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Ep214: Ryan Fox's Massive Win, Cam John: a Wonderful First Major, and Mark Allen says: 'Bryson is a Wanker', and explains why.
Season 4, Ep. 214
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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 comments
27.00 The commentary team - Nick and Mark loved it, and explain what they loved about it
28:00 And notwithstanding Marks touch of class, a wolfpacker has a different idea
After 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 results
40:00 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 !
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Mini: The Weirdest and Strangest Putting Styles of Tour Pros through the years
14:06||Season 4, Ep. 0A bonus Talk Birdie To Me Mini today, which comes following a question from wolfpacker Dave who wrote:Hi Nick and Mark, Watching the Wyndham Championship, I noticed Tony Finau putting one-handed. Apparently he struggles with short putts and he tried it based on Tiger's well-known one-handed practice drills. He made the cut so I guess it worked! I thought it might make a good discussion - weirdest putting styles of Tour Pros. Here's one for starters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSd0a2NjftkLove the pod! Thanks, Dave.So we decided to kick it around on the show. And oh boy there were plenty!Golfers we talk about: Bernhard Langer, Chris DiMarco, Sammy Snead, Bobby Locke.We also discuss the proliferation for a while there of Broomsticks, and of the Claw, and the 'Matt Kuchar' putting technique.Other players: Isao Aoki, Vijay Singh, the great man Jack Nicklaus, Paul Runyan, Retief Goosen, Robert Garrigus, and Raymond Floyd.And we wrap this Mini with a couple of fun things. Nick and Mark each choose the putting technique that they would have, if they could choose anyones, and have that for the rest of their life. And Nick tells us what it was like playing with the legendary Ben Crenshaw!!Happy Monday!218. Ep218: LIV Cutting Prizemoney this weekend? An Insider says yes. We read the message. Scheffler tears up the field. And more on Slow Play.
01:01:58||Season 4, Ep. 218Big show today, and a massive story out of a LIV insider that we reveal for the first time. We'll get to that in about 15 minutes or so.01:00 Mark is 'heartbroken' over the US Amateur Championship from the weekend at Merion. He explains why.02:00 Nick and Mark discuss the player in that tournament whose putting technique breaks all the rules.04:00 Why Merion was rivetting.05:00 We discuss the Australian amateur tournament, from back in its hey day when it was huge.09:00 If the US Amateur can plot their courses for the next ten years, why can't we, Mark speculates about the kind of courses it would be great at. Mark says that what the US has done is a plus for golf, thanks to Hostplus.14:00 Nick talks about how good the Master of the Amateurs at Southern Golf Club15:00 Massive LIV rumour from someone in the know. To do with this weekends tournament in Indianapolis. This is news that even the LIV players have not been informed of yet.17:00 Have LIV players been paid following Bedminster?19:00 Is the investment that has been talked about with LIV from an investor, or from someone providing a loan. Two quite different scenarios.20:30 The two biggest LIV names are obviously Rahm and Bryson. Nick and Mark discuss where Rahm, should he leave, might end up. 25:00 Nick and Mark call it, saying Rahm will play the DPWT next year, and that will be the end of LIV.27:00 Scottie Schefflers performance at the weekend. Nick wants to get Jonathan Yarwood on to discuss Schefflers' swing.31:00 Our BMW Touch of Class goes to Whitney Hillier for her words about Jessica Bang who passed away suddenly last week.After the turn33:00 The Top 5 things that Golf Australia has gotten wrong over the years, according to Mark. Which ones does Nick agree with?41:00 Nick runs through the Global Results highlights46:00 Feedback starting with a possible serious copyright infringement from Kmart. We consider calling Denis Denuto to advise.47:30 Rakepod update following a scathing critique of the rakes at a club particularly close to Mark's heart. Awkward.48:30 Does AI have a role in golf coaching? And can it work?51:00 Slow play and officials. Nick and Mark name a couple of the slowest players that they played with. Mark reiterates his view that officials should targeting slow players.54:00 We discuss a slow play hypothetical sent in by a wolfpacker in NZ.55:00 A couple of messages regarding the recent passing of Nick McCormack.57:00 And a great masterclass from Nick on the 'fairway finder'.A massive show today, we had fun, hope you enjoy it as well !Guest: Claude Harmon III: His Coaching Philosophies, Coaching Cam Smith, Watching His Dad Coach Tiger and The Shark.
