You need to outwork everybody, and you’ve gotta want it | Eric Meeks

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.

Eric Meeks: 00:00:15

Eric Meeks, professional golfer and golf instructor.

Angelina Huang: 00:00:20

So for the first question,how'd you get into golf?

Eric Meeks: 00:00:23

My dad, my dad got me going in the game. So he was a really good amateur golfer and practice all the time. When my brother and I were young, have a twin brother. So for about seminar, he used to take us up with a range and then have a set some golf balls. So he got us going in the game from an early age. So I started right around seven. Okay,

Angelina Huang: 00:00:53

and how did you play in your junior years of golf? In a play? Yeah, like,

Eric Meeks: 00:01:00

Yeah, very good in the beginning. So took a long time to learn the game. And I played other sports. So it's like, I played soccer. I played baseball, I played baseball for three years. So and then I played golf also. So and then, basically, so I played Junior Golf, very around nine and, and then finish to the top three, and I remember ever winning. But if it was to the top three, was won some medals. And then, but I was playing all the other sports too. So I couldn't practice I practice a little bit, but not like every day. And then when I was 12, I decided, okay, you know what, I'm gonna stop with the other sports and then only click off. So I used to practice every day. So basically, if I wasn't in school, I was practicing. And so before school after school is raining, my practice was all the other kids wouldn't go out and be out in the rain. You get to play tournaments in the rain anyway. So I would pick up time on the other kids, I put up, used to live in a golf course down in Southern California. So he's put on a baseball cap, with a flashlight tape to it and go out on the green. And practice at night. So nine o'clock at night, I was out there chipping, putting, picking up time on the other kids. So even when I was 12, I struggled. And then but from that point forward, I started catching all the other kids and then I passed most of them, really all of them. And so to be moving along here, but 10 years of hard work from basically 12 Well, just over 10 years to go from not winning anything in junior golf to basically winning in general and becoming the number one amateur golfer in the world. So there's 10 years of hard work.

Cameron Huang: 00:02:57

Very interesting. Do you have any favorite experiences or tournaments?

Eric Meeks: 00:03:03

Yeah, so just trying to think. So after, after getting any, you know, a year or two in Union golf, I started winning, okay, but I can't remember exactly exact tournaments, but a lot of top finishes and then started winning winning tournaments. We played, I played my brother, also all over the country and ajga events. And I did well but I never won. And we were recruited to from that to the University of Arizona, and we're going to get scholarship to the University of Arizona on a scholarship at Fresno State University. And so I ended up going to Fresno State, and my brother went to university Arizona because we didn't want to compete against each other. So to make the traveling team and then Fresno State had a better team at the time they were top 20 in the country. So then went to Arizona, and I went to Fresno State. That's cool. Let me just follow up with that. So the after three semesters, I transferred from Fresno State to Arizona, Arizona, and then we got a couple other recruits come in, and then it being the number one team in the country. So the number one ranked team in the country. That's cool. And we won the PAC 10 at the time was the PAC 10 And then 16 NCAA NCAA both finished six.

Angelina Huang: 00:04:39

And so both you and your twin are great golfers How did you motivate each other?

Eric Meeks: 00:04:47

Yeah, so I always wanted to be better than him. I think he was being mean to want to get out there and practice on the road. Like some brother wouldn't beat me and I didn't like it. But you know, if he beat me, I would congratulate him as always, we always get along well. He was no, you know, I didn't have any like, you know, well or for him, but But look, if he was beating me, I had to get that right. But then, you know, he beat me a lot in my career and but also beat him. And I think, overall, I pay him a little more than he got me. But he was an excellent golfer, a junior golf, collegiate golf and professional golf. He played for about 15 years professionally. So it was good.

Angelina Huang: 00:05:34

Very good. And what were some of your best finishes in Junior Golf?

