The Golf Insiders

The Golf Insiders 07-22-15

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 and Special Guest co-host Sean Gorgone, Whole Game Golf, Dewey's Sports Bar in Orlando are in the studio for another hour intelligent golf talk. Holly and Sean recap The Open Championship that was held at St. Andrews Golf Course in Fife, Scotland. Zach Johnson won the 144th Open Championship after a four hole sudden death playoff to become a two-time major championship winner with his win at The Masters in 2007.

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek, calls in after just returning from Scotland, and talks with Holly and Sean about the long week that was all worth it at the end. Jeff talks about Spieth being able to make it all the way to the 72nd hole and then Zach Johnson to win in a playoff was just great.

Jeff and Holly talk about the amateurs who were contending for the Open Championship this year. So many great story lines.

Holly talks to Jeff about a log jam of players who were in the mix on Monday final round. So many people playing well and a very exciting final day of a major championship. Jeff walked 18 holes with Tom Watson on the Friday and talks about that historic event.

Holly asks Jeff about the 17th hole and why it's so hard?   Also about all of the great players that were probably playing there for the final time.

Mike Bender, Mike Bender Golf Academy and Swing Coach for the 2015 Open Champion Zach Johnson and LPGA Winner Chella Choi, joins the show talking about his double wins this past weekend. Spoke with Zach Johnson after he won and he also called in and let Mike know that he will be sharing the Claret Jug with the team.

Mike said he always tells people, winning one is luck twice is skill. Mike says that Zach is a lot like all of us. He's not a bomber off the tee, he just hits it down the middle of the fairway and puts it on the green. He knows how to play golf courses using his game and doesn't try to play it any differently. He has always been a great putter and has been doing a lot better with the putter lately. 

Holly talks to Mike about how often he works with Zach. He has an efficient compact swing. Mike says he tries to take compensating moves out of people's golf swings.  Not all these extra moving parts. Zach has very good control through the impact zone. Mike was also saying that this year's Open Championship was a lot like when Zach won the Masters ... the golf course was playing long and not very many people could drive the greens.

Sean asks Mike about a shot of Zach's that could help the everyday player?

"One of Zach's strengths is that he hits his wedges on the lower side with a lot of spin. He also hits a draw shot and the ball is always landing on the green and spinning toward the hole," Bender said. "But for anyone, you have to have a favorite yardage with your wedge whether its 60-80 or 70-90 yards. Get really, really good at that distance. Then you can use that information and ability to gauge just how hard you need to the ball."

Holly also talks with Mike about the fact that he and Zach are both from Iowa. Mike says that there are some great junior golf programs in the state and there are a lot of good players from Iowa. 

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to wrap up the show. Holly comments about Jordan Spieth sitting on the 18th green waiting on Zach Johnson to finish after just finishing one hole shy of making the playoff. Bob said the fact that he was there was a really nice gesture and showed something. I thought after he made the putt on 16 I thought he'd birdie the 18th and win it all. He didn't par the 17th and didn't birdie the 18th.  But both were very possible and it almost happened.

Holly and Sean talk with Bob about Jordan's statement about being between clubs on the 18. 

"Give the guy tons of credit for even being there," Harig said. "He birdied the first two holes on Thursday and was there until the final shot on 18. Amazing."

Holly asks Bob about Dustin Johnson almost running away with the tournament early. " He made it so easy the first two days," Harig said. ... "And then all of sudden it was just gone."

The Golf Insiders 07-15-15

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. 

Holly G and Jeff Shain, PGATour.com and Prime Sports Network.com are in the studio on the eve of The Open Championship being played at the St. Andrews Golf Course in Fife, Scotland. You can follow all the action of the Open Championship with this link to the Syndicated Widget. 

Jeff has visited St. Andrews and says that there is no other place else that eats, sleeps and breathes golf like the people in Scotland who live around St. Andrews. There is as much away from the golf course and there is at The Old Course. The fans are very knowledgeable of the game and appreciative of good golf.  

Mike Kern, Philadelphia Daily News, calls in from Scotland to talk to Holly and Jeff about the weather surrounding the Open Championship and how it will change the player's game over the next four days on the Old Course. There's a chance of rain Thursday and Friday and wind on the weekend. Mike says it's going to be a typical British Open and the rain will probably soften the course.

