Episodes

Apr 19, 2023

55 min

America's Caddie Michael Collins joins me in this bonus segment of the show.
Michaels shares his story of how wanting to make his mom laugh put him on the path to becoming a comedian. We hear about how he got over the fear of going up on stage the first time and the rush of getting that first laugh. Michael shares the story of meeting his first PGA Tour Pro, Omar Uresti, and how laughter helped Omar relax during his rounds and led to Michael getting inside the ropes, then inside the PGA Tour. We also hear how he got his start broadcasting for Sirius/XM radio and the night Pat Perez got hammered during their show Out of Bounds.
Michael has added great photographer to his long list of talents thanks to his personality (listen to the story) and some help from Ken Griffey Jr.
Michael makes our game, and this segment, so much fun because he's in it. I'm incredibly thankful for the time I got to spend with him. When you listen to this segment, you'll understand why he's quickly become one of my favorites.

Apr 19, 2023

37 min

This is the 10th year in a row that I've been blessed to spend time with Gary Player prior to Masters week. This year we talked about:
His search to still play better at 87 years of age.
How he kept his mind and body sharp back when traveling from tournament to tournament in the 1950s & 60s was much more of a grind than it is now.
If LIV Golf will have longevity.
The importance longevity should play when thinking of the greatest players of all-time.
Could we be embarking on a new era Big 3 with Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Rory McIlroy.
We reminisce about his 1978 Masters victory.
The death threats he used to receive because of his stance on apartheid.
Dealing with fans who were actively rooting against him and Jack Nicklaus because they adored Arnold Palmer so much.
How great Bobby Locke could have been if the PGA Tour would have allowed him to stay on Tour.
And why he is the voice of my conscience.

Apr 19, 2023

1hr 55 min

We recap this year's Masters Tournament plus look back to Mark Calcavecchia's runner-up finish in 1988 and Olin Browne's first appearance in the Masters in 1998. John Patrick, Host of the Augusta Golf Show, shares his thoughts on this year's tournament plus some of the rumored new expansions at Augusta National. South Florida Executive Direct of the PGA of America, Geoff Lofstead, talks about their relationship with Jack Nicklaus and Jack's Play Yellow Birdie Bash. We also hear about how the Section is working with former Steelers WR Santonio Holmes to help grow the game at his high school alma mater in Belle Glade, Florida.

Apr 19, 2023

1hr 57 min

We talk all things Masters in this episode of Next on the Tee with my guests Tom Patri, Donnie Hammond, Jane Blalock, and Keith Stewart.
Tom Patri shares his favorite Masters memories, whom he likes to be at the top of the leaderboard Sunday evening, and the lengthening of the 13th hole. We also hear his thoughts about what it would be like if one of the LIV players were to win.
Donnie Hammond shares his memories of playing in The Masters. We hear about his first drive up Magnolia Lane, the practice round he played with Arnold Palmer, what it was like being in the 2nd to last group in the final round of the '86 Masters, and how he ranks the 4 majors.
Jane Blalock talks about the short-lived Women's Masters Tournament, the growth of women's golf, the painting LeRoy Nieman did of her, and the Legends of the LPGA Tour.
Keith Stewart teaches us how to bet and handicap golf tournaments. If you're looking for betting advice, no one has EVER done it better than Keith. Check out his site, www.readtheline.com.

Apr 19, 2023

1hr 53 min

On this episode I'm joined by 4-time winner on the PGA Tour and one of the all-time great ball strikers Tim Simpson, former President of the PGA of America and now President of Golf Nation Suzy Whaley, former PGA Tour Pro now one of the all-time great Broadcasters Frank Nobilo, and the Director of Golf at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club in Myrtle Beach, Bart Romano.
Tim Simpson and I start off talking about the mental game and the work he's doing with a company called Cerefit/Zing Performance. They have vastly improved his mental approach and cognitive thinking through mind exercises he does every day. We also get his perspective on the rolling-the-ball back issue, plus we hear his memories of playing at Oak Hill site of this year's PGA Championship.
Suzy Whaley also weighs in on the proposed Model Local Rule of rolling the ball and her thoughts if the Tours don't approve it what that does to their relationship with USGA & R&A. Suzy is now the President of a new golf platform called Golf Nation that's about to be rolled out. We hear about the unique content they'll have available on there including being able to purchase gear right from our smart TVs, iPad, & mobile phones plus watch her show, "Don't I Know You".
Frank Nobilo talks about the preparation that goes into The Masters broadcast. We hear his thoughts on how awkward the Champions Dinner could be with the former champions, who are now playing on the LIV Tour, back in the room. We also get his thoughts on who he likes to be on top of the leaderboard come Sunday evening.
Bart Romano is the Director of Golf at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club. They are two of the top courses not only in Myrtle Beach, but also on the Top 100 list you can play according to Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, and Golfweek. Bart talks about the design of both courses and the esthetic beauty that surrounds them. It's easy to understand why our friend Charlie Rymer says they are two of his favorite courses in Myrtle Beach.

