All Episodes

Dustin Brekke is Director of Engineering and Eddie Drye is a Regional Sales Manager. They share the great new technology they have in their Cleveland Launcher XL driver and why it won Gold in this year's Golf Digest Hot List. We also talk about their new 5 & 7 fairway woods, the wedge groove enhancements that help us land the ball softly on the green, and how to determine which golf ball is the right one for our games.

Jim Gallagher Jr. starts off talking about his golf-centric family who was awarded the Jack Nicklaus Golf Family of the Year in 1990. Jim also talks about his college golf days at the University of Tennessee, being inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, his win at the 1993 Tour Championship, when he set the course record at the Olympic Club with an opening-round 63, the inspiring story behind his win at the 1995 St. Jude Classic promising a young leukemia patient that he was going to win it for her, and his experience playing in the 1993 Ryder Cup, when he beat Seve in the Sunday morning singles matches.

John Mahaffey takes us back to his win at the 1986 Players Championship, coming from 4 back down the stretch to win over Larry Mize. We also hear about his run at the 1981 Masters, his experience playing in the 1979 Ryder Cup, and the books he's written, Hogan's Boy and a mystery novel titled, Shafted; both of which you can get on Amazon.

Mitch Laurance talks to us about the Pleace Awaken organization and what they are doing through golf to help the people of Ukraine. Please check them out online at www.pleace-awaken.org. If you're asking yourself how can I help the people of Ukraine, Pleace Awaken is providing a path to the Golf Federation of Ukraine, which has been turned into a relief organization.

Mitch Laurance talks to us about the Pleace Awaken organization and what they are doing through golf to help the people of Ukraine. Please check them out online at www.pleace-awaken.org. If you're asking yourself how can I help the people of Ukraine, Pleace Awaken is providing a path to the Golf Federation of Ukraine, which has been turned into a relief organization.
John Mahaffey takes us back to his win at the 1986 Players Championship, coming from 4 back down the stretch to win over Larry Mize. We also hear about his run at the 1981 Masters, his experience playing in the 1979 Ryder Cup, and the books he's written, Hogan's Boy and a mystery novel titled, Shafted; both of which you can get on Amazon.
Jim Gallagher Jr. starts off talking about his golf-centric family who was awarded the Jack Nicklaus Golf Family of the Year in 1990. Jim also talks about his college golf days at the University of Tennessee, being inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, his win at the 1993 Tour Championship when he set the course record at the Olympic Club with an opening round 63, the inspiring story behind his win at the 1995 St. Jude Classic promising a young leukemia patient that he was going to win it for her, and his experience playing in the 1993 Ryder Cup, beating Seve in the Sunday morning singles matches.
Dustin Brekke and Eddie Drye talk about the great new technology they have in their Srixon/Cleveland woods and golf balls. We hear why the new Cleveland Launcher XL driver won Gold in this year's Golf Digest equipment testing. We get inside the technology for how it produces no side spin so we can hit it long and straight. We also get inside the groove technology in their wedges, plus how to know which golf ball is the right one for your game.

Tour Legends Hal Sutton, Billy Mayfair, & Olin Browne & Top Instructor Tom Patri join me...
We look back at The Players Championship with 3 guys who've played in it several times including Hal Sutton who won it twice. We also talk about the Tour Players' waning desire to play in the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to the course conditions and Mr. Palmer no longer being with us. 
Specifically, Tom Patri talks about being with Fred Couples during Fred's Players Championship win in 1984 plus Tom also lends his thoughts on Phil Mickelson's attempt to leverage the Saudi League vs. the PGA Tour. Tom answers the question if Phil has paid too high a price for the actions he took.
Billy Mayfair talks about his college career at Arizona State and their rich golf history. We also hear about his win at the 1987 US Amateur, his 2nd place finish at the 2019 US Senior Open, his win at the 1998 Nissan Open and being the only player to ever beat Tiger Woods in a playoff,  how his driving distance is longer now than when he played on the PGA Tour, his battle with testicular cancer, and his recent diagnosis of being on the autism spectrum.
Hal Sutton talks about his recent conversation with Tom Watson on his Hal's podcast, Be The Right Club Today (available on Hal's YouTube Channel). He shares the common interest that he and Tom share away from the golf course and what would likely have been the greatest victory in golf history when Tom nearly won the 2009 Open Championship at 59 years old. Hal shares his insights on The Players Championship and Pete Dye's design. We hear about his first Players Championship win in 1983 and why he struggled playing Augusta National.
Olin Browne looks ahead a bit to life after playing the Champions Tour which could include doing more work as an on-course Analyst. We hear about his struggles playing Pete Dye's course at TPC Sawgrass, his thoughts on the players potentially skipping the API in the future, and his memories of playing in The Masters.

