Share
Talk Birdie To Me
Ep189: Massive Show: Brooks, Bryson, Elvis, Rory, plus The Australian Open date.
After a break through January and a fantastic collection of holiday mini's, Nick and Mark are back today with a massive first pod of 2026! So much to discuss, we barely know where to start, so we've decided to just hook in and see where the chat goes.
By the way, Nick has come back physically injured - or at least he was, and he's on the mend. Mark has come back emotionally injured due to an issue with his handicap. So both are tender. Dan's fine.
We start with the big news a fortnight or so back about Brooks returning to the PGA, what it means, the impact of it, and Nick talks through the PGA 'Returning Member Programme' and what the criteria is. Mark discusses the rumoured offer that may have come, or may be coming, to Bryson - the numbers are mind-bending. Nick says that ironically, given they're not the best of friends, Brooks leaving has given Bryson huge leverage.
Mark has gotten in trouble over the break and is not allowed to name his 'source' in the US of much of his rumour and scuttlebutt. He can still reveal said rumour and scuttlebutt, however he just can't name the source.....if you've been listening for a while you will know who that is. But....Mark has said that his mail is that whilst the PGA paid the fine that was on the table for Brooks, they also made the same offer to Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. The plot thickens
We discuss Elvis Smylie signing with LIV. Nick is good mates with Elvis and Mark wants to know if Nick knew it was coming and kept it from us. Nick is curious about the fine situation - Elvis has told Nick he'll be playing DPWT events, so who pays the fine? Particularly as LIV are now now longer paying Rahm and Hatton's fines. Mark estimates what he thinks Elvis has signed with LIV for. It's a boatload. On fines - Rory had some comments last week about them, and we have a listen to what he said....particularly in the context of The Presidents Cup.
Back on Elvis - Mark says having no money concerns is likely to help Elvis' game. Nick disagrees and says often having that much cash can have the opposite effect on a player. Speaking of money. Scheffler has cracked $100 million PGA Tour earnings. Wow. And his stats from 2025 are exceptional, Nick runs through them.
Mark raises The Australian Open date (again!), given the next couple of weeks is precisely the time that he feels it should be on, and he explains why he feels that way again, saying Golf Australia should be in a room with Brian Rolapp to organise it, at the very least make the effort to explore it.
And we head to the turn by remembering last weeks Hostplus Guest pod with Peter Senior - huge feedback on it, it was a ripper. If you've not yet heard it then go back in the feed and listen or watch, it was a lot of fun. Particularly a certain story involving Spain. And we had a lot of minis over the break - if you were busy with family stuff or away, understandable, but worth catching up when you can - the majority are quite short and easy listens.
After The Turn, for Betr, Nick lists the Top 5 things that were surprising to him over the break....unintentional, but there is a LIV lean to the Top 5 including a whack from both Nick and Mark for one particular thing that LIV did recently.
Thanks to BMW - Mark's Touch of Class today is great, it's a young gun (18-years old!) from the US who did something amazing last week, he's got a bright future ahead of him, Mark explains what he did and why it was so impressive. Unfortunately Nick then takes the pod down a risky path putting our podcast license at risk.
We get back on track with Hostplus' 'That's a Plus' for Golf, we've given that to Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA as an indication of the best players coming back together. And speaking of Hostplus, if you have a guest you'd like on the pod - let us know!
Mark's talked a big game with the Masterclass today. Tip of the year, maybe of the century. You decide. And then Nick brings us home with the PING Global results , plenty to run through.
We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:
- Hostplus, Talk Birdie To Me's official retirement partner
- BMW, luxury and comfort for the 19th hole;
- Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;
- FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;
- Golf Clearance Outlet, they beat everyone's prices;
- Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia;
- The Find My Player app - follow every player on every tour;
- And Southern Golf Club.
More episodes
View all episodes
Friday Feedback: 'Golf Would be a Better Game if Titanium was never allowed', Golf Etiquette, More on Wyndham Clark, and why 'Weeds' in golf are a real issue.