Eric Meeks: 00:05:40

Okay, so try to remember, I can't remember the tournaments, I won. But I won. I played Junior World twice. And then I never qualified for us Junior though. But I was always one of the top juniors, but it never made America's Cup or holding cup. And so that kind of pushed me to be, I was always like, the next person to make the team, the first person out. So that really motivated me to become better. So that's where the whole practice, the work ethic thing came in a lot of my friends, you know, I grew up playing with guys who won Junior World, been another two other my friends, one US Junior. And so I saw their success. And so it's happy for them, but I knew I could, I could beat them, you know, so I kept practicing credit spreads. And the whole thing is, I ended up getting my college scholarship. And then I went on to win twice in college and become a collegiate all American, and then play on the number one team in the country. And so from there, I got the confidence that when I did qualify for the USA, ammeter. I went through, go through the whole thing, and no one. No, it wasn't, it was there were tough times in that tournament. But there's an I think anytime you play, there's a lot, it isn't always good. Just go your way, you know. So there, there was a few times there are a few times in that tournament that I was on the brink of elimination, losing the tournament, but then thought back up, working through the adversity and ultimately winning the tournament. And so from there that that gave me three wins in a year basically, to collegiate wins. And then the number one ranking in the world for amateur golf. And from there, I was exempted to the US Open masters, the British Open Memorial, professional tournaments that I played as an amateur. And then also, because I was number one ranked amateur in the country, I was on the walker Cup team. So that's the top the top 10 players in the country to play against Great Britain and Ireland, every team. And so it's the same thing as the Ryder Cup, except for to Amer golf. And then as also on the world amateur team as the top four players in the country, again playing it's a tough one players from every country around the world. And that's every every two years. So it's extreme those teams were extremely difficult to make. So I went from not making America's Cup and holding in junior golf to making the water cup and a world amateur team representing United States later. And so my basically failing to make those team push me to work harder, and ultimately accomplish much, much bigger things.

Angelina Huang: 00:08:35

Very nice. And when did you realize that you wanted to play college golf.

Eric Meeks: 00:08:43

When I was 12 when I was 12 I decided I want to play college golf and professional golf. So at that moment when I when I stopped playing all the other sports, I chose golf and from that moment forward where I was at it and the thing is, is I wanted to be number one golf so that was always a goal of mine would be number one. So which I accomplished. So the way I'm going to do that I'm going to work everybody and then from there I want to move on if and when USL will become playing the Ryder Cup team and for professional golfer when the US Open and that type of thing should become the number one player in the world professionally. Reach that but I did play in to us opens in play professionally for 20 years around the world so

Eric Meeks: 00:09:36

I accomplish most of the goals I set out to accomplish so in the beginning when I started practicing were 12 is we're going to do we're going to play amateur golf collegiate golf to professional level and being a one player in a one on one with majors. Then our work made a point about working everybody and then I was behind in the beginning then got caught A lot of kids that beat me early in golf couldn't be me later on, because by the time we get to college, they weren't even close anymore. And then on a professional golfer, they were done and my career was just starting. So I am accomplishing most of the goals I set up to accomplish. So it was because of my work ethic, and my vision, knowing where I wanted it, what I wanted to accomplish. That got me got me there and helped me reach those goals.

Angelina Huang: 00:10:34

Yes, I love that mindset. And it's a very great experience you went through. And obviously, as you mentioned earlier, you won the US amateur? Can you tell us about it and what you were experiencing?

