Golf Podcast: next on the tee

Season 11 Episode 29 Part 1: PGA Championship & the Senior Tour That Needs More Love...

In Part 1 of Episode 29, I'm joined by Top Instructor Tom Patri and Legends Tour Pro Clark Dennis.
Tom Patri delves into Xander's major triumph at the PGA Championship, the mixed sentiments towards Bryson, speculations surrounding Tiger's future following another missed cut, and the potential repercussions of Jimmy Dunne's departure from the PGA Tour Policy Board.
Clark Dennis, won the 2017 & '18 Senior Italian Open and the 2017 Dutch Masters on the Legends Tour. We reflect on his illustrious career, he reminisces about winning the 1983 Texas State Junior Championship and shares his elation at the Texas Rangers winning their first World Series. Additionally, Clark offers his insights on the PGA Championship and the low scores at Valhalla. He takes us back to his standout performances at the Colonial National Invitational in the 90s and recounts a memorable encounter with the legendary Ben Hogan. Furthermore, Clark sheds light on the caliber of players and awe-inspiring venues featured on the European Legends Tour, which needs more love and support.

Season 11 Episode 28 Part 2: Find Consistency with John Hughes & The Legendary Caddies of Augusta National...

In Part 2 of Episode 28, I'm joined by PGA Master Professional John Hughes and Journalist & Author Ward Clayton.
John Hughes is not only one of the rare PGA Masters Professionals, he's also the 2023 North Florida PGA Section Teacher of the Year. His summer residency is up at McLemore outside of Chattanooga. John shares his perspective of McLemore and the new course The Keep. He teaches us why it's important to positively express our goals, how to consistently make putts inside 5 feet, successfully chip from hard pan lies, and why we should hover our driver off the ground instead of resting it on the ground.
Ward Clayton was the Sports Editor for The Augusta Chronicle and Director of Editorial Services for the PGA Tour. He is the Editorial Director for Augusta National and their digital presence on Masters.com. In 2004 he wrote his first book, "Men on the Bag, The Caddies of Augusta National. He recently came out with an updated version of that book titled, "The Legendary Caddies of Augusta National." In our conversation, you'll learn who Stovepipe, Skillet, Pete, and Cemetary are. You'll discover similar stories about even more legendary caddies when you get your copy of the book which you can find on www.blairpub.com or on Amazon.

Season 11 Episode 28 Part 1: Catching Up with Former Pirates and Red Sox Outfielder Adam Hyzdu and 5 Time Winner on Tour Jim Gallagher Jr.

In Part 1 of Episode 28, I'm thrilled to be joined by two incredible guys: former Pirates and Red Sox outfielder Adam Hyzdu, and 5-time winner on Tour, now outstanding broadcaster Jim Gallagher Jr.
Adam Hyzdu's journey in baseball is nothing short of remarkable. A standout prospect in high school, he left an indelible mark by breaking records, including surpassing Ken Griffey Jr.'s home run record at Moeller High School in Cincinnati. Despite not being selected as the first overall pick or landing with the Reds as he anticipated, being drafted 15th by the San Francisco Giants fueled his determination. Battling skepticism, Adam's resilience led him to remarkable minor league seasons in 1999 and 2000, where he showcased his abilities by combining to hit 61 home runs and drive in over 200 runs. His eventual stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates saw him etch his name in history, with the AA Altoona Pirates who retired his number—a testament to his impact on the organization. From his memorable Major League debut with the Pirates against the Reds to the clutch pinch-hit home run that sealed a victory a couple of weeks later against the Phillies, Adam shares great stories from his time in the big leagues, including his stint with the 2004 Red Sox during their historic World Series season.
Jim Gallagher Jr., a beacon of sportsmanship, success, and positivity in the world of golf. Hailing as the most decorated player in University of Tennessee history, Jim's accolades span across prestigious halls of fame, including Indiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Reflecting on his recent honor of inducting his siblings into the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame, Jim shares poignant insights into his incredible family and the significance of their shared legacy. From discussing his alma mater the UT Vols' participation in the NCAA Men's Golf Regional Tournament to revisiting his remarkable third-place finish in the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick—a tournament that witnessed the meteoric rise of John Daly—Jim's journey in golf is one of incredible triumphs and fantastic stories. We finish off the segment with Jim’s thoughts on what needs to happen to bring the Professional game back together so we can move forward with the best players being in the same fields.

Season 11 Episode 27 Part 2: From Walk On To Hall of Famer & How Does TaylorMade Make Golf Equipment Better Every Year...