28:16||Season 4, Ep. 0Controversial start to the Friday Feedback pod as Mark Allen defames Dan, there will be legal action being instigated as soon as Dan has sought counsel from the official Talk Birdie legal representative Dennis Denuto. But in the meantime, on with the show.02:00 Some feedback from a few wolfpackers on Wyndham Clark and his recent actions, Mark reiterates that Wyndham is on the watchlist for the moment, and he clearly is not careful enough being 'seen' to do the right thing.06:00 Can you legally smash your club into the ground before hitting the ball? Turns out you can. Nick and Mark explain when it is allowable.07:00 In a hugely impactful move potentially, does Mark need to put Nick O'Hern on the watchlist over dodgy tactics?09:00 Mark uses horticulture as an analogy for golf, saying that there are many things that occur in golf that are 'weeds' that should have been picked out way back when, and now they've grown.10:30 Mark says 'Titanium' is a weed and should never have been allowed in golf.12:00 Should you be required to have a license to play golf? In Norway apparently you do, is it a good idea?14:00 Nick explains the idiosyncrasies of being a member of Sunningdale in the UK15:00 Mark says that in his view if you are a 14-15 handicapper, you are a very good player, and he explains his thinking (that's good news for Dan!).After the turn...17:00 We reveal the 7th person in the draw to win a trip to play The Cliffs at Kangaroo Island with Mark and course architect Darius Oliver. A few more days to enter, entries close Midnight Monday September 8th (AEST).18:00 Chat about Jack Nicklaus winning the Australian Open at Royal Hobart and whether there are pics all over the club of Jack...surely there must be?19:00 Plenty of feedback on cutting down putters21:00 Nick talks about Tiger 'punching' his putts and explains what Tiger's thinking was.22:00 Mark talks about the best amateur putter he ever saw25:00 And Nick and Mark discuss Tour Pro Terry Price's swing (sensational) and his putting (less so), with Mark saying that he'd have taken Terry's bad golf swings any day!Have a great weekend, see you on Monday!☎️ Voicemail: Brett from Sydney on Trumps Courses
00:45||Season 4, Ep. 0On yesterday's show we kicked around the idea that the LIV whale might be Trump, not investing himself but doing so through the US government and thus positioning himself as the 'saviour' of LIV. Were he to do so, we suggested he would be insisting that LIV plays at primarily golf courses that he owns or bear his name, seems a very Trump thing to do and Nick listed off a few that fit that criteria. Brett from St Michael's Golf Club in Sydney heard the show and wanted to clarify that one of the courses mentioned is closed for renovations, and has been for nearly a decade...Brett left us a short voicemail.Bonus: Presidents Cup Teams are a Lock. Nick and Mark analyse the Players picked. And name the pick they'd both have left out.
13:20||Season 4, Ep. 0Today saw the announcement of the final teams for the Presidents Cup teams, both the US team and the Internationals.On our show earlier this morning, prior to the announcement, Nick and Mark picked who they thought would make the teams, how did they go, did all their picks make it and who did they miss?Jason Day was not picked, we suspect due to injury, and there was one great surprise in the US team. And who is the player picked who both Nick and Mark say that they would not have picked. We analyse the two teams, and pick which team should win the tournament in late September.A bonus breaking news mini today on this magnificent event, the Presidents Cup!220. Ep220: By numbers, Scheffler 'Twice as good as Rory', Who's the LIV 'Whale'? We pick Presidents Cup Teams...and Mark Destroys the episode...literally.
40:56||Season 4, Ep. 220We all know the famous line from Jim Nantz 'a tradition unlike any other'. Well today we're paraphrasing Jim and it is a Talk Birdie To Me episode unlike any other. We'll start at the end.At the 38-minute mark of the show, Mark accidentally hit Nicks mic with his hand (see the moment here), disconnecting Nick's mic and meaning the rest of the show (Global Highlights and Feedback) had no audio from Nick. So we had to scrap those segments and cut from the Top 5 straight to the Masterclass (which uses different microphones).Nick and Dan are considering what Marks punishment should be. We're open to suggestions. That said - the first 38 minutes of the show were a cracker and we hope you enjoy a somewhat shortened version of Talk Birdie To Me this week!01:00 Schefflers win at the weekend, we look at his playing stats, and earning stats.....all amazing.03:00 Nick reveals and incredible Scheffler stat which Mark immediately christens as our BMW Touch of Class for the week.06:00 Strokeplay vs Matchplay ?08:00 The Viktor Hovland sand incident....any issues or nothing to see here?09:00 The 'nobility' of golf rules. We're looking directly at Patrick Reed.10:00 LIV update - unpaid vendors, player settlements for a fraction of what they're owed, and Mark