MudBall Newsletter - Henry Shimp

What’s up everybody? We’re back for the mudball newsletter and this week it’s Mr. HS bringing you the goods. Here goes:

Drinking:

I simply have to lay a hearty endorsement of the Mudball Half Caff from our friends at GoodWalk Coffee on you as early mornings of watching The Open have included arduous amounts of the magical liquid. Hit the link. Use code ~THETIE~. Save some ~coin~. And shoot me a thank you on ~The gram~ later.

Eating:

Gotta give a shoutout to my man Gao (just not his name, but I like to think it is). One of my absolute favorite restaurants in San Francisco and he has an egregiously strong Instagram Game. If you like Vietnamese, ***which we do***, and you make your way out to the bay area, hit up Gao Viet Kitchen in either SF or San Mateo. Both of them are just lovely. Absolutely lovely.

Reading:

As we’ve been getting into the writing game here at The Tie, I’ve been sourcing a bit of inspo from our guy Wright Thompson as he is one of the best sportswriters I know. If you haven’t already, check out the episode I did with him here and check out his book The Cost of These Dreams as it is a wonderful choice for anyone with even a passing interest in sports.

Thinking:

I’m big on optimization of routines, habits, systems, avoidance of wedge play, and more. That said, I’ve been thinking lately that if we optimize too many things, is anything really optimized? There are many things that we should listen to science and research on, but ultimately, it’s important to realize some things bring you happiness, and a life deprived from certain sources of happiness is far from optimal. I’m no scientist nor philosopher, but that’s what’s been on the dome. Take it or leave it.

Let’s hit the tenets, eh? Culture, Competition, and Architecture. A quick check in with each:

Culture: I played golf with a bunch of people in vastly different stages of the game. Competitive players, beginners, people that play for the post round ~festivities~ as much as the sticks and balls, and all combinations of the preceding categories. It has just reminded me how important it is as a golfer to be a chameleon to experiences. Whether it’s the quality of the course, or the people you are playing with, I am a huge proponent of being able to find enjoyment in any experience. Like everything in golf (and life), it’s like a restaurant. If you can’t find something on any menu in the world you enjoy, go find a mirror and take a look. A long, hard look.

Competition: As I continue to prepare for the US Amateur (that’s a scary set of words, sheesh), I have been reminded how fun it is to have a goal/event on the calendar. For me right now, that happens to be golf, but this can apply to anything. A fitness goal, a relationship driven goal, a trip, whatever that is for you, I challenge everyone to get a little competitive with yourself and put a date/goal on the schedule. Life’s plot is just a bit thicker when you’re trying to get up for something.

Architecture: Played the new Gil Hanse resto/reno at Lake Merced GC in San Francisco yesterday, and as per usual, they are who they thought they were… and in Gil’s case, that is damn good. It’s not major stuff, but man can he give a course a facelift. Mowing lines, tree work, more short grass, and thinking critically about the routing can take any course a long ass way. Also, hats off to Lake Merced for the willingness to try something new. There are some things that changed a pretty decent amount and man does it look and play beautifully. Many memberships would not have been willing to take the leap they did, but boy did it pay off. Bravo to all. A few pics below: