last couple days as he starts uploading them. I mean, I was supposed to be working the last two days, and uh I just find myself sitting there scrolling on my phone going, Oh my god, this is unbelievable.

SPEAKER_02 36:33

Right, right.

SPEAKER_01 36:34

Yeah, I mean, just from a trip standpoint, I just also wanted to thank you. I mean, you put so much uh effort into this and and to see it come together like it does. I mean, the camaraderie, yes, we have competitiveness, you know, we always have those juices flowing, but at the end of the day, nobody beholds a grudge no matter what you shoot, no matter how you shoot. You're just doing it with people that have the same mentality as you. And, you know, just just being able to come out of this trip feeling like I have 15 new friends. Shout out to all those guys who are Sweetens members. I'll be waiting for my invite. And uh hopefully we'll get to see Landman again sometime soon.

SPEAKER_03 37:11

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Well, thank you. I mean, it was I gotta admit, like when we got there and I like every all 16 had arrived. I was talking to my dad about this after the trip. It was kind of like I exhaled. It was like, oh, thank God. Like everybody's here, everybody's golf clubs are here. Like it's just there there were no hiccups. And with 16 dudes, that's that's quite impressive. Um because I have expected someone to miss a flight, someone's bag to get lost, just the general things that typically happen that ruin travel. I don't know that we experienced any of those. And and we also had incredible weather. Um it I mean, it was in the mornings, it was in like the low 70s and sunny. I mean, it got a little hot during the day, but then it started cooling off and the sun would set at what 9 30. Um so yeah, it was it was really special. I I appreciate all the sentiment behind your statements and just yeah, uh, you never know what you're gonna get when you have some people come into a group who you've never met before other than on social media, which that's one of the things that I'm beginning to appreciate. There's a lot of bad with social media, but there is also a lot of good. And if if the right thoughts and and right intent is behind it, you can end up with what we had at Landman, which is good people having a great time, all respecting one another. And like you said, there weren't any grudges or anything. It was just like, oh, you hit it in the crap, okay, go find it and hit it again. Which that's that's that's golf, right?

SPEAKER_01 38:42

Well, I might cuss somebody out or you know, for a hole or two, but you know, we're all arms and arms and love by the next hole. So yeah, yeah, it was truly amazing. It was truly amazing.

SPEAKER_03 38:54

So one of the things I do with every guest on here is run through just some quick questions, uh, because they're always fascinating uh depending on who the guest is and where their thoughts are. I mean, the the fact that I had somebody tell me that their dream foresome included uh John Daly and I think it was Tiger Woods, um, or might have been John Daly and Arnold Palmer, uh, I thought was interesting because they seem like polar opposites. Um I'm gonna run th through those real quick and then we'll let you get out of here because I know you got some better things to do than than be on here with me. Um other than Landman, what is uh the the most favorite course you've played in the last year that's new to you?

SPEAKER_01 39:32

Um in the last year I got the uh yeah, I got the call-up to play Sawgrass. I went down there with an electrical supplier and my dad. So that made it a little extra special and uh went down there, they were preparing for the players in March. Uh so they were starting to put all the stadiums up and you know, just seeing the the grandstands and in the the course in players condition was was pretty special. So that would have been my trip uh this year. I mean, obviously we have Branson uh in St. or in uh Branson, Missouri, you know, all all Tigers courses and and whatnot down there with the Bass Pro. Um Yeah, and I would say outside of that, um, I had the chance to go down to Sage Valley. Um we took a private jet out of Sage, once again went with my dad, so um played 36 holes two days and then flew out of there, and that place did not disappoint.

SPEAKER_03 40:36

That's not bad. That's not bad at all.

SPEAKER_01 40:39

You can take all the PJs and all the nice courses you want, but nothing is gonna cap this golf experience in my eyes, so yeah.

SPEAKER_03 40:48

Wow, wow, that's some high praise. What did you do on the island green when you played Sawgrass?

SPEAKER_01 40:54

Oh, straight, pulled one long left hit off. Yep, rinsed it, and second day just golfed, duffed. So we yeah, we threw a second ball down, got one up there for uh for a little bit of love, but yeah, I I made sure I sent that swing to uh the whole Slack channel and gimme. Just asking them to roast me a little bit.

SPEAKER_03 41:16

So nice. Uh I think I have an answer for you on this question. Uh what is your favorite club in the bag right now?

SPEAKER_01 41:25

Oh.

SPEAKER_03 41:27

I mean having played against you, I can tell you what it should be.

