The Golf Insiders

The Golf Insiders 10-14-2015

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game (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 in the studio starting her 8th season on The Golf Insiders as the PGA Tour begins the 2015-2106 wrap-around season.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in at the top of the show to discuss team USA beating the International team by one point. Holly asks Bob if the President's Cup came up in the ranking compared to the Ryder Cup?  Bob said it's hard to compare the two with the history of the Ryder Cup.  Bob said that when one team dominates, the interest falls off. He said the Ryder Cup used to be the same way in the '70s.

It came down to Bill Haas versus Sang Moon Bae. The story line was great with Bill's dad Jay serving as the USA's captain. Sang Moon was playing in his last event before leaving for mandatory military service.

Bob pointed out that Sang Moon Bae's duffed chip shot on the 18th was eerily similar to what happened to Hunter Mahan in the Ryder Cup. Heartbreaking.

Holly and Bob talk about the start of the new season with the Frys.com tournament. Bob thinks there is not a break for fans to miss golf. Bob said maybe play a tournament in Australia or Asia so its unique and maybe can be shown at night on television. 

Mike Purkey, Global Golf Post, calls in to talk to Holly about the Presidents Cup and the challenges of the International team. Nick Price had a difficult challenge having players from 8 different countries and have them play well given just the language barriers teammates.

Holly and Mike discuss the Champions Tour and how Colin Montgomerie has taken the senior tour by storm and has such a great following. 

G.W. Cable, PGA Tour caddy for Chris Kirk, was at the President's Cup and talks to Holly about the USA's win at the President's Cup and how it was as a caddy. The emotion is like no other. Even as a caddy being in that moment is just so different than anything else.

Holly and GW talk about the differences as a fan between the President's Cup and the Ryder Cup.

Holly G asks GW what was it like going to South Korea with the time difference and how it affects the players and caddies.

Mental Conditioning Coach Dr Bob Winters, David Leadbetter Academy, calls in to the show to wrap up the show talking to Holly about the final hole and the final two players. Dr Bob had said for a few weeks that he thought it was going to come down to the wire and the International team was a lot deeper than some fans thought.

Sometimes the home field advantage actually acts as a detriment to some players. The players want to win so badly for their home country and their team and the momentum can change in a heartbeat.

Holly talks to Dr Bob about the two year break for Sang Moon and how the tournament ended for him. Dr Bob said that Sang Moon had a great tournament and he needs to look back and relish the good moments and not focus on a bad one.

Mistake Free Golf is Dr Bob's latest book. Dr Bob says that he feels the typical player gets ahead of himself or herself too much when playing a round of golf. When they are on the 5th hole they assess their game and project what score they will finish 18th hole with. He said that we need to quit being a human calculator and just play each shot as it comes.

The Golf Insiders 10-07-15

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game (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 in the studio on the eve of the President's Cup being played in South Korea. Match play competition between the USA and the International squad begins Wednesday night with Korea being 13 hours ahead of the USA in time.

Jay Golden, Winter Pines Golf Course  in Winter Park, Fla., and PGA Instructor, calls in to the show to talk about one of his students on the Web.com Tour earning his PGA Tour card for the 2016 season. Jay is the swing coach for Rob Oppenheim who suffered heartbreak in the 2014 Web.com Tour Championship finishing 26th and just missing his PGA Tour card by one spot.  This year Oppenheim finished in the final spot, #25, and was the last player to earn his Tour card for the 2016 PGA Tour season.

He was 28th when he finished and got in his car with his family and left. His phone started going crazy with all of the texts he was getting saying Congratulations, "You're No. 25." So he turned around and drove back to the golf course. Jay said that Rob is 35 and never quits. A Rollins College grad, Oppenheim lives in the Central Florida area. Jay has been working with Oppenheim for years now.

Jay also caddied for Rob for half of the tournaments this year which is invaluable is a dream as a coach, Golden said. Jay said watching Rob hit on the driving range and then watching him play in the tournaments and how he reacted under pressure really helped Jay be a better coach for Rob.

Jay's advice is that if you are going to be great at one thing in golf, be a great putter and then also be good at chipping.

Mike Quinn, Managing Director Swingclick and former Sunshine Tour player in South Africa calls in to talk about South Africa and their golf programs. Mike said the weather is nice year round, the golf courses are great, and the competition is very tough and those are some of the reasons why the South Africa turns out several great players.

