The Golf Insiders

The Golf Insiders 09-16-2015

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 with special guest Jay Golden, PGA instructor at Winter Pines Golf Course, who has been out on the Web.com Tour caddying and instructing Rob Oppenheim try to qualify for the PGA Tour. Oppenheimer finished 26th in the Web.com standings, just missing the automatic qualifying for his card given to the Top 25 on the Web.com Tour. Now Oppenheim heads into the qualifying tournament.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in from BMW Championship at Conway Farms on the eve of the third leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs. After a week off, the 70 players return as they head into the final stretch. Bob said he feels that the players are more rested than they were a year ago. There is no way you can do this mentally and physically without a break. This is a lot of high-end golf. 

Next year the week off comes right before the final FedEx Cup Championship and the Olympics are mixed in with the Tour schedule.

Jay asks Bob if he thinks the players have the feel that this is a gigantic event. Bob says "Honestly, No" and that's the hurdle the PGA is trying to overcome.

Bob said that after someone like Jordan Spieth finished 1st, 1st, 2nd and 4th in this year's major championships, how much does he have left in the tank to turn back around and head into the "Playoffs"?

Bob said that the "money part" of these tournaments is not the issue, Bob thinks it lacks what the majors have. They'd be better off with 3 events in a row and have them come a few weeks after the end of the season.  

Holly brought up the fact that Sergio Garcia took two weeks off and went on vacation and didn't play the first two events and still may win the final two playoff events. 

Jay mentioned that there are a lot of theories why the FedEx Cup started and then asked Bob why he thinks the PGA started the FedEx Cup playoffs?  Bob said that the Tour doesn't have a stake in the Major Championships and the Tour wanted to create something outside of the Majors. Before the FedEx Cup, golf died off at the end of the calendar year and no one paid attention to the tournaments in the fall. Bob feels that playoffs have done a great job at revitalizing the season. They came up with the point system.

"One of the reasons the NFL is so popular is that there is an 8-month break for fans and once the Super Bowl is over we can't wait for the next season to begin," Harig pointed out. "Having these tournaments is way better off than what we had before ..."I think it's great!, Harig stressed.

Holly asks Bob about Jordan Spieth and have we forgotten him already?  Bob said that Spieth said he hasn't had a let down after all of his success this year. Bob picked Hunter Mahan to win the BMW even though he's way down on the list. Who is going to win the hole thing depends on the Top 5 after the this week. Bob likes Rory.

The fifth major on the LPGA Tour,  the Evian Championship, was won by Lydia Ko who became the youngest player to ever win a Major.  Holly talks about the final event and that the LPGA players are headed to Germany for the Solheim Cup. 

Jay and Holly talk about the Web.com Tour playoff systems. Jay says that he "discovered" Caddying is 90 percent of what you don't say and 10 percent of what you do say. Jay said that he feels that as a caddy ... "You have to be Sigmund Freud and Butch Harmon at the same time."

Jay has also been working with Kaká from Orlando City Soccer on his golf game. Jay talks about how great an athlete and nice person Kaká is.

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek, calls in from Conway Farms and talks about the FedEx Cup Playoffs with Holly and Jay about the golf course. Jay asks Jeff if he thinks the FedEx Cup Playoffs are all that they are made out to be. Jeff said that he feels that it is better than what the Tour had and gives more of an exciting feeling to the Tour than in the past.

Holly asks if Billy Horschel's big three weeks last year changed his approach to golf moving forward? Jeff said he thinks it definitely puts a lot of pressure on Billy.

Jay talks with Jeff about how Spieth had such an incredible year and had an incredible run this year that maybe it took a lot out of him heading into the FedEx Cup playoffs. Jeff thinks that it might have caught up with Spieth.

Jeff thinks Zach Johnson will win this week. But no matter what happens there is a good field going into the Tour Championship regardless. 

Holly picks Jim Furyk.

Holly updates listeners on the Solheim Cup, which was something her team at the LPGA came up with in the 1990s. Holly was the Director of Communications at the time the Solheim Cup was "birthed."

Jeff Shain, Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette in Hilton Head, S.C. and a contributor to PGATour.com, calls in to wrap up the show. Holly asks Jeff about the LPGA's last two weeks. Lydia Ko won the Evian. We in the media may have under played Lydia. Jeff recaps her blossoming career at such a young age. Ko won the Race to the CME Globe in 2014.  Jeff said that Lydia reminds her of Lorena Ochoa.

Holly then turns her attention to the Solheim Cup. Jeff said that this is a critical Solheim Cup for the USA being that the USA has lost two in a row and three consecutive losses would be devastating.