01:02:07||Season 4, Ep. 0Well this is a bit exciting. Earlier this year Cameron Smith joined with Claude Harmon III to turn his performances around, and since doing so there have been some significant changes. Today, for Hostplus, we speak with Claude about his career, some of the great players he has worked with and been around his famous Dad working with, and how the relationship with Cam came about and what they're working on.01:00 Nick and Mark give a background to how Cam got to the point of deciding to look at a new coach.02:00 We welcome Claude and get his background, surprisingly he was never a golfer, however with his family pedigree he feels that he has been on tour since he was 2-weeks old!03:00 His approach to golf coaching given he was not a player.04:00 Claude talks about whether golf is a simple game (or not?)06:00 He chats about his family history and some of the huge golfing names that the family has worked with, and he has been around08:00 Claude tells us why his Dad was 'brutal' about Claude's early coaching sessions09:00 How he video'd his Dad working with Tiger and what he learned from it.10:00 Nick talks about what he witnessed when he saw Butch Harmon, Claude's Dad, working with players11:30 How Claude disconnects from golf and how he uses that in his coaching12:30 Claude explains his 'domino' theory.13.30 Does golf coaching have something in common with the TV Show The Bear....you'd be surprised. Claude explains.15:00 Why he focuses on 'quality of strike', the contact, and why he feels it is the main ingredient. Mark asks if that applies to all golfers Claude has worked with?18:30 Claude says that golf coaching is similar to training a dog.20:00 On working with Ernie Els, how it came about and what he said to Ernie when first asked for a critique of his swing22:00 The one thing for all golfers to focus on for the rest of the year.After the Turn:27:00 He explains how it came about that Cam asked him for some swing thoughts.29:00 Claude credits Cam's prior coach Grant Field with getting Cam to such a high level.speaking of cams old coach grant fields30:00 Mark shows some stills of Cams' swing and what he is seeing.31:00 Claude talks about Cams' driving.31:00 He says that all great players have a superpower32:00 Adam Scotts' putting35:00 His Dad working with Tiger and what he learned from that37:00 The one thing that he and Cam have worked on since mid April, and the drills they've been doing.39:00 Cam has a short window to take advantage of40:00 On watching his Dad work with The Shark41:00 The surprising thing that he and Cam used as a training aid in the rain in Korea42:00 The drill that his Dad would do with Tiger, and Claude's role in it, that he now gets Cam to do. (Tiger hated it)43:30 The 3 phases of the golf swing, and the 1 phase that he believes everyone ignores46:00 What he and Cam did prior to the PGA47:00 Nick on Cams' swing development, swing positions, and why giving advice in different ways helps49:00 The moment Claude says was a huge one for Cam in their relationship51:00 Numbers vs Feel, and how Claude uses data.53:00 Cams' short game is ridiculously good56:00 Why the ceiling is really high for Cam58:00 What's next for Claude, where does he see himself in a few years?59:00 Claude bumped into Nick's old caddy Wilbur recently!A fantastic chat with Claude Harmon ||| for Hostplus, Claude certainly is a plus for golf, and we loved this conversation.If you've not had a listen to Claude's podcast Son of a Butch, it's a ripper, you can listen to it wherever you get your podcasts, Spotify and Apple links here:Listen to Son of a Butch on Spotify.Listen to Son of a Butch on Apple.Monday Mini: What is Pod Listener Aaron doing right, and wrong, with his swing? Nick and Mark analyse it.
