You Have to Work Through the Negatives! | Bob Lasken

Angelina Huang: 00:00:01

This is the I want to play college golf podcast. We talk to those who coached and those who have played college golf, so you can learn what it takes to be a college golfer. Are you ready to tee off? Let's go.

Cameron Huang: 00:00:19

Good evening. I'm Cameron.

Angelina Huang: 00:00:21

And I'm Angelina, how are you doing today?

Bob Lasken: 00:00:23

I'm doing. Good. Thank you.

Cameron Huang: 00:00:27

And can you state your name and your title?

Bob Lasken: 00:00:31

My name is Bob Laskin, and director of instruction at the Royal golf club. And I'm also a golf instructor at the big Canyon Country Club.

Angelina Huang: 00:00:46

And for the first question, how'd you get started with golf, and at which age,

Bob Lasken: 00:00:50

I started playing golf. As soon as I can walk, I grew up on a golf course. And both my parents played golf. And so growing up on the golf course, it was always accessible. And it was just something that I did, I played other sports. And so I just always played golf. And then when I was nine years old, I took it more seriously, and started playing competitive golf when I was nine, but always had a club in my hand and hitting around just for fun. Oh, that's

Angelina Huang: 00:01:25

very cool.

Cameron Huang: 00:01:27

And when did you realize that you love the game?

Bob Lasken: 00:01:29

You know, I think as soon as, as soon as, as I understood how challenging it was, you know, my sister, she played nine holes and shot 59 for nine holes. And then, and I was nine. And so my parents were like, Oh, that's so great. And I'm like, Oh, that's horrible. And then they go, you go do it. And I said, like, 6364 64 And I'm like, Wait, why? How can I can play better than my dad, like, we should practice your short game and then practice my short game and then accept like, 55. And then, like, a few months later, I really started practicing my short game and understood, you know, the cause and effects of practicing, versus not practicing. And I feel like 47 And then I was hooked. And then I started playing tournaments that are club. And so that's why I was really hooked on it is when I started playing competitive golf in the Navy. how challenging it was, it wasn't as easy as looks more serious.

Cameron Huang: 00:02:40

Oh, that's very interesting. And during your junior years, you had a number of successes, such as the California State Junior Championship, California High School Championship, and National High School individual championship and Kentucky. So how'd you do? So?

Bob Lasken: 00:03:01

You know, playing all those tournaments. Well, the one that was the first big one was actually Junior World when I was 14. And then when I did that, I kind of knew like, okay, maybe I played soccer also at that time. I played varsity soccer. My freshman year in high school. So then, when I went Junior, well, that was like, Okay, well, maybe you should choose looks like your future. You know, you could get to maybe play college golf. So that's kind of when I switched. Fortunately, for me, I got injured and playing soccer, and I hurt my knee, and then that put me on golf. And then next year, I won that State High School Championship. And then I won. My senior year, I won the National High School Championship and Kentucky. And again, just some kind of fortunately, having that injury is in a lot of kids. It's difficult for them because they don't have to choose between a couple of sports. And that's always difficult, but you know, having the injury, it just wasn't a choice. It just happened. And it was a fortunate. Bad right for me, though.

Angelina Huang: 00:04:20

Oh, that's very interesting. And do you have any favorite memories from that?

Bob Lasken: 00:04:25

I think I remember. At a one stroke lead was like six holes to go. In Kentucky. There's a labeling store. And so we were called, or in a shelter and I remember sitting in this shelter and then mentally thinking as a longtime filter thinking about leading by one stroke, and I just kind of went off by myself and I had You know, back in the old days, we didn't have our phones and you know, your ear buds and all that stuff. So I had a Walkman with headphones. And I remember saying, well don't think about the term, just relax and just remember, just like playing music and sitting by myself. It wasn't like 45 minutes then that I just remember all the other players talking. Again, I just stayed focused. And not thinking about it too much. And I said, I remember just beingin the rain, and the storm, and it could take you for that 45 minutes and then went out. And I ended up going away to So Plato coming in, but that that was that's my one of my big memories of that whole event. Oh, that's

Angelina Huang: 00:05:58

pretty cool.

Angelina Huang: 00:05:59

And did you do any preparation to practice for those?