If you look at world rankings, the US is a stronger team on paper but he Europeans seem to have that team edge.  Jeff points out that these are almost the same two teams from a year ago that saw the Europeans stomped the USA team.

The Golf Insiders 09-09-15

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 talking about Rickie Fowler's win at the Deutche Bank Championship in Boston over Henirk Stenson. Holly also takes listeners on a quick trip around the globe updating them on what's happening in golf.

Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in to talk about the Deutsche Bank with Holly G and the listeners. Holly mentions that Henrik Stenson 16th hole on the final round where there was a lot more breeze coming in the face of the golfers that viewers who weren't there wouldn't know. He had the advantage of going after Fowler and still went with 6 Iron.  He acknowledged that the shot cost him the tournament. 

Holly talks to Steve about Fowler's patience with his game. Steve says that there seems to be a switch that Fowler turns on and becomes a different player and he's in a zone. Steve also said that Fowler's final round was a questionable one before the turn, then after that he flipped the switch and took off. He also got his putter going well.

Jordan Spieth missed the second straight cut and Steve talked about the mental strain for all the golfers over the past eight months including Spieth. "I need to walk with some cockiness in my step these next two tournaments," Spieth said.  Too much negative speak with himself during the week was not helpful for Jordan. 

Holly asks Steve about Jason Day maybe not playing the way he wanted to play. Day was battling a head cold all week but still played pretty well and is in a good position in the FedEx Cup Playoffs. 

With a week off the remaining FedEx Cup players get a week off before the final two week stretch. Holly asks Steve who he thinks has the best shot moving forward out of the Top 10. Steve really likes Day's chances with the way he has been playing but also said an angry Stenson is a dangerous one.

Holly asks Steve about the upcoming Evian Championship, the LPGA's 5th Major and the Solheim Cup. Steve feels that It doesn't get any bigger than these two weeks in France and Germany. A lot of the Korean players should play well this week since they don't have a week after that in the Solheim Cup.

Juli Inkster is trying to get the women ready and feel that they are the underdogs but Steve feels that on paper the USA should run away from the competition but the game is not played on paper. 

Dr. Bob Winters, Mental Conditioning Coach, talks with Holly about many of the facets of winning and golf. One of Dr. Bob's students, Kris Tamulus, won her first LPGA tournament at the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic recently after more than 175 starts.

Holly and Bob discuss match play versus stroke play.  Holly asks Dr. Bob about the emotions, swings of momentum, the pressure on the players and teams and the fact that they are playing as a team. Dr. Bob feels that you need to give your partner confidence and give your opponents fits in match play. You start fresh on every hole and that is why it becomes so nerve racking for players. The little games within the game.

Dr. Bob Winters' latest book, Mistake Free Golf, is now on sale at any major book store, as well as ad www.drbobwinters.com.  Winters addresses the 9 most common mental mistakes players make and how to correct them.  If you can eliminate some of these mistakes you will enjoy the game so much more.

One of the courses featured on The Golf Insiders Golf Card, which was recently on sale, is the Zellwood Station Golf Club just north of Apopka. The Head Professional at Zellwood, Chuck McLoone, calls in to wrap up the show. Zellwood is about 6500 feet from the back tees but McLoone says don't let the length fool you as there are about 30-40 foot elevation changes throughout the course and a few holes are around crater junction, which used to be a sink hole and now is more of a natural area that is not typical for Florida. It's a good mix of golf holes and you'll need every club in your bag.

Holly and Chuck talk about an upcoming tournament hosted by Zellwood Station Veterans Association for the Disabled Veterans. Oct 17 is the 6th annual tournament. You can call the pro shop at (407) 886-3303 Ext 2 to sign your team up.  The course is located at 2126 Spilman Drive, Zellwood, FL  32798. 

Holly takes a minute to talk to Chuck about putting on the PGA Tour and the different techniques players use. She asks Chuck about some putting tips for amateurs. He said that the biggest problem for amateur golfers is that they don't get the putt to the hole. So pace is probably the most important part of the putt. Chuck said that when you go play a course, take about 15 minutes to familiarize yourself with the speed of the putting greens by spending those minutes gaining a feel for the speed. Putt completely across the green both ways if you can to gauge the speed.  He also said that players should be MORE aggressive from about 20 feet and in and not so tentative. 

The Golf Insiders 09-02-15

The Golf Insiders VIP Golf Card is on sale for $99 at www.thegolfinsiders.com. Cardholders can play 18 holes of golf at each of the 11 participating golf courses around the Central Florida area. A round of golf and cart are included in the price for the cardholder. Purchase your Golf Insiders VIP Golf Card on The Golf Insiders web site or at www.740thegame.com. 

