Football season is officially underway in Louisiana, and there’s plenty to talk about.
LSU has given Tiger fans plenty to discuss early in the season, while the New Orleans Saints have already delivered two games that came down to the final moments.
But whether you’re watching football on Sunday or working on your golf swing during the week, there’s something both sports have in common: success isn’t always about how much power you have. It’s about preparation, execution and knowing when to make the right adjustment.
A golfer can have the strongest swing on the range and still struggle to find the fairway. A football team can have all the talent in the world and still make things difficult for itself with turnovers and missed opportunities.
With that in mind, let’s start on the golf course before getting into what we’ve learned from LSU and the Saints.
Golf Tip: Stop Trying to Kill the Ball and Start Controlling Your Swing
We’ve all been there.
You step up to the tee, grab your driver and immediately start thinking about hitting the ball as far as possible.
You take a big backswing, put everything you have into the shot and watch the ball take off.
The only problem? It’s heading toward the next fairway.
For many amateur golfers, swinging harder feels like the easiest way to gain distance. But more effort doesn’t automatically produce better results.
Sometimes, the best way to hit the ball farther is to stop trying so hard.
Why Swing Tempo Matters
One of the biggest differences between experienced golfers and beginners is the ability to maintain a consistent swing.
Watch a professional golfer, and you’ll notice that the swing often looks smooth and controlled, even when the ball travels more than 300 yards.
That’s because generating clubhead speed isn’t simply about using your arms to swing as hard as possible.
It’s about allowing your body, arms and club to work together.
When golfers rush their backswing or try to force extra power, their timing can break down. That can lead to inconsistent contact, poor balance and shots that miss the intended target.
Instead of trying to swing at maximum effort on every shot, practice using a comfortable tempo.
A useful starting point is swinging at approximately 75–85% of your perceived maximum effort.
This isn’t a scientific measurement of swing speed. It’s a way to help you develop a controlled motion that you can repeat.
Once you’re consistently making solid contact, you can gradually increase your speed without sacrificing your mechanics.
Three Things to Focus on During Your Next Range Session
1. Maintain your balance
Your finish can tell you a lot about your swing.
After making contact, you should be able to hold your finishing position without stumbling or taking an extra step to regain your balance.
If you’re constantly falling forward or backward, you may be swinging beyond what you can comfortably control.
Start with a few slower practice swings and focus on maintaining your posture.
As your balance improves, gradually increase your speed.
2. Develop a consistent tempo
A good golf swing doesn’t have to be rushed.
Give yourself enough time to complete your backswing before transitioning into the downswing.
One simple exercise is to count during your swing.
Think of a smooth “one-two” rhythm, with the first count representing your backswing and the second representing your downswing.
The goal isn’t to make every part of your swing move at the same speed. It’s to avoid rushing the transition and losing control of the club.
3. Focus on the center of the clubface
You can generate plenty of clubhead speed, but if you’re consistently making contact with the heel or toe of the club, you’re likely leaving distance and accuracy on the table.
Centered contact helps transfer energy more efficiently to the golf ball.
Try using foot spray or impact tape on your clubface during practice. After each shot, check where the ball made contact.
If you’re consistently missing the center, slow down and focus on making cleaner contact before increasing your swing speed.
Remember, a controlled swing with solid contact can produce better results than an aggressive swing that sends the ball in the wrong direction.
Try This: The 15-Ball Tempo Challenge
The next time you visit the driving range, try this simple exercise.
Start with 15 golf balls and divide them into three groups.
First five balls: 60% effort
Begin with a comfortable, controlled swing.
Don’t worry about distance. Focus on balance, tempo and making clean contact.
Next five balls: 75% effort
Increase your swing speed slightly while maintaining the same rhythm.
Pay attention to whether your ball flight and contact remain consistent.
Final five balls: 90% effort
Now increase your effort again.
Notice whether the additional speed produces more distance or causes you to lose accuracy.
After completing the exercise, compare your results.
Which group produced the most consistent contact? Which shots stayed closest to your intended target? Did swinging harder actually give you better results?
You might discover that your most effective swing isn’t your hardest one.
And that’s a lesson that extends well beyond golf.
LSU Football: A Strong Finish After a Difficult First Half
LSU’s September 12 matchup against Louisiana Tech was a reminder that even a talented football team can make life difficult for itself.
The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 45–14 at Tiger Stadium, but the final score doesn’t tell the entire story.
LSU entered halftime leading just 10–7 despite Louisiana Tech failing to gain a single yard of total offense in the first half.
How did the Bulldogs manage to stay within three points?
Turnovers.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw three first-half interceptions, including one that Louisiana Tech’s Jordan McRae returned 100 yards for a touchdown.
LSU had moved the ball deep into Bulldogs territory before the interception completely changed the momentum of the first half.
Instead of extending its lead, LSU found itself in a much closer game than expected.
LSU’s Defense Set the Tone
While the offense struggled with turnovers, LSU’s defense continued to give the Tigers opportunities.
Linebacker TJ Dottery finished with nine tackles, while Whit Weeks added seven.
Princewill Umanmielen also made his presence felt with three sacks.
The Tigers consistently disrupted Louisiana Tech’s offense, limiting the Bulldogs’ ability to establish any rhythm.
That defensive performance gave LSU time to settle down offensively and eventually take control.
It’s a reminder that championship-level aspirations require contributions from every phase of the game.
Even when an offense struggles, a strong defensive performance can keep a team in position to win.
