When you look at social media, and it’s impact, both positively and negatively on society, it seems that depending on your age, a lot of what you get back relates to how much you put it in. As in, a lot of times, to get more out of your social media experience, you need to put a bit more in to social media. By that I mean, if you interact with the folks making the content, they often will interact back with you.
Liking a message is one way, but engaging in their content, asking or answering questions, and going beyond just consuming, gives the opportunity for interaction. Some people enjoy the interaction, some people troll. I’d like to think of myself as the former, and someone who enjoys asking questions to learn more.
When it comes to woodworking, rod building, fly tying, or honestly, any of the things I call hobbies, I’ll often watch something multiple times. When I happened to see Shawn’s account come across my feed, the colors in the wood in his projects, and the overlaid golf theme, caught my eye and I dove in to his feed on Instagram.
Before I knew it, we were exchanging messages about different projects, woodworking techniques, and different ways of doing the same things. We even realized we both had a passion for fly fishing and hockey.
I thought I’d try and use this platform to introduce you to Shawn, and talk a bit more about him and what he’s doing. Here’s a short interview he was kind enough to provide. Thanks Shawn!
Can you please introduce yourself? Shawn Gillespie. I run Decks 2 Divots, a brand based around one of a kind golf tools created from broken skateboards.
I know we both enjoy golfing with our wives, but how does the rest of the family feel about the game? I’ve gotten my youngest into it a little bit. She only lasts about six or seven holes before she is done. But she does have fun though.
How long have you been playing golf? I started golfing when I was 4. I tried to play as much as I could between playing hockey and baseball.
What got you get in to golf? My Papa got me into it when I was 4. He would always take me to his local club whenever he could. He taught me everything and I still think of him while out playing to this day.
Not just golf, but I know you’re in to fly fishing and fly tying as well. How often are you able to get out these days? Not as much as I want to. I have two spring fed ponds in the back yard that are stocked with bass and perch. Always take a rod out when I collect golf balls and see what biting.
How did you get in to fly fishing? My buddy Adam was into it back in the day and would go up to Pulaski, NY. He helped develop my interest. We’d also go chase small mouth and stripe bass off the shore in NJ.
Where are you located, and what types of fly fishing do you like to do? Located in Pipersville, PA, about 45 minutes west of Philly. These days we do small ponds or when my buddy wants to take his boat out and hit the back bay of Jersey Shore.
We met through Insta via your handle @Decks 2 Divots. Tell me a bit about what you’re doing over there. I recycle skate decks into golf tools. Ball markers, divot tools, golf trophies, wood valet trays, tees and more. Recently, I’ve also started making putters and displays for tools and clubs.
How did you get in to taking skateboards and turning them in to golf related items? Started 3 years ago for the golf league I’m in. Wanted to make some divot tools for the guys as an appreciation for letting me in.
How much woodworking experience did you have prior to starting D2D? Not much at all and still learning every day. Have a great core of people I lean on that give me tips and advice.
Any chance we’ll see a fly tying bench? Have the pieces cut and need to get it done soon. Hoping (to have it done soon).
What are your “standard” products? Ball markers,Divot tools, tees and displays.
Where do you get your inspiration for new products? Mostly get asked to make custom pieces. From there I try to go off that for others and 1/1’s.
How often are you asked to make a new product? Want to say at least once a week.
How do you source your decks and raw materials? Have a local skateboard shop that donates the boards. Also have a few friends that skate and ship them to me. Regular wood I get from a local lumber mill that has them kiln dried.
I see the putters coming out of your shop, tell me a bit about the process you’ve got to go through to make one of those? They take some time for sure. I cut a few different colors from boards. Glue them up and shape them with a dremel and band saw. I add lead weight to get them to a standard 350-375 grams. Add some copper to the bottom and hand stamp them.
What’s your workshop situation? You’re in a garage like me, right? I have taken over an old part of a garage that was once a slaughter house to the old farm we live on. I ended up insulating it and even put pallets and flooring down to get me off the old concrete.
Where can people buy your stuff? Can always check instagram or a few pieces on my website that needs to be updated this winter. Decks2Divots.com
How can folks connect for custom work? Can always hit me up on Instagram or send me an email to Decks2Divots@gmail.com
Where do you see all this going in the long run? Have any particular goals you’re shooting for? Would love to make more custom work for individuals and maybe even some golf courses. Always shooting for more fun projects that test my skills and learn how to make them better.
A huge thanks to Shawn for taking the time to respond to my questions, and thanks for making it this far. Be sure to go check out his IG @decks_2_divots, and for sure go buy a tool, tray or marker!