Eric Meeks: 00:10:48

Yeah. So first of all, it's very difficult to qualify for any USDA. So I waited for a qualify for your seminar one time. And it was the last time I tried pay. So I played all through color. As I said earlier, I never made the USG and a friend, two friends of mine won the US Junior. So I had that in my mind that hey, but I never qualified for yours, Jr. So that pushed me to keep practicing and trying to do stamina. That's the next level. So I kept missing now that it's very difficult. There's maybe 100 people for like three spots. It's really to play well to qualify for USG event. So I missed a shot at to a handful years. So after my college career, which is very successful, I decided to wait. I was done in May I get my degree in May, I decided to wait till August to give the USMLE a shot. That was kind of a goal of mine to Whitney was saying that because we want to do a samurai master. So I worked on the game. Once the qualify the qualified, it wasn't my whole course somebody knows we're in California. And I went out there that's trying to send me since the first round, which is part 70. It's like the highest score I've ever shot out there. And I can tell you why. Because I was nervous. I was lost my focus. I wanted to win. It was my last chance your salmon. So you know the verge of elimination right here. tournament because it shows six. So they've only taken three people. Cool. So I went out in the afternoon Thursday calls, whenever they have to Dan is trying to 65 which is the lowest score ever shot on that course. So I made it, I made it. Last guy and basically, so you know, played the worst rounds and my best round one day, made it through, in fact there and there's 300. So there's 7000 people start out and there's 312 Back at the site. And you play two rounds of qualifying. So 18 and 18. So out of those 312 people from around the country who qualified they have two more rounds and make the top 64. So finishing second, and that qualify. So it was really playing well at the time for a second, which is a big a big deal because there's everybody back there. They were good players, all the top collegiate players were there. And then so then you go into match play. And the second qualifier plays the person who finishes finished CTE third in the qualifying, which sounds like well that player can't play but actually excellent top 64 players in the world are playing now match play. And so I came out a little flat and I was one down with two to play and so I was pretty much you know on the verge of elimination again, right there but I didn't realize the guy who was playing he in June losses the finals of the California State and so he was having a great summer excellent player and here I am having to play in the first round after finishing second so I was a little flat integrated go and so basically he had one to Joe's go ahead and finish birdie birdie to beat him on out. So you know rally down the stretch thought through the finish line beaten one up. And by that time I was you know good like I was ready to go basically that that was a little flat for first round. The second round it for me I really play otherwise I'm gonna lose here. So I played well right through that guy. I think he played he played his palms golf of Florida. I can't remember his name but went through him. And then the third route. I have played with the two times champion G seagull. And so I remember watching him on TV when So they kind of gave me the idea about five years before any that'd be a cool term actually because I used to watch on TV. And so now from five years and are watching him, paired with him and mash play. And so that was nervous because I'm playing a two time champ. And even though I was younger, I was confident so still further damaged physically. So, I had trouble early because of the nerves and I made some bones. And he had me he was up, he was up in a match. He was he was two up with 123 b two A plus five to go 12345 To a when you go three down and magically, it's tough to come back. So basically, I was in a bunker 30 sidetrack bunker shot with a lipid family and then there was originally cream, you had to fly it 30 yards and 35 it was a really hard shot. It was close by 2030. Anyway, caused by bunker shots all the time. So I knew how far they would they would fly because I practice that you know the distance control out of the bunkers and not going to foot tie the hall still to down four to go but then started burning down the stretch to tie him through a team match play again for extra holes. Okay, so the first one we tied the second hole we tied and the third also the 21st hole a day. We had a bumper and shot well. The Bump and Run is what I practice at nine o'clock at night every night with my flashlight on my baseball cap. So he got the his shot he bladed at 20 past before I before I even hit my shot I knew I had I'm gonna win the match because I knew that shot because of the my work ethic. So knotted up their foot tapped in and won the match. So just huge take that to knock off the two time champ. So big confidence boost. Then the next match, I played a teammate of mine, Robert ganas who and uh, he entered the includes a player of the year, the next year, and then went on to win twice on PGA Tour The next year, so excellent player. But he basically with three O's ago, we retired and he went for par five and two. And I knew he couldn't get there because my ball was 10 yards at a time, and I couldn't get there. And so I think that he lost his focus, you're not in the water, and we don't want up and then I want a team so to up. So made it through him sentifi On that first female American David times who has been on the PGA Tour, he won the PGA Championship, a major swung the best players. He played on a Ryder Cup team over the last 20 years, one of the best players like 40 million in his career. He's one of the best players out there. He's older now. But I played in the semifinals, I beat him one up and that was the match to go to the masters. So it's a very important match. What I mean through him by the time I got to the finals, I had already played the two time champ the basically the player of the year, first team all American from LSU even Tom's and then so by the time I got to the cloud I played the best match of it was 36 holes on one day. And basically it was the best of the best I played the whole week. And the guy who played against it was an excellent player who's been hammered Champion after the fact and won the southern am and a bunch of other tournaments so he was a good player. But having gone through all the the some of the best players including included golf before that, I was ready for that match and I end up winning seven and six. So seven, seven holes. seminar was six months ago In match play.