Bob Lasken: 00:06:04

You know, I think you always prep for all of the tournaments. But think else California, you don't have rain very, very often. And then one of the things is when it would rain, we would always go out and play. And I tell my students that today, so it doesn't rain when it rains, or you go out there play in that range. So you understand. It's unfortunate, we just, we thought it was kind of fun to go play in the rain. And but I didn't really say like, oh, I'm prepared for practicing the rain. Like, fortunately, we just we'd like to playing in the rain. So because it was fun and different. And then, but having that experience. I don't know, if I would have won that. Experience.

Angelina Huang: 00:06:58

This is very interesting. And during your junior years, how did you practice?

Bob Lasken: 00:07:05

You know, I probably over practice, I never thought like, Oh, I'm so much better than their male certs. And I'm like, Okay, I want to win. So I just want to make sure I outwork everybody. So, you know, I hit a lot of balls. And then I played in practice every day, and I would go practice before school and after school, and then we had an ad in our backyard that would hit balls into the bed at night. So I really, I'd say, you know, I can't imagine anyone had more balls are practice more than I did. And then they gave me the confidence. Like, you know, you deserve this to work hard. So, that was a routine. That's kind of all in practice as much as you can.

Angelina Huang: 00:08:00

That's very nice. And on your website, it says you got into UCLA, did you get a golf scholarship there? Yes. Oh, that's nice. And how was your experience there?

Bob Lasken: 00:08:15

It was great. It was my freshman year, we had a lot of good players. And I would say, growing up, you play with a lot of good players. And I was fortunate enough to play with Eric Meeks and his brother and like everything after school, so we had that good competition on a daily basis, and I think we all push each other to be better. So then when I went to UCLA, and then being around the top players, like the one guy who was like, number one player, she was the number one player in the country that the wall birth took get to seeing, you know, when you go out and play well, the shoot three, four under, and then someone shoots five under, it's kind of a wake up call, like, Okay, you get better, you know? So it was it was fun that so it definitely made me better. They had a great coach Eddie marrons. And he was very inspirational. And then my senior year, we won the NCAA championship. So that was a great, great, great experience.

Angelina Huang: 00:09:30

Oh, that's very niceway to cap off college.

Angelina Huang: 00:09:35

And how in what steps did you take to get that scholarship

Bob Lasken: 00:09:42

all the work, you know, that I put into well as tournaments. You know, it was it was studying hard, getting good grades, and then you know, winning big tournaments. So all the works for when the tournaments you know what it was, you know, My goal was to play for college and UCLA to see at the top of my list, and to play for Mr. marrons was a great honor. So, you know, it was just, it was just total, more than preparation for winning tournaments, and then getting good grades on top of it.

Angelina Huang: 00:10:26

Hard work pays off. And when did call the college coaches start, like looking at you and recruiting you?

Bob Lasken: 00:10:36

You know, I remember when I applied the LA City, Los Angeles city championship when I was 15. And then I got a nice letter from Mr. Mayor. And, and I think that was the first time that I remember talking to a college coach. Oh, that's

Angelina Huang: 00:10:57

really cool. And what do you think made you the college coach pick, you

Bob Lasken: 00:11:02

know, my record was was pretty strong, you know, I had the most points for Southern California, and then won the award for player of the year. So I've got 14 players. So that's pretty much my record. You know, he also said, you know, your character and your family, and those things, you know, nice letters, and he said it to my face. And, and. And he was a really first class guy. You know, we used to have to travel with coat and tie, great gray slacks and white dress shirt, blue tie, and it's our blue blazer. And so it was, it was a very proper group. And the way he ran, he ran that, I think it was a very respectful, you're proud to be a part of that team.

Angelina Huang: 00:12:13

Oh, that sounds really nice. And you're an all American at UCLA? What did you do to become one?

Bob Lasken: 00:12:24

So I worked hard, we performed well, and that was a lot of it's pretty much hard work. The hard the hard work. Again, going into this term, it's not like I wanted to be an all Americans. You want to win tournaments, you want to play well, and so is all of that combined? It's just a no, that's the icing on the cake. Okay,

Angelina Huang: 00:12:54

and what do you think college coaches look for in a player?