Mike and Holly talk about some of the top South African players on the Tours now. Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen, Brandon Grace, and others.

Holly also asks Mike about how match play is different than stroke play? Does it benefit the International Squad? Why do you think that the USA does so well in the Presidents Cup as opposed to the Ryder Cup?

Mike talks about Swingclick a swing training aid that helps with your rhythm, timing, tempo with an audible click at each of the three major points of your swing: backswing, impact and follow through. 

Australian Dean Hernden, professional caddie for LPGA player In Gee Chun who won the 2015 U.S. Women's Open, calls in live from South Korea to talk about the President's Cup among other things in golf. Dean is an Orlando resident. He said that an advantage for the US team is that they know one another a lot better than some of the International players do. There are 5 rookies on each team. Holly asks Dean about Jason Day a fellow Australian. Dean said that Jason is a very humble guy. 

Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in to wrap up the hour of intelligent golf talk. Holly asks Steve about the President's Cup and the players on each team. It's never 1, 2 or 3 players on your team that cost you the tournament, it's the 9th, 10th and 11th players on each team. 

Holly reads what Jordan Spieth said recently about the differences between the Presidents Cup teams and the Ryder Cup ... it seems that there is a bit of a difference in the USA's team rooms for the Presidents Cup as compared to the Ryder Cup teams. Spieth said that the US is confident and somewhat cocky in the Presidents Cup setting and not as relaxed for the Ryder Cup.  

Steve and Holly talk about South Korean PGA player Sang Moon Bae who is playing in his last event has to take a break and serve his time in the military as do all South Korean men. 

The Golf Insiders 09-30-15

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game 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 in the studio on the eve of the Tour Championship with special guest co host Mental Conditioning Coach Dr Bob Winters, David Leadbetter Academy.

Holly and Dr. Bob talk about Jordan Spieth winning the FedEx Cup Championship and becoming the $22 million man. 

Dr Bob said that what worked for Jordan is that he got back to doing ... what makes a champion a champion. Just need to make a birdie and get some momentum going. Jordan was not being patient when he missed the first two cuts and trying to be something that he had not done all year. Typically Spieth plays one shot at a time and approaches each tournament that way.

Dr Bob said that Gary Player once told him that golf is a marathon ... and it's about longevity ... you have to love every tournament you play and play the very best you can.

Holly asked Dr Bob how does Jordan reset for the next year after all that he accomplished in 2015?  "Jordan needs to get back to reality, so to speak, ... he shouldn't go out in 2016 and try to defend each title... you have to go after each title as a new one and not try to defend it ... that is where you dominate. Start fresh each year. Move forward and have a blast and see what 2016 can be.

Holly asks Dr Bob what might have happened to Jason Day?  Did he run out of gas? Dr Bob said he didn't think so, he said that all of Jason's victories were emotional, especially the PGA Championship. Dr Bob gave some more free advise on winning. Sometimes the lead and wanting to win holds you back. You have to let go like a horse in a race, let the bit go and let the horse run naturally. Jason actually played until he was done and won the tournament. Five tournament wins for both Spieth and Day. 

Dr Bob talks to Holly about his latest book, Mistake Free Golf, Holly asks Dr B what is the biggest mistake that most amateurs make playing golf?

People doubt themselves and their talent and they get in their way.  Player steps into the shot, but have doubt when they are over the ball and hit anyway and the anyway shot goes anywhere. Why didn't I just back off and get our head in the right space before addressing the ball each time.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to the show to talk about FedEx Cup as well as the upcoming President's Cup. Holly talks to Bob about his interview with Jordan Spieth right after Jordan won the FedEx Cup. How do you wrap your mind around winning that much money? $22 million dollars. It easily could have been a $7 million or $8 million between first and second or first and third place.

Dr Bob Winters, said that he was working with Chi Chi Rodriguez and told the audience at the event that one of the things Dr B  discovered is that you have to be able to stand over the ball and stroke it whether it's for$5, $50 or $500,000... you have to be able to hit it the same way. Chi Chi grabbed the microphone and said Dr Bob I love everything you just said but obviously you've never putted for $500,000. 

Bob Harig said that the sooner you get the money part out of your mind, the easier it is. He recalled the pressure that Jason Day had put on himself on winning the money because he never had money. It got in his way until he let go of those thoughts.

