The Golf Insiders

The Golf Insiders 03/19/14 Sponsored by CS2

PODCAST NOTE: Users can add The Golf Insiders podcast to their iPhone as an app now. 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.

This episode of the Golf Insiders is sponsored by the CS2/Ian Poulter Putting Training Aid.  

The Golf Insiders returns for its 6th season with Holly G and Rich Bianco in the studio talking about Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. News of late is that Tiger Woods pulled out of the tournament still suffering from back issues. His status for the Masters is still up in the air.

Holly and Rich were at the news conference at Bay Hill earlier today and have a few audio clips from the King.

Arnold Palmer talks about the golf course and its condition at Bay Hill. The greens will be running fast around 12-13 on the Stimp meter. He says the fairways are in great condition after 36 events. 

Arnold also spoke about Tiger not being able to play in his tournament. Tiger called Mr Palmer and relayed his regrets for not being able to play but it was what his doctor advised. He thinks Tiger needs to take some time off. He feels that if he was in the same position that he would have done the same.

Arnold also discussed the possibility of Tiger breaking Jack Nicklaus' major championship record. Arnold feels the fact that there is not a player out there now that instills fear in golfers on the Pro Tour that would cause them to back off.  He thinks it lessens the possibilities of that happening. These young guys are tough and strong and are coming on. Players have to be physically and mentally fit.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in from the press center at Bay Hill and talks to Holly and Rich about Tiger Woods and his health. Bob speculates what may be wrong with Tiger since Tiger has not been that forthcoming about the specifics of the injury. Bob also compares the back injury to Freddie Couples who has played with back injuries for 20 years or so.

Bob and Holly talk about Justin Rose comming off his shoulder problem and what his chances at Bay Hill this week. They also discuss Patrick Reed's comments that he is equal in talent to the Top 5 pros on the PGA Tour.

Todd Lewis, the Golf Channel, calls in to talk to Holly and Rich about Bay Hill and all things golf. Todd brings up the point if Tiger is able to play at Augusta, where is his game at? He has only made a number of starts this season and has had to withdraw due to injuries at some of the events.  Where is his confidence?

Rich asks Todd about Tiger's golf swing and is it the right one for him since it seems to be beating his body down.

Todd feels that Reed might be one of the guys to beat this week the way he has been playing, striking the ball and putting. Jimmie Walker has also won a few times this year. 

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek Editor, calls in from Bay Hill to wrap up the show.  Jeff talks about the course and how it sets up for the tournament. Holly and Jeff discuss the chances of players like Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Graham McDowell and other players who have played well at the Arnold Palmer in the past.

The Golf Insiders 11/20/13

PODCAST NOTE: Users can add The Golf Insiders podcast to their iPhone as an app now. 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 Bianco are in the studio and they open the show talking about Henrik Stenson's win at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai to claim the European Tour's Race to Dubai. 

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls into the show to discuss Stenson's achievements by winning both Tour's penultimate season ending events and how they rank among the other PGA Tour players and golfers worldwide.

Holly talks to Bob about Stenson's comeback on the Tour after falling outside the Top 200 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in and talks to Holly and Rich B about his recent trip to Australia and the tournaments Adam Scott's recent win there. Scott won the Australian PGA by four strokes and then followed it up with a win the Australian Masters for second consecutive year.

Lewis feels that going forward in the next few events that Scott will be definitely the one to watch and he looks for him to be in hunt on the weekend.

Holly and Rich B talk about the Q Schools that are going on right now and some local players who are trying to land their Tour card for next year.

Holly and Rich B talk with Lance Ringler, Assistant Editor at Golfweek who covers college golf. Alabama is atop the college standings. Lance said that there is not been a better team than Alabama in collegiate golf right now. In January, California was the talk of upcoming season and was looking to be the best one on the collegiate tour.

Lance said that there are a collegiate men golfer out there like Patrick Rodgers, Stanford, and Brandon Hagy from California who are typically thought of as the best and he said they are doing well this year, but now there are a lot of new names like Trey Mulinax from Alabama who is typically the team's Number 4 or Number 5 golfer is ranked No. 1 in the country. Ben Krasner from Texas A&M is playing really well too.

Holly and Lance talk about the success of Jordan Speith on the PGA Tour. Lance was totally surprised of how well he did. The best place to prepare yourself for the PGA Tour or Web.com Tour is collegiate golf. Lance refers to the success of Georgia alums over the past couple of years on the PGA Tour.

