This week on Sticks Together, we dig into the gritty reality of winter golf—why we keep playing, how we stay warm, and the mental and physical challenges that come with cold-weather rounds. Time is still a huge factor, especially in winter. Golf just takes longer than most other sports, and for many women balancing family and life demands, that can be a serious barrier. But for those of us who keep showing up, there's a kind of shared grit and humor that comes with every frosty tee time.

We kick things off asking, “Where’s your line in the snow?” Slade and Stacey both admit their thresholds for cold have shifted. What used to be unthinkable—teeing off in sub-40s—has become normal. But we agree: it's not just about the temperature. The presence of wind and sun can make or break a winter round. For Stacey, the magic number is 45 degrees and sunny. For Slade, the wind is the dealbreaker.

We get into the reality of playing in these conditions—distance control is off, the ball doesn’t compress, and swings are tighter. We talk club selection adjustments, like routinely clubbing up by one or even two clubs, and how the ground, greens, and even our bodies respond differently in the cold. There's no denying it: winter golf demands a reset in expectations and a good sense of humor.

Then we share practical tips to stay warm. Stacey has been using Thermacare heat wraps—leftovers from a back injury—and they’ve been a game changer. Slade’s propane cart heater helps, though he admits it only really benefits one person. We also talk about layering strategies, heated vests, and yes, even putting blankets in the cart. And while warming your golf balls in your pocket sounds clever, we clarify it’s technically illegal in tournament play.

Rules-wise, winter golf gets a little fuzzier. We’ve established local rules for winter rounds—like lift, clean, and drop in the rough—and we stress how important it is to teach rules to beginners kindly. We share stories about muddy balls, embedded lies, and the unintended comedy of casual rule-bending.

Later in the episode, we take a nostalgic detour into the recent discovery of historical documents from our Ladies Golf Association, dating back to the early ’90s. Photos, records, and minutes show a vibrant past that we’re now working to preserve. It sparks a bigger conversation about the ongoing challenge of keeping women in the game through life’s many seasons. We reflect on how often women step away from golf due to family and work—and how that hasn’t changed much in 30 years.

Finally, we wrap with a good-natured debate about whether golf really is more demanding than other leisure activities. Spoiler: it is. It just takes longer. But that’s also why we love it—and why we keep showing up, in every season.

The Sticks Together Podcast is edited by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/

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In this Episode of Sticks Together, we start by talking about a moment many couples experience in golf: when one partner joins the other's regular group. Stacey shares what it felt like to play with Slade's longtime friends—both single-digit handicaps—highlighting the nerves, the intimidation, and ultimately, the joy of stepping into a higher-level golf environment with confidence.

We explore how golf is a game built for mixed skill levels. That realization led us to talk about how far each of us hits our driver and how it should influence where we tee off from. The Longleaf Tee System enters the conversation here—a USGA-backed system that uses TrackMan data to match driver and 7-iron distances with the ideal course length. We discuss how this system can make the game more enjoyable, especially for those who may feel stuck on tees that don’t suit their ability. At our home club, we’ve implemented something similar called the Wildcat tees, and while not without flaws, the idea is solid: make golf more accessible and fun by playing from the right place.

But there’s more to it than yardages. Stacey reflects on how ego and old assumptions—like calling the forward tees "ladies tees"—need to be set aside. We also critique how some resources frame the pace of play issue, particularly when they target women and juniors unfairly. (Stacey has big feelings about this.) Personal experiences at tournaments illustrate how slow play is not about gender, it’s about behavior.

We round out the episode with a travel story: our trip to the Boulders Resort in Arizona. Slade planned the entire getaway following a work event, and it turned into a memorable golf vacation. The course itself—set in a desert landscape filled with massive boulders, cacti, and unexpected wildlife—offered both fun and challenge. Stacey played some of her best golf there, shooting an 88 and winning their match play on day one. We also enjoyed connecting with two different couples during our rounds—Dom and JC from New Jersey, and Lincoln and Angie from Michigan. The experience reminded us how couples golf isn’t just about who you play with—it’s about being open to the game’s social side, the shared experience, and the lifelong learning that golf offers.

We close with a look ahead to more travel, more episodes, and possibly even a group podcast with friends (just don't tell them yet).

Links:

Longleaf Tee System: https://longleafteesystem.com

Boulders Resort: https://www.theboulders.com

The Sticks Together Podcast is edited by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Sticks Together, we dive into fall golf: from etiquette dilemmas to the critical debate over what color ball works best when the leaves start falling.

We kick things off with an update on our personal games. Stacey’s settling in with her new clubs and enjoying her ladies’ league, where the games creatively keep everyone engaged—like a recent round where only the odd holes counted. Slade’s feeling solid about his game, and even our son is getting more and more hooked on the sport.

Then we get into one of the most relatable and frustrating aspects of golf etiquette: what happens when someone hits into your group. Stacey shares a story from a crowded course in Boone, NC where she actually confronted a group after getting hit into twice in four holes.

We discuss the nerves that come with confrontation and how most golfers aren’t trying to be jerks—they’re just unaware or impatient. You'll hear how Stacey's interaction turned out.

As we lean into fall golf, we talk about how changing weather affects visibility and gear. Should you switch to a yellow or colored ball to help spot it among the leaves? Slade prefers white for putting, but Stacey is loyal to her blue speckled Callaway SuperSofts. Some golfers go even further, matching their golf balls to their shoes—or even to their outfits for the day. And yes, disco balls are apparently a thing.

The episode ends with a bit of frustration over women’s golf fashion. Stacey shares how hard it’s been to find golf clothes that are age-appropriate, flattering, and available in brick-and-mortar stores. She's had more luck with brands like JoFit, EPNY, and Zero Restriction, but still finds options limited. We talk about tailoring as a possible solution and agree that the industry has room to grow, especially for women in their 40s and 50s who actually want to spend money on the game.

We finish on a lighter note: leaf blowers on the course, fall layering struggles, and the dangers of bubbly beverages in a podcast studio.

The Sticks Together Podcast is edited by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.