The Golf Insiders

The Golf Insiders 05-20-15

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 and Jeff Shain, PGATour.com are in the studio talking about Rory McIlroy's domination of the Wells Fargo Championship.

Jeff talked about McIlroy's being so efficient Saturday's round including 11 birdies to finish with a 61.  A really good group of young golfers who are making this tour their own. 

Holly talks about the younger player wanting to learn from their missteps on the golf course and in major tournaments.

Jeff pointed out that when you can talk about your mistakes on the course you can learn from them quicker. 

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek, calls in from to talk about the upcoming tournament at the Crowne Plaza Invitational. Jeff Shain and Jeff Babineau talk about the successful Texas golfers of late.

Both Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson were talking recently how close that both of them have been. Went with the short putter at the start and changes in shafts in his irons and went back to the belly putter. Was number one this time last year and now is not even in the Top 10 Babineau said.

Holly asks Jeff about all the early talk about the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. Babineau took a trip to the course recently and he said that it is different than other courses. More like a British Open course in that it is a hybrid between a links course and an American style course. Some may be frustrated with the course and others won't. It's the great unknown of the summer. 

Holly asks Jeff about Mike Davis and his approach to this year's U.S. Open. Put a bunker in the landing area and having some uneven surfaces on the tees or where the pins are located.

Adam Scott talked about the Olympics and not being so tuned in to. It's not the end all to the sport of golf like in other sports. Jeff thinks that a lot of passion may rise up in some of the players playing for their countries at the Olympics.

Holly mentions that Jeff Maggert posted his first win on the Champions Tour last week winning the Regions Tradition and this week is the Senior PGA Championship in Indiana, French Lick Resort. 

Brendan Sweeney, French Lick Resort, call in to talk about the Senior PGA Championship and the Pete Dye course. Colin Montgomery is the defending champion. Brendan talks about how the course is similar to Whistling Straits in Orlando area. He talks about the history of French Lick and how the town has been restored and revitalized.

Julie Williams, Golfweek, calls in to talk to Holly G and Jeff about the NCAA women's and men's championship at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton Fla. Julie feels that the Concession is a great challenge for the women's match play, which is the first for the women. Julie feels that with the sand all over the area it might be difficult for all the college coaches to get around quickly and visit their players.

Julie feels that Washington might be the team to watch. Had two players go to the LPGA in the fall and they are still winning as a team. Jeff asks Julie about the new format for the girls, match play, and it will give a new look to the women's NCAA Championship.

Unusual that the men and women will play at the same golf course in back to back weeks, The Concession, in Bradenton, Fla. The plan is to have it this way for the next couple of years. Julie thinks it is a good formula for the NCAA. Holly asks Julie about some of the players in the NCAA may make the jump to the Symetra Tour. 

The Golf Insiders 05-13-2015

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 special guest host Jeff Shain from PGATour.com are in the studio talking about Rickie Fowler's win at The Players Championship winning in a three-man playoff.

It was Fowler's second win on the PGA Tour. Jeff says that it might have been the most compelling Players Championship that he has seen in the 15 years he has been covering golf. 

Holly and Jeff also talk about how the tournament was fantastic as no one who was really in contention seem to fade as with other tournaments.  There were like 12 groups that had to be watched. Jeff said that Rickie had to wait an hour to see if his numbers would hold up while waiting on everyone to finish.

Holly talks with Jeff about Kevin Kisner being so close as capturing The Players Championship. Jeff said that it seemed like Kisner's putt was going to fall but it just seemed to defy gravity and hold on preventing him from winning. 

Holly likens Kisner to Raymond Floyd and Jeff thinks he is more of a bulldog like Jim Furyk.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in and talks with Holly and Jeff about the Players Championship. Like Holly G, Bob picked Sergio Garcia. Sergio had a two-shot lead and then Fowler caught fire. At the press conference after the event was over, Bob said that Sergio seemed okay with what happened but he's probably kicking himself for back 9 and didn't birdie either par 5s.

Kisner and Fowler birdied hole and Sergio didn't in the playoff.

Jeff asks Bob Harig about Kisner. Bob says maybe the "golf gods" owe Kisner one for how close he was with some of the putts that would just hang there and not drop. But it's not like he's been giving these tournaments away ...getting beaten by season players.

Holly and Bob talk about Rickie Fowler maybe coming in to The Players Championship under the radar. Bob sugested that maybe up until the back 9 on Sunday, Fowler was under the radar. Even though it's been talked about a lot since Fowler won his first Tour event, Bob thinks Fowler was more over-hyped not overrated.

Jeff, Bob and Holly G discuss Rickie seemingly playing his best golf in the toughest fields like the Major championships or the World Golf Championships ... rising to the competition.

Bob talked about the rise of Ian Poulter. People say he's overrated but Bob feels that Ian came from nothing and believes he's doing pretty well for someone who wasn't a star on their team before turning pro.

The young guns are stepping up and playing well with some of the older players winning too. Good for the game.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Chanel calls in and speaks with Jeff and Holly G about Fowler. Todd likes Rickie's determined play. He feels that that Butch Harmon has worked with Rickie's swing and improved it. Also has Rickie develop that killer instinct and a "go for your throat mentality" with Butch. Todd stressed that you saw that instinct in the final holes of The Players final round and the playoff.

Jeff asks Todd about Tiger and his game now. Todd is surprised that Tiger is not playing more competitive golf and feels Tiger needs to play more rounds.

