Talk Birdie To Me

We start todays show talking about the Travellers and the excitement of the playoff between Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler, it was a fantastic finish, Nick was glued to it and was impressed by the crowds who turned up for the playoff that morning. We go with an early Touch of Class.3:00 Touch of Class for BMW goes to Viktor for the viking tribute with the crowd, it was a ripper.4:00 We can't ignore the Phil Mickelson news that has been coming out over the last few days, and Nick and Mark discuss. We'll avoid the details of what is has been alleged that he has done, and we more talk in broad brushstrokes about Phil and his career. Mark says that he feels it will be difficult for Phil to ever play again, and Nick says that his downfall has been sad to see. Both feel that Phil would have made a brilliant commentator, but that seems very unlikely now.7:00 The news that has come out about the new PGA Tour Schedule and Structure, we discuss in detail. Nick and Mark love it. We discuss some of the key points: promotion/relegation, the removal of sponsor invites, shorter schedule, how do the tours work together and what is the path for any returning LIV players?14:00 Chat about the PGA Tour's approach to shoring up national opens, clearly a power move, and Mark says that whilst it is a good move, no way it would have happened without LIV.18:00 Have Golf Australia given Mark a whack? Dan says yes, Mark is a little more circumspect about it. We explain on the show22:00 For Hostplus, Talk Birdie To Me's official superannuation partner, Mark awards this weeks plus for golf to the proposed Mens schedule that the PGA Tour have released.After the turn:26:00 Nick lists the Top 5 Tour Pros who go down rabbit holes trying new things for their game.35:00 Lots of feedback, heavily Wyndham Clark based - not so much on him, but on our comments about him. Also feedback for Southern Golf Club on Niemann's penalty, Nicks comments about young Australian golfers, and a couple on Min Woo Lee.45:00 Nick's global highlights from the last week, an underwhelming set of results for Australians - Karis Davidson aside - but some great results from others to run through, including an appalling effort from a caddy in Europe....53:00 And for the Golf Clearance Outlet, we wrap with Mark's masterclass - 3 key things to do to start your swing, particularly if your flexibility isn't what it was.And right at the end of the show, Mark and Dan play a short musical trivia game for fun while Nick isn't in the studio. See how you go....

Friday Feedback pod today, and it's got an Australian Open flavour, with plenty of comments on the news that the 2027 tournament will be held at Peninsula Kingswood. First up is Tracey, who simply wanted to say how pleased she was that the AO would be played at her home course, and why wouldn't you be! Mark makes the observation that he things PK has the most impressive 'drive in' in Australia, and that the emerald colour of the course is spectacular at the moment. Nick and Mark discuss when courses go into dormancy.Recently we filmed a few holes at The Furrows at Kingston Heath, if you haven't watched it on YouTube you can see it here, and we kick around the idea of heading north to Queensland during the winter dormancy in Melbourne....if you think there is a course, probably in Brisbane, that we should head to and film a couple of the key holes or key areas at, let us know in the comments and we'll pick one to go to in a few weeks.Wayne says that the PK news is great, and that it has the best clubhouse/course combo he's seen. Nick and Mark discuss and kick around some of their faves.....Mark names one veeeery famous course as having an underwhelming clubhouse, and menu. Trav also loves the AO being at PK.However, Michael makes a comment that whilst it's good for now, when LIV dies, after the PGAT contract with Golf Australia, he reckons the PGAT are out. Nick and Mark discuss.Funk has an idea about the composite structure of PK, do Nick and Mark agree? We discuss the composite, Mark has spoken to Mike Cocking about it, and he (Mike) reckons it's going to be great.And before the turn, John has a moment for Mark about his complaint on last weeks show about the lack of warm bread rolls in restaurants these days. Rest assured, we'll deal with all the big issues on Talk Birdie To Me.After the turn, we have a call from Dave from Brisbane who is a 5 handicapper and using old Wilsons, and has some questions about upgrading. Nick and Mark discuss how upgrading would help Dave's game, and explain why - Nick reckons, if Dave is off 5 with his current gear, he's a shot at scratch with newer gear. Whilst we've got Dave we get a rundown on his local Ipswich club and how it's looking and playing at the moment.A fun Friday Feedback pod today, keep your questions and comments coming, we love getting them!

Greg watched the US Open at the weekend and was particularly frustrated with something that he watched occurring, which he feels is becoming increasingly common. He left a voicemail with his concerns - let us know in the comments if you agree with Greg, or have a different view.

