Q&A: Joel Dahmen on sports psychologists, Waffle House and if he's in or out for 'Full Swing' Season 3

JD: I don’t suppose I used to be ever in that unhealthy of a spot. That’s TV, proper?

There was a tough couple of weeks however not as unhealthy because it made out to be. I’m in a manner higher head area. I’m doing all of the little issues right everyday that add up. I used to be by no means good on the little issues. You can say chopping wooden or pounding rocks, no matter it’s, and you retain going and finally you’re going to interrupt by way of.

JD: Sure, I’ve been chatting with a man since August-September, he’s probably not a sports activities psychologist, extra like a efficiency coach. 

JD: It’s by no means enjoyable to look at your self. It’s additionally bizarre to look at as a result of we watched it in December and we’re reliving June-July time interval, which, it sucks to play unhealthy golf. What I took away from it’s what number of nice individuals I’ve round me. Trying again at it I’m like, yeah, I actually did drive them bat-shit loopy. 

I want I may very well be like, hey, guys, I’ve actually been positive since August. That was actually some time in the past. It got here out like two weeks in the past and folks suppose it’s now. I’m again to being who I’m and having fun with enjoying golf on the PGA Tour. 

JD: I don’t know if I can characterize it. He’s some of the particular individuals in my life. He officiated at my marriage ceremony. He’s been an enormous brother to me. He cares about me extra as a human than any golf shot. It’s laborious to place that into phrases, however apart from my spouse and my child, he’s proper up there.

JD: It is a actually laborious spot as a result of I am nonetheless his boss. How a lot ass can he kick earlier than I push again as a boss? It is a delicate factor. Fortunately, for many of our 10-ish years, he hasn’t needed to do a lot of that.

JD: No. That man needed a wild amount of cash upfront. I used to be like, maintain on, should you take me to win majors and all these items then I will pay you, however I am not paying you six-plus figures upfront. He additionally needed me to repair my life. I used to be like maintain on, once I get up each morning at house with my spouse and child we’re doing fairly good. Everybody in all probability has deep-rooted issues in them however I am doing fairly good right here. I needn’t like change my life. I simply need to get the ball within the gap just a little higher. He is not the man for me.

JD: Chris Bertram, he works for the Canadian Nationwide Snowboarding group. Nick Taylor discovered him. I have been watching Nick play rather a lot higher golf, the best way I assumed he’d at all times play out right here. I am like, What are you doing, man? I used to be higher than you for 4-5 years out right here and now you are enjoying just like the Nick Taylor I at all times thought you had been. We chatted about Chris the Sunday earlier than the Zurich Basic of New Orleans. I used to be wanting into issues lengthy earlier than the (expletive) hit the fan. I knew I used to be not in an amazing golf place.

So, he will get snowboarders to decide to do backflips off 30-foot jumps, he can in all probability get a man to decide to hit 7-irons off inexperienced grass.

JD: Fairly nicely. We had been within the Korn Ferry collectively. John Ellis, his caddie, was a buddy of mine when he performed in Canada. We have performed loads of golf collectively out right here. We now have loads of the identical buddies. 

JD: Very comparable story however the slight distinction was Wyndham Clark at all times had this prime 10, successful majors in him. He was at all times the most effective amateurs on the earth, he was a world beater. This sports activities psychologist obtained him over the road in all probability and helped just a little bit however simply because I begin speaking to a sports activities psychologist doesn’t suggest I’ll begin successful majors. I nonetheless am who I’m. My good golf is sneaking into the highest 50, I am conscious of it. Wyndham’s prime golf is what you are seeing. Joel, go see a sports activities psychologist. Nicely, I am not going to hit it 330 unexpectedly and make each putt. That is simply not in me. I can get higher at what I do however I am not going to develop into Wyndham Clark. 

JD: I’ve at all times had it at the back of my head at a younger age. I had two mother and father who at all times instructed me I used to be going to be nice. I have been capable of play the Tour for about 9 years with regular expertise. I’ve at all times believed that I am doing what I am imagined to be doing. I by no means actually doubted it. Typically to a fault the place I haven’t got to place within the time and do not should work as laborious as another guys as a result of it at all times works out for me.

JD: I might say I am not beating myself up on the golf course as a lot anymore. I come to the golf course extra ready with objective and intent and I am a extra constant particular person once I present as much as the golf course with my angle. He is aware of he’ll get the Joel he is aware of and loves and has been round for a very long time and he is not strolling on eggshells questioning which Joel goes to indicate up. I am as constant as I could be.

JD: No probability. Ought to’ve left on prime. Ought to’ve left after Season 1. It does not get higher than what it is accomplished for us. You lean into Season 2 and also you hope it is Joel wins a serious, wins a bunch and is that this nice participant nevertheless it form of went the opposite manner. They’re like, oh, act three might be you coming again and enjoying nice golf and also you’re again once more. I am like, everybody will see that, it will likely be simply positive they usually can root me on that manner. It is loads of further time and with a child now demanding extra time and me attempting to be extra disciplined in day-to-day life out right here. It is loads of time.

JD: Simply having breakfast earlier than New Orleans. They made it out prefer it was imagined to be June 6, nevertheless it wasn’t, it was April in New Orleans.

When my spouse travels I do not get to eat Waffle Home and it is like a delicacy for me, three or 4 instances a 12 months and Geno loves it too.

JD: Geno crammed out an utility for me, legitimately. I nonetheless get emails. They got here in for like two months. Hey, when can we schedule this interview? Your highschool educated; you’ll be able to enroll to be a supervisor proper manner. I used to be like, oh, boy. It was simply Geno being Geno. 

JD: They needed me to begin a number of weeks later. 

JD: So we had been coming off a charity outing, some drinks consumed, however generally that is when you’ve got essentially the most actual conversations. We had been coming off an actual — Detroit was an actual downer and we did not need to go to the following occasion. From that day on, I knew I had to return to being Joel and having fun with golf once more. It was a Monday afternoon leaving Detroit and going to John Deere. I knew I needed to cease butting heads with Geno anymore and with myself.

JD: Everybody is definitely rooting me on and inspiring me. I’ve individuals on my aspect. Typically you exit with guys and listen to individuals saying you are going to choke, you suck. I am getting, Joel, we consider in you. I am like this random Joe Schmoe believes in me, I would as nicely consider in myself proper now. It actually spurs me on. 

JD: I’ve had loads of nice suggestions from my friends out right here, which is actually cool. It is like, hey, man, everybody goes by way of it at a time period. Lots of guys have had children, proper? Lots of guys play unhealthy golf. They’ve all been by way of it. We’re all there. Social media is like this man nonetheless made $2 million final 12 months, he is flying on a non-public aircraft, like what’s he crying about? You get it once you’re contained in the ropes and also you’re contained in the locker room what it really takes to be out right here and what it really means. I’ve had nice suggestions from my friends, which is actually cool.