Eric Meeks: 00:19:11

So from there, I get exemptions for being the number one player in the world in amateur golf, you get exemptions. So it got me in the USL that being the British Open gave me the masters. Then the watercraft, world amateur team, which I've talked about already. And then but one other thing is when you play the US Open if you're from a US ama champion, they pair you with the previous year's US Open champion and the previous year British Open champion. So it just happened to be quite a strange one. Like I said the year before, but it was the number one player in the world. And so we buy ourselves which is was the number two player in the world. And so, as a young kid you getting the opportunity to go to Rochester, New York, you know what I want in August and next June, I knew I was prepared with a tee time, nine o'clock in the morning playing more than multiplayer and oil here. So it was a whole new whole new ballgame. I was an amateur playing in professional tournament with the best players in the world. So learning experience, I mean, it played really well. But it was I was extremely nervous in that tournament. And so, within that point forward, I also noticed that as we get going, they were nervous to I could tell they were nervous, you know, but they were just older and more experienced, that's all. But the curse strange, he was back to back. So I got a front row seat for Thursday calls. So we played a paired for two rounds. And then there's a cut paired with him for 36 calls answered by ourselves, personally six calls. So I get a front row seat for half the tournament. For the guy who eventually won a tournament pretty strange. He shot a 7164. And so the 64 was the best one I've ever seen. He actually bogey 17. And she was 60 to shoot the 64. But to shoot the 64 US level course is like almost impossible. Do I mean it's very difficult. So and then from there, on to turn pro the next year and then play for 20 years professionally. And so Oh, that's

Angelina Huang: 00:21:32

very nice. Yeah, your journeys, so interesting. And then you obviously got qualified in the masters to how was that?

Eric Meeks: 00:21:44

Does a dream come true? Because it seems like it's impossible to get into masters like many players per year to play the masters. And so if you're in the Masters, I want to August, I knew I was in so next April is the master so you can go back and play as many times as you want. I went back three times between August, April to play the course. But it's a lot of the times I could only go by myself I could couldn't bring anybody with me. So it was it was just any could take a camera, you know, so it's like, only have great memories. But then it's like in my mind, I get you know, I can't take any pictures. So but but I didn't know when you tournament. There's people there people everywhere. I mean, they're asking for autographs, and it's really a lot of distractions, and all of a sudden used to playing with The Collegiate players. But now all of a sudden, Jack Nicklaus walks by, or like Citibank, stereo, some of the best players in the world. They go on and on and on about that with it. With the players in the practice, piano player, player, player, club type player, Marco, Marco marijuana masks, you want to pretty sharp and also credit one of us open. Yes, so I got to play with players like that. Experienced players accomplished players. And so that was an experience. And then Tom Kai, actually, he helped me with the course, like any question I had, he was just right there to answer it. He wasn't one of the guys that wouldn't wouldn't give any information to the young young guy coming up, you know, so he helped me a bunch figured out a game plan where to get it, where to put the ball, you know, the greens break, basically, really helped me a bunch. And then I had to start to get a ticket to the, to the national show, but I end up getting about actually 20 of them, because I can't remember exactly how it worked out. But we had, we had a big group come out to watch. Watch the tournament. So it was it was fun. A lot of people from my home course, Southern California came out to watch. So that was neat to be able to play. I was paired with Sandy Lau the first day and so he was a former champion. So if you're as a young player coming in, they're gonna they would pair you to us Mr. Chairman, I got parity with former champion so send me why all the time. So get to play with play with him. So that experience was incredible. I was played like three practice rounds and appointed to true as a tournament Misaka but most young guys do visit experiences. You gotta get used to the greens and know where to put put the ball even though had a good idea what to do at the start kind of tournament. It's kind of an experience thing. You gotta get used to the golf course. But I'll never forget. And I knew I thought I would for sure be back but it's hard to get back and so I never did get back to the Masters but wasn't for lack of effort. So then after that I played that I played the US Open like I told Without stories and I played in the British Open and I was paired with Mark calcavecchia, the British Open. So at that time, I didn't pray with him any fall like that. But Mark calcavecchia ended up winning the tournament. So play with him for the first few days so that out of the three majors I played that year, the guy played with for 36 holes and of winning the tournament. So I got a front row seat to see that. Pretty, pretty incredible. And one of the chances of that, so yeah. So then from there, I turned pro, and that was water cut after that in August, and then I turned pro, like the day after, and my first tournament was first professional tournament was the Swiss open over in Switzerland. So on the European tour that I went from there went on from there to play 20 years ago.