Bob said before that no one ever talked about the Tour Championship as winning a major. Flaw in the system at this time of year these guys are dragging going one week to another and a whirlwind.  Then the playoffs are four in five weeks. Travelling all over the United States. Jordan missed two cuts and still won the final event and won the whole championship.  Maybe the players need a little rest after the PGA Championship before starting the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Bob said that maybe with Jordan missing the first two cuts he had a chance to regroup and approach the final two events as a major. I have a pretty good lead in the points and with my points Jordan only had to do okay in the third event and then finish in the Top 5 then go on and win the final event.

Holly asks Bob about the upcoming President's Cup. Holly asks Bob why did Louis Oosthuizen withdraw from the President's Cup. ---hamstring issue.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, joins the show talking about the money Jordan Spieth just won. Holly asks Todd about watching Spieth play this well. Todd said that golf is the  pursuit of perfection that is never attainable. If I'm slightly off and I miss the green I'm still make birdie. To have that perspective is very remarkable.

Holly and Dr Bob mentions Jordan's self talk and how the whole thing is a team thing like Lee Trevino used to do. Todd says that when Jordan hits a bad shot he lets go of it in almost a comical sort of way.

He's the most clutch putter that I have seen since Tiger in 2007. But when the putter leaves him, how did Jordan react to that. He had to refocus. Missing those two cuts of the first events was a blessing in disguise. 

Todd comments that if Tiger can get his body and his game back at the age of 40 with the "new guard" of McIlroy, Spieth, Fowler and Jason Day, can you imagine how much higher the game of golf can be elevated. If that happens golf will be incredible.

Holly asks Todd about when he thinks Tiger might target returning to competition? Todd guesses, maybe The Farmers Insurance Open, which is about 5-6 months after his second back surgery and give him some time to heal and do therapy.

Holly talks to Dr Bob about Suzanne Pettersen's at the Solheim Cup. Is this a competition or a exhibition?  Bob said that the tournament started here in Lake Nona in 1990 and the USA blew out the International Team. Any time you have controversy it brings a lot of attention.

Dr Bob said that he knows Suzanne and she is a tough competitor and loves to compete. Who made the mistake. He said that Allison Lee made the first mistake as she assumed that someone conceded the putt. The onus of responsibility has to go back to Lee, she was the one who made the mistake. You can talk good sportsmanship, but he said it's pretty black and white.

Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in to wrap up the show. Holly continues the conversation about Pettersen's reaction to Allison Lee thinking the putt was conceded. 

The Golf Insiders 09-23-2015

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game 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 in the studio on the eve of the Tour Championship with special co host Mike Jamison from the International Network of Golf and the Examiner.com. 

Mike just returned from Chicago  fundraiser the Freedom Golf Association. The organization that works with special needs golfers and was started  by amputee EQ Sylvester. The event was at Cog Hill. After that event there was a Wounded Warriors Project with special guest Rory McIlroy. After the events, Mike came away with a lot of respect for Rory and both organizations

After recapping the BMW Championship, Mike and Holly talk about Player of the Year. Jordan Spieth or Jason Day?

Although Day has been on a hot streak, Holly thinks it should be Spieth. Mike said that today people have a short memory so that factors in to the decision. He feels if Day doesn't win the Tour Championship that it should be Spieth hands down. The two talk about the whole season as a body of work. 

Holly mentions how the season started for Spieth and then his run in the 4 major championships and what he has accomplished throughout the season that started in the fall of 2014.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, is the show's first guest and starts the Tour Championship conversation with The Golf Insiders .The final event is down to 29 Players now that Jim Furyk had to withdraw for a wrist injury.

Holly asks Bob about Jason Day’s response he made in the press conference recently about what he'd do with the $10 million FedEx Cup check? Day said he'd buy a few V-necks from Target. Bob said it’s "funny money" now for him, given that Day has won 4 times recently and has probably over $5 million in winnings.

Holly brings up Jason Day's life story. Day said he's a simple man. Bob said that Jason said he used to think about the money at first because he didn’t have much money before and it was important for him to make money.  But Bob said once Day stopped thinking about the money, golf seemed to become more easier.
You have to come to a point where you don’t think about money," Harig said. "Just perform and the money will come."