Bob Lasken: 00:13:01

I think they obviously, look, I think the best college coaches that I see, they want to see a continuous improvement. I think they don't want to see the player who's peaked. And then they're on their balance, where they want to see people who are continuously improving, and kind of on the upward swing, and not burnt out from over practicing or over tournaments. And until I see somebody who's a freshman, upcoming, but you also have to have a pretty high level success. But they're not guessing too much. But there's a lot of coaches that I talk to, are looking at players. They like to see that not over played or over practice. And they're on their upward swing, and they're, they're gonna keep getting better. And I think independence is also a big thing. Because, you know, a lot of coaches worry that hey, when this kid gets away from their parents, how are they going to react? And I've been teaching now for 27 years, and I've never had one coach asked how's this kid swing? They always ask, What kind of kid is this? Oh, kind of associate to that they're, they know they can play but what kind of kid are they get?

Angelina Huang: 00:14:42

Oh, okay. That's that's very interesting. And you also turn professional and you had 20 Professional wins. That's amazing. What steps did you take to achieve those?

Bob Lasken: 00:14:57

Well, I think that was you know, continues are you improving and making and working hard? pro golf is so different because it's you're playing for money, and you have to travel and stuff takes a lot of money. And so, you know, most of my successes, you know, on many tours in Southern California, so a lot of that was you're not getting on a plane and traveling, and so you're driving or tournament, and so was good success on the mini tours. And they practice hard. And it just goes to show how hard it is to make it on the PGA Tour to do all that hard work, but then you're gonna get a little bit of luck involved in there. And you gotta hang in there for a while.

Angelina Huang: 00:15:58

And sorry, just curious, how long did you spend on your short game?

Bob Lasken: 00:16:06

So I was pretty lucky that growing up in the back in our backyard is just like my dad's first lesson, like, whoa, go practice your short game is we had a green, our backyard was down to the golf course. And then the other side of the fence was a practice screen. And it was 35 yards away. So I would hit there. So many times, and then the practice skills, the chipping. And so I would probably say in a day's time, or I was practicing 10 hours around the golf in there. I'd probably say spent two hours on the short game. Probably one 1/5 of my time. Oh,

Angelina Huang: 00:17:03

then what did you spend your other time working on?

Bob Lasken: 00:17:08

So so make shipping a short game, I'd say two hours and then planning an hour. And then hitting probably two or three hours, and then the rest of the time we're playing? Horse? Oh, that's,

Angelina Huang: 00:17:29

that's very nice. And when you were a pro, did you ever face any challenges?

Bob Lasken: 00:17:38

Yeah, a few major challenge is like when my parents in the early 90s, there was a big recession. And then they lost. They lost all their money. And it was they had a lot of buildings, and property. And they over leveraged on this one building. So I see my family go through financial trouble. That was hard. And then we're trying to make money and get on the PGA Tour. And then right after that I got cancer in my way. And then. And that was tough. So, you know, I did have a couple of obstacles there. And so you know, that was that was kind of tough going from, you know, having money than not having plenty stressing about that. And then I had cancer, the tumor in my leg. And then they ended up in a couple of surgeries and got it out. Here today, so it's a good thing. Yeah, so I had had some struggles.

Angelina Huang: 00:18:47

We're so happy to hear you're doing good. And when you're pro, there's a lot of pressure. How did you manage to deal with it?

Bob Lasken: 00:18:58

No, I think I always tried to prepare. And, you know, I got confidence and actually looks forward to that pressure, you know, and so because, you know, it's comment, and if you prepare, then it's enjoyable. Yeah, it's like, okay, this is fun. You know, it's, uh, you enjoy the pressure, you enjoy the situation. If you're prepared. If you're not, it's horrible. But if you're, you know, that's the you get the battle coming down the stretch, chance to win. I mean, that was that was exciting for us, so the pressure was actually kind of some of the fun part of it and then and then you learn okay, how can I again, it's a challenge. And then I did. I had a coach makeover. ad. And then he told me to do yoga. And so when I did that I was in good shape because I was working out three times a week in the gym running every day. And that's the one thing. UCLA was running every day. Used to do minimum 100 balls a day, but I was always like, 1000 ball. Like I said, I over practice, and but just doing the yoga and really helped me learn how to breathe and relax. And, and that really helped a lot of compression. Is it when you felt the blood pumping, your blood was flowing a little bit smoother? Because when you do yoga, that opens up your blood vessels, and it's easier to stay relaxed or calm and pressure situations. Oh, that's very

Angelina Huang: 00:21:04

interesting. This is the first time I've heard about it. And you also want the Long Beach or Queen Mary open in 1990? How did it feel?