John Cook shares his thoughts on the Ryder Cup and the new World Champions Cup that will be coming to the Champions Tour in November of 2022. We also hear about his work with Patrick Cantlay, how John was successfully able to transition to the broadcast booth, and for those of us north of 50 years of age, John provides a tip for how to keep your swing long and fluid.

Tim Simpson talks about how lyme disease took away his opportunity to be a member of the US Ryder Cup team in 1991. We also hear about his relationship with Sam and JC Snead, the things that Sam taught him, and tips for how to consistently make center clubface contact.

Olin Browne shares his thoughts on the wrap-around Tour season, the importance of accuracy off the tee for those of us who can't drive it 300+ yards, Bernhard Langer the prankster, what Phil Mickelson brings to the Champions Tour, and his thoughts on the new World Champions Cup...

Matthew Laurance shares his thoughts on the Ryder Cup as well and what it's done for Bryson DeChambeau's personal brand. We also hear about his friendship with long-time Billy Joel band drummer Liberty DeVitto, and being recognized by the Kentucky Section of the PGA of America for his contributions to the game.

In this episode, I am excited to be joined by Champions Tour Pros John Cook, Tim Simpson, and Olin Browne plus former Actor now Backspin Golf Host Matthew Laurance joining me.
John Cook shares his thoughts on the Ryder Cup and the new World Champions Cup that will be coming to the Champions Tour in November of 2022. We also hear about his work with Patrick Cantlay, how John was successfully able to transition to the broadcast booth, and for those of us north of 50 years of age, John provides a tip for how to keep your swing long and fluid.
Tim Simpson talks about how lyme disease took away his opportunity to be a member of the US Ryder Cup team in 1991. We also hear about his relationship with Sam and JC Snead, the things that Sam taught him, and tips for how to consistently make center clubface contact.
Olin Browne shares his thoughts on the wrap-around Tour season, the importance of accuracy off the tee for those of us who can't drive it 300+ yards, Bernhard Langer the prankster, what Phil Mickelson brings to the Champions Tour, and his thoughts on the new World Champions Cup.
Matthew Laurance shares his thoughts on the Ryder Cup as well and what it's done for Bryson DeChambeau's personal brand. We also hear about his friendship with long-time Billy Joel band drummer Liberty DeVitto, and Matthew's award from the Kentucky Section of the PGA of America for his contributions to the game.

What a privilege to spend time last night on Next on the Tee talking with a pair of Top 100 Instructors in Tom Patri and Kellie Stenzel plus former Tour Pro Donnie Hammond, and the President of the Golf Heritage Society Dr. Bern Bernacki.
On this episode, my guests are a pair of Top 100 Instructors Tom Patri and Kellie Stenzel plus former Tour Pro Donnie Hammond and the President of the Golf Heritage Society Dr. Bern Bernacki.
Tom celebrates his birthday with us by sharing his thoughts on the Ryder Cup, Bryson DeChambeau's image transformation, missing the old silly season, plus what we need to change when the fairway and greens get harder as the temperature gets lower.
Donnie Hammond shares his insights on the Ryder Cup as well. We also hear about the less glamorous side of life on Tour, his victory at the 1986 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, and the rash of player/caddie breakups recently.
Dr. Bern Bernacki is the President of the Golf Heritage Society. He gave insights into some of the historic golf courses in and around the Pittsburgh area, including the Clearview Golf Club which is the first golf course designed and built by an African American, William Powell. We also hear about the Bob O'Connor Golf Course which dates back to 1897 and their recent 50th Anniversary Convention and some of the cool pieces of memorabilia that were on display.
Kellie Stenzel has been named a Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor every year since 2009. She talked about the growth of the game on the women's side thanks to great events like the Solheim Cup and the truly international leaderboard at the Olympics. She also shared talked about why most of us should switch to wedges with a high degree of bounce, tips for how to choose which clubs we should be using to chip around the green, and a tip for how to hit the shot when your ball is embedded in deep rough just off the green.