Apr 19, 2023

1hr 46 min

This week on Next on the Tee I was joined by two of the Top Instructors in the game Tom Patri and John Hughes plus PGA Professional Hall of Famer Bob Ford, and 2UNDR VP of Sales and Skoni Founder Jack Curry.
Tom Patri tries to explain why I'm wrong for agreeing that the golf ball needs to be rolled back. We also talk about what The Masters Champions Dinner and tournament might be like with the LIV players invited back to the dinner and in the field.
Bob Ford shares his thoughts on why I'm right that the ball does need to be rolled back and should have been years ago. We also hear what it was like for him as a first-year Assistant Pro at Oakmont, living up on the third floor of the clubhouse.
John Hughes also weighs in on rolling back the ball plus we talk about the Club Pro crisis. John also give us a playing lesson on how ball position impacts ball flight and a tip for how to get your body prepared for the new golf season.
Jack Curry introduces us to Skoni golf shoes which won Best in Show at this year's PGA Merchandise Show. We hear how they created a shoe that you can wear all day at the office or out and about and then go right to the first tee. We hear why their revolutionary sole won't wear out with daily wear. Jack also updates us on all the great new, fun designs they have this spring at 2undr. When you do your spring cleaning, clean out that underwear drawer and get the ones the pros are wearing. You can use code nextontee20 to save 20% on www.skoni.com and code Next20 to save 20% on www.2undr.com

Apr 19, 2023

1hr 37 min

In this episode, I'm joined by Top Instructor and Host of The Golf Kingdom TV Show Rob Strano, 1983 PGA Champion and 2x Players Champion Hal Sutton, and 21-time winner between the PGA Tour & Champions Tour, John Cook.
Rob Strano takes on the course at The Players Championship. Rob hosted a camp for deaf players on the grounds that week. We also get a taste of the Veterans Appreciation Event and what TV doesn't do justice to regarding the course. Rob also shares his thoughts on the rollback of the golf ball and helps us hit better pitch shots from 40-60 yards off the green.
Hal Sutton takes us back to his 2 wins at The Players Championship in 1983 by 1 shot over Bob Eastwood and in 2000 by 1 stroke over Tiger. Hal shares his thoughts on rolling back the ball and whether we're in the midst of a new Big 3 with Scheffler, Rahm, and Rori.
John Cook starts off by talking about the influence Tom Weiskopf had on his life and career. We hear his thoughts on rolling the ball back plus memories from his wins at the 1983 Canadian Open over Johnny Miller and Jack Nicklaus, and setting the PGA Tour record for low 54-hole total at the 1996 FedEx St. Jude Classic.

