Amateurs Aren't Lazy. They Practice Too Hard. - Nate Smith

Amateurs Aren't Lazy. They Practice Too Hard. - Nate Smith

Author: Isaak Ramsey & Hayden Zimmerer | Smarter Golf Practice in Less Time July 3, 2026 Duration: 38:30

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FIND NATE

Mountain Creative Construction, licensed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Teton Valley, Idaho

Nate on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ndizzle4shizzle/⁠

Nate Smith made it to pro golf, then walked away at 30 because he did not like who the game was turning him into. He got an MBA, moved to Idaho, built a construction business, and barely touched a club for eight years. Then he came back as an amateur and started winning, beating players half his age who practice every day.

If you love golf but cannot give it your whole life, this one is for you. Nate plays a few weeks a year and still competes at the top of the amateur game. He breaks down how he practices with intent, why not being obsessed with results is his biggest edge, and what he would tell anyone trying to get better with limited time.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Walking away from a Tour card at 30

01:48 What eight years away taught him

04:23 The hardest lesson, he was not always first

05:53 What pulled him back in 2022

07:36 Coming back after eight years off

09:56 Winning right away, and why it did not surprise him

10:41 Competing while running a construction business

13:26 How much you should actually practice

15:04 Practice with intent, hit 20 balls and leave

18:04 Taking your practice to the course

20:12 North and South week, identity over outcome

22:10 Playing at elevation versus sea level

24:36 Grass League and the Hollywood Hitters

28:06 The truth about amateur reinstatement

33:48 What he would tell his 25 year old self

35:14 What is next on his schedule

38:03 Where to find Nate


There's a common frustration that settles in when you love golf but feel stuck, watching your scores plateau despite your effort. Play Ready Golf is built on a simple, powerful idea: real improvement doesn't require endless hours or expensive gear you might not have. Instead, this podcast digs into practical, actionable strategies that fit into a regular life. You'll hear straightforward conversations about smarter practice, mental approaches that actually work on the course, and how to make the most of your existing game. The focus is always on tangible takeaways-the kind you can try during your next range session or round. It’s for anyone tired of generic advice and ready for a clearer path to lower scores. Each episode feels like a focused chat with a knowledgeable friend who cuts through the noise, all dedicated to helping you play better with what you've already got. Tune in and start transforming the time and resources you already invest into noticeable, satisfying progress on the fairway.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 38

Play Ready Golf | Strokes Gained for the 9 to 5 Golfer
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