Angelina Huang: 00:25:56

Oh, that's very nice. You're playing with all the top players? Yeah. And now you have your own Golf Academy at Las Vegas Golf Center. Can you tell us about your coaching philosophy? Yeah.

Eric Meeks: 00:26:12

So. So after 20 years of playing professionally, I thought it was a good idea to start a golf school because first of all, my son was coming up and he went, he loves the game, love the game, still does love the game. And it was a good opportunity to time with him and bring him through junior golf. And then in the college golf, give him a platform to play if he wanted. If he wants to play after college, and he ends up he's done what he wants to he wants to turn pro. So the good opportunity for me to teach him how to play. And so along the way. Other juniors started taking lessons like you guys, which is awesome, because you have you love the game, and you want to be number one, I know you do. And you have the work ethic. So when I see that, you know, that really motivates me, because I know, I know exactly what it takes to be number one in the world. So, and there are a few things that I see mistakes I made along the way. And like Surely, they cost me time basically, it's a sport and physical sport. So you only have so much time for your best golf. So I've changed for me to pass on what I've learned, okay, let's do it this way, let's avoid this, and streamline you guys in your career. And so, so shouldn't strive for the fundamentals with it. And also, we're gonna need to hit certain shots. Okay, so the type of strategy that you're going to want to look into basically perfecto in your practice rounds, every time you play a course, figure out what's going to win the tournament, when we need to push the ball, how fast are these greens? Why am I in the world is it that the level of high up in the Rocky Mountains, you know, playing in elevation. And just kind of know, you know, everything there is to know about the tournament before you play, and then create the game plan, have your ball flight, execute a game plan and play to the finish line. And then ultimately, be ranked properly, get your college scholarship, so you can move on to the next level, get your degree but also be able to play with the best players in the world. So like, for me, coming up through junior golfers in California, and then going to Arizona, it gave me a platform to play against the best collegiate players. And then from there, I think move on to professional golf. And it's the same thing for for both of you, as you make your way to Junior Golf. It's gonna give you a platform because right around the corner, you're gonna play collegiate golf, and then you're gonna be playing the best players in college. And then since then move on to professional golf if you want to. And, you know, it's, it's pretty, you'll have an opportunity opportunity. So for me, it was, it was a easy choice, you know, sort of bring my son through and then juniors like yourself, bring you through and then give you that platform basically pass my knowledge of the game on to you so you can run with it, basically. And so it's been it's been a lot of fun.

Angelina Huang: 00:29:24

That's a very great point. Yeah. And what do you believe separates the top junior golfer from another top junior golfers,

Eric Meeks: 00:29:35

work ethic and then belief like yourself, belief, that view it's really easy to golf can really beat you down. It's a it's a very difficult sport. And so, you know, one person wins each week in a tournament. So the other if there's 50 players, you know, 40 players, forget about it, you know, so, the best players in the world If they want, you know, 10% of the time, it'd be amazing. So it's more of a metal metal saying, you really need to believe in yourself, outwork everybody and know where you're headed. And then just believe that you're gonna get to where you want to go. So, never going to know exactly where you're going to win, for sure, but you know, you're going to win, okay? We know you have a feeling, you're gonna do great things, but you don't know exactly what those great things will be. So you need to have, you need to have a vision, you need to have work ethic, and adversity, you need to be able to make your way through adversity. And that's it, okay, over 10 years solid work like that, that's where you're gonna be, he's gonna be on top of your career. And so, I would say, you know, and we've talked about this before, but consistent work ethic every single day goes mental and then your sport. And then if you're, you're always working on trying to perfect weaknesses in your game, and becoming a better player. And so, and if you continue on through these difficult times, you end up being ultimately a world class player, winning tournaments. And so I think it just really staying focused and working hard over an extended amount of time. Okay, thank

Angelina Huang: 00:31:26

you so much for your great insight. And what do you recommend junior golfers to practice on

Eric Meeks: 00:31:33

short game, short term short game short game, so when in doubt, shocking. So in the end, everybody is going to have a nice swing and hit it far, hit the shots, go hit the shots. But not everybody will be able to make a 20 footer consistently or make everything inside six feet, or be able to get a ball up and or chip in every single time. So that's going to separate you along with your mental approach to the game. Because what what you don't realize professional golfers how difficult to do is to play in front of people on the highest level with a camera on you. And so it's tough to get your heart rate down or get you where your hands aren't shaking. Okay. So basically, you went on a short game early, when a safe shot shots, and then some there, you've become very strong mentally, to where you can keep your heart rate down and stay focused, and play a very high level while being nervous. It's a key deal. So, but the whole physical part of the part of the game, learning the golf swing, but like I said, everybody's gonna have a good swing. And I feel like hit the ball. So short game and mental approach, for sure. mental game.

