On this episode of Sticks Together, we dive into our first big couples golf getaway with three other couples — a total of eight people heading to the mountains of western North Carolina for a weekend of golf, laughs, and a bit of "dancing" — the one, two, cha cha cha. We start by explaining why we picked this spot: beautiful scenery, cooler temps, and a region still recovering from storm damage that could use the tourism boost. We remind everyone to check local conditions if they plan a similar trip.

We break down how we organized the group: four couples with different golf skill levels, so choosing the right courses was key to making everyone comfortable. We stayed together at the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club, taking advantage of their golf packages and included breakfasts — much nicer than a standard buffet. Stacey handled the travel planning, booking rooms, tee times, and managing the group’s payments to keep it simple. The only hiccup came when dinner reservations proved tricky in a small town for a group of eight, but we found great food and the best rosemary fries we’ve ever had at the Red Fox.

On Friday, a few of us snuck in an extra round at Springdale Resort, a charming course tucked into the mountains. We loved its combo tees, friendly staff, and quirky local touch — it’s the home of “The Spasm,” a hole tough enough to give you either a back or brain spasm. We dodged a quick rain shower, spotted wild turkeys, and settled into the weekend vibe.

Saturday’s main round at Waynesville was all about our unique competition format: the Cha Cha Cha. Slade, as commissioner of the competition committee, explained how it works — every three holes, the number of scores counted goes up: one, then two, then three, then repeat. To make it fun, we added a twist — a “free kick” where each player could kick their ball once to improve a lie. We learned what counts as a drop kick versus a punt, and we all bent the rules for laughs. Everyone’s scores counted at some point, which kept newer golfers engaged without too much pressure.

Saturday night, we wrapped up with a putting contest on Waynesville’s huge practice green — drinks in hand and a hilarious playoff finish. Sunday’s round switched up the teams: spouses paired up with the format calling for one male and one female score per hole, plus a mulligan that your partner had to hit for you. It kept the competition light and the jokes rolling. We made sure to adjust our official scores for the fun rules, staying true to proper handicap etiquette.

Along the way, we explored downtown Waynesville, caught the local Pride Parade, browsed shops, and even played some party games back at the inn — even if Slade still can’t quite wrap his head around the point of that one word game.

Our biggest takeaway? Traveling with other couples for golf is a blast when you communicate openly, have one person handle logistics, and plan formats that make everyone feel included. We came home feeling closer than when we left, with great stories and even better memories. If you’re thinking about trying it, we say take the shot. It’s probably more fun than you think — a true one, two, cha cha cha.

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 what it really meant for Stacey to get new clubs after 14 years and how she's learning to play our best with them. It's more than just picking up shiny equipment—it’s about building a real relationship with each club (and yes, we extend that analogy). We share how surprising it can be when new clubs don’t magically fix your game but instead push you to practice, test distances, and get comfortable with how each club feels and reacts. For Stacey, the new set came with hybrids, woods, and an eight iron as the longest iron, which meant she had to relearn her distances from scratch.

We tell the story of how we brought our son onto the course to help measure shots the old-fashioned way, by standing at target distances, and how that was only part of the process. We laugh about how frustrating it is to realize you can’t figure out club distances in just five swings and how competition changes everything. Stacey talks about playing more competitive rounds this year to get more comfortable under pressure, knowing she often scores worse when it counts but sees it as a way to grow. We reflect on how competition is still fun, even if it makes us sweat—sometimes literally.

Speaking of sweat, we get into the realities of playing golf in extreme heat. Slade shares his system for staying safe: hydrating a day in advance, using electrolyte tablets, bringing extra water, using cooling towels, and even carrying a powerful fan that sits in the cart. We discuss the importance of food for energy and why caffeine or sodas won’t cut it. Stacey explains how women golfers often think ahead about comfort and safety more than men do, which led to a conversation about whether men are just stubborn when it comes to calling off a round for heat.

We also laugh about the little stuff, like Stacey’s collection of mismatched head covers and how our different opinions about seat blankets for the cart sum up our compromises on the course. Finally, we wrap up with advice on whether to involve a significant other in a club fitting and why the right support—without interference—can make the experience more positive.

As we wrap this episode, we remind ourselves and everyone listening to stay smart, stay hydrated, build that relationship with your clubs, and always remember golf should be fun, whether you’re competing or just trying to break 90 for the first time in years.

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 Stacey's big golf upgrade—her first club fitting after nearly three decades of playing and 14 years with the same set of clubs. We start off sharing a recent family round that included their 20-year-old son, a wet course, and Mother's Day vibes. Then we move into how much more enjoyable golf can be with gear that actually fits. Stacey walks us through her initial reluctance to get fitted, rooted in a common mindset among many women golfers: "I'm not good enough to deserve it." But the process turned out to be empowering and eye-opening, not intimidating.

Slade, who’s had a dozen fittings himself, was surprised and thrilled to see how transformative the experience was for Stacey. They reflect on the difference proper length and lie angle make, and how much Stacey had unknowingly been adjusting her swing to accommodate clubs that weren’t built for her. We also hear a convo Stacey and Slade had with their club pro Tim- underscoring just how personalized fittings are. Not everyone wears the same size shirt, so why swing the same golf club?

We also explore the learning curve that comes with switching to a fitted set. Stacey admits her distances were so off at first that she overshot greens by 20 yards. The fun twist? She’s now more excited and invested in improving her game than ever before. We also hear about her new league, her increased interest in distances, and yes—her growing collection of head covers. Go Syracuse!

Slade and Stacey also examine a Golf Monthly article written by Coach Katie Dawkins: “I’m a Female Golf Pro, and These Are 7 Things Men Can Learn From Women.” From ditching ego and embracing hybrids to picking the right tee boxes and remembering to enjoy the game, we break it down. Stacey points out how women often lean into the social aspects of golf—like group lessons—more than men, who may avoid them due to ego or competitiveness.

Finally, Stacey poses the idea of golfing in matching outfits. You can listen to Slade's reaction.