Ask Me Anything - Matt Blois | Golf

[thechrisgibbs]

Alright MGS Forum, here's the finished product from Matt Blois! I let Matt know that he could work through as many questions as he could in around 20 minutes, but Matt went through a ton of the questions and chaptered them out in this hour-long AMA. He's been extremely nice to work with and we're absolutely stoked he was willing to do the AMA for us. Please let him feel the love on his social media and YouTube accounts!

Thank you again, Matt!

We’re very excited to bring one of the best YouTube lefties in the industry, Matt Blois.  Previously one of the core club testers on the TXG YouTube channel, Matt has branched-off starting his own YouTube channel and a mental health organization called, Preserve. Though I don’t believe he needs a highlight reel, here are some of the cool things to know about Matt if you somehow don’t know his name:

1. In the first few weeks of starting his YouTube channel, he hit over 10K subscribers and sits over 20K now!
2. When he wants to, he pumps the speed up and tops out OVER 180 mph club head speed with the driver.
3. His club reviews on his channel and on TXG are perhaps some of the best video reviews in the market. 
4. He’s a lefty that can play better golf right-handed than most of us.
5. He announced recently on his Instagram that he will be starting an organization called Preserve centered around people's mental health because he's a better person than most of us!

Pictured below with Bryson Dechambeau:

[Golfspy_Lukes]

Pretty awesome

Matt is great because he’s down to earth, relatable and just a solid overall dude. 
 

My question to Matt is:  

Many people, even those who might be fine 75% of the year, suffer from seasonal depression.  And the cold and short winter days can take someone’s seemingly manageable daily anxiety/depression and kick it into overdrive.  

What do you do during the winter to help battle depression and what advice do you have for others battling things during these cold and dark winter months?

[fixyurdivot]

Really like this one!  My question:  Hi Matt.  You have an amazing golf swing and consistency. Can you share a little of your history getting started in the game, if you have ever played competitively, and if not why? 

[sirchunksalot]

First off, thank you Matt for taking the time to do this AMA here on the forum. You have a lot of fans here and we wish you nothing but the best of luck with your new channel and in starting your organization for people with mental health issues. It's a wonderful thing you're doing. 

My question is a two parter, what are you most excited about in starting your YouTube channel and what about it makes you nervous?

I'm excited to see what the future has in store for you and look forward to following along with you.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Along with everyone else thank you so much for taking the time to do this. We really appreciate it and we are all truly excited to see what you will accomplish in the future!

You've done a lot of testing... As a lefty myself what club have you seen in RH only that you really wish was made on LH for you to try out?

[Lacassem]

Love it!

Matt on mental health 1) what do you think the biggest contributing factor is for athletes and those folks like yourself in the limelight? 2) What do you find is the most helpful with those struggling (whether that is meetings or something that people can do every day like workout etc)

[GolfSpy_BOS]

Yes!  Matt!  

First, thanks for joining us for an AMA!  You’ve got quite a fan base here on the forums.  I was moved by your recent move to create an organization to help those in need with mental health issues.  To not only share your story publicly, but have the vision and drive to help others must have taken a lot of courage.  I hope that you and Preserve get all the attention needed and can flourish under your lead.  I know I will be sharing whatever stories and posts I can to support you in that endeavor, as I’m sure other members here will.  It truly is an amazing cause and thank you for that.

Now,  Some more lighthearted golf related questions.  What is the biggest thing you’ve learned about your game since starting on the road to becoming a YouTube golf sensation?  Do you have any idea what you’re handicap would be if you played from the right side of the ball?  Your swing already looks pretty good there.  And last, what is your biggest struggle to take your game that we all see on the simulator and in test environments to the course?  Watching you hit virtually the same spot over and over is awesome and maddening at the same time, even if we didn’t see all the shots!

Thanks again for taking the time to join us for an AMA!

 

[Rtracymog]

Hi Matt! I loved watching you over on the TXG channel. A couple of questions:

1) You're like a robot hitting the ball. Do you spend more time practicing or playing?

2) I don't know if you can or care to get into it, but what was the biggest reason for the TXG split? It seemed that you and Ian had such amazing chemistry when you were both on camera or behind it. 

I wish you all the best!

[Golfspy_CG2]

Welcome Matt, Thanks for doing this.

So my questiion is, Was editing my fitting video the toughest edit job you had to do in the 4 years of the channel

Thanks and looking forward to seeing what comes in your next chapter.

 

[PMookie]

Matt, I want to say I’m very proud of you for sharing your challenges with all of us. I lost my brother to depression this past July, so thank you for what you’re doing to show men it’s ok to go get help and confront these issues. It means a lot to me personally. I’m praying for you!!!