Lance Ringler, Golfweek, calls in to wrap up the hour talking about the NCAA Division 1 Championships that will be played at The Concession in Bradenton, Florida.

The women's field is already set and at the time the show aired on May 13, 2015, the men had 6 regional tourneys under way.

Men's completion is unlike any other. Not really any club that have separated themselves from the rest of the pack like in years past.

Lance says that the women's side has a lot of parody too. Women going to team match play this team match play. 

Ringler commented that for first time see a team outside top 6 could win national championship in women's golf.

Lance told Holly and Jeff that it has been a long time since NCAA championships been played in Florida.

The Golf Insiders 05-06-2015

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 Rich B are in the studio for another hour of intelligent golf talk. 

Holly and Rich start the show talking about McIlroy's win over Gary Woodland in the finals of the WGC- Cadillac  Match play. Holly asks rich about the new format.

Holly and Rich are joined by Todd Lewis who calls in from the Golf Channel at TPC Sawgrass. Weather is great for the tourney. Course is in fantastic shape compared toast year. Todd feels that the course will be a true test for the players.

Holly and Todd also discuss Rory's win which Todd feels that McIlroy's resume is now more complete winning a match play event, especially with the new format this year and all the grueling matches Rory had to go through to win it.

Todd said that what was key is that McIlroy putted very well. Now as the players head into The Players Championship, he is wondering  how McIlroy will do after playing the 100 holes and then flying from one coast to another?

Rory was able to ask for and get two and half days of rest, which should help him play better than if he went straight to the event in Florida. 

Holly asks Todd about Mickelson's pulling out of the event.  Todd said that it was disappointing but following the WGC to have the mandatory pro am on Tuesday ... might have caused him to pull out of the WGC event.

It was all over Twitter that Rory wanted to attend the "Fight of the Century" between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao  But Rory wasn't able to make the fight because he was still in the WGC event. Lee Westwood went instead with Darren Clarke.

For The Players this week Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, and McIlroy pairing at Ponte Vedra Beach might be the premiere grouping for the first two days. Not a bombers course.

Todd also briefly talks about Tiger's press conference where he discussed his breakup with Lindsey Vonn. Todd pointed out that it has been a rough few days for Tiger and the break up actually happened on anniversary of his Woods' father's death. 

Tiger said he wasn't happy with his ball striking in the practice rounds. 

Jeff Shain, PGATour.com, calls in from media center at The Players Championship to talk to Holly and Rich B about the WGC event that McIlroy won and this week's Players Championship.

Jeff said that he's going to watch Rory and see how he does after playing so many matches that he had to come from behind again in order to win the WGC how will he be doing come Friday and Saturday?

Jeff said he took everyone off the list of potential winners who were in the semifinals at and beyond at the WGC last week. He figures they'd be too tired to do well this week at The Players.

Rich asked Jeff about the dust up between and Jimenez and Keegan Bradley involving Keegan's caddie as well.

The Golf Insiders 04-29-2015

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 Rich B are in the studio for another hour of intelligent golf talk. Rich talks about Barry Cheesman winning the North Florida PGA Senior Section Championship recently. 

Holly talks with Rich about Justin Rose winning the Zurich Classic and the media day for U.S. Open. Rich points out that the PGA will be possibly setting up some of the pins and tees on slopes. Lydia Ko wins Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.

Former PGA Tour player Calvin Peete passed away at 71. Rich said Calvin started late as a golfer and was really successful.

Jeff Shain, PGATour.com, calls in to discuss the round robin format at WGC Cadillac Match Play event. Jeff says that the "Group of Death", much like the World Cup, for the WGC Match Play seems to be Ian Poulter, Webb Simpson, Jimmy Walker and Gary Woodland.

Jeff stresses that if you are putting well in match play you can put pressure on opponent nearly every hole and ramp up the pressure.

Players play 18 holes Wednesday, 18 holes Thursday and 18 holes Friday. To set up the sudden death rounds on Sat and Sunday..

If you make it to Sunday you'd have to play 7 rounds and then go to Players Championship.

Jeff says that WGC next year will be in Austin Texas next year be right after Florida swing. Holly and Jeff discuss the play of Masters champ Jordan Spieth who won his first match Wednesday at Harding Park. "Pretty amazing to tie for 11th place in the tournament following the Masters and the whirlwind media junket that followed.  Jeff also likes Jason Day even though he lost first match. If things pan out there could be a Spieth/Day quarterfinal match.

Todd Lewis, Golf Channel, calls in from Harding Park in San Francisco to talk with Holly about Spieth's 7 birdies through 16 holes in his first match. Todd feels that if Jordan would win this event could play 90+ holes of golf. More significant to win this one versus the one and done format in the past. Be viewed more as a complete player to win both stroke play and match play events.   

Todd and Holly also talk about the fact that The Players golf course magnifies mistakes like no other on the PGA Tour schedule this year.

Garry Smitts, Florida Times Union, calls in to talk about The Players Championship. Holly asks about Phil Mickelson pulling out of the tourney for personal reasons. 

She asks Garry who he thinks along with Spieth will play well at The Players, that really want to win it? The 1-44 positions are really good players and it could be any one of them. Garry points out that McIlroy wants to prove he can win The Players just like Tiger did.

Garry revisits losing a really great player in Calvin Peete. During a 5 yr period he was awesome. A great player real gentleman and great dresser. Wasn't a long bomber. Holly pointed out that Peete overcame elbow injury. Couldn't straighten left arm, which is key point golf instructors stress, but he still won 12 times.