Bob Lasken: 00:21:18

Yeah, that's all pretty good. You know, like I said, my parents at the time, or go through some financial trouble. And then I remember I was down. No money, and then a credit card. And it was a $2,000 credit on it. And then my coach at the time knew what my struggle was. And he was friends with Joe Nordstrom, Nordstrom stores. And, you know, Nordstrom stores. Yeah. So Mr. Nordstrom was gonna sponsor me, and I sent him my resume. And then I had already signed up for three tournaments. And the entry fee was like, $500, a tournament. It was three tournaments that are 50. And I rented a car for the three weeks. And that was like another 300. So that was, I was all in that was start work. And if that didn't go well. And then the first summer, well, I talked to him. And then he says, Well, hey, I'm gonna sponsor you. So don't worry about anything. Because, you know, I've got a friend who has a dealership, we'll go get a car here. And, and. And don't worry about these tournaments, I'll pay you back for us, but let's meet after this. And then. So in those tournaments, I made to try to make the creek like I made like $2,000. And then the next week I want next week, I was, again, finish fourth, in the state open, I made $7,000. And I went to Queen Mary open. And I want 20,000. So then, you know, I didn't need a sponsorship, and it took the pressure off, I mean, definitely his phone call and saying, you know, hey, I'm gonna take care of this, don't worry about it versus, you know, spent the money on this credit card was that would have been adding a lot of pressure. So I went from having a lot of pressure to no pressure, and a and that really, really helped, you know, and then so I was able to kind of sponsor myself. Which is great.

Angelina Huang: 00:23:45

That's so cool. And now you're currently a successful golf coach, what's your coaching philosophy?

Bob Lasken: 00:23:55

I think keep it simple. And then just really making sure that people understand where they are in their swing, and then where we, them and myself where we would like to have a swing, what positions how to swing and what's the swing around the body, keep it as simple as possible. But it's important for people understand the mistakes they're making, and then how to make the changes to improve their swing and then have a clear understanding of where their swing should be, and how to get there. So that's why I use a lot of video. And so I really want people to understand that it's not only put your right hand here on a walk, why is my right hand has to be in that position. And then you know, I like using models, swings have pros and certain fundamentals are universal and men, women, you know, age and there are certain things that just Do you have to do. And certainly there's different flexibilities and heights. And, again, certain fundamentals, I think that are important, and just getting people to understand that and trust that, that helps.

Angelina Huang: 00:25:16

That's a really great insight. And obviously, you coach a lot of successful professionals and amateurs, what is the similarity that you see between all of them?

Bob Lasken: 00:25:30

Oh, everyone's trying to improve. And like, so these ladies that I teach. That's just one country, both of them. The last few years, I've had the most improved, ladies, like he's a ton of different students, one most improved golfer of the year. And yeah, and so seeing someone who shoots in the 120s, and then they shoot in the 90s, and how happy they are. And that that's just a six. It's just as satisfying seeing someone win the Club Championship or, you know, win a pro event, you know, so it's, it's just again, it goes back to just seeing people improve. And I think that's, that's this part of it.

Angelina Huang: 00:26:18

Okay, that's good. And what mindset do all professionals UTeach have in common?

Bob Lasken: 00:26:31

They're professionals. It's hard not to look at the money or the money list. And I think that the goal on that is to just play the best golf, you can, at that moment, you know, sort of any thing they all have in common is, they really all try to stay in the moment and focus on that shot at hand. And I think the professionals are professionals, because they've done that successfully. And then they're able to just focus on that shop. And that think, oh, my gosh, I've got to make this to get into the US Women's Open or to get in to keep my LPGA card or PGA Tour card or, you know, trying to a PGA Tour party or whatever it is, is like, if you think about those things, that's a distraction. So I think the pros, they understand that, and they take one shot at a time better than the amateurs. And other people, I think that's least the successful ones. And then the ones who aren't successful, they get, they get caught up in that they're not playing one sided.

