My First Day Of Prison Golf

-My First Day of Prison Golf-

I’m not gonna lie—the first day I walked out to play “golf” on The Yard, my entire body was physically shaking. The Yard is the outside recreation area where prisoners work out and play different sports. It is also the most territorial place in our prison.

This is where different “groups” hang out and claim their spots. Since I did NOT join any group in prison, I’m technically “solo.” That means I have ZERO protection if something bad happens while I’m out on The Yard.

As I walked past each group, I could feel my heart beating in my chest and their eyes staring straight through me. It took about two minutes to walk across The Yard so I could get in line for my first round of Prison Golf. While standing in line, I heard a correctional officer yell, “Hey, let’s go, it’s your shot.” My body went numb as I realized he was talking to me. It was my turn to approach the tee box and take my very first Prison Golf shot.

The officer handed me my “prison golf club” and pointed to hole #1. Cautiously, I walked up to the tee box, which was right next to the outside weight set. Every single prisoner stopped lifting weights to watch my first shot. I immediately regretted my decision to come outside and play. Unfortunately, there was no doing the walk of shame back to my cell.

I took a deep breath, gripped the club, and looked down at my prison golf ball. After a few more long breaths, I positioned my feet, started my backswing, and—WHACK! I hit the perfect 40-yard shot right next to the pin. In the background, I heard several prisoners holler, “What the f**k was that? This guy must be a pro or something!”

From that moment on, I became known as Tiger Hoods on this compound. Receiving a nickname in prison is like being officially accepted into the club. It meant I could continue coming out to The Yard whenever I wanted and play Prison Golf without worrying about something bad happening.

I had officially proven myself to my new “golf buddies.” Little did I know that one swing would be the start of something incredible. My life—and the lives of these other men—would be changed forever because of Prison Golf.

Yours truly,
Brett
A.K.A. Tiger Hoods

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
I, Noél Bartlett, am committed to following all applicable Federal Bureau of Prisons policies and procedures while sharing, documenting, and memorializing our family’s prison journey and the letters and manuscripts Brett sends to me.
For complete clarity, I alone am the owner, operator, publisher, and financial beneficiary of Proud Prison Wives and this website. I am also the sole publisher and beneficiary of any books or other works published through Proud Prison Wives, including SPEAK DOG, SHATTER YOUR SHAME, and any future manuscript of Brett’s that I independently choose to edit, develop, and publish.
Brett is currently incarcerated in federal prison. He does not own, operate, manage, or conduct business through Proud Prison Wives, nor does he receive any financial benefit from the publication, sale, or promotion of these books, letters, manuscripts, or website content.
I am incredibly proud to take my husband’s raw letters and manuscripts and transform them into beautiful, meaningful books that allow others to witness his journey and cheer him forward as he chooses to use his time in prison productively.
Brett and I also take the safety, security, and privacy of the institution extremely seriously. In the letters and manuscripts he sends me—and in the material I ultimately choose to publish—identifying details may be intentionally changed, combined, omitted, or rearranged. This may include characters, conversations, events, timelines, locations, and other details in order to protect the privacy of staff, fellow incarcerated individuals, and the institution itself.
The heart and spirit of Brett’s writing are based on his lived experiences, but these writings should not be interpreted as a literal, chronological, or identifying account of daily institutional life. Some details of Brett’s experience will simply have to wait until he has fully completed his obligations to the Department of Justice.
Again, I, Noél Bartlett, am fully committed to respecting and following applicable Bureau of Prisons policies and procedures. I consider it a privilege to preserve our family’s story, document this chapter of Brett’s life, and share the good that can still come from an incredibly difficult season.
Thank you for reading, supporting our family, and respecting the purpose and boundaries behind what we share.
— Noél Bartlett
Owner & Publisher, Proud Prison Wives

Shatter Your Shame- Sneak Peek

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 1

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 1

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 2

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 2

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 3

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 3

Shatter Your Shame is NOW AVAILABLE

Brett and I are so excited (and honestly still a little in awe) to officially announce

Shatter Your Shame is LIVE on the site.

This book was written inside a federal prison—on random pieces of scratch paper, with a dull pencil, behind razor-sharp barbed wire and an electrified fence. What started as handwritten prison letters has turned into a powerful testimony of redemption, responsibility, faith, and purpose.

Shatter Your Shame is for anyone who carries the weight of their past, the burden of regret, or the quiet pain of shame—and is ready to see how God redeems what the world calls broken.

Brett writes with raw honesty about the worst decisions of his life, the consequences that followed, and the miraculous way God met him in the pit of prison and transformed his shame into purpose. These are one-of-a-kind prison stories that will help you heal, rise, and walk forward unchained.

(Perfect for small groups, book clubs, churches, or gifting to someone who needs hope.)

Every order directly supports me and my 4 beautiful children during this season Brett is away.

This journey hasn’t been easy. Prison is heavy. Shame is heavy. But God is proving—once again—that He specializes in turning massive messes into healing miracles.

Thank you for believing in redemption.
Thank you for supporting our family.
Thank you for helping us share this message with the world.

With so much love,
Noél

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SPEAK DOG is NOW AVAILABLE

Speak Dog is not your average dog-training book. It is a testimony, a powerful blend of storytelling, breakthrough psychology, and the real-life prison puppy training program that God used to transform countless lives, including Brett’s, and our family’s.

This book carries redemption on every page. It shows what God can do with a broken man, a hurting dog, and a second chance. It’s hope, healing, laughter, purpose, and breakthrough all wrapped into one unforgettable journey.

I am SO beyond excited for everyone to get their hands on this book and experience the same heart-shifting, faith-building transformation that we did.

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