Angelina Huang: 00:32:53

That's a great point. And obviously, under pressure, people tend to break down. So what do you recommend people to do in their pre shot routines

Eric Meeks: 00:33:04

needs to be the same every time. So if you have, let's say, you go out on my green night, everything, you make a practice stroke, okay, so you take a look, or look to the crash stroke or by the stroke. And then it's the same routine every time. You do that over and over and over. So when you have say, it's a three footer, you're at the golf course, every night and you're putting yourself in that position mentally you're putting yourself in that position for the USL, but it's the same time every time. So now you have a three footer and eventually 12 years from now to when this US Open, you've done it 1000s of times. And so you use the same routine. And you kind of trick yourself, hey, this is the same thing I've done over and over and over. You wouldn't get in there with a different routine a different time. And go take profits for the USL been, well guess what? You're gonna miss. So you need to basically work the process, same routine, which we've done over and over and over. And then you would never put in your mouth mind that this is for the US Open, you would just make the putt and then raise the trophy up. So it's a it's a it's a mindset, you know, the proper way of routine, routine to stay focused, same timing, just like a field goal kicker pitcher of baseball, same routine. And you work on a day in and day out so you have it down. So because someday it'll be in that situation you're gonna have a pact with yourself or the US amateur or US Junior, it's kind of it's there, it will be there. So that's why you put the extra time and your working routine along with you know, getting getting your physical game in order but it's mostly you know, your mental approach your fit your routine you're working on out there. And if you happen to miss a part then you Go back to your physical stroke. But given the stroke type of way, it should be, but you need to be working to retain your practice. That's some

Angelina Huang: 00:35:11

great insight. And how long do you recommend junior golfers to practice

Eric Meeks: 00:35:17

five, eight hours a day. So I know it's tough. But the school and then you know, sort of be forced to practice unless you have homework. Or you're in the gym, one of the two, and then never sleeping into class to class starts. So, pick, pick one of them. If you don't do it, Virginia chooses not to do that somebody's doing that. And will does that June is getting ahead of them. So you would never waste your time on that. Okay, then you would go to class. And then every spare moment after that, you know, after your homeworks done, you're practicing. So sometimes, you need to use sunlight. So basically, a school summer one, but you know, start to practice. So, but, but if you need to skip practice before school, but ultimately, you need to practice five, eight hours a day. So in the summertime, you definitely have to most of the day, especially in the morning in the evening, you're going to work out so I tend to work out as part of your practice, you know, so five, eight hours workouts an hour probably. So that's included? Yeah, that's included. So that there you go five, eight hours a day. Thank you so much.

Angelina Huang: 00:36:40

Yeah, that takes some hard work and dedication. And obviously short game plays a huge role in one's performance. But full swing also is important. Do you believe mechanics play a huge role in one's performance?

