The Golf Insiders

The Golf Insiders 08-19-15

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 talking about Jason Day's scoring record of 20-under par and first major win at PGA Championship.

Jordan Spieth finished second but is now the No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking edging out Rory McIlroy.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in a talks to Holly about the great finish to the regular season and how the young stars have stepped up and become a force week in and week out. Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Day. Bob mentioned that the way Jason Day played on Sunday, he left no doubt that no one was going to catch him. 

Holly and Bob talk about the setbacks that have plagued Day over the past couple of years. His thumb, his back, vertigo, etc.  There was a lull after he won the Farmer's and didn't follow up so well at the Masters. 

Bob feels that Dustin Johnson's inauspicious start and how he rebounded is a good sign for DJ and he should walk away with good vibes.

One of the big surprises was that Adam Scott didn't make the cut at the PGA Championship and is set to play the Wydnham Championship along with Tiger.  The other golfer who was a bit of a surprise was Bubba Watson who didn't play well even though he was sort of a favorite after his success five years ago on the same course and being such a long ball hitter.  

Holly talks with Bob about Tiger's chances of coming in and winning or placing solo second at the Wyndham just to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs after such an off year.  The duo also discuss some of the players who also didn't make the FedEx Cup playoff.

Australian Freelance Journalist for Reuters and the Associated Press in Australia Ben Everill (@benevrill) calls in to talk with Holly and share with the listeners Jason Day's story. Day lost his father at 12 years old and was headed down the wrong path drinking alcohol and was getting in to at the time. If it wasn't for his mother sending him to a golf boarding school he wouldn't be a major champion today.

Ben talks about Day finding Tiger Wood's book at a young age and reading it and the influence it had on his life. Jason wanted to be the next Australian golfer to bring a major back to his home country.

"There were a litany of close calls over the years,  I think we have a future #1 on our hands and a four or five time Major champion," Everill.

Holly asks Ben about Jason Day's quote after the win and how something changed for him at the Open Championship.

"Something happened to me at the Open Championship this year. I don't know what it was, I don't know how it happened, but I was sitting there on Sunday of the fourth round, Monday morning, and I felt a calmness over me. And it just something clicked inside of me. And since then, I've been calm ever since. And I could not put my finger on what happened and why it clicked, but it just happened. And even though there could be stuff flying around me out there on the golf course, the ability to keep my cool and keep calm has happened since The Open Championship."

Everill was there and he confirmed that Day wasn't as nervy after that and the way he bounced back after that. It enabled to go the Canadian event and win that and then his success at the PGA Championship.

Holly asks about Day's battle with the vertigo that has seemed to haunt him on and off. Ben says that Day takes medicine for it now and there will be more tests in the future to see what the prognosis is but he feels Jason will have it the rest of his life.

Holly also talks to Ben about other Australian golfers like Marc Leishman, Adam Scott, Matt Jones and others. 

Holly mentions that Brooke Henderson's win at 17 years old and how she now receives her exempt status on the LPGA Tour. Typically a golfer has to be 18-years-old. 

Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in to talk about the LPGA and women's golf in general. Holly and Steve talk about the younger players of today growing up in the world of new technology.

Steve feels that some of the best athletes in any sport are playing golf. These players would have typically gravitated to other sports.  Holly talks to Steve about the U.S. Amateur Championship. 

Jeff Shain, Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette in Hilton Head, S.C., calls in to wrap up the show talking about the PGA Championship. Day broke records for the win and he didn't let anyone get withing two shots of him at any time. 

The Golf Insiders 08-12-15

The Golf Insiders VIP Golf Card is now on sale for only $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 for on the eve of the PGA's final major championship of the season. Dr Bob Winters, David Leadbetter Academy, is the special guest in studio with Holly G. Dr Bob deals with some of the greatest players in the world and is one of the leading mental coaches.

Holly and Dr Bob talk about Dustin Johnson and coming back to golf and recount the penalty DJ incurred during the PGA Championship a few years ago.

European Tour player Shane Lowry wins the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational by two shots holding off Justin Rose, Jim Furyk and Bubba Watson.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls into the show from Whistling Straits.  Holly asks Bob about Rory McIlroy's return to the game after what looked like a horrific injury some 6 weeks or so ago. Bob said that Rory is looking and playing well.  His number one ranking in the world is on the line as Rory comes back to the game. Jordan Spieth has come on strong this year in McIlroy's absence and threatens to overtake McIlroy as the number one player in golf.