Angelina Huang: 00:27:49

That's a very good insight. And you've coached two of your students who went to a US Junior, how did you manage to shape them to get to that level?

Bob Lasken: 00:28:00

You know, there was the kids who won the US Junior. They were the really good players, and then just getting them to get their swings to wear under again, under pressure, that swing would work so that like less tightening of the hands and letting them know that hey, when you get to this level, if there was a flaw in their swing, found it Selenite you got to get rid of that. Because under pressure, that's not gonna work. You know. And so being a player, I understand that. And then they trust me and that when it's successful, that really helps you go out and play well under pressure. And they're glad they made the change because they can see under pressure. Oh man, now I get good shots. I don't have that slip that blog, right or, you know, so they're just fixing fundamentally the things in the swing. thing that really helps under big tournaments and it helps you win the matrix, because that's so much pressure.

Angelina Huang: 00:29:14

Oh, okay. And I'm sorry, let me try to think. No, sorry. I have a question in my mind what, what do you think they did in the their practice that helped them also be prepared for us Junior?

Bob Lasken: 00:29:46

I would say both of those people. They played, they practice art, in practice every part of their game. But I also say kind of goes back to playing gets better players. And a lot of their friends were really good golfers and they would have matches that kind of help them. It's almost like a boxer you like you have a good sparring partner who helps you practice engagement and pushes you through. And now that they would play a lot of matches with their friends who are really good players, and I think that really, really helped them.

Angelina Huang: 00:30:28

And what do you work on with juniors to help improve their game?

Bob Lasken: 00:30:34

Well, you know, I like stats. So when a player hits every fairway and then they want to work on their driver, it's almost pointless. But just to make sure that, you know, they're working on the right things. And so if you're having too many putts, let's work on the running. And if you're not hitting enough greens, what why is that, you know, and so I like that's why I like stats, and it helps them practice and focus on the things that they need to focus on. That's the weakest link needs the most attention.

Angelina Huang: 00:31:19

That's definitely point that out. And do you recommend junior golfers to go through fitness training?

Bob Lasken: 00:31:27

Yeah, no question about? And

Angelina Huang: 00:31:31

why do you recommend it?

Bob Lasken: 00:31:34

Well, your body's your 50s plug in as you're using that. And I think that it's just like you said, my experience with playing soccer and being in shape, even better shape on my legs. I know that after soccer season, I'd see my distance going down. And then, you know, why? Why am I not getting as far as meal but at play after soccer season, I was hitting it really hard. So be like, Hey, I keep strengthening my legs. So I saw the cause and effect of that. And then, you know, like, our coach made us run a mile a day and UCLA and then my coach was one of the big fitness guys on tour. He's the guy that gave me the Yoga Book, and to do yoga. So I think I work we work with a fitness guy here. Mike Hanson. And so we work together. So all also send him videos of my students less than say, hey, you know, I think look at their shoulder turn, I'd like to see more shoulder turn, so you can work out flexibility over strengths. And then I think the main thing is, you know, I say it's true critique club, but it's also you know, long term, you don't want to be injured, you know, I caused yourself injury, so you're in better shape here and have less injury to. So it's a nice, so that's why it's important, that's just gonna work out. But with someone who knows what they're doing, so you're working your golf muscles, and you're getting the right combination of flexibility and strength, and you're doing the work properly. So I've been a big proponent of that for my students to do that. And into the game, my cancer works with probes that I teach to so it's nice to work with someone like that where you've got a team effort.

Angelina Huang: 00:33:44

Thank you for much for that. And what age do you suggest juniors to start working out?