Mike, who was in Chicago and watched the players on Wednesday, said that it was very windy but Jason Day has played some incredible golf this past week and made it look so easy. He asks Bob if he recalls anyone having this kind of run recently? 

"It’s reminiscent of Tiger and the rolls he has been on ... 2007 or 2009," Harig said. We have sort have been waiting on this type of play from Jason for the past couple of years. 

Holly asks if Jason has a big advantage because of the points lead?

Bob said "No." He feels that Day has a lot of confidence and is a very, very good situation heading into the final FedEx Cup event.

Holly asks Bob about Daniel Berger a rookie who is now 9th in the standings. Bob pointed out that Berger got  to the Tour Championship in his first year and that means a lot, more than just the money. Bob said Berger is also is "playing with House money and should have a nice FedEx Cup bonus no matter where he finishes in the Top 30.

Holly asks Bob about a long shot coming out of the pack. Bob said that the FedEx Cup is set up so everyone can win, but those out of the Top 5 would need a lot of things to happen. 

The Tour's nightmare scenario is if Henrik Stenson wins the FedEx Cup without winning a tournament all year ... but would need Jason Day to finish no better than 11^th and need other guys to fall off.

Holly, Mike and Bob then discuss Player of the Year.

Jordan Spieth has had 3^rd best year in the modern year of the majors. Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods ... no one else has won 3 majors in the modern era. Jordan won two and came close to in the two others this year.  If you throw in his play throughout the season it's hard not to pick Spieth. 

Bob said that this year there is an odd occurrence in the POY discussion with Jason Day having an historic year. Bob said that 5 wins in one year is a rarity. Day is the only the 5^th guy recently even though Tiger won 5 in one year 10 times 

In the second segment, Todd Lewis, the Golf Channel, joins Holly and Mike in the second segment of the show. Calls in from East Lake. Holly talks to Todd about Golf Channel’s amazing wall to wall coverage. 

Todd says that the Golf Channel is working for the fans and want them to get what they need from the game of golf.

Recently Golf Channel aired the Payne Stewart Award show which was awarded this year to Ernie Els. Todd has worked with the Els foundation over the years with Autism. Their son Vin has it. Raised awareness and funds. Ernie Els center for excellence. Todd said that the  happiest he has seen Ernie is when he is with his son.

Mike asks Todd about the final event and the playoffs.

Todd says that he's looking at Zach Johnson as his potential pick to win the Tour Championship. Johnson won the Open Championship and is playing consistently. He’s in sixth place in the FedEx Cup Standings.  Johnson doesn’t have to win the Tour Championship and can still win the FedEx Cup.

Todd also talks Player of the Year. Spieth and Day

Todd said that he asked 20 of the players in the field of 30 ... "If Jason Day wins the tour Championship who do you take for POY -- Spieth and Day?

Four players said that they’d vote for Day, 6 said Spieth and 10 said have to think about it. Todd said that there is definitely pause for these players in picking the player of the year. Several players feel that co-players of the year, if ever there was a case this year is it.

 Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in to wrap up the show talking the great Solheim Cup finish in Germany where the USA came back to beat Europe by one point. Mike said it was one of the most exciting 4-5 hours of golf he has watched in a long time.

Holly asks Steve about the controversy with Suzanne Pettersen and the "conceded putt" with Allison Lee.

Steve said that Charlie Hull turned and walked away and the crowd erupted. Allison picked her ball up and headed to the 18^th tee. Then Pettersen said that it wasn’t conceded. "It was the catalyst that sparked the USA, Eubanks said. "The USA team was so fired up." Steve said that team USA had 3 separate meetings before the singles matches and he feels that it was such an emotional turn around.  

Angela Stanford who was 0-9 in Solheim Cup competition before she played her singles match against Suzanne Pettersen was concerned about her record heading into the final singles matches. Steve said that Angela had played well but was just getting beaten. When she found out she drew Pettersen’s name she told her coach, the streak ends now.

Mike, Holly and Steve talk about the fallout from Pettersen’s decision to say that the putt wasn’t conceded. Steve said he was there and felt that there was no one, European fan or American, that seemed to support Pettersen’s decision.

Steve and Holly talk about the official’s call not to have them play the shot over.

Mike said that what was lost in all of it was Gerina Piller’s putt on 18 that was one of the gutsiest putts ever.

This team was a reflection of their captain Juli Inkster. Great all around. This has done more for women’s golf and the Solheim