The Golf Insiders

The Golf Insiders May 4, 2016

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G is in the studio with Will Perry, social media guru EVVUS, and co host Kevin Sternett, assistant pro at Golden Bear Club at Keene's Point. The trio start the show talking about playing in the iHeartMedia Golf Tournament earlier in the week. 

Brian Stuard wins the rain-shortened Monday finish of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. This is Stuard's first win on the Tour. This is Stuard's 5th year on the Tour. 

Volvik is The Golf Insiders' new product of the month. Volvik's new Vivid ball is the first matte golf ball. 

Global Golf Post's Mike Purkey calls in from Charlotte the site of the Wells Fargo. Next week is The Players Championship. Rory McIlroy is a two-time champion at the Wells Fargo. Holly talks to Mike about Phil Mickelson and if he has said anything since his play since The Masters.  

Mike said that some of Phil's issues might be that he is getting older and focusing each and every shot. 

Jim Furyk returns to the Tour after being off for an extended time due to injury. Holly asks Mike about Furyk. He is also a former champion at the Wells Fargo.

The trio also discuss the upcoming Players Championship, The Open Championship and who the course might favor. Mike thinks Adam Scott will do well at The Players Championship if he can putt well. 

Mike feels that Jordan and Rory McIroy will battle to the end at Oakmont for the U.S. Open Championship. He feels that Jordan will do well as the tough putting conditions at Oakmont.

Holly asks Mike about Jordan Spieth's recent comments, some of the first he's made since the Masters. Mike feels that the recent vacation would definitely help Spieth get over giving the Green Jacket. Mike makes that point if you stop and think, Spieth has almost won the last five major championships and he's only 22 years old. 

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in from the Wells Fargo to talk about the weather conditions in North Carolina. Todd says the Quail Hollow course has taken on about 3 1/2 inches of rain. Todd said that even though there has been a lot of rain, the course has the ability to vacuum the water with the subterranean drainage system. 

Holly asks Todd about his chatting with Phil Mickelson early today. Phil loves Quail Hollow like he likes Augusta. She also asks about Rory. Todd spoke with him yesterday about Rory playing well but not winning yet. Rory said that this year reminds him of 2014 when he played well the beginning of the year and then started winning a lot after his first win which was the Open Championship and then followed it up with the win in the United States going on to be the Player of the Year. 

Holly asks Todd about Adidas announcing that its board has decided to sell of its golf business including TaylorMade, Adams and Ashworth. One of the issues might be that TaylorMade is so successful and is launching products too close together. The newest at the beginning of the year might end up on the discount rack before that calendar year is out after TaylorMade launches the next best piece of equipment in that category.  Todd feels that the business model that TM was following might have done them in. 

Holly talks with Todd about the recent news of Tiger hitting balls recently. Todd feels that Todd needs to play in Colonial since the Driver is not needed as much. It would be good for Tiger and good for the event.

For the final segment of the show, Kevin's long time friend Fran Southern, certified teaching professional and the creator of the new Junior Prep Golf Tour in Orlando talks about the new tour for junior golfers. Fran attended all of his son's Lake Brantley High School golf tournaments for the three years his son played. Fran made some observations over the years and found that there were not a lot of places for the young golfers to play after the high school season ended. So when his son graduated, he started the JPGT in Orlando. It combines instruction with Instruction and combined practice clinics and weekend tournaments. 

The Tour's first session is May 10 and will run into the end of July. Special introductory price for listeners is $99. The regular price is $150. Boys and Girls ages 12-18 are invited to sign up.  The tournaments will be played on a rotational basis at Dubsdred Golf Course, Deer Run Country Club, Wekiva Golf Club and Eagle Dunes Golf Club. For more information, visit www.jpgtorlando.com.

The Golf Insiders April 27, 2106

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G is in the studio with guest host Kevin Sternett, assistant pro at Golden Bear Club at Keene's Point, and kicks off the show talking about the latest news in golf including Charley Hoffman winning the Valero Texas Open, Tiger registering for the U.S. Open and John Daly set to make his appearance on the Champions Tour soon. 

SwingClick Golf is this month's featured product.  Improve your tempo, timing and rhythm in 3 easy clicks. 

Holly and Kevin talk about the upcoming iHeart Tournament Radio Golf Tournament at MetroWest Golf Club that they will be participating in Monday.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to the show and talk about Tiger Woods' new course opening and Tiger actually talking about playing golf for the first time since last season's Wyndham Championship after his two back surgeries. Tiger gave an impromptu press conference on the 18th green after he finished playing five holes at Bluejack National. Bob said that Tiger of course looked rusty, but it has been awhile for the former World No.1 player and multi major champion.  Tiger mentioned to the media members there that he is limited to how many balls he can hit with the driver and other clubs.