Bob Lasken: 00:33:51

Well, I mean, if you're nine years old, 10 years old, and your swing and while you're doing an athletic motion, so the bad thing about that is golf tends to build you up on one side. So you know, Mike Hanson, I always refer to him on this thesis, you really shouldn't start lifting weights to you go through a big growth spurt. So it gets really started growing, they can add some weights and so you know, 12 1314 started lifting weights, but I think even just playing other sports or exercising, to get the body to work, it's symmetrical figure, your strength, both sides, your back. muscles, you know, you say it goes back to the same thing. The whole purpose of it is to stay where you're not getting, you're not injuring yourself. Because, again, if you're swinging hard, and you're both on one side of your body, that's, that's not great for your body long term. So you want to make sure you do that. And I mean, there was The girl who thinks she won an ajga, when she was 12, she had a petition to play. She was shooting under bar, which is a lemon, Pearl gin was her name. And she offered a full ride to USC when she was 17. But by the time she was 16, she couldn't even really hold the club because she had so many balls. She kind of hit down on it, she hit on a mat. So she really injured her wrist long term. And so by the time she got there, see, she didn't even end up playing. So even if it's halfway overdo it, and you know, that that's the trainee, you know, good instruction. And, and that fitness is for, you know, the injury side of things. I've seen it, it's not good.

Angelina Huang: 00:35:57

Thank you so much for that. And what do you believe Jr should incorporate in their pre shot routine.

Bob Lasken: 00:36:06

So I did a Instagram post on Sorenson, on her pre shot routine. And, but I think, you know, my favorite is vision 54, in a statement that's on a co worker, and the students work with them. And so they've said, it's like you're in an office, and it's just you, the ball on the target. And so they, it's doing the same routine, over and over, however, you want to choreograph that, but just having to do one practice thing. And it's just you, the ball, the target, so you're sitting there and you're going, Okay, I'm gonna turn 47 yards, it's a little bit uphill, but 155, I'm gonna hit this club that far. And you just 100% commit to that you're in that office, which is like 10 feet around the ball, and he's do your same routine, you're gonna be a lot more consistent, if you stick to that routine.

Angelina Huang: 00:37:13

Thank you so much, everyone

Bob Lasken: 00:37:15

can have a different routine. But the basics of that alignment visualization has got to be a part of any of the same thing every time.

Angelina Huang: 00:37:27

Thank you so much for that. And do you believe Jr should work more on their short game or full swing?

Bob Lasken: 00:37:35

So I look at as an hour of practice is four quarters. So 15 minutes, short game, 15 minutes putting 15 minutes hitting. And then again, it goes back to the stats, the Miscellaneous, 15 minutes is, whatever your weakest status. So if you're not playing well, you shouldn't just go play for an hour, you should make sure you're the rest of your game stays in there. So make sure you get your game staying updated, but then you just spend that extra time. So that's a three hour practice the same ratio. Okay, thank

Angelina Huang: 00:38:15

you so much for that insight. And how long should would you recommend them to practice for,

Bob Lasken: 00:38:26

you know, school as much as you can, you better get your good grades. And so, the scheduling has to be, you know, it's it's tight, you know, but definitely some downtime in there. socializing, you know, obviously, during COVID, upside down, but having kids you know, going to school dances and go to the movies and have time. That's important. But I think if you want to be good, you gotta be sacrificing some of that. And, you know, think as much as you can practice during the school time. And then in the summer, I think maybe having a set schedule is good. But again, with a little time off in between tournaments, or you know, how many tournaments in a row to hit play. I think managing that. That's, that's kind of tricky.

Bob Lasken: 00:39:35

A school day, let's say you got home from school at three. I mean, he was able to do your homework first, but it's not like so you got to kind of use the light right now. It's neither good five. So get home, get some balls. Maybe go play, you know, five, six holes. That'd be a good day. And then if you have a net at home or like how doing that than in between studying for 510 minutes. It's all the little time. I think that's gonna add up to. But I do think that there should be some social time in there.

Angelina Huang: 00:40:15

Thank you so much for that information. And how, how does it feel to be on Golf Digest magazine list of top California instructors?

Bob Lasken: 00:40:27

It's kind of a it's a great honor. Because it's by your voting of your peers. So that's, that's kind of a nice thing. I don't know how those people think that, you know, I'm a good instructor. It's kind of a hard thing, you know, because I just have the best students, because that makes me look better. You know, it's kind of arbitrary. thing, how do you how do you choose that? Right? So, I mean, it's a certainly an honor. You know, it's not what gets me up in the morning. It's me helping people out. It's like, it's every golf lesson is like a math problem you're trying to solve. And so I think it's, it's interesting, and I enjoy it. I like to think my students get better, and that's why I'm on there. But it's, it's all about making people play better golf. And it's, you know, whether it's when the women's US Open or, you know, break 100 For the first time, or, you know, great 90 or 80 It's fun, it's being there and helping the people who want to get better at practice. I think it's fun. So I feel blessed that that's my job, something.