Holly asks Bob Harig about Dustin Johnson coming so close but not being able to finish the tournament after leading several rounds heading into the final day. Bob feels that the chances of Dustin or any other golfer repeating the penalty five years ago are so remote and he feels it is getting too much attention.

Dr Bob asks Bob Harig about the set up of Whistling Straits. Compared to Chambers Bay and the Open Championship, the greens and the fairways are lush green.  If the weather is good the scoring should be good.  Pete Dye course at it finest.

There was a bunch of rain on Monday which softened things up considerably but its 7,500 yards but with the conditions it will play even longer. 

Holly recants the darkness last year at Valhalla with Bob and all the chaos that ensued as the PGA, Mickelson, Fowler and McIlroy tried to get the final holes finished so they didn't have to come back the next day for one or two holes.  Bob said that "It could have been really bad.  Rory was trying to see what Phil and Ricky did and didn't have to play his second shot with as much pressure."  The PGA wanted to get it done and the weather was such a factor but maybe could have moved the tee times up that morning to help.

Holly asks Dr. Bob what it takes to breakthrough?  What's the mental difference between closing the deal, choking or just being able to stay in the moment. Hitting the shots in the moment. 

It comes down to are you a clutch or are you going to choke.  The best players in the world get the ball in the hole in the most efficient way.  They prepare themselves for these types of moments.  They become very consistent with their mind set and break it down to the simplest common denominator.  Don't let the enormity of the situation control the outcome. I don't have to make this any bigger than what it is.  It takes a lot of time and discipline to do that and that's why they come to see Dr Bob Winters and others like him.

The Golf Insiders 08-05-15

The Golf Insiders VIP Golf Card is now on sale for only $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 back from vacation and is in the studio for another hour intelligent golf talk. 

Golf Digest Top 50 Coach @GaryGilchrist 

Golf Digest Top 50 Coach Gary Gilchrist calls in to help Holly G announce the winner of a free week of golf instruction from the Gary Gilchrist Summer Junior Golf Camp valued at $1,850. 

Students from all over the world come to train at Gary Gilchrist Academy and build confidence in their game.

Gilchrist, a South African golfer founded the academy in part because when he was growing up there wasn't much instruction available for junior golfers. Gilchrist commented that the game is growing and players are getting younger and younger. The juniors are now playing top golf courses

Alexander Hall was the winner 

Todd Lewis, Golf Channel, calls in to talk about Troy Merritt's win. Todd said that Troy has been going back and forth between the Web.com and the PGA Tour.  

Todd and Holly also talk about Jason Day's success at the RBC Canadian Open. Todd shares the story of Tiger and Jason playing together at The Open Championship.  Tiger missed the cut and Jason Day was playing well. Tiger looked Jason in the eyes and said "Go get them, you know what to do."  It meant a lot to Jason who idolized Tiger as a young kid. 

Todd shared that Day felt lost as a kid when he lost his father to cancer. Day's mother took out a second mortgage to send Jason to a boarding school that focused on golf. Jason was reluctant to go but read Tiger's book. After reading the book Day decided to focus all his energy on golf. 

Holly and Todd also talk about other top players like Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy. Holly asks Todd if he thinks McIlroy will play soon. Todd says one thing that any golfer does not want to do is come back early before your body is completely healed.

Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, is the next guest on the show talking about Inbee Park's win at the Ricoh Women's British Open Championship in Turnberry, Scotland completing the women's career grand slam. Steve talks about Inbee's putting and how she has played so well with it lately.

Holly asks Steve about Lydia Ko and Stacey Lewis's chances coming in the final major of the season. Steve points out that now there are a plethora of players playing well on the LPGA and not just one dominant player as in the past.

Steve talks to Holly about the upcoming PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. Steve points out that three of the four championships this year will be held on a links style course this year. The two talk about the golf course there tends to favor the longer hitters like Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer, and other bombers. 

 Jeff Shain, PGATour.com calls in to wrap up the show. Jeff will now be working for the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette in Hilton Head, S.C.  Holly mentions that Jeff has been co hosting The Golf Insiders Show of late and filling in for Holly G and she says that will be missed. 

Holly and Jeff talk about the PGA Championship and some of the players who are under the radar and not really considered long hitters that may be in contention at the final major championship.

Jeff shares his thoughts about Rory McIlroy and when he might make it back?

The Golf Insiders 07-29-2015

The Golf Insiders VIP Golf Card is now on sale for only $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 Jeff Shain, PGATour.comPrime Sports Network.com is in the studio for another hour intelligent golf talk while Holly G is on vacation. 