10:41||Season 4, Ep. 0A Monday Mini today and today Nick and Mark are looking at a wolfpackers swing, he is having some issues and is keen for some input from the boys. So although the swings are on video and therefore visual, on the pod Nick and Mark talk through what they're seeing, and what some areas to look at are, so whilst it's visual, the audio version of the show is very easy to follow and get some takeaways from.Aaron from Perth is having issues with his swing, he's just finished up with his coach, who has left coaching, and hasn't found a new one yet. Nick and Mark analysis 4 swings of Aaron's and give their insights into what they like, and what can be worked on.And Mark talks about the importance of practising the way you play.A short Monday Mini, about 10-minutes today so a quick listen !Friday Feedback: Nick Names 2 Tour Pros He Believes 'Trench', and a listener says: 'You Buffoons Belong on the Wall of Shame'.
21:21||Season 4, Ep. 0A big Friday Feedback pod today, lots of questions, comments and stories, and Nick 'names names' on a dodgy activity that some Tour Pros are doing.01:00 We start with a question about our upcoming Claude Harmon 3rd interview, and a suggestion for another guest.01:30 Mark is annoyed with an Australian Tour Pro - who is it and why?02:30 This is somewhat surprising, a message from wolfpacker Stash who does not believe Keegan Bradley's putting time is too slow and we are too harsh on him.05:00 David has a question on trenching, and Nick names two current Tour Pros who he believes 'trench'.06:00 Andrew from New Zealand has a comment, and a question, about Kiwi golfer Michael Campbell.07:00 Nick tells a story about getting towelled up by Cambo in WA08:00 And Mark recalls when he led the NZ Open, and was playing with Cambo until the course commentator said something over the loudspeakers that was very unhelpful.09:00 Last week we spoke about a new pace of play rule that they've put in place, Josh from Port has written in to clarify the interpretation of the rule.11:00 Mark muses over a different system for teeing off, different to the 7 minute / 8 minute intervals which he feels puts too much pressure on golfers.After the turn:12:00 We put our fourth Kangaroo Island winner in the draw to win a trip the play The Cliffs at Kangaroo Island with Mark and course architect Darius Oliver. If you're yet to enter, the link is here. 15:30 A question about on Shiho Kuwacki's putting technique, which is somewhat unusual.17:30 Mark talks about the Sharks putting.18:00 Comment from John about Tour Pro Scott Werne who we spoke about recently on the show. Mark tells a story about Scott and the lengths he went to afford to be on the tour.19:00 Billy has a comment about Nick's masterclass from last week on the 10-finger grip.A fun friday feedback pod, keep your comments and questions coming in, and have a ripper weekend....hit em well !217. Ep217: LIV Golf: the latest on the funding and criteria. Fedex Cup - Players who missed out. And Bryson being Bryson again.
