Talk Birdie To Me

A Monday Mini today, and it is inspired by a comment from a wolfpacker who listened to our recent Graham Marsh episode, where Swampy talked about his career - including significant work designing golf courses. They suggested Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen should design a golf course....and we thought, okay, if Nick and Mark were to design a course what elements would they make sure were there, what style of course would it be, what would they build?So we asked.What are the must have elements?What par would the course be, and would it be different in tournament golf (of course).We pick the mix of par 3's, 4's, 5's.Are there any holes at other courses that they might take inspiration from?And a sideline where we chat about the time when Metropolitan Golf Course hosted the World Matchplay, Mark tells a couple of stories.Nick muses over whether the opening hole should be a 'warm handshake' or a 'kick in the teeth'.Mark is a fan of having a quirk on the course, he names a couple of quirks that he likes. He also would like plaques around the course, so it is 'dripping with history'.We discuss the style of clubhouse we'd build, and some of the elements that would be included in the clubhouse.Would there be a driving range? Mark is keen on having a Team Matchplay comp at the course.Nick is keen for the final hole to be a risk/reward hole. Mark agrees, as long as it is not a big green.So there it is. In about 15 minutes, Nick and Mark have designed a cracking golf course (and club house). Now we just need to find $100 million or so and we can build it !Let us know if you reckon we've missed anything that should be included in the course, or if you disagree with any of the inclusions.

Can't believe it's friday already, yet here we are....and another Friday Feedback pod, a big one today. We start by chatting about the inaugural 'World Thank a PGA Pro Day', which is today! 01:00 We talk about World Thank a PGA Pro Day, what it's all about and what it is designed to achieve. 01:30 Mark names the Pro he'd like to thank and explains why this person has had such an impact on him, and what they did for him04:00 Nick names his Pro that he'd like to thank, and similarly outlines the reasons why. We'd love to hear your stories - who is the PGA Pro you'd like to thank and why?05:30 Onto the feedback - we start with a comment from Robert in Canada about Moe Norman and Calvin Peete.06:30 A question from (another) Robert in the United States about Aaron Rai's putting. It's an excellent question, and Nick and Mark discuss at length.10:00 Robert Allenby's putting.11:00 A question about pre-shot routines. Nick and Mark discuss why they're important and how to develop yours.14:00 Mark explains what footballers could learn from pro golfers.17:30 Speaking of footballers.....what is Essendon AFL star Matty Lloyd's connection to golf and how did it influence his footy career? Mark explains.After the turn:19:30 We announce the second (of eight) people to go in the draw to win a trip to The Cliffs at Kangaroo Island! If you haven't entered, hop to it, the details here.22:00 Mathew from Port Kembla Golf Club in beautiful Wollongong on a slow play rule that has been implemented at the club. Do Nick and Mark rate the rule or not?23:00 Justin played, as did Mark, the Shell Schoolboys event when hue was 14. He loved it, his parents loved it more.24:30 We run through 3 or 4 of the pick in our Monty caption contest - at least the ones that were clean enough to read out - and Nick and Mark (okay Mark) pick a winner of $250 to spend at the Golf Clearance Outlet.27:00 And we finish with a request from Jason for Nick and Mark to do something on a future show.That's our Friday Feedback show, have a ripper weekend!

A couple of weeks ago we had a voicemail from Tim on the Gold Coast asking Nick and Mark to list their Top 5 greatest golf swings ever, Tim suggested that on his list Vijay Singh and Fred Couples would be a lock. Do Nick and Mark agree with Tim on that? Do they agree with each other!On today's Mini, Nick and Mark construct in real time their absolute, rock-solid, Top 5 Greatest Swings of All Time - using the criteria of fundamentals and rhythm as their reference points. It would be fair to see this list evolves through the episode a number of times, both in content and order. And there is one legendary golfer Mark wants to put on the list who Nick vetoes!We'd love your thoughts in the comments. Have Nick and Mark got it right? Are they off the mark? Is there an obvious name they've missed?Love your input when you've had a listen to our Talk Birdie To Me Mini today.

