Next on the Tee

S12, Ep13 Part 2: Golf Under the Lights: Keith Hirshland on LIV, Legends & Literature

In Part 2 of episode 13, I’m thrilled to welcome back one of my all-time favorite guests—acclaimed author and legendary golf TV producer, Keith Hirshland. Keith is not only one of the nicest people on the planet but also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to golf, television production, and life itself. We dive into his work with LIV Golf, where he leads their broadcasts, and discuss the great broadcast technology they've brought to the game including doing a tournament played under the lights in Riyadh. Keith shares the challenges of tracking the ball at night and introduces us to the newest addition to their broadcast team, Pat Perez. We also take a trip down memory lane as Keith reminisces about his role in launching The Golf Channel back in 1995 and his relationship with Arnold Palmer. Plus, Keith gives us an update on his latest book, a sequel to Song Girl, featuring the return of that intriguing CT Mascaro character. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with one of the best in the business!

S12, Ep13 Part 1: From Major Wins to Major Changes: Shaun Micheel & Tom Stickney Talk Golf, Life, Plus Staighter Drives & Closer Chips

This week on Next on the Tee, I’m thrilled to welcome three great friends to the show. I start things off in Part 1 with a player who I believe is one of the most underrated and underappreciated of the 21st century—Shaun Micheel. Most people remember Shaun for his incredible win at the 2003 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, but his career extends far beyond that. He finished runner-up to Tiger Woods at the 2006 PGA and even defeated Tiger in the first round of the Match Play Championship that same year. Beyond his playing career, Shaun offers incredible insight into the current state of both the professional and college golf scenes. We haven’t seen much of him on the Champions Tour recently, and unfortunately, there’s a heartbreaking reason why—you’ll hear all about it. He also weighs in on the shrinking number of Tour exemptions and the ongoing struggles the PGA Tour faces in marketing its players, given how much they’ve relied on Tiger Woods for the past 28 years.

Then, I’m joined by Top 100 Instructor Tom Stickney, who shares some fantastic playing lessons and short-game tips. In a fun twist, I recently discovered that not only did Shaun and I attend Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, but Tom is an alumnus as well! Tom has earned a Doctorate from The Golf Machine organization, a system that has had a major influence on the game. Shaun is a big believer in it, and Tom breaks down why more golfers should be paying attention to its principles. He also shares his expertise on how to fix a big slice or banana hook off the tee and offers short-game strategies from 100 yards in.

It’s a jam-packed episode with great stories, insights, and tips. Thank you so much for pressing play!

S12, Ep. 12 Part 2: The Confidence Edge & Golf’s Hot Topics with Dr. Bob Winters & Tom Patri

In Part 2 of Episode 12, I welcome back our resident mental game expert, Dr. Bob Winters, The Confidence Doctor. This month, Dr. Bob dives into the crucial role that your dominant eye plays—not just in your swing, but also in your overall confidence on the course. Get your notepads ready because he shares a couple of key insights you’ll want to remember.

Then, we wrap things up with our Resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri. TP gives us the inside scoop on some of his recent Instagram Live interviews, including conversations with our mutual good friend Damon Hack from The Golf Channel and his longtime pal Jimmy Roberts. And in a hilarious twist, TP must’ve been feeling nostalgic—because for the rest of our chat, he calls me Jimmy...not kidding, you’ll hear it for yourself. We also get into his thoughts on some hot topics in the game right now, like slow play and AimPoint green reading.

It’s a fun and insightful conversation, so stick around and let’s tee it up!

S12, Ep. 12 Part 1: Inside the TGL & A Champion’s Journey with Ben Helmrath & Wes Short Jr.

On this episode of Next on the Tee, I'm joined by Ben Helmrath, VP of Merchandising at PGA Tour Superstore and Team Coordinator for the Atlanta Drive of the TGL League. Ben is deeply involved in team strategy, working alongside Captain Justin Thomas to set match-day lineups plus helps layout all the winning scenarios for when they should throw the Hammer. He takes us behind the scenes at SoFi Stadium, giving us a look at what really goes into a team’s preparation and what it's like down on the floor. Plus, with golf simulators becoming more and more affordable, Ben shares insights on how owning one might now be within reach for all of us.

Then, mkaing his Next on the Tee debut is Champions Tour Pro Wes Short Jr. His longtime friend and Next on the Tee favorite, Bob Estes suggested that Wes would make a great guest, and boy was he right. Wes has an inspiring career—after years of grinding, he earned his PGA Tour card in 2004 at the age of 40, won his first event a year later in Las Vegas, and even qualified for his first U.S. Open at 52 years of age. His story proves that persistence pays off and we should never give up on our dreams.

It’s a great lineup with insights, inspiration, and plenty of great stories, so thank you tuning in!

S12, Ep11: Bob Byman on Winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Masters Practice Round with Jack & Contending at The Open.