54:30||Season 4, Ep. 217Welcome to this weeks Main Talk Birdie To Me, and as usual there are plenty of things to discuss in the world of golf.01:00 Mark raises Cam Davis' form, he really has fallen off a cliff, and Nick and Mark discuss what is happening with Cam.02:00 Lots of LIV news, and it really seems to change almost daily. What to make of it? Nick and Mark discuss the latest news on the LIV funding situation, and the criteria around said funding - specifically that it appears contingent on the key players re-signing with LIV.07:00 We touch on next weeks Claude Harmon 3rd chat, which we recorded this week and will publish next Tuesday....it's a ripper!09:00 The next LIV events10:30 Nick was in New Zealand last week and bumped into Elvis Smylie in Queenstown.11:30 The Fedex Cup, we discuss a few of the players who missed out, and do a deeper dive on Jason Day.15:00 This week our Hostplus 'Plus for Golf' goes to Brooks Koepka, for an unusual reason. Nick explains.17:00 Nick says Tiger was the master of never making excuses when he played poorly, and we discuss Jack's consistent position that he never 3-putted in a tournament, or something along those lines.20:00 Our BMW Touch of Class goes to a legendary figure in South Australian golf who we lost this last week - Nick McCormack OAM.After the turn:23:30 Nick's Top 5 for Betr is the Top 5 players that he'd like to see turn their form around.28:00 Feedback for Southern Golf Club, we have comments and questions on LIV and the player departures, OCM and Cypress Point, Marks comments about the Cypress bunkers, and some suggestions for Nick and Mark's bespoke designed golf course.38:00 Nick talks about he has never played golf in Tasmania, Mark shares some memories of playing there.40:00 Feedback on the Cathedral Invitational, there's been plenty of positives, and a couple of negatives - we deal with the negatives front on.43:00 Nick takes us through the global result highlights from the last week or so.47:30 There's been another 59! Mark rates it on his 'patent pending official Talk Birdie To Me 59 ranker'.49:00 We look at, and discuss, an hilarious premature 'anti-celebration'.51:00 And for the Golf Clearance Outlet, todays masterclass from Mark is on playing bunker shots out of thick, wet, sand.Big show, love your input in the comments, and if you're enjoying the show we'd love you to share the pod with a friend!Monday Mini: Getting Distance Playing a Cut, and Nick Outlines 'the most effective way to lower your scores'
15:06||Season 4, Ep. 0A Monday Mini today, with a question from wolfpacker David.01:00 First a reminder of our competition where you could win a trip for you and a friend to play The Cliffs at Kangaroo Island before it opens, playing 18 holes with Mark and course designer Darius Oliver. A great prize. All flights, accommodation and meals included.02:00 We read David's question which is essentially about how to maximise distance relative to swing speed when playing a cut.03:00 We talk about Scottie Scheffler and how he does it.04:00 Mark explains how he advises golfers who struggle for length when hitting a fade, and what he sees in their swing. When someone can't get their sequencing right, Mark says what he advises them to do.06:00 Mark uses Viktor Hovland as an example and explains what he does07:00 Nick talks about giving lessons to a guy who wanted more distance but didn't have the time to practise any changes, and what Nick advised him to do09:30 Nick outlines the 'easiest way to lower your scores'10:00 Mark talks about how getting fitted can add distance to your drives and why. That's our Monday Mini, see you on Wednesday for the main show when Nick is back from New Zealand, hopefully presents in hand for Mark and Dan.Friday Feedback: 'He's as Professional as you'll see', We discuss Trenching. And Lucas Herbert's Putting.
26:29||Season 4, Ep. 0Friday Feedback show today and Nick is still enjoying the show in Queenstown with the family, so we're all remote today, rather than being from Titleist and FootJoy HQ....back there next Wednesday. Onto the show...01:00 Question from Paul about Lucas Herberts putting, specifically his short putting. We discuss.03:00 Nick talks about something he has noticed with Lucas' putting style.04:00 Mark says Lucas' preparation is as professional as you will see from anyone.05:00 Nick names one of the players who prepared exceptionally when he was on tour, particularly regarding his short game. This player was a World #1 so it obviously worked.07:00 What is the most 'unsexy' thing about being a golfer? Nick reveals it.08:00 Oh dear....Mark has bought a new gadget. Not from Temu this time...09:00 This week Kevin Kisner made some comments about trenching, Nick didn't see them, Mark did, we chat about trenching and whether it qualifies for the 'watch list' After the turn:15:00 We put our third entrant into the draw to win a trip to The Cliffs at Kangaroo Island to play the course with a friend, and Mark Allen and Course architect Darius Oliver. If you want to enter, there's about 4-weeks to go: enter here.18:00 A question from Mitch about Nicks reflective learning technique that he spoke about on a Monday Mini recently.19:30 Nick talks about, as part of reflective thinking, how he'd capture his thoughts and use them to improve his game...how he would use reflective thinking.20:30 There was one aspect of his game that Mark always did when he made a cut, and when he missed a cut he didn't do, he explains.24:00 And a fun question from Tim leads to Mark revealing his pickup technique form when he was young and single. Awkward.Have a great weekend !!216. Ep216: Our Top 5 Golf Swing List is Critiqued by you...who did we miss? And Mark: 'What Company Would Possibly Invest in LIV?'
