Ep7 - 4 irons & Hobnobs

David hands over the reins and Andi takes the interviewer’s seat. After a quick catch-up over what’s in their cups—mystery-flavor cold brew, a hotel room in Idaho, and some questionable soda-and-coffee experiments—Andi asks David her golf questions. David covers five things he’d tell a beginner before getting into the game, why there are so many different golf balls, and how to shake off a bad hole. He also talks about when to move from a beginner set to better clubs, and why a lesson can be worth more than an expensive new driver. Along the way, there’s a wrong-green mishap, an ABBA and Mamma Mia! detour, and plenty of banter. David then turns it around and asks Andi for her best advice to other beginners: be patient, and don’t worry about who’s watching. They finish with a tease for a future coffee episode.

Golf gets a lot less frustrating when you stop trying to force every shot. David and Andi break down the real progress happening in Andi’s game, from finally understanding the swing to seeing why alternate shot might be the smartest way to build confidence on the course.What starts as a laid-back couch conversation quickly turns into a sharp look at what actually changes a golfer's game: shorter swings, better contact, calmer decisions, and learning how to recover when things go sideways. If you've ever felt like your range swing disappears the second people are watching, this one will feel uncomfortably familiar.You’ll hear David and Andi cover:How pitch and putt is helping AndI translate lessons into real roundsWhy “swing easy” is harder than it sounds when you’re rushing to improveThe difference between making contact and trying to smash the ballHow alternate shot is reducing pressure and improving mental controlWhy a better short game can save a round even when the tee shots aren’t perfectThey also get into the quirks of building a golf bag that actually fits your game, including why one club suddenly earns its way back into the rotation and how yardages, consistency, and confidence all shape what belongs in the bag. Along the way, the conversation drifts into biscuits, chippy chips, chocolate, and the strange joys of comparing British and American supermarkets.This episode is for anyone who loves golf but also knows how much of the game is played between the ears. If you’re trying to get better without spiraling every time a shot misses, David and Andi show how small changes can add up to a big leap forward.Perfect for golfers who are working on their swing, trying to stay calm under pressure, or just want a brutally honest, funny check-in on what improvement really looks like.

Music on the golf course, walking vs cart, iced vs hot, espresso vs filter, early tee times vs twilight rounds, and coffee shop coffee vs home brew — Arran and Andy put their preferences on the line in a fast, funny this-or-that showdown that reveals way more than it should.What starts as a simple round of rapid-fire choices turns into a surprisingly revealing conversation about how golf, coffee, weather, and pace of play shape the way they actually enjoy life. From the ethics of blasting music across the fairway to the reality of walking an entire course in brutal heat, every answer comes with a real-world reason behind it.You'll discover:Why music on the course is fine, as long as nobody else has to hear your playlistWhy cart golf makes more sense in the heat, and when walking actually winsThe difference between iced coffee, hot coffee, espresso, and filter coffee in their daily routinesWhy early tee times and twilight rounds both have their place, depending on the dayWhy some coffee shops are for lingering, while others are just for grabbing a great cup and heading homeAlong the way, they also get into the small details that make golf better or worse — from encouraging strangers with a simple “good shot” to the pressure of playing in front of other people, and why the course feels very different when you are trying to stay relaxed instead of trying to prove something.If you like golf talk with personality, coffee opinions with strong feelings, and the kind of back-and-forth that feels like you are riding in the cart with them, this episode is for you. Perfect for anyone who loves golf, coffee, or a good argument about what actually makes a round enjoyable.

The conversation delves into the world of coffee, exploring preferences, brewing techniques, and flavor profiles. It then transitions to a discussion on decaf coffee and fabric technology, before shifting to the evolution of golf fashion and its impact on the game. The conversation delves into the evolving trends in golf fashion, the accessibility of golf as a sport, and the inclusivity of golf clothing for women. It explores the impact of fashion trends on the game, the financial accessibility of golf, and the challenges faced by women in finding suitable golf attire. The discussion highlights the need for modern tech in old school silhouettes and the importance of making golf more accessible and inclusive for all.TakeawaysGolf fashion evolutionCoffee preferences and experimentation Golf fashion trendsAccessibility of golfInclusivity in golf clothingChapters00:00 Exploring Coffee Preferences02:46 The Art of Cold Brewing09:55 Coffee Roast and Flavor Profiles19:58 Decaf Coffee and Fabric Technology25:47 The Evolution of Golf Fashion29:52 Golf Fashion Trends31:04 Accessibility of Golf48:00 Inclusivity in Golf Clothing