In this episode, my guests are Champions Tour Pro Scott Verplank, the Golf Channel's Damon Hack, Top Junior Player Avery Zweig, and an amateur golfer that I truly envy Wayne Talsky.
Scott Verplank starts off sharing memories from his amazing college golf career at Oklahoma State. We hear why a Texas boy crossed rival state lines to play at OSU. We also hear about the National Championship they won in 1983, how he won the individual title in 1986, and how he doubled down and won the US Amateur that year as well. He also takes us inside what it was like being a part of the winning 1985 US Walker Cup team, being a part of two US Ryder Cup teams, and winning the 1985 Western Open on the PGA Tour as an Amateur.
Damon Hack joins me fresh off covering the Ryder Cup. He talks about what it was like being on the grounds of Whistling Straits and immersed in that fandom. He also shares his insights on how Captain Stricker molded this group into a team, whether Patrick Reed will ever be a part of a US team again, and overreaction Monday to the European team's loss.
Avery Zweig is one of the top US junior players in the country. She's currently 4th in the AJGA Girl's rankings and #1 for the class of 2025. At 14 she's won just about every junior title out there including the Annika Invitational earlier this year. She was a member of the US Jr. Solheim Cup team and qualified as the 1st alternate for this year's Women's US Open. We hear all those stories and more.
Wayne Talsky is a long-time listener and supporter of the show. He's also a wonderful amateur player. He shares his experience going through trying to qualify for the US Senior Open earlier this year at The Bear's Club. He's taken his Next on the Tee hat on a fantastic golf adventure this summer to New York and he played some of the courses many of us have on our bucket list including National Golf Links, Hudson National, and the Golf Club at Southhampton. We hear about that trip plus his time at Augusta National.

In this episode I'm joined by Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor Tim Cusick, 1979 Bay Hill Classic Champion Bob Byman, Cherry Hills Director of Instruction Shane LeBaron, and 1977 US Amateur Champion John Fought.
Tim Cusick is now a member of the Education Faculty of the PGA of America at their new headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Tim updates us on how their new facility and two championship golf courses that will host major championships are coming along. He also shares tips for how to read greens, dial in our distance control from 100 yards in, and fix your swing if you're struggling with coming over the top.
Bob Byman shares stories from his college golf days at Wake Forest and how Arnold Palmer encouraged him to go there following a practice round they played together at Pebble Beach when Bob qualified to play in the US Open at age 17. We also hear about how he teamed with Curtis Strange and Jay Haas while at Wake Forest to win back-to-back National Championships in 1974 & '75. Things would come full circle with Mr. Palmer when Bob won the 1979 Bay Hill Invitational, which was the first year Mr. Palmer took over as tournament Host.
Shane LeBaron recently became the first Director of Instruction at Cherry Hills Golf Club which has been the site of many major championships. We all remember Arnold Palmer's charge in the final round to win the 1960 US Open there. Its also seen Andy North win a US Open, Phil Mickelson win a US Amateur, and Jack Nicklaus win a US Senior Open. Shane takes us around the course plus shares the best putting tip I've heard in the 8 years of doing this show.
John Fought shares stories from his college days at BYU and their rich golf history. We also hear how he captured the 1977 US Amateur championship, his time being a part of the victorious US Walker Cup team, his 5th place finish in the 1983 PGA Championship plus his golf course design work.

In this edition of the podcast, my guests are LPGA Tour Legend & 2 Time Major Champion Dottie Pepper and 1970 National Champion & 1978 PGA Champion, John Mahaffey.
Dottie Pepper talks about the sports household she grew up in. Her father played professional baseball with the Detroit Tigers organization and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in March of 1968. We also hear her stories about:
Winning the New York State Amateur Championship when she was 15
Her college golf days at Furman
Finishing low amateur at the 1984 US Open
Her two major championship victories both coming at the ANA Inspiration, formerly the Dinah Shore Classic.
Being a part of 6 Solheim Cup teams and what the US has to do in order to win the Cup back.
The bear that came charging towards her was she was covering the 2008 US Senior Open.
And her new book "Letters to a Future Champion" that you can find on her Web site www.dottiepepper.net
John Mahaffey shares stories from his college days at the University of Houston. John won the individual National Championship in 1970 and helped the Cougars to back-to-back team titles in 1969 & '70. We hear about his relationship with Ben Hogan and how he became known as "Hogan's Boy". We also hear about his victory a the 1978 PGA Championship, backing up that win the very next week at Pleasant Valley Country Club, being a member of the 1979 Ryder Cup team, and his transition to broadcasting the game.