Apr 19, 2023

1hr 41 min

We kick off Season 10 with a bang featuring conversations with my guests 4-time Instructor of the Year Tom Patri, 5-time winner on the PGA Tour Jim Gallagher Jr., 1978 PGA Champion & 1986 Players Champion John Mahaffey, and the Founder of On Point Golf Briston Peterson.
Tom Patri shares his thoughts on the battle between LIV Golf & the PGA Tour, his time spent with Arnold Palmer, why he thinks we need to watch out for Pierceson Coody, and in our new segment Tom's Tip of the Week, hear why we all need to take our 4 iron out and put a 7-wood in the bag.
Jim Gallagher Jr. talks about joining his wife Cissye as an inductee into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. We go back and hear about Jim's big win at the 1993 Tour Championship and taking home the biggest check in PGA Tour history at the time. We also talk about what it was like for him to be sitting in the lead after the first round of the 1991 Masters.
We get to hear what it was like for John Mahaffey when he came back from 3 strokes down with 4 holes to play to win the 1986 Players Championship and what it was like standing on that 18th tee trying to win that tournament. We also talk about his wins at the 1979 Bob Hope Desert Classic and teaming with Joann Carner to win the 1982 JC Penney Mixed Team Classic. Plus John is a great writer. We hear about his great murder mystery series of books that started with "Shafted", and the second book in the series, "Unfinished Business" just came out. The third book, "Dead Quiet", is in editing right now and will hopefully be out soon. Get your copies of all John's books by going online to www.johnmahaffeyauthor.com or on Amazon.
Briston Peterson is the Founder of On Point Golf. Their 3D ball markers have captured the attention and imagination of the golf world. Jim Furyk saw a prototype and now uses one. We hear about the concept, and how it helps improve focus on the putting line so we can make more putts. I know I'll have some in my bag from now on. Check out why Jim Furyk and I like them so much by going online to www.onpointgolf.us

Oct 14, 2022

1hr 56 min

I close out Season 9 in style with 4 of my all-time favorite guests: Top Instructor Tom Patri, former Actor & Host of Backspin Golf Matthew Laurance, PGA Tour Legend Hal Sutton, and the former President of HBO Sports & multi-time Emmy Award Winning Executive Producer Ross Greenburg.
This week Tom Patri updates us on how things are going in Southwest Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian. We hear about how the recovery is going for local residents plus the trickle impact on the local golf scene. Many golf courses won't recover because bermuda grass can't tolerate the salt water dumped on them from the surge. Local PGA Professionals are looking at a very difficult Winter season without golf courses to teach on and students who may not come down this winter because there aren't places to stay. Please go to www.redcross.org and donate to help our friends in Florida get a roof over their heads and back on their feet.
Matthew Laurance starred in the movie Eddie & the Cruisers. He shares the story of a very cool recent event where they showed the movie at a local historic theater in Lexington, Kentucky. The event was used to help raise money for victims of the flooding in Eastern Kentucky. Matthew also didn't hold back his hatred when we discussed LIV Golf.
Hal Sutton and I started out by talking about his new golf course design project. We also hear which designers have influenced him. I asked Hal about the burden of expectation placed on him as a young player and what he would say to Tom Kim to help him deal with that. Hal joined my guest from last week, Tony Ruggiero, on Tony's podcast Tour Coach and they had one of the most important golf conversations that I've heard in a long time. We recap that conversation which included why we focus on our bad shots instead of the good ones and how some players place blame on everybody else instead of taking responsibility for their own golf games when things go wrong.
Ross Greenburg has won over 100 major television awards over the course of his career. We talk about the movie he did along with Billy Crystal titled "61" about the 1961 homerun record chase between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. We also talk about 3 other films he's done: "Extra Innings From 9/11...20 Years Later", the Disney movie "Miracle" about the 1980 US Hockey Team, and "Jack Nicklaus, Making of a Champion."

Oct 7, 2022

1hr 55 min

Two of the Top Instructors in the game Rob Strano & Brandon Stooksbury plus my all-time favorite Author and Emmy Award Winning TV Producer Keith Hirshland, & former PGA Tour Caddy and Founder of Caddy For A Cure, Russ Holden all join me...
Rob Strano shares his insights on the Presidents Cup and the performances of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Max Homa, and Tom Kim. I also got his thoughts on the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, playing in drastically different weather conditions from one round to the next, plus a tip for strategizing our rounds.
Keith Hirshland joined me from Bangkok, Thailand where he's preparing for this week's LIV Golf broadcast. Keith shared what he knows about any potential TV contract for next year. We hear what it's like trying to produce a golf tournament when every player is on the course at the same time. He talks about the on-the-fly decision to allow their players to wear shorts and where they got the idea for their leaderboards. We also hear about his latest book, "Song Girl, A Tale In Two Verses" and that CT Mascaro character.
Brandon Stooksbury is annually among the Top Instructors in Golf Digest. He was the PGA Teacher of the Year in Georgia in 2015 and 2018. He's now out at Metairie Country Club in Louisiana. Brandon shares stories of how he got started as a Golf Instructor working for Jim McLean at Doral. We learn the difference between teaching golf and teaching golf for a living. We also get tips for hitting a bump and run chip and the importance of attitude in sinking more putts.
Russ Holden is the founder of Caddy For A Cure and we get an update on the great things his organization is doing to help support our wounded military heroes, including their new program Inspiring Warriors Golf. We also hear about his daughter's win at the Sea Island Women's Amateur Championship and his son Brandon playing in the PGA National Assistants Championship.