talks through an idea he has read about and loves about the big players chipping in to cover the money owing to vendors.12:00 Mark is going to call a contact in Adelaide to see if there are any insights into the planning for LIV Adelaide next year14:00 Who is the LIV Whale, and could it be Trump? We examine why it might possibly be and why he might get involved.16:00 Whether it's Trump or someone else, can any whale save LIV if the big name players aren't there?17:00 Presidents Cup is close! Some picks are locked in. We notionally appoint Nick as captain of the Internationals, given he played for them, and Mark as captain of the US team, and they each pick the rest of their team. Nick is shocked by one of Mark's selections.24:00 Nick says it will be tough for the internationals, the US team is so strong and the depth of talent huge. He also reiterates his long-held view that the Presidents Cup should be a mixed format.25:00 Our Plus for golf for Hostplus this week is Steve Alker. Mark explains why. Well deserved.26:40 Michel Block. Tool or Fun Showman?30:00 Today the Top 5 for Betr is Mark listing the Top 5 reasons why Scottie Schefflers swing works, even though Mark does not understand how.35:00 Nick saw a chat with Scheffler and Brandel Chamblee this week which he loved, we listen to some of it.36:00 Nick contrasts attitude between Rory and Scottie.And then it happens. Just before the 38-minute point, Mark gesticulates with his right hand and bashes into Nicks mic, breaking it, meaning Nick is off mic for the next 20 minutes of the show....which has ended up on the cutting room floor sadly as we were not aware of it at the time. Bloody Marko.But, as the masterclass uses different microphones so we can still get to that for the Golf Clearance Outlet, and Nick today talks through using the tee area to your advantage.Apologies for the tech issue this week, rest assured Mark will be suitably punished and no doubt mercilessly mocked on the next show.Monday Mini: Cutting Shafts, Gripping Down, and how do Swing Weights work?
09:45||Season 4, Ep. 0Todays Monday Mini is inspired from a voicemail from wolfpacker Asher in New Zealand who has a question about his irons.Asher was listening to our recent ep where Kell was on and was missing to the left with his driver, and Asher is interested to know rather than cutting his shaft, does gripping down achieve a similar outcome? Nick and Mark run through Asher's question and kick around grip techniques, and talk about some pros who grip down. Mark talks through swing weights and how to ensure that if you dod cut an inch off your shaft, how to ensure your club is weighted appropriately.And we finish talking about a gun Tour Pro with perhaps the most unfortunate name in golf.Weekend Mini: Could a Tri-Series comp work, if so how should it be Structured? Nick and Mark discuss.
07:45||Season 4, Ep. 0Cos why not? We thought we'd smash out a quick weekend Talk Birdie Mini today.Wolfpacker Andrew has an idea for a new tournament that he believes would match the Ryder Cup. It's a tri-series featuring three countries. Nick and Mark hear Andrews idea, put it on the blocks and see how it could work in this hypothetical situation and run through the players that would be eligible for the teams, Could it match the Ryder Cup? It's a big call....do Nick and Mark agree?A fun hypothetical weekend mini, enjoy your Sunday !!!Friday Feedback: A Listener tells Mark to 'Get Over Yourself'...ouch. Plus, we talk Tapering on Tour, and a Slow Play Enforcement Idea
30:15||Season 4, Ep. 0The weekends nearly here, hope you've got some downtime, some family time, and some golf time planned! Today on our Friday Feedback pod we have a lot of fun, although we start with Mark thinking for some reason he is qualified to give medical advice and makes some observations on the cut that Dan has on his head from the kitchen cupboard. Helpful from Mark.After we get through that, onto the golf chat....!01:00 Peter has some thoughts on bunker play to run by Nick and Mark.02:00 We chat about some of the great South African bunker players.04:00 We love Chooky Fowler, but he could occasionally play slow. If you've not seen our chat with him, google Chooky Fowler and Talk Birdie To Me and it will come up.05:00 A question about Nick and Marks fitness regime during non competition weeks when they were on the tour, and how did they manage their motivation.06:30 We talk about the importance, as a pro, of tapering.08:00 Nick talks about how Tiger would prepare for competition09:00 How Augusta get the course ready for The Masters in the weeks leading up, and how brilliant it is for the members.10:30 Plenty of feedback on our Claude Harmon 3rd show last week. It was a ripper, if you haven't listened or watched, well worth doing.14:00 Comment from a wolfpacker on Cam's putting when he won The Open Championship15:00 Some comments on LIV and where it's at, and its legacy.After the turn:18:00 We put our next finalist in the draw to win. trip to Kangaroo Island to play 18 holes at The Cliffs with the architect Darius Oliver and Mark