Life on the road for me is all about freedom, exploration and adventure. As a photographer in the golf industry, I explore this country looking for unique destinations and golf courses while connecting with all types of golfers from varying backgrounds. My favorite part of traveling, is getting to connect with so many people, personalities and characters. It’s so cool to see the golfing community as it is today.
Some would say it’s a dying game but I would say quite the contrary. The culture of the game is stronger than I’ve seen at any point in my life. It’s definitely changing, evolving and it’s evident everywhere in the industry. I believe this evolution to be in a good way.
Brands are bringing popular culture to the game and its future is bright. My involvement in social media, particularly Instagram, allows me to connect with people in the industry and avid players that are passionate about the progression of the game. And these passionate people are popping up in every corner of the industry and making their presence known. We are at the forefront of a movement in golf, building a foundation for its future while preserving the heritage of the game. It should be important to all of us to preserve the legacy of the game that helps form gentlemen and ladies of character and integrity. I seek out these people from my Instagram following and look to connect with them in my travels. Together we all create the current day golfing community. It might not be the same culture as it was 50 years ago, or even 20, but the game will continue to evolve and I look forward to being a part of this time in history and how it’s remembered.
I look to be part of this evolution and I say often I “aspire to inspire.” I left a high paying job in Advertising to pursue this lifestyle all for the love of the game. For the first two years starting Golf In Your State, I lived out of a pop up tent on top of my car. Definitely not the traditional travel style for a golfer. I slept in golf course parking lots, truck stops, rest areas, roadside pullouts, anywhere I could park overnight. For me it’s always about my time with friends and strangers on a golf course or wherever we may be spending the day. I will do whatever it takes to make this happen and still see luxury in my simplistic lifestyle.
At the heart, I’m an outdoorsman. In my home base of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I mountain bike, camp, fish, hunt, hike, snowboard, of course golf, along with so many other hobbies. I enjoy my time in nature whether it’s on a golf course, a hiking trail, a lake, the beach wherever it might be. I’m a lifestyle guy and never take moments for granted. I’m a believer that the most important person in your life, is the person standing right in front of you at any given moment, regardless of who it may be. I’m all about living in the moment and enjoying life to the fullest. I never understood the mindset of living for retirement to then enjoy life. I decided right out of college that I’m going to live life to fullest and do the things I love every single day.
Ultimately golf, and travel, can teach us a lot about ourselves. I’ve learned so much about myself through traveling full-time and I look forward to the next chapter.
-Matt Cardis aka @golfinyourstate