Another big episode today, what a win from Lucas Herbert, that was quite the performance - 10 under in the last round, 11 under in the first round, to finish 30 under!!!01:00 We chat about Lucas' performance, and Team Ripper's win. 02:00 Not a bad payday for Travis Smythe.03:00 LIV's payments, are they being made, and what are the changes proposed by the LIV CEO - particularly with the teams event looking doubtful.04:00 Elvis Smylie - we'll try to get him on, he's our guy and he may have some insights into LIV. Mark asks Nick should he play a few more DPWT events?05:30 Mark gives Nick a new (hypothetical) job as life coach/manager for Lucas Herbert and wants Nick to outline next steps for Lucas.07:00 Should the PGA allow the LIV players to play the Challenger Tour?09:00 Should Lucas go to the DPWT or Challenger Tour?10.30 Where should Lucas be ranked all things considered. He is 69th at the moment, but where should he be?11.30 Mark and Nick talk about the emergence at the weekend of Jackson Koivun, his history, and his win at the 3M in only his 3rd professional start. We look at his performance, and his swing, which is brutal. 16:00 Nick and Mark call it a 'young mans' swing, and Nick does not believe he will be able to have this swing in 10-years time.18:00 Mark says that his spine is supple at the moment and can allow a swing like this, but it can't stay that way.19:00 However, Jackson Koivun is our Hostplus plus for golf this week....he does appear to be a very special player.20:00 Mark talks about Jackson's putting, and Nick has heard a few things about his mental strength and his confidence.23:00 Mark awards his BMW Touch of Class to Mark Mark Calcavecchia, Cam Percy and Richard Green collectively and explains why.24:30 Prior to the turn, Mark springs an idea on Nick and Dan without warning. He went to a fancy dinner last week, and had some feedback on his recent 'watchlist' of players he has a question mark over. He decides to have a running watchlist on the show.After the turn:30:00 The first ever World Thank a PGA Pro Day is coming up this friday, we chat about it and on Friday Nick and Mark will name the PGA Pro they'd like to thank.31:00 Nicks Top 5 for Betr - the young golfers who were touted as the 'next big things', however to some degree or another it didn't quite eventuate.38:00 For Southern Golf Club, plenty of feedback to run through....39:00 We start with Bryson, there was so much reaction to Marks comments about Bryson last week, we don't read any out, but there were a mountain of comments.40:00 There was plenty on our Graham Marsh chat, and universally positive as you'd expect.43:00 A question as to why we didn't discuss Scottie Scheffler's TIO relief at Royal Birkdale last week.46:00 Some feedback on Marks Top latecomers to golf.48:00 Nick takes us around the world in the Global Result highlights49:30 This is fun...Mark has a 59 to rate. This time Michael Kim's 59 from the 3M in Minnesota.55:00 And we wrap with a masterclass from Mark for the Golf Clearance Outlet, he has noticed Jackson Koivun doing something unusual with his practise swings on short putts, and talks through it.Phew...another big show !

A Monday Mini today following an email we received from Trigger. So, here's the scenario. Trigger's young fella is 6-years old, and loves his golf. At the moment he's just playing for fun, which is perfect. Trigger is wondering, and would like Nick and Mark's view, what is the right age to get his son some lessons or is it best to let him just keep playing for fun for now.Nick and Mark have some thoughts and chat through them, and give a couple of tips.We then talk about Nick and Marks first lessons, how old were they, who were the lessons from. Mark talks about what he learned from watching one guy at his club when he was a kid. Nick discusses the 'four ways' of learning to play golf, and explains how he rebuilt his swing using one of the techniques - which was coincidentally the same technique that Jack Nicklaus used.Mark tells a story, which he is unsure is true and asks if anyone can confirm or otherwise, about a golfer who went to prison for 15-years and rebuilt his swing successfully while in prison.And you may recall we offered a prize last week if anyone could provide video footage of Boo Weekley in the boxing ring with an orangutan....nobody was able to, but Pete did message us saying that whilst to his knowledge no footage exists, there was a chat on a US podcast where Boo talked about it. We play a clip on todays show - you can watch the full episode of that chat with Boo on the Dale Earnhardt Jnr podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBRgQo42t44Happy Monday !

