The Golf Insiders

The Golf Insiders 04-22-15

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 special guest co-host Jeff Shain from PGA Tour.com, are in the studio back on their regular Wednesday night talking about Jim Furyk's win at the RBC Heritage. Jeff said that it was the 10th time when Furyk had the lead in final round, but this time he was actually able to convert it into his 17th victory on the Tour. He beat Kevin Kisner in a playoff.

Ken Davis, volunteer tournament co-chairman, calls in to talk to Holly and Jeff about a charity tournament coming up May 3 at Alaqua Country Club. The Orlando Senior Help Desk. The Senior Help Desk helps enrich senior's lives and assistance family members who are faced with aging family members. 

Orlando’s Senior Help Desk is a free service providing information to help navigate the senior maze. Whether it is a question concerning housing, health care, social concerns or anything regarding seniors in the Orlando / Central Florida area.

Holly asks Jeff about his new endeavors working with the Prime Sports Network. Jeff has a weekly golf podcast at 8 pm Wednesday's.

Furyk's win at the RBC Heritage in Harbor town marked his 17th win on Tour, that includes a major championship and a close call on a second major. Jeff revisited Furyk's unfortunate errant shot on 16 that cost him a possible second major championship years ago. He lost to Jason Dufner at the PGA Championship in 2013. and has finished second twice at the U.S. Open.

Jeff pointed out that Furyk's game is well-suited for Harbor Town and that is why he played so well, but he's 

at a disadvantage in wide open courses like this week's course at a tournament.

Holly asks Jeff about the play of Jordan Spieth over the past 7 months. Jeff stated that he feels Spieth is the best golfer in the world over the past seven months, especially with everything that Spieth has accomplished. He won 3 tournaments on 3 continent. 

Damon Hack, The Golf Channel, calls in to talk to Holly and Jeff about the Furyk and Friends Golf Tournament charity event in Jacksonville, Fla., that Damon and Furyk took part in on Monday in Ponte Vedre the day following the RBC Heritage. 

Holly asks Damon his take on Jordan Spieth's success at such a young age. Damon says that Spieth he tries to learn from others like Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Brandel Chamblee. "He isn't out there playing like he knows everything about the game, instead he is all about improving his game.

With Spieth's success, Holly, Jeff and Damon discuss the future of pro golf and talk about this new generation of pro golfers and how some of them aren't fazed by the big moments. "If you think about it, Jordan has only played 8 professional rounds at Augusta and he finished second last year and won this year.  

Terrie Purdum, Southern Golf Central Magazine, wraps up the hour speaking with Holly and Jeff about the 16 years she has been in business publishing Florida Golf Central, (now Southern Golf Central). Terrie is asking listeners and readers to send in photos of fathers playing with their sons for the upcoming Father's Day issue. Over the years Terrie and her staff have covered more charity events in the area than any other publication. Now they have expanded to become Southern Golf Central and online their e magazine has a circulation of more than 180,000. 

The Golf Insiders 04-13-15 Post Masters Show

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 on Monday evening for a SPECIAL Masters wrap up show, sponsored by SuperStroke, talking about Jordan Spieth amazing win at Augusta. Spieth plays SuperStroke's Flatso 1.0 and has since 2013.

Spieth went wire-to-wire with a record shattering performance at Augusta to win his first Major Championship at the age of 21 years old. In the process several former major champions were hot on his heels. Rich talks about the Masters.org live stream which was outstanding. Rich was watching Amen Corner.

Shout out to The Golf Channel for their amazing coverage including Todd Lewis' interview with Spieth after the win.

Holly reads what Jack Nicklaus said about Spieth.  Rich points out that Spieth got on the tour with a sponsor's exemption in 2013 and won the John Deere Classic and earned his way on tour and is now the second ranked player in the Official World Golf Rankings. 

Brian Hewitt, former editor of the Global Golf Post, calls in to talk to Holly and Rich about the Masters. "One thing we tend to do is canonize whoever won on Sunday, a short memory thing. What we saw yesterday was special and it was an arrival

You have two guys, one 25 and one 21 poised to take the game forward.  Brian says that the game of golf hasn't had anything like this for a turning point since Tiger won in 1997. He says it is so refreshing how both Rory McIlroy and Spieth are candid with everyone.

Brian shared that when Spieth was asked how is he able to stay humble ... "For me to sit here and talk about how I am able to stay humble would not be humble," Spieth said. 

Rich feels that the hardest thing for Spieth will be on the first tee next year when he tees it up and thinks about trying to match his 18-under-par.

Two guys finished at 14 under and Rory at 12 under and those numbers would might have won about 90% of Masters in the past. Holly talked about how Spieth has learned from his second place finish at Augusta last year and how he has become a student of the game and prepared himself to win.

The trio talk about how throughout the tournament Spieth made the putts he needed to make time and time again. 

Who does Jordan Spieth remind you of... not one golfer but a hybrid of a couple.

Holly and Rich B talk about SuperStroke grips and the history of them and how easy it is to get one for your putters.

Jeff Shain, PGATour.com, calls in from the road to talk to Holly and Rich about the Masters and Sunday's amazing display by Spieth. He never let anyone breathe down his neck. Every time someone got to within 3 strokes, Spieth put the hammer down. Jeff feels that he and Rory could be a formidable rivalry for years and years to come.

Holly asks Jeff what it will take Spieth to get to #1 in the OWGR. If Spieth continues to play like he plays well in the next few tournaments, it might not take him long.

Holly asks Jeff who his pick is for the upcoming RBC Heritage. Jeff feels that Luke Donald has five top 3 finishes in the past six tournaments, so this could be the week to win it. Click here for Jeff Shain's first look at the RBC.