Oct 1, 2022

1hr 54 min

In this episode, I'm joined by 2 of the Top Instructors in the game, Tom Patri and Tony Ruggiero plus former Tour Pro Mark Lye, and 20-year Army Combat Veteran now a 40-year-old member of the Stephen F. Austin men's golf team Jonathan Shuskey.
TP shares his thoughts on the Presidents Cup, the great week that Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Max Homa had, and the forgettable one that Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns did. I also get his thoughts on the rise of Tom Kim, and a playing lesson for how to dial in our wedges from 100 yards in.
Mark Lye was an All-American in college at San Jose State and played on Tour from 1977 to 1994. During his high school days, he never lost a match yet colleges thought he was too small and his game was too erratic to recruit him. The only one who came knocking was San Jose State. He made the others school regret their decision. Mark won the 1976 Australian Order of Merit and the 1983 Bank of Boston Classic. Hear those stories and more in his segment.
Jonathan Shuskey was a 20-year Army Combat Veteran who saw 5 tours of duty in the Middle East. We hear about his play on the All-Army golf team, winning the Fort Benning Club Championship 3 times, and what it's like being a 40-year-old Sophomore playing on the Stephen F. Austin men's golf team.
Tony Ruggiero is a Golf Digest Top 50 Instructor and Host of the Tour Coach Podcast. He and I have a lot of synergies with show partners and mutual guests. Tony recently had an amazing conversation with Hal Sutton. We talk about that and how Tour Pros focus on their good shots instead of obsessing over their bad ones. We also get a playing lesson on how to fix our slice and square the clubface at impact.

Sep 25, 2022

1hr 54 min

What a night on Next on the Tee getting to listen to my guests Charlie Rymer, Chris Carter, Liberty Devitto, and Bob Winskowicz sharing their stories and insights. If you enjoy triumphant, fun, and informative podcasts, this is it folks. We get choked up and laugh a lot in this one.
Charlie Rymer shares his year-long battle with stage 3 colon cancer. We hear how the doctors discovered, the treatment and surgeries he went through, and how he ultimately rang the bell for being cancer free. We also talk about some of the recent episodes of his show featuring guests Paige Spiranac and John Daly.
Chris Carter is the Founder of the Sports Geek Radio Network up in Wisconsin. Chris talks about the great courses they have up there beyond Whistling Straits and Erin Hills. He also shares his thoughts on why LIV Golf is good for professional golf and the fans.
Liberty Devitto played drums in the Billy Joel band for over 30 years. Listening to him tells stories was one of the most fun segments of the year. We hear how his love for the drums started when he was 1 1/2 beating on the pots and pans in the kitchen and when he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, that cemented his desire to be a musician. Liberty tells us about what it was like traveling with Billy to play in Cuba and Russia. We hear the funny story of how he ended up playing with Paul McCartney, how much he and the band hated Just The Way You Are, and thought that Scenes From An Italian Restaurant was too long. He also talks about their concerts at Yankee Stadium and on New Year's Eve 1999 at Madison Square Garden.
Bob Winskowicz is the Founder of SQAIRZ Golf. He updates us on the tremendous growth Sqairz had had this year. Their shoes are worn on Tour by Sepp Straka, John Daly, and Mark Calc. We hear why you should throw away any golf shoes you have that you can twist in your hands. We hear why Sqairz gives you greater stability which leads to more distance and greater accuracy. Bob worked with Arnold Palmer for many years at Mr. Palmer's golf company, and he tells how Mr. Palmer's principle of "what's in it for the consumer" is at the forefront of everything they do at Sqairz. 