57:57||Season 4, Ep. 216Slightly different episode today as Nick is in New Zealand on holidays for a week or so with the family, so it sounds a tad different to usual, but plenty to discuss as always!01:00 Nick is in Millbrook, near Queenstown in New Zealand and gives us a snapshot of what he's doing and how it looks (hint: it is beautiful!)02:00 Royal Lytham hosted the WOmens Open, and Shiho Kuwaiti had a stunning playoff win to claim the title. Nick talks about what he loves about Royal Lytham, what a course.04:00 On the Open, more specifically Mens and Womens majors, Nick feels they're too close together and explains why. Mark has a different view.05:00 Yesterday we confirmed in a bonus news pod that Rory McIlroy would be staying in Australia after the AO to play the Cathedal Invitational, Nick is likely to play the tournament as well....can he take Rory?06:00 Massive news on golf architects OCM - they have been appointed to redo one of the worlds greatest golf courses. Mark reveals the news that he has heard from a member at the actual club.08:00 We discuss Cypress Point. Mark calls it a 'sacred place', Nick says arguably the best parcel of land that a golf course is on anywhere in the world. They discuss their experiences playing the course, and what they'd love to see improved.12:00 Nick talks about playing Cypress with surfer Kelly Slater.14:00 Plenty of LIV news. We discuss their search for sponsorships, and Mark is doubtful that the eyeballs will be enough for the money they want given LIV 'only worked in 2 or 3 markets'. 20:00 LIV's player payments are reportedly unpaid, which does not bode well22:00 Nick awards our BMW Touch of Class to Donald Trump for his 'humility' in 'winning' the Club Championship at Bedminster. If you missed his comments, Nick reads them out. And for clarity, we are being sarcastic over 1) him winning and 2) him showing any humility. 23.30 Mark awards our Hostplus Plus for Golf to Nelly Korda for her gift to a young fan in the UK, a real plus for golf from a superstar.25:00 We discuss the winner of the Rocket Classic in Michigan, Michael rocket classic winner Michael Thorbjornsen, a very talented young pro who we love.27:00 Nick found some great stats this week - average numbers from PGA Tour Pros, they make for sobering reading for aspiring pros, and Mark points out a couple of stats that if you are aspiring, or know someone who is, to turn pro that you need to be all over.After the turn:34:00 Our Top 5 for Betr, Mark lists the Top 5 golf course renovations at clubs he has seen, and why. He also defines great renovations in a slightly ususual way....37:00 Okay - during the Turn we saw some breaking news from our mates at Flushing It Golf about LIV, specifically that they have given a number of employees and contractors notice that their employment will end in September. We discuss this evolving story which will develop further over the coming days.39:00 Nick runs through the Global results highlights.42:30 Feedback for Southern Golf Club....phew okay....last weeks Top 5 swings got a mountain of feedback, and we run through some of the names you said should be there. One was mentioned above all others. Do Nick and Mark double down on their list or do they amend the 'indisputable' list, rendering the name completely ironic?50:00 Few more bits of feedback on Lucas Glover's spikes video, Cam Smiths 9 birdies in a row, and we discuss if we can claim South Korea's Jenny Shin as an Aussie?53.00 And we wrap on a masterclass for the Golf Clearance Outlet from Nick live from Queenstown where he discusses Michael Thorbjornsen's 10-finger grip. Note: audio on the masterclass is a touch dodgy this week, it's listenable, but not as good as we'd like - apologies.Big show today !!!