Host Holly G is at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championships. It's also the eve of the second event of the 2015 FedEx Cup playoffs, The Deutsche Bank Championship. 

Last week it was all Jason Day as he won The Barclays, his fourth event of the season, running away from the competition once again. On Sunday 

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in a talks to Holly to talk about Jason Day's confident play of late.  Bob feels that once again that once you break through things get easier.  Day shot a 63-62 to run away with the event.  Bob talks to Holly G about when is the last time that two players have been in the hunt for the Player of the Year. Jordan Spieth winning two majors and two other events and how well he has played. On the other hand, now you have Day who has won a major and three other events with one of those being a FedEx Cup event.  There's a possibility that Day could sweep the FedEx Cup and how would that stand up against what Spieth has done in the eyes of their peers who vote for POY?

Bob said that Spieth finished first, first, fourth and second in the majors this year so that may be the stat that seals it for Spieth. And he was one stroke away from being in the playoff at the Open Championship which could've been three in a row for Jordan. It's been one of the greatest years is major championship history.

Holly and Bob discuss Rory McIlroy's chances battling through injuries and how he might play the rest of the FedEx Cup playoffs this year? Bob said that Rory is more fresh now. He can play one week, get a week off and then play two in a row. Bob feels that it is a good decision by Rory to play how he has this past month.  Then a hard European Tour finish after that.

Bob and Holly talk about who has to make the biggest move this week to help their cause going forward. Hunter Mahan has been in eight straight Tour Championships since the FedEx Cup playoffs have started. If you get to Atlanta, you are putting at least 150,000 in your retirement account. He's 91st in points and has a lot of work to do this week to get to the BMW.

The Top 5 get to control their destiny in the FedEx Cup. May be one of the debatable things about the FedEx Cup format. Day can win the next two and may not win it all. Someone who is 2, 3, 4 or 5 can win the title if they win the last event.

Bob feels, that it's hard to play these big tournaments in consecutive weeks so it's great that they have a week off after this

Mitch Laurance, host of Golf Connections on PlayGolfGetaways.com , talks to Holly about the World Ams and 57 courses being played. There are about 3,500 golfers and about 70 or so flights. 

Players play four different golf courses during the event and experience all of the facets. There are also amazing deals at the 19th Hole, the food, the free cocktails, etc.  There are also so many side competitions going on and events for participants to compete in.

John Daly was at the World Am right after being in the hospital for a collapsed lung. Mitch said he got to spend some time with Daly and ask him how he was doing and ... John said "Okay, but added he was still scared."  

Mitch said it really is a mind boggling place with all the great golf courses in the area and the World Amateur event each year. For more information on the World Amateur or to compete next year, visit www.myrtlebeachworldamateur.com/

Jeff Shain, Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette in Hilton Head, S.C. and a contributor to PGATour.com, calls in from nearby Hilton Head to talk to Holly G about Jason Day's recent accomplishments on Tour. Very impressive but befuddled some of the top players in the world. Jeff feels that once a player crosses over and wins one of the biggest events it really goes a long way in boosting their confidence where they can start winning more.

Holly asks Jeff about Brian Harman's two aces in one tournament. He was buying drinks and they were all doubles. Maxed out his credit card. Brian has a good year but hasn't been a contender this year like last year when he won.

Jeff discusses the second event of the FedEx Cup and the top players. Interesting to have the three guys together in Spieth, Day, and McIlroy. Jeff mentions the fact that Sergio Garcia is not playing the Deutsche Bank and was not at The Barclays. It's a big gamble just playing the last two events, but is an interesting strategy. 

Jeff says that in the past it seems that there are players who are just on the periphery in the standings that get hot and win it all like Horschel did last year. Jeff said it could be Robert Streb.

Wrapping up the hour of intelligent golf talk radio Holly talks to one of the featured golf courses on The Golf Insiders Golf Card, Justin Awtrey the General Manager of the DeBary Golf and Country Club. Justin talks about the renovations that were recently done to the course and the grand reopening. The country club put in some new Tiff Eagle greens and tilled them all. 

Has been voted a one of the top 100 courses over the years and a Four-Star course by Golf Digest Magazine and is celebrating its 25th Anniversary.

Club Corp, network of golf courses, dining, tennis and more.  Some of the benefits of being a Club Corp member. 430,000 members world wide 250+ clubs worldwide

Members join a family of clubs not just one club. Our DeBary Golf and Country Club ONE members receive 50 percent off at all the dinners at Debary Golf and Country Club, but they also get 2 free rounds of golf at every one of the clubs each month as well as two free meals at our business clubs. Swimming, fitness, tennis, golf.

Special Membership new golf members at DeBary Golf and Country Club who sign up by the end of September get 50 percent off dues the rest of the year.