Kevin asks if Tiger only played 5 holes because he was in pain? Bob sad no, that Tiger warmed up with Mark O'Meara and went through his whole bag of clubs including a secondary driver. Tiger wasn't swinging hard and wasn't trying to over do it.

Holly asked Bob what he thought of Bluejack and Bob said it is a very nice, wide open player-friendly course. Bob and Holly also talks with Bob about The Secret History of Tiger Woods in ESPN The Magazine, by Wright Thompson.

Jeff Babineau,Golfweek, calls in to talk to Holly G about Hoffman's win in Texas and Jeff said it was a big breakthrough for him. Holly talks about the upcoming Zurich Classic and the players that are playing well. 

Holly G and Kevin talk with Jeff about the Olympics that is 100 days away. Jeff has a story on Golfweek.com "Golf's return to Olympics has become five-ring circus" where he discusses his thoughts on golf's return to the Olympics. Babineau feels that it might have been more appealing to the pro golfers if it was a team element and not individual. Holly asks Jeff about the course in Rio. This will be the only 18-hole course in Brazil.

Garrett Johnston, sports journalist and video producer, calls in to wrap up the show talking with Holly and Kevin talk about the upcoming U.S. Open at Oakmont, where he had just played. Holly asks Garrett who he thinks the course will favor. The greens are the biggest challenge at Oakmont Country Club and the rough.  Jason Day has had a good history at the U.S. Open. and Adam Scott who drive the ball very well.

The Golf Insiders April 20, 2106

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G is in the studio with guest host Kevin Sternett, assistant pro at Golden Bear Club at Keene's Point, and Social Media pro Will Perry, EVVUS. 

Former writer for the Orlando Sentinel Jeff Shain, the Island Packet Hilton Head, S.C. and PGATour.com, calls in to talk to Holly about Branden Grace's win at the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour.  Jeff had the opportunity to sit down and discuss Bryson DeChambeau who just turned pro and is already a third of the way to gaining the FedEx Cup points he needs to get his special temporary PGA Tour status. 

DeChambeau is a big believer in the science and art of golf and the marriage between the two. He has single length irons and most of his bag of Cobra Puma Golf clubs the same length. Holly and Jeff also discuss DeChambeau's clubs. Kevin talks about the 70-degree plane that DeChambeau uses for all his clubs which is not typical of any golfer.

Jeff said that although Branden Grace might be new to the U.S. viewers, he has already won 10 times overseas. He also talks about Luke Donald coming close but not winning lately especially at the RBC Heritage each time he competes there.

Holly catches listeners up on some of the headlines going on around the golf world. 

SwingClick Golf, Liesel Niehaus, International Sales director and Mike Quinn, former Sunshine Tour player and Managing Director for SwingClick, talk with Holly about the featured product on the Golf Insiders. Liesel said that the SwingClick can help your game in several ways, but the basis is that it helps you complete your backswing.  Sometimes we lose our rhythm and timing. Mike and Holly talk about Jordan Spieth losing his rhythm.

With the SwingClick you hear 3 audible clicks that help create the muscle memory with your swing.  Everyone's swing length is different. No one size fits all for the top of the backswing. The key is to find the top of you backswing and that is where if you swing properly, the SwingClick makes the first audible click at the top of your backswing. The second audible click is at impact and the third click is after complete follow through. At the PGA Show this year, SwingClick launched the SwingClick PLUS which is a sleeker, more aerodynamic model. 

Holly talks to Mike and Liesel about Phil Mickelson's mission to have people play the game golf for a lifetime and do it injury free using a less violent swing. The SwingClick can help develop a smooth, slow methodical swing. 

Mike said that Sam Snead played golf at an advanced again and was successful because of his smooth, non-violent swing. The emphasis is not always on distance but accuracy. 

Holly talks to Mike about Grace's win and is 14th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Fellow South African is getting better and better and Ernie Els has a lot of faith in Branden's ability. Mike said that Grace is getting better as he is getting older.  SwingClick PLUS is available at www.AMAZON.com, (search SwingClick) and enter the code "HOLLYG33" to receive a 20% discount on the SwingClick PLUS. Make sure to follow the Golf Insiders on Facebook and Twitter.

Dr. Bob Winters, Sports Psychologist from David Leadbetter Academy, Mental Conditioning Coach and renowned author, calls in to talk to Holly G and the crew about Ernie Els' 7-putt at the Master's on his first hole.  Dr. Bob says that there are two types of "yips" Type 1 and Type 2. Dr Bob talks about "freezing" while putting. The brain is always looking for something new and a new product or new method usually helps you fix problems with your putting and your swing. Els said he got his hands higher and changed his grip. 