Allen.20:00 Phil has an idea on the policing of slow play, inspired by the Olympics, Nick and Mark are big fans.23:00 A wolfpacker gives mark a serve telling him to 'get over himself'25:00 A fun comment on a piece of commentary that a wolfpacker heard during The Open Championship a couple of months ago that they thought Mark particularly might enjoy. He does.27:00 And a spur of the moment top 5 'blinkered' players in tournaments.A fun Friday Feedback show today, we'll have a bonus mini this weekend, it's a cracker so keep an eye out for that on Saturday morning - or Sunday, depending on if we're playing golf and couldn't be arsed coming in on Saturday.Hit em well !!Bonus Mini: Nick on Playing with Bryson: 'He was Different, Unusual, and Unbelievable Length'
10:22||Season 4, Ep. 0A fun mini ep today where Nick and Mark answer a couple of questions from wolfpacker Jeff about a conversation on last weeks main show.Mark was talking about cutting the shaft on your irons, and Jeff is interested to hear Nick and Marks thoughts on running the same length irons in your bag across the whole set, the same as Bryson does. What are the advantages, what are the disadvantages? We kick it around for a whole and discuss the pros and cons. Given Bryson is an obvious reference, he comes up, and Nick talks about playing with him when he (Bryson) was an amateur at Huntingdale, describing him at that time as unique, different, and with extraordinary length - Nick tells the story of Bryson monstering a short Par 4.Great question from Jeff, and excellent short mini ep today to hook into!219. Ep219: Our LIV Insider says: 'Jon Rahm, Tyrell Hatton, Ian Poulter are Gone'. Has Wyndham Clark been dodgy (again)? And Nick wants a Shot Clock.
01:05:56||Season 4, Ep. 219HUGE show today. So much to discuss, and we start with some more inside info from Mark's LIV insider in the US, he reads the texts.01:00 Info from inside LIV Golf from Marks LIV insider. He names four players who are definitely (according to his intel) leaving LIV, three players who are likely to be out, and one (not Bryson) who is all in.02:30 The players who are bullish on LIV 2.0, are bullish pending access to the majors, in other words whether they get meaningful ranking points on LIV or not.04:00 The insider says LIV will file for bankruptcy in the next 3-weeks, however there is a 'whale' in the background ready to invest in 2.005:00 Staff will be exited mid-September, with some rehired following the restructure07:00 Mark says that LIV has proved that golf starved areas will respond with big crowds and the PGAT will have noticed this.10.30 We discuss Brysons comments after the weekends LIV tournament.12.30 Nick says Bryson is a content dream and great for golf15:00 Mark has an update to his watchlist, with a player making a move following the weekend.17:00 We watch the video of Wyndham from the weekend....should he be penalised?20:00 Nick - we need a shot clock in golf.21:30 Mark has found himself on Golf Australia's watchlist after last weeks Top 5 where he listed 5 things he reckons GA have gotten wrong.22:00 We chat to Heath McLeod, Tournament Director of the PGA tour of Australasia who addresses Marks comments about playing in pairs at weekend in the AO. He explains why the AO had 3-balls at the weekend last year.26:00 For Hostplus, our plus for golf this week from Mark goes to Rory McIlroy....Mark explains.28:30 And for BMW, Nick awards his touch of class to Scottie Scheffler, when compared to Rory McIlroy.After the turn:31:00 We put our 6th person in the draw to play The Cliffs at Kangaroo Island with Mark and course architect Darius Oliver....two more people to go! Link to enter on our socials.32:00 For Betr, Nick's Top 5 good, bad, and whacky things that LIV has given us.38:00 Onto feedback....we start with a question about LIV players and the Presidents Cup40:00 A comment on last weeks chat about some players being 'scared off the leaderboard'. Nick and Mark talk about playing in Canada and how much they loved it.42:00 Comment on our 'weird and wonderful' putting strokes conversation from last week.43:00 Comments on Aaron Baddely, and Mark talks about his irons and how unusual they were.45:30 Last week Mark said most members of clubs wouldn't mind giving their course over to a major tournament, one listener disagreed and explains why.46:00 Mark talks about the calibre of courses juniors used to play on in qualifiers years ago.48:00 An interesting message on our hypothetical 'fast 3-ball vs slow 3-ball' concept from last week.49:30 Plenty for Nick to discuss in the Global highlights.51:30 And the boys got a message from Tour Pro Zach Murray who enjoyed the chat with Claude Harmon 3rd last week....if you haven't seen Zach's YouTube channel, do yourself a favour it's a ripper. Check it out here.59:00 Mark saw a video from Jason Day last week with him trying something - Mark gave it a crack at the weekend and it worked well. He explains it for us for the Golf Clearance Outlet in todays masterclass.Big show, touch longer than usual, too much golf to discuss !!!!