Angelina Huang: 00:41:48

That's very cool. And congratulations again. And what is your secret sauce of advice for golf and life in general?

Bob Lasken: 00:41:57

You know, I think it's important. Enjoy the experience. You know, whatever it is, if you're going through a struggle, Tyler's you know, just make sure that you do your job each day. battling cancer, give me a different perspective on every day, it's a gift and appreciate everything you have, and not look at the negatives, and work through the negatives. And that's kind of a golf instruction here, you're not going to always play well called some weird game that way that the top players only win a small percentage of the time. Hard work pays off and always just do the right thing.

Angelina Huang: 00:42:49

Thank you so much for that insight.

Cameron Huang: 00:42:51

And finally, we're coming to an end, what would you tell junior golfers and their parents?

Bob Lasken: 00:43:01

You know, I think it's certainly a balance of life in there is I would say, you know, make sure that you prepare well, for retirements and then you know, don't think people, a lot of times, people have higher expectations and want results, but they're not really willing to put in the time, but they just don't understand how much time it takes to get those results to the counting expectations. And it makes. You know, one guy asked me one time this is, you know, how would you describe your job and I said, I'll let expectations manager because some people, they may think they're not as good as they are. But other people think they're way better than they're like, What makes you think you're the head could What have you done to prove that how have you put the work in, you may be talented, but if you're not putting in those hours per day, you're not going to get that result, but I guarantee if you put them any getting people to understand, you know, the time it takes to put in and then and then also some people, you know, like you said, they just don't they'll hit too many balls and they want you to short game and some people keep your stats and then look at that. That's one our circle and making sure that it's an eight people tend to hit too many calls and not putting enough and then some people who don't hit the ball well, and they do organization again. You need to put in that extra time but they can't neglect the short game and the other parts of the game. So they just getting people to really understand how it has to be a balanced practice and then about on flights. And that's, that's that's kind of part of my job. And I think, ultimately, it's going to be fun because the kid love it. You know what one of the things on the sports psychologists that work at our club, that the characteristics of Olympic gold medal athletes, because you think, Oh, they've focused on that one sport their whole life, but actually, they were exposed to many sports at a young age and played many sports, and then the sports that they love the most sense, which end up playing, so you have to have a passion for the game, you can't just create it. And I think that that's, you know, that's important, too. You see, a lot of times, it's just, you know, the parents are pushing them into that. They're not that into it. Yeah.

Angelina Huang: 00:45:50

Yes, that's great piece of information. Thank you so much for sharing that.

Cameron Huang: 00:45:56

Thank you for doing this interview, if we have any more questions is okay to shoot you a text or an email? Absolutely. And we're gonna write the chapter, which

Bob Lasken: 00:46:07

text is always best. Okay. My email is attention.

Cameron Huang: 00:46:15

And we're gonna be reading the chapter within the next three weeks. So when we're done, we're gonna email you a copy or text to it for approval. And is there anything else you would like to add to the interview?

Bob Lasken: 00:46:30

I just, you know, I appreciate to you know, call me and ask your coach, Eric, because they, he's a great friend, but you know, he's also such a great guy. How he shares his experience. And, you know, like I said, he helps out people and it's just, it makes me happy that he's helping people like yourself, get better. And understand golf and love golf, because he loves we love golf, right? It's like, you know, it's like, we teach golf, and then we get together, we talk golf, you know, we go fishing. We were on a fishing trip, and we're listening to the USO, but the guy who's the captain on the ship was like, You guys are much a losers. So I'm just glad that you choose this as as your thing and and so, you know, obviously we've got some felt that passion from Eric and so I'm happy to do it.

Angelina Huang: 00:47:35

Thank you so much. Yes, it's such a great person.

Cameron Huang: 00:47:39

Thank you for coming again tonight.

Angelina Huang: 00:47:41

You're welcome. Yep. And have a nice day. Yeah, you can I