Dr Bob said that for the brain it's like laying down mental train tracks. When you have a break in the "train tracks" it throws your game off. The key is to have a solid routine. His latest book is "Mistake Free Golf."  

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in to wrap up the show and speaks with Holly G about Branden Grace's win at the RBC. Holly later asks Todd about Curtis Reed, Mr 57. Very few people have been able to bring their success from a "lower tier tour" to a major tour. Great little side story to watch,

Todd talks about a chance meeting with Bryson DeChambeau last year at an Irish restaurant in San Francisco. SMU, DeChambeau's collegiate team at the time, was playing in a local tournament and DeChambeau came up and introduced himself to Todd. Not too long after that, DeChambeau won the NCAA Championship and the U.S. Amateur Championship. 

Todd and Holly also talk about Phil Mickelson and his unraveling at the Masters this year. Todd said that Mickelson commented that he didn't manage the course at Augusta well this year, which was disappointing since Mickelson was doing really well leading up to the Masters. Holly also talks to Todd about Rory McIlroy and his recent admission that he has some mental hurdles to overcome before he can win at Augusta.  Holly closes the show asking Todd when Tiger Woods might return ... it will probably be after the U.S. Open this year.

The Golf Insiders April 14, 2016

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G is in the studio with guest host Brendan Sweeney, French Lick Resort, who just got back from Augusta and Social Media pro Will Perry, EVVUS. 

Holly talks with Brendan about Jordan Spieth's unfortunate unraveling at Augusta on the final day as well as Danny Willett winning the Masters beating Spieth and Lee Westwood who finished tied for second. The two talk at length about the events on Sunday at Augusta National.

SwingClick Golf is sponsoring this week's show. Joining Holly G and Brendan on the phone for the second segment of the show is Dr. Bob Winters, Sports Psychologist from David Leadbetter Academy, Mental Conditioning Coach and renowned author. Dr Bob said that there have been many different golfers who have been challenged at Augusta over the years.  Dr Bob said that even the best of the best and sometimes the worst comes out of them, especially at a competitive level.  Holly mentioned that Jordan Spieth said that he felt par would win it for him after a dream front 9. 

He didn't win the tournament on Hole 12, he actually gave it away when he thought that he could par on the back 9. He gave up his edge and changed his playing philosophy. Dr Bob said that you have to stay in the moment and play each shot as it comes to you and don't count your chickens before they are hatched. 

Danny Willett is 3 shots back at the start of Sunday and shoots 5 under 67. Lee Westwood gets to 3 under after 15 and has a chance to close to the deal. Spieth did fight back but came up just short. 

Dr Bob asks Brendan his thoughts on Jordan Spieth and this year's Masters. Brendan thinks that the seeds were sewn before Sunday with Spieth. There were many people who thought that after the front 9 on Sunday that Spieth could mail in the rest of the tournament. Dr Bob said you have to play offensively. You can't change your style and philosophy mid round.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to talk about the Masters with Holly G. Holly asks Bob what his thoughts were when Spieth had control. He had a 5-shot lead and had birdied four straight, you kinda figured Jordan was going to be able to "get it home." But no one saw a quadruple bogey by Spieth and Danny Willett playing so well on the final round. 

Holly mentions that there were a lot of surprises, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Ernie Els, on the first couple of days that lead to a disappointing Masters. Bob was really shocked by Phil and the way it went down with him missing the cut by a shot. Bubba Watson had a great chance to win the tournament and had played pretty well.

Brendan asked Bob about the mood in the media center on Sunday.  The three aces on the 16th. Bob said that the mood as it relates to Spieth was shock. Willett had won at Dubai earlier in the year and finished second to Rory McIlroy last year on the European Tour.

Holly talks with Bob about the success of the Europeans at the Masters and what that looks like going forward to the Ryder Cup team this year. 

Global Golf Post's Steve Eubanks, calls in to wrap up this week's show. Steve was at Augusta and comments on what happened there. Steve said that he wasn't really surprised that Spieth had troubles on Sunday. Spieth hadn't played that well all week. Steve said that Spieth's putting was phenomenal and kept him in the tournament all week event though he didn't have his A game. Holly asks Steve about Jordan's comments after his finishing holes on Saturday. 

Holly asks Steve about who he thinks the favorite will be going into the U.S. Open at Oakmont. "Spieth since he is such a great putter and will have a huge chip on his shoulder after the Masters.