Local listeners can also call 386-668-1705 and get in touch with DeBary Golf & Country Club. The club offers a beautiful clubhouse combining formal Florida elegance and outstanding amenities. With great course conditions, undulating fairways and greens that roll true and fast, it's no wonder that DeBary is consistently chosen as a U.S. Open Qualifying site.

The Golf Insiders 08-26-15

The Golf Insiders VIP Golf Card is on sale for $99 at www.thegolfinsiders.com. Cardholders can play 18 holes of golf at each of the 11 participating golf courses around the Central Florida area. A round of golf and cart are included in the price for the cardholder. Purchase your Golf Insiders VIP Golf Card on The Golf Insiders web site or at www.740thegame.com. 

Host Holly G is in the studio on the eve of the Barclays, the first event of the 2015 FedEx Cup playoffs. 

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek, calls in to talk about Davis Love III's big win, at 51, at the Wyndham Championship while on the other side of the age spectrum, Lydia Ko winning in Canada

Holly and Jeff talk about the golfers who play well at this time of the year like Billy Horschel did last year and how you can make a lot of money.

People from all over the globe competing for the 125 PGA Tour cards

Martin Kaymer lost his PGA Tour by not playing a required 15 events splitting time between the European Tour and PGA Tour. Jeff said that Kaymer is out of the playoffs this year but win a major championship Kaymer will be alright moving forward.

Jeff mentions that Robert Streb got a huge jump on this season by playing the early events in the fall start of the 2014-2015 Tour start.  Already Rory McIlroy has committed to play in the early events of the upcoming 2015-2016 season.

Holly asks Jeff his thoughts on the upcoming FedEx Cup playoffs are there true favorites or will someone come out of the pack like last year?  

Holly says that someone with a hot short game might come out on top at Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey this week with the greens being the way they are set up for The Barclays. Jeff said that he likes the rotation for the playoffs among courses and Plainfield is such a great old course. 

Matt Kuchar is Jeff's pick to win The Barclays this week. 

Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in and starts things off talking about the U.S. Amateur Champion Bryson DeChambeaux who also won the NCAA individual men's title this year. Steve talks about Bryson's idiosyncrasies with his golf equipment. 

Holly and Steve also cover the LPGA and Lydia Ko's win and Stacey Lewis' who Steve seems a little snake bitten lately not being able to close out the tournaments. Lewis is playing at the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic where the field is a little thin.

The 2015 Solheim Cup is in September and Paula Creamer and Brittany Lang were named as the captain's picks by Juli Inkster. He thinks Creamer was picked for experienced and thinks the Americans team looks really well statistically.  Last time the Europeans had the better numbers and ended up upsetting the USA on their home soil.

Jeff Shain, Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette in Hilton Head, S.C., call in from beautiful South Carolina to talk about Davis Love III's win and the upcoming FedEx Cup playoffs. The third oldest, longest stretch of time between first and last wins.  His first win was in 1987. 

Tiger turns 40 in December. He still moves the needle in the ratings and the Wyndham printed an extra 47,000 tickets after Tiger announced he was playing Wyndham. Tiger did a little analysis of Davis' putting during the week and Davis gave Tiger the feel of Sedgefield Country Club that seemed to help Tiger out this past weekend.

Jeff wonders if Tiger had added one more start back in May might he have picked up enough points for him to make the playoffs? Holly mentions the putting hiccups Tiger has lately and the 11th hole when the wheels came off the cart for him with a triple bogey.

Three of Dustin Johnson's three wins have been 54-hole wins and Jeff talks about DJ avoiding the clunker back 9 on the final rounds.

Jeff mentions that four of the past five winners at the FedEx Cup have come off the pace and those who controlled their own destiny haven't been able to play well at East Lake to win it all. Jordan Spieth has the highest point total that there has ever been going into the FedEx Cup playoffs this year. Jeff Shain likes Spieth and DJ at the top of the leader board again, whereas Robert Streb might be a long shot as well as David Lingmerth.

Mike Jamison, Examiner.com and ING, calls in to talk to Holly about the PGA Expo in Las Vegas, that just ended. Cobra has recently introduced their new King Cobra driver. There was a demo day but it's mainly an apparel and fashion show. Tour Edge came out with a new limited edition hybrid with a slip stream sole. Chase 54 introduced a new line of apparel. One cool training aids was the Golf Chute by Chute Trainer that helps with the hip turns and adds distance off the tee using wind resistance in training. Mike said that a unique aspect is that the USA company employs physically challenged in the factory. 

Next week is the World Amateur Championship in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The world Am is open to all golfers - 17 years old and above - with a certified USGA handicap or foreign equivalent. Features six competitive divisions.