In this episode of Drive & Grind, we sit down with Bret Johnson — professional tattoo artist for the past decade+ and creator of @golfhateslefties — for a wide-ranging conversation about golf, creativity, and the mindset that connects people to the game across cultures. Bret shares how returning to golf helped him lose nearly 40 pounds, reclaim his health, and rediscover competition later in life. What began as frustration over left-handed golfers being overlooked by the industry turned into a viral page, a growing brand, and a community built around individuality in the game.

A central theme of this episode is flow state — that rare mental zone where focus sharpens, distractions fade, and performance feels effortless. Bret explains how tattooing and golf demand the same level of concentration, whether he’s hours into a tattoo session or standing over a crucial shot. We also talk about how easily that flow can be broken, and how learning to reset is a skill that matters both on the course and in life.

We also explore the global side of golf — how the game is played, experienced, and respected in different countries and cultures. From simulator golf in Scandinavia to international golf communities formed through social media, we talk about linking up with people around the world to see how golf transcends borders while still reflecting local culture.

- Other topics include: Why golf “hates lefties” and how that sparked a movement

- Tattooing and golf as parallel pursuits of mastery

Flow state, focus, and mental resets after blow-up holes

- Golf as therapy, competition, and lifestyle in mid-life

- Traveling, connecting, and experiencing golf in other cultures

This episode is about more than golf swings or scorecards. It’s about focus, humility, creativity, and the shared language of a game that’s played — and loved — all over the world.

🎙 Follow Bret: @golfhateslefties

⛳️ Drive & Grind — chasing improvement, not perfection.

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