A driver fitting that doesn’t end in a new driver, a mini driver that actually earns its place, and the club tech that quietly changes everything. Fern and Arran break down the exact bag setup behind better tee shots, better approach shots, and more confidence from top to bottom.Fern shares what happened when he went in expecting answers about a traditional driver and walked out with a fitted Titleist TSR3 setup, a $700 price tag, and a big realization: sometimes the smartest move is not buying the “standard” option at all. Instead, he doubles down on the TaylorMade R7 Mini Driver, why he lowered the loft, why the shorter shaft matters, and how it’s giving him more speed, better control, and more confidence off the tee than a full-length driver ever did.You’ll discover:Why a mini driver can be a real weapon, not just a backup clubWhat launch angle, spin rate, club path, and heat maps actually tell youHow different shafts can completely change feel and performanceWhy forgiveness in irons matters more than chasing perfect strikesThe exact tradeoff between distance and dispersion that makes a bag playableArran pushes the conversation into the details most golfers never think about, from shaft kick point and swing weight to the difference between a club that looks good and one that performs when the pressure is on. Fern also explains why he moved on from his Mizuno MP30s to the Takomo 201T Mk II irons, how the increased forgiveness is showing up on real holes, and why his Cleveland RTX wedges and TaylorMade Spider ZT putter round out a bag built for control, not ego.And because this is a golf-and-coffee episode, there’s plenty beyond the bag too—from root beer cold brew experiments and Houndstooth favorites to a hidden gem bakery in Austin, Comadre, where conchas, café de olla, and Mexican pastries steal the spotlight. It’s the kind of episode that makes you think differently about your own setup, your own habits, and maybe even your next coffee run.Essential listening if you love golf gear, bag tinkering, club fitting, or just hearing two friends turn a simple “what’s in the bag?” into a surprisingly useful conversation.

Golf gets a whole lot more useful when you stop treating the gym as separate from your swing. Arran breaks down how golf-specific stretching, mobility, and strength training can change the way you play - and the way you feel walking out of bed.The episode starts with a real-time experiment: the first workout and stretch session built specifically to improve golf. Instead of just chasing distance or more power, Arran and his co-host unpack why flexibility, rotation, and slower, controlled movements may reveal more about a swing than all-out speed ever could. If you’ve ever felt stiff, frustrated, or like your body is fighting your swing, this one hits home. You'll discover:Why stronger muscles can still produce worse golf if mobility is ignoredHow slow-motion golf drills expose swing faults faster than full-speed swingsThe difference between adding power and adding usable elasticityWhy golf-focused stretching helps far beyond the course, from the first steps out of bed to everyday movementA smarter way to think about training if you want your body and your game to work togetherArran also shares a detailed look at golf in England, from the difference between parkland and links courses to how each style shapes strategy, shot selection, and course management. He talks through the courses he grew up on, the reality of weather, turf, bounces, and etiquette, and why British golf can feel like a completely different sport from what many players experience in the U.S. Plus, the episode opens up into coffee culture in Austin with Arran's current top picks - Desnudo, Leona, and Houndstooth - and what makes each one stand out, from transparent sourcing to standout drinks and atmosphere. He also introduces the new Hidden Gem segment, spotlighting Cottonwood Coulee in Medicine Hat, Alberta, a short but deceptively demanding course tucked into the coolies with dramatic elevation changes, water, wildlife, and huge value.Perfect for golfers, coffee lovers, and anyone who likes a podcast that mixes practical insight with personality, humor, and a few very honest opinions along the way.

The conversation begins with an introduction to the podcast 'Cups' and the hosts' passion for golf and coffee. It then delves into the importance of planning and setting goals in golf, followed by a discussion on the connection between golf and coffee. The hosts also share their coffee preferences and reevaluate their golf equipment. The conversation concludes with a focus on handling pressure situations in golf. The conversation delves into the science-driven nature of modern golf, the challenges of putting, considerations for putter replacement, approach and yardage control, and concludes with a preview of the next episode. The key takeaways include the continuous learning aspect of golf and the critical nature of putting in the game.TakeawaysPlanning is essential for achieving goalsUnderstanding the nuances of golf is crucial for improvement Golf is a game of continuous learningPutting is a critical and challenging aspect of the gameChapters00:00 Handling Pressure Situations in Golf27:01 The Science of Modern Golf33:31 The Challenge of Putting39:12 Considerations for Putter Replacement47:37 Approach and Yardage Control54:17 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

In this episode, Arran and Andy lay out the real plan behind Cups - the goals, the mistakes, and the adjustments that will actually move their games forward.Arran opens up about the pressure of getting competitive golf back on track, from breaking 100 to rebuilding confidence under pressure. Andy brings the beginner's perspective, pushing on the parts of the game that feel impossible when you do not yet know the language, the rules, or the difference between a swing that looks good and one that actually scores. You'll discover:why "drive for show, putt for dough" matters more than raw distancehow a mini driver, fairway woods, and the top of the bag can change your strategywhy putting confidence is often more important than the putter itselfwhat it takes to practice like a serious golfer when you are still learning the basicshow pressure exposes the difference between playing casually and playing competitivelyArran shares the realities of trying to perform in uncomfortable situations, why his old strengths from 80 yards and in have slipped, and how modern golf data, launch monitors, and fitter advice are changing the way he thinks about the game.Andy keeps the conversation honest by testing every assumption from a newcomer's point of view, which makes the episode as useful for experienced players as it is for total beginners.If you have ever stood over a putt and felt your confidence disappear, wondered whether your clubs are helping or hurting you, or tried to get better at golf without knowing where to start, this episode gives you a clear, relatable blueprint.Cups is building in public, and this is the moment where the plan starts to take shape.Perfect for golfers who want to improve without the fluff, coffee lovers who enjoy a good tangent, and anyone who likes hearing two friends figure it out as they go.

We are two golfers passionate about coffee. A quick intro to who's who and why we are here. Listen along to our candid conversation as we discuss the world of golf and coffee. On a journey to see where we fit in to these subjects and reach our goals.We are David and Andi and this is CUPS.