Sam Leavitt and the Second-Half Response
Despite his first-half mistakes, Leavitt responded with a productive second half.
He finished with 344 passing yards and helped LSU pull away after halftime.
His ability to make plays with his legs also became an important part of the offense.
Leavitt scored three rushing touchdowns, including two during the second half that helped LSU extend its lead.
The Tigers scored 35 points after halftime, turning a three-point game into a comfortable victory.
For LSU, the biggest takeaway wasn’t simply the final score.
It was the difference between the team’s first-half execution and its performance after making adjustments.
Against stronger competition, turnovers and missed scoring opportunities can be much more difficult to overcome.
LSU showed it had the talent to recover against Louisiana Tech. The challenge is maintaining that level of execution throughout an entire game.
Saints Football: Two Games, Two Comebacks and Plenty to Build On
If there’s one thing Saints fans have learned through the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season, it’s that this team isn’t afraid of a comeback.
New Orleans opened the season with a heartbreaking 31–30 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions on September 13.
One week later, the Saints responded with a 24–17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens to improve to 1–1.
Both games featured slow starts, second-half adjustments and important performances from quarterback Tyler Shough.
But they also revealed areas where New Orleans still has room to improve.
Week 1: The Saints Nearly Complete a Remarkable Comeback
The Saints couldn’t have asked for a much more difficult start to their season.
Detroit built a 21-point lead, putting New Orleans in a position where almost everything had to go right to get back into the game.
Shough struggled early, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble on a sack.
But instead of allowing those mistakes to define his afternoon, the young quarterback helped lead the Saints back into contention.
He finished with 410 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Wide receiver Chris Olave was one of the biggest reasons New Orleans was able to move the football.
Olave caught 10 passes for 182 yards, including a 43-yard reception that helped set up the game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
With 1:07 remaining, Shough connected with tight end Juwan Johnson for a nine-yard touchdown to tie the game at 24.
The Saints even had an opportunity to win in regulation, but Daniel Carlson’s 62-yard field-goal attempt missed.
Detroit scored first in overtime before New Orleans answered with a touchdown of its own.
The Saints elected to attempt a two-point conversion for the win, but the pass fell incomplete, giving Detroit a 31–30 victory.
It was a disappointing finish, but the comeback demonstrated what New Orleans’ offense could accomplish when it found its rhythm.
Week 2: New Orleans Finishes the Job Against Baltimore
The Saints faced another difficult road assignment on September 20, traveling to Baltimore to face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
Once again, New Orleans found itself playing from behind.
But this time, the Saints completed the comeback.
Shough delivered another strong second-half performance, finishing 27-of-34 passing for 252 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception.
Olave continued his productive start to the season with eight receptions for 86 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown catch.
That fourth-quarter touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion from Travis Etienne Jr., tied the game at 17.
The Saints then put together the drive they needed when it mattered most.
Johnson made a crucial 26-yard reception on third down to move New Orleans into scoring position.
A few plays later, Shough scored on a one-yard quarterback run on fourth-and-goal, giving the Saints a 24–17 lead with 1:28 remaining.
Safety Julian Blackmon sealed the victory with an interception on Baltimore’s next possession.
New Orleans had its first win of the season.
Three Things We’ve Learned About the Saints
1. Tyler Shough is showing resilience
Through two games, Shough has demonstrated the ability to respond after difficult stretches.
His 410-yard performance against Detroit showed his potential as a passer, while his more efficient outing against Baltimore showed the value of protecting the football.
The next challenge is finding that consistency earlier in games.
New Orleans cannot expect to overcome significant deficits every week.
2. Chris Olave remains a major part of the offense
Olave has been one of the Saints’ most productive offensive players through the opening two weeks.
His ability to create separation and produce explosive plays gives Shough a dependable option in important situations.
The Saints have also received contributions from Johnson and Devaughn Vele, giving the offense multiple options in the passing game.
Continuing to develop that chemistry could make New Orleans more difficult to defend as the season progresses.
3. The Saints need to start faster
This is probably the most important lesson from the opening two games.
The Saints showed they could overcome adversity against Detroit and Baltimore, but consistently falling behind creates unnecessary pressure on the offense and defense.
A more balanced offensive approach, better ball security and improved execution on early possessions could help New Orleans avoid spending the second half playing catch-up.
The return of Alvin Kamara against Baltimore also gives the Saints another option as they continue developing their offensive identity.
The talent is there to produce competitive performances. The next step is putting together a complete game.
What Golf and Football Can Teach Us About Consistency
Golf and football might look like completely different sports, but both reward athletes who understand the importance of preparation and execution.
On the driving range, swinging harder doesn’t guarantee a better shot.
On the football field, having more talent doesn’t guarantee a clean performance.
LSU learned that lesson during its turnover-filled first half against Louisiana Tech.
The Saints experienced something similar after falling behind Detroit and Baltimore.
And golfers experience it every time an aggressive swing produces a shot that ends up nowhere near the intended target.
The solution often starts with making adjustments.
For golfers, that might mean slowing down the swing, improving balance or focusing on cleaner contact.
For football teams, it might mean protecting the football, improving communication, or making adjustments at halftime.
In every case, consistency matters.
Whether you’re working on your golf game or watching your favorite football team, the goal is the same: prepare well, execute your fundamentals and make the adjustments necessary to improve.
Because sometimes, the biggest difference isn’t how hard you play.
It’s how well you execute when the moment matters.