SPEAKER_01 41:30

I'm playing against me. It it probably should be the putter at this point.

SPEAKER_02 41:35

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 41:36

Um you know, we've had our ups and downs with it. And I'd say between the putter and the driver working this week, oh my god. Those were two clubs that uh that held strong for me. Shout out, like I said again, to the arms dealer, Kenny Riley. Yeah, we just made that switch over to the GT3 head about you know two and a half months ago, and it's just been smooth sailing from there.

SPEAKER_03 42:00

Yeah, you made a a twisting bomb on what is that par three that's on the back nine uh for birdie against uh me and Will Roger. On 12? Yeah, on 12. That was an unbelievable putt. So yeah, I I I saw you probably make 120 feet of putts over the course of these three days. And most of them were against me.

SPEAKER_01 42:22

Yeah, yeah. Sorry about that again, Josh. It's crazy what that hey, it's crazy what that mindset will do for you. Just kind of, you know, not going out with any expectations, and all of a sudden it just kind of frees you up a little bit. And you know, I mean, that putt was incredible just to see Will Robbins match me for birdie. So yeah, it covered it up for me. I s I told you too. I was he was chopping for that when I go, watch, he's gonna drain this thing. And yes, he did.

SPEAKER_03 42:50

Um, so typically the question is dream foursome, but I'm gonna say dream fivesome. I'm gonna put you on the spot a little bit because I suspect your dream foursome includes your dad.

SPEAKER_01 43:00

Well, you're already one step ahead of me.

SPEAKER_03 43:02

So so now you've got to add three more.

SPEAKER_01 43:07

Um think about that. Well, I know one, two, and three. Uh gotta be Wayne Gretzky. Big hockey guy, St. Louis hockey, uh played hockey my whole life. Um Arnold Palmer for sure. He just seems like, you know, one of the the truest of the game. Um obviously my dad. He was my third. And then um, you know what, Commission, why don't we throw you in there? Okay. I feel like we had a hell of a time, you know. Why don't we run it back?

SPEAKER_03 43:42

I would be honored to be part of that five some. That that would be an unbelievable day on the golf course. Yeah, would and and then uh lastly, do you prefer to do sweep or do you like golden hour more?

SPEAKER_01 43:57

I think I like golden hour more.

SPEAKER_03 44:00

I'm the same way, like especially like a place like Landman, place like Sweetens Cove. I'm sure you've got some stuff around around you in St. Louis that that's sunsetting and it's hard to beat.

SPEAKER_01 44:10

It truly is. I mean, and runaround first thing was incredible. You know, wind was was damn near stagnant at that point, but uh, you know, wind started picking up in the afternoon and then golden hour. Oh, I mean, you just can't beat it. It's like the perfect cap to already incredible day.

SPEAKER_03 44:29

So yeah, agreed. Agreed. Brandon, thank you for taking time to come on the show and just talk about our trip. It it was truly great meeting you, had a blast playing all the golf with you. You brought a ton of energy uh and and loved how you fit in with everyone. I love seeing all the pictures of you hugging guys that you had just met. Like it you and and Trav and and Derek were fantastic additions to this group. So thanks for taking the time to come out. Uh, I know, I mean, it's a heck of an invite when it's like, wait, landman? Yeah, I'm in. But still, you had to take time away from family. And so I I appreciate you you doing that and joining us because like I said, you were a great addition and we should definitely do it again.

SPEAKER_01 45:08

Well, hey, uh shout out to my wife for letting me go, you know. Uh, but no, seriously, thank you so much for having me. I mean, the the crew we had, the vibes that we had um were truly, truly incredible. So um just to throw a little little plug-in here for you, I wrote uh a couple things in my journal. So nice to be used some off camera. So yeah, one of the the nice gifts that that we received, but I have some pretty um pretty vivid thoughts in here that you know I as soon as I got home, you know, I just wanted to kind of cherish those memories and and really, you know, keep them near and dear to my heart. So once again, appreciate everything, appreciate all the merch, appreciate the invite. Um, and I look forward to doing it again with you, man. You your podcasts, your general aura about you, you're just you're an incredible guy, and and I'm happy to call you one of my close friends now. So I appreciate everything.

SPEAKER_03 46:09

Yeah, of course, of course. Thank you very much. That's that is very kind of you. Well, for Brandon RJ Lens, I'm Josh Decker, and this has been another episode of Off the Deck.

SPEAKER_01 46:20

RJ out