The trio also talk about women's collegiate golf. UCLA and USC are right at the top of the standings. Lance feels that the west coast has the top women's teams are at.

Holly and Rich talk about the Space Coast Pro Tour and the recent winners as well as upcoming tournaments. 

Terrie Purdum, Florida Golf Central Magazine, calls in to talk quickly about the CME Titleholders event in Naples for the LPGA. You can also get a free Bocceiri grip by going on Florida Golf Central Magazine and liking them on Facebook and liking Bocceiri as well.

The Golf Insiders Show will be off for the holiday.

The Golf Insiders 11/6/13

PODCAST NOTE: Users can add The Golf Insiders podcast to their iPhone as an app now. 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 Bianco are in the studio and they open the show talking to Jane Blalock, 27-time LPGA winner and a founding member and CEO LPGA Legends Tour. The trio talk about the upcoming ISPS Handa Open Championship.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to the show to talk to Holly and Rich about Dustin Johnson's win over Ian Poulter. Johnson won by three strokes to win the World Golf Championships - HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, China. 

The trio talk about the European Tour and the possibility of Henrik Stenson being the first player to win the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai championship. 

Holly mentions the ReMax Long Drive Championship was won by Orlando's Tim Burke.  The finals were broadcasted by The Golf Channel.

Vartan Kupelian calls in to talk to Holly and Rich about Fred Couples winning the season-ending Champions Tour Schwab Cup Championship and Kenny Perry won the Charles Schwab Cup ending the yearlong points race to earn the extra $1 million annuity.

Michael Collins, ESPN.com, calls in to talk about the PGA Tour caddies. PGA Tour caddies are forming an association similar to the one the rules officials have. Caddies are independent contractors that work for the players and not the PGA Tour. PGA Tour caddies are vying for Health Benefits and the Retirement benefits now. Michael is saying that this is a business more than it used to be before. It's big business so there is no going out partying all night before a tournament. PGA Tour caddies want to be recognized as a business. Michael also talks about good caddys and great ones.

The Golf Insiders 10/30/13

PODCAST NOTE: Users can add The Golf Insiders podcast to their iPhone as an app now. 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 Bianco are in the studio talking about all the great local golf courses in the Central Florida area that are in prime playing condition now. Hunter's Creek, Errol Estate, Reunion Resort and many more.

Ryan Moore's win at the CIMB Classic as well as the breaking news about Brandel Chamblee's comments on the Golf Channel.

Holly gives a shout out to the Space Coast Pro Tour's second event. Adam Schupak has an article coming out in the Nov. 8 edition of Golfweek about the Space Coast Pro Tour and mini tours.

Jeff Babineau, Editor Golfweek, calls in right after Chamblee's comments were made on the Golf Channel which was live during the broadcast of this week's Golf Insiders Show. Brandle apologized for his comments and said that he should have just left his comments that Tiger was a little cavalier about with the rules of golf this year. All the incidents that Tiger dealt with rules wise during the 2013 season. 

Jeff talks about the WGC HSBC event coming up in Shanghai. Jeff talks about how many of the Top 50 in the world competing half way across the globe.  It's a nice two-week string of golf in Asia and that it is gaining a foothold on the PGA Tour.

Holly and Rich also talk to Jeff about the Race to Dubai as well as Lydia Ko going pro. Jeff feels that Lydia can handle it and has proven it twice already that she is mature even at the young age of 16.

Jeff also talks to Holly about the Long Drive competition and James Achenbach's series on the history of the Long Drive Championship. 

Vartan Kupelian, PGA Tour.com, calls in to talk about the season ending event on the Champions Tour, the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. Vartan talks about the success of Bernhard Langer, Kenny Perry and newcomer Duffy Waldorf.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to wrap up another episode of intelligent golf talk. Bob talks about the incident with Brandel Chamblee and gives his take on the whole issue. Bob and Holly also talk about the upcoming events in golf. The Race to Dubai coming to an end. The Race to Dubai is a season-long competition spanning a minimum of 46 tournaments in 25 countries and all five continents on The 2013 European Tour International Schedule. Henrik Stenson leads followed by Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter. 

Bob and Holly also talk about Ryan Moore's prestigious amateur career not parlaying into a lucrativePGA Tour career, with only 3 wins in 8 years.