In Season 11 Episode 27 Part 2, I chat with Wake Forest and Georgia Golf Hall of Famer Joe Inman and TaylorMade's President & CEO David Abeles.
Joe Inman was a walk-on at Wake Forest in 1967. In 1969 he won the Arnold Palmer Award as Wake's Top Athlete. Twenty-six years after arriving on campus, he was inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame. In 2017, after living in the state for several years and amid an 11-year run as Head Coach of the Georgia State Men's Golf Team, Joe was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. We start by discussing his time at Wake Forest playing alongside guys like Lanny Wadkins and Leonard Thompson. From there we move to how he went from an alternate on the victorious 1969 Walker Cup team to going 2-0 in those matches. His play there earned him an invite to the 1970 Masters Tournament. Wait til you hear who he got paired with in the first two rounds. We finish by discussing his first PGA Tour win at the 1976 Kemper Open at Quail Hollow and then his years coaching at Georgia State.
I am grateful to David Abeles and the TaylorMade brand because they have been supporters of this show for nearly a decade. From the first time I met David, I learned he is one of the most upbeat guys you'll ever meet. He shares the brand's excitement over what Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda have achieved over the last few months. Their players on all Tours have had remarkable success this year. We transition to talking about the science behind their new Qi10 driver and how they were able to reach a 10K moment of inertia, something no brand had achieved until this year. We also hear what's new with their TP5 and TP5X golf balls which has gotten David and me a 1/2 club longer. We round out the segment talking about their R&D team who are working on things well into the future. Check out all their great products at www.taylormadegolf.com or on social media @taylormadegolf.

Season 11 Episode 27 Part 1: They Could Play A Major Here & The Confidence Doctor Is In...

In Part 1 of Season 11, Episode 27 I'm joined by 2017's Top 10 Most Innovative People in Golf, Bill Bergin, and The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters.
Bill Bergin is a former Tour Player and is now one of the game's Top Golf Course Designers & Architects. He and Rees Jones collaborated on The McLemore. The 18th hole there has been named one of the top finishing holes in all of golf. They've double down on a second course there called The Keep. It is set to open later this year. Bill tells about the over-mile-long cliff edge holes they created there. We also hear about his other current projects at Coronado in El Paso, Texas, and The Links at Audubon Park in Memphis.
Dr. Bob shares the story of his 9th hole-in-one that he made recently while playing the Nicklaus course at the Reunion Resort. Then he shares the simplest key to releasing tension in our swings that will result in hitting better shots. You'll think, "No way" but try it and see. Let me know if it works for you.

Season 11 Episode 26 Part 2: A First Class Instructor, Top Notch Artist & Speaker, & A Hall of Famer On & Off The Field...

In Part 2 of Episode 26, I'm joined by Brian Jacobs, Chandler Withington, and Eddie Murray. You can use the link below to stream or download the show:
Brian recently moved from Rochester, New York to Palm Beach Florida. Brian is a two-time Western New York Teacher of the Year. His new club is one of the top facilities anywhere in the world, Ballenisle Country Club. It features 3 top-rated courses, 5 restaurants, tennis courts, pickleball, and a host of other amenities. It's the Club we'd all love to belong to. Check it out online at www.ballenisle.org. Brian talks us around the club. We also discuss his recent email newsletter outlining the characteristics that make up great leaders. We also get a playing lesson for those of us who struggle with coming over the top and early extension. Follow him online at www.brianjacobsgolf.com
Chandler Withington was a PGA Professional at some of the top courses in the country like Merion and Hazeltine. He recently shifted his attention to spending more time with his family, his artwork, plus public speaking engagements. His artwork is off-the-charts great. Check it out online at www.archive22.com. Chandler shares one of his favorite Arnold Palmer stories, plus the story behind his hand-drawn Masters piece. He bet on himself when he walked away from Hazeltine so he could spend more time with his family and focus on public speaking engagements. Hear him talk about why and how he made that switch.
Former Pro Bowl Kicker and a member of the 1980 Team of the Decade, Eddie Murray rounds out the show. Eddie talks about what it was like being in Detroit for this year's NFL draft plus the Lions' return to the playoffs last season. We go back to when he was first introduced to golf over in England, when he got his first set of clubs, the similarities between kicking and the golf swing, plus the Hope Network Golf Classic he hosts annually that's coming up on Monday, June 17th at the Oakland University golf course in Rochester, Michigan. Check out the tournament online at www.hopenetwork.org

Season 11 Episode 26 Part 1: A Living Legend Plus The Launch Monitor & Simulator We've All Been Waiting For...

In Season 11 Episode 26 Part 1, I'm joined by PGA Professional Hall of Famer Bob Ford and Uneekor VP of Marketing Greg Sabella.
Bob Ford is a living legend in our game. He is perhaps the most decorated PGA Professional of all-time. You'll find him enshrined in many Hall of Fames:
University of Tampa Sports Hall of Fame
Allegheny Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame
Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
PGA Professional Hall of Fame
Last summer he was presented the William D. Richardson Award by the Golf Writers Association of America for his consistently outstanding contribution to golf. His coaching tree is also tall and wide. Bob is the most universally revered PGA Professional in the game.
I get his insights on this year's Masters tournament, Neal Shipley's performance, the falling television ratings, rising greens fees around the country, his Yinzer pride, the Pirates season and disdain for the Owner, his excitement over what the Steelers have done so far this offseason, and his role as the Starter at the US Open.
Greg Sabella is back with an exciting new product. We discuss Uneekor's new EYE Mini Lite Launch Monitor. It's the launch monitor we've all dreamed of having in our basement or den, and now it's more affordable. Not only does it provide all the data we need like ball speed, launch angle, and smash factor, it also comes with Game Day Software that allows us to play online simulator golf matches with our friends anywhere in the world. There's also a Target Practice game which is like being at Top Golf. Plus, there's an AI Trainer to help you with your swing. The Eye Minit Lite is an unbelievable game improvement tool that will take your game to a whole new level, plus provide hours of family fun.