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek, calls in to wrap up the hour of intelligent golf talk. Babineau says that Spieth is so polished at 21 that you forget that he is that young.  "I love his heart, and love the way he scores. He's a great champion," Babineau said.

Holly discusses with Jeff Babineau about the fact that Spieth didn't let his foot off the gas. Jeff says that his choice to do that paid off. Others in the past have let the foot off the gas and it has come back to bite them.

Rich feels that Rory might find this first major to be his Achilles heel since its the first major of the year. Babineau wrote an article about just that for Golfweek's back page.

Holly and Babineau talk about all the other golfers who have played several times in the past and are still trying to figure out the puzzle that is Augusta. 

The Golf Insiders 04-08-2015

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 and Rich B are in the studio on the eve of the the Masters. JB Holmes beat Jordan Spieth and Johnson Wagner in a playoff at the Shell Houston Open. 

Garry Smits, Florida Times-Union talks to Holly about Tiger being loose. Way more than ever at a major championship. Holly and Garry discuss the fact that other marquee players are benefiting from Tiger Woods playing in the Masters as the focus shifts more to Tiger allowing players like Rory McIlroy and Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth to fly need the radar.  

Tiger has been working his butt off but has not been ready prior to this time.

Garry points out that in the past Tiger has always beenable to put himself against the world, or the course and build that up In his mind for motivation and take his game to a different level. 

The trio talk about the fact that Tiger is now a father and Garry says that fatherhood helped Jack Nicklaus, so maybe there's a little bit of a higher calling now for Tiger ... being a father.  Tiger may be more relaxed now.

Holly and Garry discuss Jordan Spieth. Garry states that Spieth's stats may not be earth shattering but he gets it in the hole. He is able to recover from errant shots and gives himself opportunities. He also putts well from 6-20 foot away and is able to save par. 

Kip Ingle, The Golf Auction.com, calls in from Augusta to talk to Holly about the massive global online auction. There will be more than 900 items to bid on. One of the featured items for bid is Jack Fleck's 1955 Ben Hogan 2-9 irons he used to upset Hogan. Fleck was the young professional who came from behind to beat Hogan in 1955. Considered one of the biggest upsets in golf, Fleck was a virtually unknown touring pro from Iowa. He prevented Hogan from winning a record 5th U.S. Open title forcing an 18-hole playoff at the 1955 Open, and did so using a custom made set of Ben Hogan irons. Hogan’s company began making clubs in 1953. They were the only two in the field playing with Ben Hogan clubs.

Ingle states that there will be a wide range of items including autographed golf balls, bags, flags, etc. Masters memorabilia.

The Golf Auction sold one of the original 1934 Masters tickets for more than 30k.  The online auction runs through Sunday. 

 Todd Lewis,The Golf Channel, calls in from Augusta. Lewis reported that Kevin Streelman won the Par 3 contest. His caddie was a Make A Wish recipient with inoperable cancer.

Holly asks Todd about Tiger. He says that this is definitely a different Tiger. Todd feels that Tiger is lowering the expectations of the fan. He is maturing and other reasons Tiger has changed. He points out that people want to see what's going on with Tiger's game both good and bad. 

Todd told the story of how Ben Crenshaw pulled into the Champions parking lot and Tiger Woods was there. Tiger spoke with Ben and asked him who he was playing with in his final Masters practice round. Ben said Jordan Spieth, a fellow Texan. Tiger asked Ben if he could play the practice round with them and Mr Crenshaw said yes. 

Todd's Masters picks: He likes JB Holmes and Keegan as sleepers. Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson Jimmy Walker are Todd's favorites to win Masters.

Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in and talks with Holly about ANA Inspiration ... The first major of season for LPGA won by Brittany Lincicome. Steve said that it was one of the best competitions this year. She beat Stacey Lewis after an eagle on the 18th to force a playoff. The playoff took 3 holes.

Holly and Steve talk about the Masters, the expected weather and some of the players who Steve feels that will be in contention. He likes Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker. 

Holly brings up Phil Mickelson. Steve says that Phil has a masterful command of the greens at Augusta.

Rich B picked Henrik Stenson and Holly chose Matt Kuchar to win the Masters. 

The Golf Insiders 04-01-2015

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 and Rich are in the studio talking about Jimmy Walker's win at the Valero Texas Open.

Holly and Rich were both able to get out and play some golf recently. Holly was in a member guest tournament at Orange Tree and Rich played the Waldorf.

Holly and Rich talk about Tiger possibly playing in the Masters.

 Shout out to 

Terrie Purdum celebrating 16 years Florida Golf Central Magazine now Southern Golf Central Magazine.

Bob Harig, ESPN.Com, talks to Holly about his article covering Tiger playing practice round. Played with two members. Suggests Tiger will play in The Masters.

Jimmy Walker was first to win twice on tour this season. Holly talks about Walker's success heading into the Masters.

Bob and Holly discuss Adam Scott's decision of going back to long putter for Masters. Bob said with the shorter putter that Scott putted well at Doral but didn't putt well after that. Even though the anchored putter ban coming he has no qualms with Scott using it now.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in from Shell Houston Open and talks about the golf course.  Todd said that the week before first major they try to set up certain conditions around the green to simulate Augusta and that the people at the Shell Houston Open understand that.

Todd talks about Jimmy Walker's chances at Augusta. ... he feels that Walker is a genuine threat to win .

Holly asks if Todd Tiger showing up at Masters is good for Rory McIlroy? The Golf Channel is airing the Drive, Chip and Putt championship this weekend.

Holly updates listeners on the LPGA and talks to Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, about the LPGA and the ANA, the season's first major championship. Talk about Players like Michelle Wie and Stacey Lewis. Steve points out that Lydia Ko could win her first major this week.