Plenty of conversations over the last week or so on Bryson's actions at The Open Championship, and various different perspectives. Anthony from Victoria has a different angle on it, and left Nick and Mark a voicemail with his thoughts.

A Friday Feedback pod today, with plenty on the agenda to run through, including announcing the first person in the draw (there will be 8 ultimately in the draw) to win a trip for two to play The Cliffs at Kangaroo Island with Mark Allen and course designer Darius Oliver! But first, to your comments and questions:01:00 We had a lot of comments about Montys comments on slow play, and plenty of people sent the link to us. And many were interested that Mark and Monty might be in agreement on something. Nick and Mark delve into one of their favourite topics about things that should be banned, or enforced, in professional golf that would assist with dealing with slow play.03:00 Mark and Nick discuss how a fast player like Ryan Fox would feel about being partnered with a slow player like Keegan Bradley.04:00 Could a shot clock work in golf?05:00 More feedback on Monty's comments06:00 A few bits of feedback on Marks Tommy Fleetwood's comments from last week, including a MASSIVE whack for a certain Mr Allen.09:00 Mark outlines why he believes Tommy absolutely wants a major, and relates it on a different level to his career.10:30 Comment on Sir Nick Faldo's comments about tees from last weekAfter the turn:14:00 Kangaroo Island first winner16:00 Wolfpacker suggests a specific grip for driving and is interested in Nick and Marks thoughts18:00 Mark tells a great story about a Tour Pro, and names him, who won a tournament and was drunk every single day of the competition19:00 Carl saw something during The Open Championship that Lucas Herberts caddy was doing which he is curious about20:00 Chat about Lucas Herberts caddy, and caddies more broadly and how hard they work22:00 Slow play - specifically to do with the flag23:00 A wolfpacker mentions that they play better on courses that they don't know - Nick and Mark discuss their experiences on new courses24:00 Question about hole in one's - could be controversial.....26:00 Nick talks about one of his hole in one's in the Singapore Open26:30 Dan springs an idea on Nick.....need your feedback on this idea.....!Happy friday, have a great weekend, hit em well !

Graham Marsh is, by any measure, one of our greatest ever golfers. In his career he won 70 events, including winning on the US Tour, winning 10 times in Europe, 20 times in Japan, and beating Raymond Floyd to win the World Matchplay Championship. Mark describes him as our most under-rated golfer ever, and it's hard to argue.Today, for Hostplus, we chat to Graham about his wonderful life in golf.01:30 He tells us how it started, how he got into golf.03:00 The advice his Mum gave him, and why he qualified as a school teacher before he could pursue professional golf04:00 Mark asks Graham if he recalls the moment that he decided he wanted to be a professional golfer06:00 Graham talks about playing internationally, and the one country that was tougher than anywhere.07:00 The leaders and mentors who helped him, and other younger players, at the time he was coming through08:00 Why going to Japan was a great move10:00 Coming 3rd in his first tournament12:00 Graham talks about the need for a 'sense of adventure'13:00 Mark recalls watching Graham win at Huntingdale as a kid, and his Dad telling him to watch how still he kept his head. Graham talks about that.14:00 He tells Nick and Mark the 'worst lesson' that golfers were taught back in the day.16:00 Graham won the Scottish Open, it's a great story, he talks us through in detail how he came back from 5 shots down to win the tournament.20:00 On beating Raymond Floyd in the World Matchplay ChampionshipAfter the turn23:00 Nick recalls with great fondness as a youngster, his time in the Graham Marsh junior golf academy in Western Australia. Graham talks about how the academy came about, and the rules he put in place to ensure it delivered outcomes.25:00 Graham has had a wildly successful golf course design career, what was the first course or hole he ever designed? It will surprise you!28:00 The favourite course that he ever designed and why.31.00 Graham was consistently a strong performer in British Opens, Mark asks why that was the case, why did he perform so well there?33:00 One of the things that he admired about the games of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros.33.30 He talks about his mentor in golf course design.34:00 And for Hostplus, what is next for him? What is the focus for his life these days, and how does the next period of life look?35:30 Graham tells us why he enjoyed playing Pro Ams, and how often he plays these daysA fantastic guest pod today for Hostplus, Talk Birdie To Me's official superannuation partner, with an Australian golfing legend: Graham Marsh.

