J.R. Smith sits down with PGA Tour pro Austin Smotherman and then golf legend Gary Koch at The Players Championship for a deep dive into what it really takes to compete at the highest level of golf.

From rebuilding a career on the Korn Ferry Tour to mastering pressure, routines, and mental toughness—this episode is packed with insights for athletes, golfers, and competitors in any field.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & setting the scene at The Players

00:36 – Austin Smotherman joins the show

01:15 – From Korn Ferry Tour to PGA Tour success

02:24 – Handling pressure & trusting the process

03:53 – Dallas becoming a golf hotspot

08:23 – Tournament golf vs casual golf (huge difference)

10:05 – Mental shift when keeping score seriously

12:17 – Pace of play & adapting on tour

12:56 – The “happy bubble” mindset with his caddie

14:38 – Pre-shot routines & consistency at elite level

18:41 – Ray Allen story & competitive mindset

20:32 – Playing at The Players & course strategy

22:53 – Gary Koch joins the podcast

24:00 – His PGA Tour career & transition to broadcasting

25:07 – Why golf is one of the hardest sports to win

26:17 – Journaling & improving performance

27:32 – Difference between practice golf & tournament golf

29:14 – Tiger Woods’ dominance explained

30:32 – Is Scottie Scheffler the next Tiger?

32:41 – Technology’s impact on modern golf

34:13 – Evolution of training & player support teams

35:05 – The iconic “Better Than Most” call story

37:24 – Transitioning from player to analyst

40:16 – Why broadcasting became his passion

Produced by DBPodcasts & Zill Media

Ⓒ 2023 Golf & Adulting LLC c/o Par 3 Podcast - J.R. Smith, Stephen Malbon, DBPodcasts

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ8PBbrxj5qrnGDuA4eIE8Q

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J.R. Smith & Stephen Malbon sit down with Nick Van Exel and Kordell Stewart for a fun and insightful conversation about golf, competition, and the mentality that made them elite athletes. They break down swing mechanics, course management, trash talk on the course, and why golf might be the most humbling sport of them all. From wild gambling stories to dream golf foursomes, this episode is packed with laughs, gems, and real competitor talk.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro and welcome

0:38 Kordell Stewart’s golf journey and learning from the pros

1:50 Swing mechanics: trail arm, elbow position, and consistency

3:08 How quarterback fundamentals translate to golf

4:25 Nick Van Exel on anticipation, feel, and athletic instinct

5:18 Why trying to be perfect ruins your golf game

6:37 Playing for your misses and smarter course management

7:52 Competitor mindset, ego, and chasing greatness in golf

9:46 Why golf is like football and basketball: take the easy play

11:22 Learning to play the course instead of other people

12:06 Trash talk on the course and dealing with big hitters

13:23 Why golf is the most humbling sport to talk trash in

15:13 How Kordell Stewart got into golf

16:21 Nick Van Exel’s first experience getting hooked on golf

18:29 Dream golf foursomes: Tiger, MJ, Scottie Scheffler, and more

21:57 Closing thoughts and outro

Produced by DBPodcasts & Zill Media

Ⓒ 2023 Golf & Adulting LLC c/o Par 3 Podcast - J.R. Smith, Stephen Malbon, DBPodcasts

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ8PBbrxj5qrnGDuA4eIE8Q

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Pro golfer Paris Hilinski joins the Part 3 Podcast with J.R. Smith & Stephen Malbon to talk about her first season competing on the European Tour, how she’s improving her game, and the mental side of putting that separates great golfers from everyone else. The crew dives deep into practice routines, AimPoint putting, course strategy, and the massive growth of golf culture plus stories about Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and the evolving traditions of the sport.

From learning to play strategic golf in Europe to debating golf etiquette and tee boxes, this episode is a must-watch for golfers who want to think smarter and play better.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Part Three Podcast & Paris Hilinski

00:38 Paris on her first year playing the European Tour

01:50 The biggest challenge of turning professional

02:09 Coaches helping her improve her swing and putting

02:38 Paris’ practice routine and why wedges are key

03:23 Inside a tour-level putting process

04:29 Why overthinking ruins putting

05:44 The “starting point” method for better putts

07:32 The three things required to make every putt

08:36 Understanding AimPoint and reading greens

10:08 Why long putts are really about avoiding three-putts

12:27 Confidence and commitment in golf shots

13:20 Differences between golf in the U.S. vs Europe

15:26 Learning strategic golf without relying on driver

16:58 Adjusting to links-style courses like Scotland

18:01 The explosion of new golf courses in Florida

21:14 Why golf is growing faster than ever

22:48 The debate: tradition vs modern golf culture

26:56 Tour rules, controversies, and golf etiquette

29:10 Why most golfers should play the forward tees

32:17 How tee selection affects pace of play

34:16 Paris preparing for Q-School in Morocco

36:54 Dustin Johnson stories and tour life

39:13 Fashion, sponsorships, and working with Oakley & Cobra

42:13 New golf technology and 3D-printed irons

43:39 Closing thoughts and the obsession with putting

Produced by DBPodcasts & Zill Media

Ⓒ 2023 Golf & Adulting LLC c/o Par 3 Podcast - J.R. Smith, Stephen Malbon, DBPodcasts

Watch on YouTube:

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