Bob Harig from ESPN.com, starts the show off calling in from the Robert Trent Jones GC, Gainesville, Va. site of the PGA Tour Quicken Loans National tournament. It's typically at the Congressional Golf Club in Bethesda, Md., but Bob stated that it can't be hosted there every year. The weather has been rainy and humid. Jeff and Bob talk about that it's the first time in 10 years, other than the Presidents Cup, that a PGA event has been at the RTJ course. 

Jason Day was back in the winner's circle at the RBC Canadian Open. Hit 3 birdies in a row to overtake Bubba Watson.

Jeff and Bob talk about Tiger Woods' performance of late and what the expectations should be given his swing changes and injuries. Bob says that Tiger needs to play these tournaments like no one cares what he shoots, but that's impossible.  But he needs the time on the course and maybe 10 tourneys down the road he emerges?

Jeff asks Bob about Tiger's explanation of what is going on with his swing and the technical terminology he uses that the media and general public just can't grasp. He's having a hard time getting rid of his old swing habits. It would be nice for him to say that I'm not at the level I want to be at this time and I have to take the bad with the good. Bob feels that how Tiger approaches the reasoning behind his swing change and isn't as humble as he should be.

Tiger thinks he can turn it around and he can find it.  Maybe he doesn't doubt creep in like most of us do. Does he think a major win is right around the corner? He thought so at the British Open and two holes in to the tournament it seemed that it was over.

Bob talked about his article he wrote on Tiger and how it seems like Tiger is rushing back all the time instead of taking it slowly. He thinks Tiger should play some of the first 6 events at the beginning of the 2015-2016 season to gain some FedEx points and get back into things at a little slower pace.

Adam Schupak, Golfweek, calls in to talk to Jeff from the 3M Championships in Minnesota and the Greats of Golf on Saturday Exhibition Scramble. It's like a Hall of Fame get together. The event is completely free. Players sign autographs on Saturday. Players tell stories about other players and needle one another. 

Jeff talks to Adam about the 144th Open Championship. Jordan Spieth was the story to coming so close to winning the third leg of the Grand Slam and then missing the playoff by one stroke. Adam talks about the great play of Zach Johnson. Two major championships and 12 PGA Tour wins and probably punched his ticket to the Hall of Fame.

Todd Lewis, Golf Channel, starts off the back nine portion of the show talking to Jeff about the Quicken Loans tournament, Rory McIlroy and other headlines in the world of golf. Billy Hurley III asks for help to find his missing father who went missing a couple weeks ago. Todd said they thought that Billy would talk about the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Annapolis, Naval Academy and other things ... and when he Billy pleaded with the media to help find his father it was a little shocking. Todd spoke with the police department and found out that Billy has not heard from his father but the police have tracked his credit card use in TexArkana. 

Jeff also talks to Todd about Sang-Moon Bae who has to leave the PGA Tour and serve his conscription in the South Korean military.  Maybe he thought the government would be lenient on him since the President's Cup is in Korea. Todd spoke with KJ Choi and found out that the public has turned away from Sang Moon Bae since he is trying not to do his public service.

Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in to wrap up the hour to talk about the Women's British Open in Turnberry Scotland, the LPGA's 4th major championship of the season. Steve feels that this is one of the biggest for the LPGA and always wonderful when this venue rolls around and see how the best women golfers in the world play such a classic golf course.

Some of the best swings in golf come from the LPGA players. It's interesting to see how the best women in the game plod their way around the links golf course. Inbee Park is going for the career Grand Slam. She has some back trouble at the time and has "limped" in to the major. Steve said that back trouble is the worst for golfers as you don't know really exactly what you are doing.  Jeff and Steve discuss some of the LPGA golfers chances, like Michelle Wie, who is battling injuries and showed up to the tournament in a walking boot. Stacy Lewis is looking for her first major and it has been 54 tournaments since she won. Jeff mentions that Stacy has placed second many times and third as well.  Steve, who follows Stacey's game, said that Lewis' ball striking is the best that it has been in years. 

Jeff asks Steve about In Gee Chun, U.S. Women's Open Champion, chances of winning the fourth major on the LPGA. Steve said that In Gee is not fluent in English yet, but when she is she will have a lot to talk about with the media. The South Korean golfer is a math genius even though her nickname on the tour is Dumbo.  Steve said it's because she hears everything that is going on around her and has nothing to do with her intelligence.

As with any tournament, especially on a links course, the weather is a big factor and it's anybody's tournament to win.