What a weekend of golf!!! And Ryan Fox...so good, but a great performance by a number of Australians and Kiwis. We'll chat about that, and all the controversy today on the show.01:00 Ryan Fox, what a star. Wonderful win by the big fella. Mark talks about what he felt were Foxy's most important 2 holes and why. Nick says in majors, bogey's don't hurt too much, but doubles kill you. And Mark talks about the momentum Foxy had, and Nick loved the iron shot he hit on 17.06:00 We discuss Foxy's comments about his nerves on the final day.07:00 One thing (of a few) that annoyed Mark about The Open tournament.09:00 Mark was disappointed, for Lucas, that he couldn't hang on to finish Top 5 given what it would have meant for him in the US.09:30 LIV not looking good atm, and Mark reckons Lucas' is so talented that he should be playing with the top golf talent, Nick says that will l; have to happen via the DP World Tour.11.00 Mark loves Sam Burns game and thought that he had the tournament won, he reckons Burns is not the best player on tour not to win a major - and has overtaken Tommy Fleetwood for that title.12.00 Nick talks about Foxy's phone call home after the win. Very funny.13.00 Nick explains to Mark that Foxy has been copping flak for withdrawing from the 3M open this week, was it the right call? Nick and Mark discuss. Mark says that with The Open Championship next year at St Andrews, a course Foxy has won at before and that suits his game, next year will be very interesting.14.00 Cameron John, what a performance in his first major, and Mark awards him our Hostplus 'Plus for Golf' this week....Mark would love to get him on the show, homework for Nick to arrange as he has a contact.16.00 Okay, onto Day 2. Bryson. Nick and Mark comment that Bryson knew exactly where to stomp to help his situation, we discuss the scenario and what happened. Mark said Bryson knew what he was doing and would have known it was in violation, Nick is a bit more reserved and believes Bryson was very careless.18.00 Mark says that, in part, the officials are in part to blame for what Bryson did given they have been tolerating it.20.00 Nick talks about the reactions from other pros to what happened.22.00 Mark was unimpressed by Bryson's reaction to what happened, the threats he made, the display he put on, and says that Bryson is a massive wanker for this kind of behaviour, and awards the BMW Touch of Class to the R&A for standing up to him and holding firm on their decision.24.00 Mark asks Nick if Rory would have said what he did about Bryson if he was in contention.25.30 Brysons subtle dig at Sir Nick Faldo over his golf strategy comments27.00 The commentary team - Nick and Mark loved it, and explain what they loved about it28:00 And notwithstanding Marks touch of class, a wolfpacker has a different ideaAfter the turn:32:00 Marks Top 5 for Betr: golfers who came late to the game and achieved great things. Foxy at #5.35:00 Nick and Mark talk about their age when they first picked up a golf club.37.00 Dan has a bone to pick with Mark over something from last weeks show.38.00 Nick runs through highlights from the global results40:00 Some exciting news from Mark on Claude Harmon, and we reveal that tomorrow we'll chat to the legendary Graham Marsh on the show!42:30 Nick has a ripping Foxy stat.44:00 Feedback for Southern Golf Club, heavily weighted towards Ryan Fox and The Open Championship. The results, pace of play.48:00 Feedback on Bryson being 'a target', and the results of our Twitter poll on Brysons 2-shot penalty.51:00 Questions about watering Open courses, and a comment on the changes to Royal Birkdale.53:00 A question about the draw on day 2 of majors, and why it isn't in lowest score order, like day 3 and 4 are.55.30 And for the Golf Clearance Outlet Nick O'Hern has a Ryan Fox inspired masterclass today on how to play Fairway Bunkers.Massive show !