On this special bonus segment of Next on the Tee, I welcome back PGA Tour winner Bob Byman for a deep dive into some of the most defining moments of his career. With it being Arnold Palmer Invitational week on the PGA Tour, Bob takes us back to his victory at the first Arnold Palmer Invitational played Bay Hill in 1979, reflecting on what it meant to win a tournament connected to Arnold Palmer. As a Wake Forest alum who played on an Arnold Palmer scholarship, Bob shares personal stories about his relationship with The King and how Palmer’s influence shaped his career.

We also revisit Bob’s impressive performances at The Open Championship, including his debut at St. Andrews in 1978, where he finished T17 alongside legends like Seve Ballesteros and Tom Weiskopf. The following year at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, he was in contention heading into the final round before finishing T7 in a tournament that saw Seve claim his first major title. Bob gives us a behind-the-scenes look at those experiences, the challenges of links golf, and what it was like competing on golf’s biggest international stage.

His victory at Bay Hill also earned him a spot in the 1979 Masters, where he got his first taste of Augusta National. Bob walks us through that unforgettable experience, from the pressure of teeing it up at golf’s most revered venue, playing a practice round with Jack Nicklaus, to the lessons he took away from his first major start at Augusta.

From Bay Hill to St. Andrews to Augusta, Bob Byman has been part of some incredible golf history. Don’t miss this conversation filled with career-defining moments, legendary names, and stories that every golf fan will appreciate.

S12, Ep10: Peter Kostis on Coaching, Broadcasting, and the State of the Game.

On this very special bonus episode of Next on the Tee, I’m excited to welcome golf instruction and broadcasting legend Peter Kostis. A trusted voice in the game, Peter spent decades delivering expert swing analysis and commentary for USA Network and CBS Sports while coaching countless Tour players and amateurs. He shares how a casual round with his cousin sparked his love for golf and how his passion for learning the swing evolved into teaching players at every level.

Peter reflects on his time with Golf Digest Golf Schools, his journey from a young instructor in Maine to one of golf’s most sought-after teachers, and how broadcasting allowed him to teach millions of amateur golfers in real time. He also shares memorable rounds with presidents, athletes, and celebrities, along with the joy of helping others improve their game.

We also dive into the PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf saga, whether a true merger is possible, and the increasing divide between the "haves and have-nots" on Tour. Peter weighs in on whether former commissioner Deane Beman could have prevented today’s split. Plus, he opens up about his abrupt departure from CBS Sports and his favorite memories from Augusta National.

S12, Ep9 Part 1: Fairways & Friendships: John Cook on Tour & Jeff Harper on PA Golf Destinations.

This week on Next on the Tee, I’m joined by two fantastic guests who bring both incredible stories and valuable insights to the show. Leading things off is John Cook, a 21-time winner across the PGA and Champions Tours and a former National Champion from his days at Ohio State. This marks John’s 10th visit to the show, and every conversation with him ha been fantastic thanks to his upbeat attitude and passion for the game — you can literally hear the smile in his voice. We kick things off by talking about this year’s Mexico Open, a tournament that holds special meaning for John since his father, Jim Cook, helped resurrect it back in the 1980s, and John himself went on to win it in 1995. As we continue looking ahead to this year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont, John also shares his memories of competing in the 1994 U.S. Open there. We also reminisce about some of the fun team events he’s played in alongside Sergio Garcia, Mark O’Meara, and Rex Caldwell.

Following John, I’m excited to welcome Jeff Harper to the show for the first time. Jeff is the Director of Operations for Byler Holdings, which owns and manages five fantastic golf courses across Central and Eastern Pennsylvania. Each course presents its own unique challenge, making them the perfect progression for players as they advance their skills. Jeff takes us on a virtual tour of Broad Run Golfer’s Club in West Chester, Iron Valley in Lebanon, Berkleigh Golf Club in Kutztown, Lebanon Valley in Myerstown, and Blue Mountain in Fredericksburg. With his passion for golf and knack for storytelling, Jeff brings these courses to life and highlights what makes each one special.

It’s a can’t-miss episode for anyone looking to discover hidden gems and enjoy some great golf stories along the way.

Season 12, Episode 8 Part 2: Cindy Miller: Hall of Fame Honors, Life Lessons & Taking Another Shot.

In this special segment, I catch up with Cindy Miller, whose incredible career continues to be recognized with two more Hall of Fame inductions. Cindy reflects on what it means to be honored by the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame and how special it is to join an elite group of athletes, including Jim Kelly, Jimmy Johnson, Ed Reed, and Neal Heaton, in the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame—where her induction makes her the 13th golfer to be enshrined. We also talk about her exciting new book, Take Another Shot: At Business, Golf, or Life, and the powerful personal experiences that shaped it, including her family’s journey through her husband Allen’s struggles with depression and a suicide attempt, and how they all overcame those challenges together.

Cindy shares her thoughts on the negative influence of social media, referencing Lexi Thompson’s comments about how much words can hurt, and how she overcame people telling her she wasn't good enough to play college and then she helped the Hurricanes win back-to-back National Championships, and how she wasn't famous enough to write a book yet here we are a couple of months away from hers being published.