As time went on at TXG we knew you were going through numerous swing changes and going to various coaches. You are now working with Tyler McGhie, whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with as well, and he teaches a specific type of swing. My question is why did you switch between at least two coaches in the last couple years, and what specific swing issues were you facing that prompted you to look for someone new? Then, how do you know it’s time to look for another set of “eyes”?

[bens197]

No questions from me, just here to show my support for him in his new endeavors.  

I’ve struggled with my own mental health and coincidentally, today 2/9 is 5 years since I ran the worst call of my career.  Folks like Matt using his own story and platform to help others as well as himself, is everything this world needs.

Thanks Matt, play well and good luck!

[Micah T]

Hey Matt! Thanks for taking the time to visit with us on the forum! The more we see people address mental health and wellness, the more approachable and de-stigmatized it becomes: best of luck in your endeavors!

As a high swing speed player, what gains do you realistically expect to see year over year from driver releases? 

[xOldBenKenobiX]

Like the comments before, thank you Matt for opening up about your own mental health struggles, many of us suffer on the shadows because it is an invisible disease, a lot who have to face this struggle in a daily basis do not open up, because of the unfortunate fear of being ridiculed about it.

I do also appreciate the efforts with Preserver to help those struggling mentally, having lost family and friends to suicide, as well as having family members who attempted and failed to commit suicide, it hit hard and very close to home when you think that someone might be suffering so much that the only way they se out is by ending it all. Again that is absolutely awesome of you and I am glad that you found the help you needed in the past year.

Now for my golf questions:

First, can you teach me to play golf left handed? right handed has not worked well, so a change might help.

Second, what can a Tuesday league high handicapper do to improve his/her game?

Lastly, what does the future hold for you, any big plans? Maybe a Matt Blois golf academy in the works?

 

[Clayton]

Hi Matt - really enjoy your work.  My question is how does all that indoor golf affect your outdoor golf game? Does the practice make you a better outdoor player, does it lead to bad habits when playing "real golf" off grass... after a long cold winter, I would assume that keeping your swing in tune is important, but what have you noticed happens to your game after hitting so much indoors?  I ask because I've only been able to play indoors this winter and I'm not sure what to expect when we go out in the sun again. Thanks in advance.

[Nolan220]

Hi Matt, 

 

Thanks for taking time and answering our questions, my question is what piece of Golf equipment that you tested surprised you the most ? 

[goaliewales14]

Thank you so much for doing this!! 

With all of your experience at TXG, what would be one thing you wish the golf industry would change about demos and/or fittings?

[Josh Ross]

Matt, I already said this on one of your videos but I'm so happy to see you on YouTube, and even more happy to see you healthy and doing what you love. Thanks for coming on here to do this AMA. I have two questions.

1. What are your goals in the game of golf? You're putting so much work into getting better and it shows. Do you want to compete at some point? If so, at what level? Or, is it just that you're a competitive person and strive to be better than you are?

2. I was the person that sent you and Ian the Edison Forged wedges that you guys did a review on. Ian did the testing for the video, but with you having such a good righty swing I have to know if you tried them out. You spoke nicely of them in the video but I always wondered if you were able to hit them.

[CanadaMike]

What is your fondest memory of golf as a kid or young adult? 

[BK_Strozier]

Again like others, thank you for speaking publicly about mental health. You never know who needed to hear your story that day. 

Golf question: when I see you bombing the ball as far as you do, I wonder what is the hardest part of the game for you? 

Thanks again for doing this! 

 

[xOldBenKenobiX]

Like the comments before, thank you Matt for opening up about your own mental health struggles, many of us suffer on the shadows because it is an invisible disease, a lot who have to face this struggle in a daily basis do not open up, because of the unfortunate fear of being ridiculed about it.

I do also appreciate the efforts with Preserver to help those struggling mentally, having lost family and friends to suicide, as well as having family members who attempted and failed to commit suicide, it hit hard and very close to home when you think that someone might be suffering so much that the only way they se out is by ending it all. Again that is absolutely awesome of you and I am glad that you found the help you needed in the past year.

Now for my golf questions:

First, can you teach me to play golf left handed? right handed has not worked well, so a change might help.

Second, what can a Tuesday league high handicapper do to improve his/her game?

Lastly, what does the future hold for you, any big plans? Maybe a Matt Blois golf academy in the works?

 

[mchiller]

Excited about your new channel Matt! You've been doing great work. 

 

I'd love to hear about your practice plan/habits. How do you divvy up your time?  Full swing, short game, putting. Do you have a plan each day/week that you stick to?