Holly and Mike talk about Jordan Spieth's chances to win his 3rd consecutive Major championship this week at the Open Championship. Mike doesn't feel that Spieth will be able to do it because of the odds that are against him and are with the field. With all the great players of the past trying to win three in a row, the odds are not in favor of Spieth to win his 3rd Major. Dustin Johnson is a favorite because of his length off the tee. 

Jeff asks Mike who he thinks will challenge Spieth if Jordan makes a run, who will make the run with him?  Mike feels that a player who can adjust to the conditions and also hit the ball far off the tee. Dustin Johnson or Justin Rose. 

Spieth came back from 102nd last week at the John Deere Classic to win in a playoff.  Mike feels that Spieth is the best putter in the world right now and if you can putt you always have a chance. Holly feels that Jordan has the mental toughness that it takes and he doesn't sound like a 21-year-old. 

Holly and Mike wrap up the segment talking about the news that Rory might be out until January. 

Damon Hack, The Golf Channel, called in just before the show and spoke with Holly and Jeff about the Open Championship ... the weather and how it can affect players like it did Rory. Louis Oosthuizen was able to run away with it five years ago, because he was 15 minutes ahead of the weather and was already sitting in the club house watching the rest of the field play.

Loves the bunkers in the United Kingdom golf courses and says there is nothing like them anywhere in the U.S.

Holly talks about Jordan Spieth's chances. Damon said that he loved Spieth's quote from the press conference, "I'm not here to win 3 straight majors, I'm just trying to win the Open Championship."

Tiger Woods, said he's not dead and buried, he still wants to play and is still hungry but I'm going through swing changes again and there will be steps forward and steps back. Damon questions whether Tiger's B and A games eclipse Spieth's and Dustin Johnson's now? Tiger feels comfortable at The Old Course.

Holly asks Damon about the fans and the Open Championship crowds. "They love the game and applaud great shots even if they are still 40 feet from the hole. Extremely passionate and grateful and their role in this great game of golf. Damon loves Rickie Fowler's chances this week coming off his win last week in the Scotland Open and loves links players. Adam Scott reunited with Steve Williams and maybe Paul Casey's chances.

A free week of golf instruction from the Gary Gilchrist Summer Junior Golf Camp valued at $1,850 is available to win just by registering on www.thegolfinsiders.com. 

Dr Bob Winters, Mental Conditioning Coach from the David Leadbetter Academy, calls in from the Nike Golf Schools where he heads up the Nike Junior Golf Program near Williams College in northern part of Massachusetts.

Holly asks how a player gets over past events like Dustin Johnson and deal with situations, worked with so many major open champions in the past 20 years I don't think they ever get over it. Failing is the fertilizer for future success. Dr. Bob says you can't ponder on it too much cause it destroys their focus. Remember Scott Hoch at the Masters and how he seemingly "gave it away" to Nick Faldo.

Be interesting to see how DJ will rebound at the Open Championship from his loss at Chambers Bay. Dr Bob says that how you win a grand slam like Spieth is pursuing or win the Triple Crown like American Pharaoh just did is that you have to go out and compete in the event to win it.

Jeff asks Dr. Bob how he feels the pairings at the Open Championship might affect DJ who is paired with Spieth given that Jordan just beat Johnson in the last event they faced each other? DJ can use it for motivation. Dr. Bob Winters also pointed out that there are a lot of distractions at the Open Championship other than just playing with the other player.

"A key is taking ownership of the now and being in the present moment," Winters said.  "If you dwell on the past or think of the future you wind up way off course." 

Mistake Free Golf by Dr Bob Winters 407-340-7785.

Holly and Jeff wrap up the show briefly talking about The U.S Women's Open Championship won by In Gee Chung. 

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.  

The Golf Insiders 07-08-2015

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 flying solo bringing you the inside scoop on all things golf during another hour of intelligent golf talk. 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 at The Golf Insiders or at www.740thegame.com. 

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in to start the show off talking about the Greenbrier Classic and the upcoming Open Championship from St. Andrews. Danny Lee won the Greenbrier Classic for his first win on the PGA Tour by outlasting three others and winning on the second hole in a sudden-death playoff. He won the U.S. Amateur Championship and now knows he can win on the PGA Tour.

At the Greenbrier, Robert Streb putted with his wedge after damaging his putter during the final round of the tournament.