We've all come in a bit bleary eyed after four early starts in a row getting up for the US Open, but we thoroughly enjoyed it, as you no doubt did as well. There was plenty to like, and a few average things as well. We chat about it all on this weeks main pod episode.1:00 We start with the US Open of course, Mark was underwhelmed by Shinnecock Hills, the weather did play a role, we discuss the impact on the early and late players, and how it can work for you or against you quite significantly. Nick tells us the most extreme example of this he ever saw, and Mark talks about playing an Australian PGA at NSW with the wind screaming around the course.6:00 Wyndham Clark, now a 2-time winner, Mark is interested in how his swing has evolved over the last 3-4 years, and describes what he is seeing. Interestingly, on the final day under pressure, he slipped back to some of his old problems (by his own admission). Nick decides to do todays Masterclass on some of the drills he has noticed Wyndham doing. 9.00 Scottie Scheffler. Nick says he was on his B or C game at the weekend, and still finished well. Mark says his distance control was off, and he was not turning the ball with confidence.11.00 Mark was impressed with Sam Burns and reckons he's a good shot for a big win at some point soon. 12.30 Back to Wyndham, we discuss the crowd reaction, it was largely unsupportive. We chat about it, what happened at last years US Open, and his comments about that after the tournament. Nick says that he has an 'anger issue'.18.00 Are Long Island golf fans are a 'stain on the game of golf' ? That's the claim. Mark agrees.20:00 Neimann's 2-shot penalty, which Mark describes as a plus for golf thanks to Hostplus, saying it's about time this behaviour is cracked down on.22:00 Should swearing by players be subject to penalties? Nick says yes. Rahm the worst offender Nick saw at the weekend.23:00 Oh and our Talk Birdie / Betr multi came off, it's our third one, and Mark is particularly happy as he built this one himself! 24.00 We discuss Sam Burns marking his spot, was it cheating? Maybe, maybe not, not enough evidence, but it didn't look good.25:00 But Wyndham, well he did do some shonky stuff, and Mark says he is now on the 'Talk Birdie cheating watchlist'. We discuss why.29.00 For BMW, this weeks touch of class goes to 17-year old amateur Miles Russell....well deserved and a fantastic moment. After the turn:33:00 Mark lists the Top 5 players 'cheered against' at majors. Does Monty make the list?36:00 Whether he does or not, Mark does tell a very funny, albeit slightly crude, Monty story.39:00 US Open focused, and heavily leaning towards the women this week, Nick runs around the world in the PING Global results. 43:00 Feedback: Lots of comments and questions on the US Open and the various things that happened, Min Woo Lee, Penalties, Bryson anchoring (or not), Bifurcation, Tapping down before your shot. And a question for Nick about whether gym work has gone too far and is causing injuries to modern players.52:00 Mark has an idea for a Monday Mini with a bloke whose a grass expert. Bear with us....it sounds boring....but when Mark explains it, actually it sounds pretty interesting. We'll do some work on that behind the scenes and get back to you.55:00 And inspired by watching Wyndham Clark's drills, Nick outlines some of the drills he has seen him do and what they're intended to achieve.

A Monday Mini today and wolfpacker Will in Sydney has sent a short video in, which we talk through on the pod for audio listeners, showing something that was within the rules of golf many years ago, yet now is not. Will reckons it should be made legal again. Nick and Mark discuss.And then we talk about some great rule changes over the years and, perhaps more importantly, some of the rule changes that should be made!It's a quick listen, less than 10-minutes for our Talk Birdie To Me Monday Mini today. We'd love your thoughts in the comments on whether Will is right, or not, and what other rule changes should happen.

Love this voicemail from Travis on the Gold Coast, his 12-year old daughter is learning the game and Travis wanted to a shout out to his local Club Pro at Coolangatta/Tweed, Jay Borra who he raves about. A fantastic testament to the great work PGA Pros do to help grow the game!

Friday Feedback pod today, and it's good fun as usual. Some ripping questions and comments from you for Nick and Mark to discuss.1:00 John from Mandalay Golf Club, north of Melbourne, who outlines a local rule at his club which he rates, and is keen on Nick and Marks thoughts on it.4:00 Andrew from the UK is a righty, who feels he should try putting lefty, and asks Nick about it - plus a question for the boys about dealing with the heeby jeebies.7:00 Matthew from the US who has an idea on the technology 'rollback', and an observation to do with that around The Masters.9:00 Don with a comment on our Dottie Pepper chat a couple of weeks ago.After the turn, Mark does a flip flop about Monty coming on the show, however he has a pretty reasonable rationale. It's still a great flip flop, but not as good as this one which was a flip flop flip.13:00 Alyce has messaged in about a charity event her partner Kevin is doing on the Gold Coast to raise money for prostate cancer...a great cause, if you can spare even 5 or 10 bucks, here's the link. 14:00 Gary with a comment on seeing Brett Ogle play in Tassie, leads to a great story from Mark about Brett when he (Mark) was 14. Possibly involving a somewhat shady caddy.18:00 AB with a request for a guest....we like it.19:00 Mark tells a story about staying at Steve Elkington's house, and falling asleep on the front lawn, to be woken up by an animal poking him. 21:00 A few comments on our 2 PGA Championship titles vs 1 other Major title, and a fun chat about what would be on Nick and Marks menu should they have ever won The Masters.That's our Friday Feedback pod, have a great weekend !!

It's US Open week and it's a big one, particularly for Adam Scott who plays his 100th consecutive major....extraordinary. Nick and Mark discuss this wonderful achievement, and share some insights into how Scotty approaches his game.Shinnecock Hills is a 'brutal' course, and requires some careful course strategy...even then the weather can play a role and throw plans out the window. Nick and Mark chat about what might happen. We run through the power rankings, and look at who can win and why, and who probably can't. And we frame a multi with our mate Hummer at Betr, it's a good one, but remember not to put much on - 10 bucks is plenty for a bit of fun. Head to the Betr website or app, opening an account if you don't have one takes a couple of minutes, and search for Betr specials, and you'll find Talk Birdie To Me there - here's the link to the website. Remember to always gamble responsibly.Enjoy the US Open !!