Sep 19, 2022

1hr 26 min

On this episode, I'm joined by Top Instructor Tom Patri, PGA Tour VP of Product Development Allison Fillmore, and Brenda Calcavecchia, Mark's wife, caddie, and by his own admission, funnier half.
Tom Patri shares his thoughts on some of the all-time great swings, players like Sam Snead, Fred Couples, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Purtzer, and Adam Scott. On the opposite side of that coin, Tom talks about how you go about fixing it when a player with an unorthodox swing starts to struggle. I also get Tom's thoughts on Sergio withdrawing from the BMW Championship and showing up on the sidelines at the Texas/Alabama game. Plus, we get a lesson on how to make sure our setup and alignment are correct. Be sure to subscribe to Tom's channel on YouTube to get over 300 free video lessons.
It was great having Allison Fillmore back on the show. She catches us up on the great things she's been doing over the past year since she was last on the show. We hear about her new role as PGA Tour VP of Product Development. She tells why it's good business to partner with sports organizations. She also talks about what it was like for her to return to her previous stomping grounds at East Lake Country Club for the Tour Championship and the exciting Sunday she got to see firsthand at the tournament.
Brenda Calcavecchia was a hoot. She tells the story of how she met Mark at the 2001 Memorial Tournament and what led to them starting to date. We hear why she decided to start caddying for Mark, the things she can get away with saying to him that would get other caddies fired, their amazing experience this year at The Open Championship when they got to wave goodbye to the fans from the Swilken Bridge, and their life RV'ing from tournament to tournament.

Sep 5, 2022

1hr 43 min

In this episode I'm joined by, Bruce Devlin, Tom Purtzer, Bob Estes, & Tom Patri Join Me...
Tom Patri and I discuss the players that continue to stream over to LIV Golf plus his reaction to what we say at the Tour Championship, was Rory's win bigger for him or for the PGA Tour, the surprise crowd reaction to Cam Smith, and a gotcha playing lesson for what not to do as we all chase more clubhead speed.
Tom Purtzer shares his thoughts on LIV Golf. We go back in his playing career and hear what it was like being paired with Jack Nicklaus in the final round of the 1977 Tournament of Champions, and his memories of Tom Weiskopf.
Bob Estes is one of the best players in the history of both the University of Texas and the State of Texas. We talk about his 6 wins during his college days. We also talk about the year he's having out on the Champions Tour, and his thoughts on LIV Golf as well. We also learn what made him one of the top putters on Tour.
Bruce Devlin and I walk through his great career. You'll hear how he got started in the game, winning the 1959 Australian Amateur Championship, his 19 wins on the Australian/New Zealand circuit, playing against Arnold Palmer in the 1964 Masters, being tied with Roberto De Vincenzo going to the back 9 of the 1968 Masters, beating Billy Casper at the 1966 Carling World Open, teaming with David Graham to win the 1970 World Cup matches, being inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, and the podcast he's doing now with Mike Gonzalez called "Fore The Good of the Game. 

Aug 24, 2022

1hr 9 min

In this episode, I'm joined by 1984 Olympic Gold Medal Figure Skater Scott Hamilton and LIV Golf's Chief Events Officer Ron Cross.
Scott details his lifelong battle with cancer that he learned started at birth. Scott stopped growing at 4 years old and doctor after doctor either couldn't figure out why or misdiagnosed him. At one point his parents were told he had 6 months to live following a misdiagnosis of a disease he didn't have. Throughout his life, he's battled testicular cancer and an ongoing brain tumor that continues to shrink and grow to this day. Hear about his battle with the disease while simultaneously reaching the summit of men's figure skating.
Ron Cross answers all the questions we've been asking ourselves about LIV Golf.
What do you say to the naysayers about where the money comes from?
Will the Saudi's get tired of spending the money 2 years from now and shut LIV Golf down?
Is team franchise ownership the model for how they will make money?
Are more guys set to jump to LIV following the Tour Championship?
Is a network TV deal on the horizon for next year?
Is there a way for LIV and the PGA Tour to work together?
Will there be a Women's LIV Golf Tour?
Hear his answers to these questions plus his growth in the game from tournament volunteer to various VP roles he had with the PGA Tour.