Holly asks Todd about Bubba Watson, a resident at the Greenbrier Classic. Todd says that when a player wins he's mentally fatigued among many other things. 

Holly G asks Todd about Rory McIlroy announcing that he will miss the Open Championship due to an ankle injury he suffered while playing having a kick about with his friends. Todd feels that it is very smart of Rory to do this and give his body a chance to heal, especially after all that Tiger has tried to push through his pain and injuries. Todd said that he had injured his own ankle just by stepping off a curb while at the Dubai Championship.

Jordan Spieth opted not to go to St. Andrews and scout the course for the upcoming Open Championship, but instead play the John Deere Classic. Todd says that there are a lot of birdies to be had at this course. Holly and Todd spoke about the fact that some people believe that he should be at St. Andrews scouting the course and prepare to win his third consecutive Major championship. 

Todd says that Spieth feels a loyalty to John Deere since they gave him a sponsor's exemption that led to a victory and launched his career. Holly and Todd also mention that Spieth is the favorite according to Vegas now that McIlroy is out. 

"He's not the longest off the tee ... but he has two big things that make him an elite player, there is no better clutch putter on the PGA Tour, his will, determination and heart is unmatched on the PGA Tour," said Lewis. 

Tony Leodora, GolfTalk Live and Golfstyles Magazine, calls in from the site of the U.S. Women's Open Championship at the Lancaster Country Club, Pa., to talk about this week's Major Championship event. Tony says that the course is a William Flynn designed golf course. Flynn has also designed other notable courses like Shinnecock Hills in Long Island and Cherry Hills in Denver. Tony said that Flynn was quarantined in the Philadelphia area for about 10 years during an outbreak of Tuberculosis. So Flynn worked in the Philadelphia area and spent some of his time designing several golf courses. 

As for the U.S. Women's Open this week, Tony mentioned that there have been torrential rains in the central Pennsylvania area and heavy rain was falling while he was on the phone with Holly G.

Tony pointed out that 10 former women's open champs are playing in the this year's tourney as well as 10 former second place finishers like Stacy Lewis, Morgan Pressel and Suzann Pettersen. So it is sure to be an exciting week of golf. If you aren't in Lancaster for the tournament this week, you can watch it on Fox Sports and Fox Sports1, so check your local listings.

Golf Digest Top 50 Coach @GaryGilchrist calls in from the #USWomensOpen in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to talk to Holly G about all things golf and his FREE Summer Golf Camp Session at the Gilchrist Golf Academy at Mission Inn Resort & Club, Howey in the Hills, Fla. Listeners can sign up on The Golf Insiders home page for the Gilchrist Golf Academy Fantastic Giveaway worth $1,850.

Gilchrist coached Yani Tseng and helped he ascend to become the #1 ranked women's golfer in the World. Now one of his LPGA players he is coaching is Shanshan Feng. Gary feels that Feng is one of the most consistent ball strikers in the world. Gilchrist says that the women will have to learn how to putt the greens, especially with all the rain this week. 

Holly and Gary talked about the Swingclick training aid that he had a chance to test recently. I'm really impressed with the product, it's something that you can take to the range and it you don't have to put it on your club and make it heavier, but it attaches to your forearm and really helps you get your left arm in the correct position at the top of the backswing.  Gary said that the Swingclick also helps you with your tempo and rhythm as well as helping you wind your body. Gary pointed out that too many golfers don't set up the correct way and Swingclick will help you with that too.

From the John Deere Classic, Adam Schupak, Golfweek, calls in to wrap up the show. Holly and Adam talk about last week's win for Danny Lee and how this win might serve as a big breakthrough for him on the Tour. Danny won the U.S. Amateur Championship so young and everyone had great expectations for him.

Holly and Adam also discuss Jordan Spieth honoring his commitment to play the John Deere instead of traveling over to Europe and getting acclimated to the time change and the scope of  St Andrews. No one has one the first three legs of the Grand Slam on the PGA Tour since Ben Hogan did it in the 1950s. 

Adam said that he had been talking with former PGA Champion Lee Trevino, and Lee said that he liked to play in a tournament the week prior to a major championship so he would be able to figure out what is working and what was not. Lee didn't want to wait to get to the Major and try to figure it all out then.