Season 11 Episode 25 Part 2: The Best Player in Tennessee History & Making Junior Golf Fun...

In Part 2 of this week's show, I'm joined by PGA Tour Caddie and in my opinion the best player in the history of the state of Tennessee Kip Henley, and one of Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers in America Eva Rogers.
Kip Henley has a tremendous resume. As a junior player, he won the Chattanooga City Prep Championship and the Ewing Watkins Award for being the most outstanding junior golfer in the city. In college, he was an All-Southern Conference player at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He later became a Class A Teaching Professional and taught at a few local clubs before becoming a Tour Caddie. His playing accomplishments include:
The Tennessee Assistant Pro Championship
Tennessee PGA Section Championship 4 times
Tennessee State Open twice
Tennessee Player of the Year 5 times
Won The Golf Channel's Big Break II in 2004
He added the Tennessee Senior Open Championship in June of 2023.
He is a fantastic Caddie and has been on the bag for players like Steward Cink, Vijay Singh, Austin Cook, Brian Gay, Boo Weekly, and Grayson Murray.
Kip takes us back to last summer when he won the state Senior Open Championship doing it in honor of his mentor and a staple in Tennessee Golf Warren Huddleston, who passed away. He also shares stories from his time caddying for Brian Gay including their 10-shot victory in the 2009 Heritage Classic.
Eva Rogers was named by Golf Digest as one of the Best Young Teachers in America. She is also a certified US Kids Instructor. She teaches at one of the most historic courses in the country, Medinah Country Club just outside of Chicago. Medinah has hosted several majors including 3 US Opens, 2 PGA Championships, a US Senior Open, and the 2012 Ryder Cup.
Eva shares what it like to call Medinah home and the great membership they have there. She was recently selected to serve on the 2024/2025 PGA Lead Team and we hear what they are working on. We also discuss how she keeps her junior players engaged and enjoying the game in a Tic Toc, immediate gratification world. She reflects on Nelly Korda's current historic run and the call she received from Illinois House Representative Jennifer Sanalitro regarding Eva's success in a male-dominated industry.

Season 11 Episode 25 Part 1: Scottie & Nelly Make History While Victor Makes Too Many Changes...

In Episode 25 Part 1, I'm joined by two fantastic Instructors, Tom Patri and Larry Rinker.
TP and I talk about the history unfolding in front of all of us from Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda. He shares his thoughts on why in the world Victor Hovland went from winning the Tour Championship to making swing and coach changes. We also get into the unprecedented amount of money that Scheffler's Caddie, Ted Scott is making. It's about to be more in the last few months than Arnold Palmer made playing golf in his career.
Larry Rinker played his college golf at the University of Florida and was the medalist at the 1978 SEC Championship. He is now one of the top Instructors in our game. Larry played in a couple of Masters Tournaments and we talk about his first experience back in 1983. He played a practice round with Payne Stewart and Scott Hoch and the Par 3 Tournament with Gary Player and Gay Brewer. We get both of those stories plus what it was like playing in the final group at the 1984 Heritage Classic with Nick Faldo, when Faldo got his first PGA Tour victory. Check him out online at www.larryrinker.com.

Season 11 Episode 24, Happy Birthday To Me Part 2: Talking Masters, Scottie, Aberg, Tiger, Valhalla, & Pinehurst #2 with Hal Sutton & Frank Nobilo

In Part 2 of this week's show, I'm joined by 1983 PGA Champion and 2-time Players Champion Hal Sutton and former PGA Tour Player who is now one of the all-time great Golf Analysts, Frank Nobilo.
Hal has designed a new course outside of Houston, Texas called Darmor. It is destined to be named the Top New Private Course of 2024/2025. We start off getting an update on how it's progressing. I then get Hal's thoughts on Scottie Scheffler's win in The Masters and his impressive play in the extremely windy conditions in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. He also shares his thoughts on what he saw from Ludvig Aberg playing in his first major plus Tiger's performance as well. We then look ahead to the PGA Championship at Valhalla and a look back at Hal's win in the PGA Championship in 1983. Hal talks about having his idol, Jack Nicklaus, make a charge in the final round and what it was like having Jack waiting for him on 18 as Hal closed out that victory.
Frank Nobilo was a part of the CBS broadcast team for The Masters. We talk about why Augusta National always brings out the best in past champions. He shares his insights on the play of Sscheffler, Aberg, and Tiger. Then I get Frank's thoughts on why golf's ratings are down 20+% this year. We conclude by looking back at the 1994 US Open at Oakmont. Frank was in the field that year and in the press room when Arnold Palmer finished his final US Open round. Frank talks about the emotional scene of watching Mr. Palmer address the press and his fans.