Eric Meeks: 00:36:55

Yes, but there's, if you look at professional, high level amateur golf, and then professional golf, there's some similarities. But everybody's a little bit unique. Nobody desert Exactly. So there's not not just one way to get the job done. But you need to find a way that you can where you can repeat your shots. Because if you can't hit the ball, when you're looking consistently, then you're going to have to get the ball up and to say part when you're when you're chipping. It's tough to chip the ball and you can't but chances are making a birdie are much less and there's a chance of making bogey. So you need to be able to hit the ball where you're looking just like in football Tom Brady, done in our past and still hit the numbers otherwise, you're not gonna have be the quarterback he's been so he's gonna take his job if your physical checker cannot get through the uprights every time so we had to get that picture. Okay, you can't get it over the mound. Guess what, you know you don't you eliminate it. So golf, you hit the ball where you're looking. So like I said, there's more than one way to swing the club. But in my mind, I try to keep it as simple as possible. Because if you have more than two thoughts in your mind, and one will be getting your center point and let the club get the target target, then it's too many swing thoughts. It's too difficult. Okay, and for me talking about this, I don't like a loop in the swing, I like the clubface where there's a center point and bring it up and back and, and so that you don't have to there's no inconsistency in the swing. Okay, so you don't have to perfect a loop in your swing. Okay, so that's the way I prefer. That's the way I found is the easiest to get the ball flight because as you're constantly working on your golfing, and get past that to work on the ball flight, so you need to be first of all short game like you work on your ball flight, you know all the different shots in the game you're going to need on the course to execute your game plan. And so if you're constantly working on your swing to never get to the ball flight portion of it, then the swing is incorrect. You know, then you get that right. There's something going on in the swing that's causing that inconsistency. So although there's more than one way to swing the club, is to be consistent in your consistent ballplayers who can execute gameplan

Angelina Huang: 00:39:23

Yes, that's a great piece of advice and philosophy. And if you had to share your secret sauce of advice on golf, what would it be? My what? Your your like secret sauce or your secret recipe.

Eric Meeks: 00:39:42

Work ethic and so that there's no substitute as one thing you need to outwork everybody. You gotta want it. So if you don't want to work in silver, you kidding yourself. So before I even started to tell her, we need to have in your mind What you want to accomplish, you need to go get it?

Angelina Huang: 00:40:05

Yes, that's definitely a great point. And finally, we're coming to the end. What would you tell competitive junior golfers and their parents?

Eric Meeks: 00:40:16

Well, they picked a great game. First of all, it's in my mind, it's the greatest game on the planet. That's just an individual sport, but you also play, you meet a lot of friends along the way. So that's a Jets objective. So it's a score, somebody's not judging you. So I love that about golf. So, we're having kids and they're probably a good sport. And now, it also teaches, you know, basically, you can't cheat and golf. What, basically you get out of it, once you put it physically, it doesn't hurt hurt you. So it's a it's a good sport to be in. And then whether you play professionally or not, you're going to use it the rest of your life, either in business or with your family. It's a great sport. Yes, that young junior wants to play integrals, and then maybe go into college golf, and then maybe even in the professional golf, it's all a bonus. Okay? college golf is a bonus. Okay? Professional Golf is definitely a bonus. To play, just to get a scholarship is not a good way to go. Because it's too it's very difficult to get that to be good enough to get a golf scholarship. It's so It's so boring. JR is going to burn out. So it needs to come from within. So you know, get your young junior after the course early, see if they like it. But um, enjoy the game first. But then learn to love the game, but then compete, you know, and then go from there. And then everybody fails in the beginning. It's just a tough game. Well allow your June sale. You know, then for the June genius, hey, do the best you can if you fail, you fail, but you gave it 100% And I'm trying to be better next time. I'm trying to be better the next time. That's how it works. Because there's a good salvation there that when Jr. really likes the game, where's the love the game is okay. With I did my desk but condition well today, but let's be better the next time. You know, then it's a healthy thing that Zoom is going to excel. And then. So we're really going to enjoy watching maybe on Excel. I noticed watching camera. And then watching you guys, it's fun watching. Okay, I know how difficult the game is, I know, the pressure to play even Junior golfer, as I understand that, I bet that I know it's gonna go it's gonna get even more so when you play in front of people. But the thing is, is if you're dealing with us, you know your game in order, you go out there and do the best you can. You know, that's why winning tournaments is so great losing tournaments, pretest sometimes, but, you know, it's all the work that goes into it, and that, you know, it's all worth it in the end. So but I would say it's a long journey. It's a marathon, also. So it's a good journey though.

Angelina Huang: 00:43:26

Thank you so much for your great pieces of advice and for your empathy on the game. Sure. Thank you. Thank you. helps us out. Yeah, it helps so much.

Cameron Huang: 00:43:40

Thank you for coming here again. Do you want

Eric Meeks: 00:43:44

Tell me where are you?

Angelina Huang: 00:43:45

Right here

Eric Meeks: 00:43:47

I witness everything. Alright, guys, if you need anything else, just let me know. You know if you're about to ask a question, whatever.