Holly asks Adam about Phil Mickelson's chances with all of the legal drama going on in the background. Adam mentions that Phil has played so well on links golf courses for the past couple of years. Of course Phil played terrific at Muirfield at won in 2013. Adam feels that if St. Andrews plays fast that it could work well for Phil. we really haven't seen very much from Phil lately.

Since Mickelson won the Scottish Open in 2013 the week prior to winning the Open Championship the following week, Adam feels that we may find out more about Mickelson's game and his chances after this week's Scottish Open.

The Golf Insiders 07-01-2015

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 and Sean Gorgone are in the studio for another hour of intelligent golf talk.

Sean Gorgone is an esteemed teacher in the Orlando area and in the state of Maine. Very competitive golfer in the section here in central Florida.

PGA Professional National Championship decided today. Matt Dobyns won by one stroke over Ben Polland in Flourtown, Pennsylvania. Twenty PGA Pros on way to 97^th PGA Championship in August at Whistling Straights in Kohler, Wisconsin. Dobyns won in 2012 also.

Sean has gone through the U.S. Open qualification and gives listeners a little inside scoop on what the qualifying is like.

Bubba Watson won the Travelers Championship in a playoff over Paul Casey on the second playoff hole.

Holly and Sean take a whirl around the Tours and updated listeners on who won and who came close.

Holly says that Bernhard Langer is not too happy with the new anchoring rule that goes into effect in 2016. On the LPGA Tour  in Arkansas Na Yan Choi won. Stacy Lewis didn’t quite get it down. The local favorite.At the BMW International Pablo Larzzabal won.

Holly and Sean talk about Deweys indoor golf, a local sports bar, in the Orlando area that has 10 golf simulators. Customers can play more than 50 different golf courses on the simulators.

Holly also lets The Golf Insiders listeners know about the Golf Insiders VIP Golf Card that goes on sale next week. It features some of Central Florida’s Best Conditioned Fairways and Greens for just $99. 

Mike Purkey, Global Golf Post, calls in from the Greenbrier Classic. Holly and Mike discuss that Tiger Woods is playing for the first time in a while. 

Mike feels that Tiger may have set the bar impossibly high in the past and no one can probably reach it, not even Tiger again with the injuries, swing coach changes, techniques, etc. Tiger may be the most mentally sound player ever.

Meanwhile, Mike Purkey believes that Bubba has put together quite a career 8 PGA Tour wins and two majors. Bubba needs to changes his goals. Maybe 15 plus Tour wins and another major. He says that Bubba has to be able to visualize shots on each hole. He has to be able to “see” shots to create them.

Mike and Holly talk about Jordan Spieth playing at the John Deere ... because he is a former champion at that tournament. He feels he owes it to the sponsors whether it’s good for him or not.

Adam Schupak from Golfweek from the Greenbrier media center at the Greenbrier. Adam says that Tiger played pretty well Wednesday only missed one green during his pro-am.

Holly and Adam talk about how much motivation Tiger has now that he has kids. He says he wants to chase Nicklaus’ record. Not going over to Scotland early.

Tiger needs to play more to get a better feel for the game but hasn’t played two weeks in a row in a while. Gets very mechanical at shot 85 at the Memorial. Haven’t really seen the stinger shot that Tiger possesses. Love to see him play at the John Deere. Don’t know if his body can take three consecutive weeks of play? Maybe that’s the issue.

Jeff Shain, PGATour.com and Prime Sports Network.com , calls in to wrap up the hour.

Holly and Jeff talk about the upcoming U.S. Women’s Open in Lancaster, Pa., July 9-12. The 70^th year for the championship.

Fox sports will cover the tournament. Maybe a bit of a shaky start at Chambers Bay. Jeff feels that Fox like all others needs time to let their team develop chemistry.

Jeff said that maybe they need to have some of the analysts in the 18^th tower maybe go down and and have more people on the grounds. Jeff liked Joe Buck and Greg Norman.

Sean liked Greg Norman’s contribution and coverage during the week at Chamber’s Bay.

Holly talks with Jeff about Fox’s coverage and what they can do to get better in the weeks to come.

Jeff said that every winner has come from behind the last five times at Greenbrier. He feels that first timers Paul Casey, Tony Finau. Webb Simpson, Bubba could win but for Bubba it's been tough to win back to back on the Tour.