The Edge

Can you keep it real in golf?We answer that question in this episode, as Scott Walker is joined by guest host and professional golfer Christian Heavens. Christian shares insights from his upcoming urban golf novel 'Tour Line,' which weaves his golf experiences into an immersive story about the game and its players. They delve into the challenges of mini-tour life, and the evolving landscape of professional golf, including the impact of the LIV and PGA Tours.Plus, the Bars Exam gets a Midwestern flavor.For more on Christian Heavens, visit https://heavensspeaks.com/Chapter00:00 Show Open01:22 Christian's Journey in Golf04:01 Current State of Men’s Professional Golf08:08 Christian’s Reflections on his U.S. Amateur Experience19:33 Why He Wrote Tour Line21:33 The Pressure of Mini-Tour Golf23:14 How To Play Professional Golf While Writing A Novel25:59 Can You Keep It Real in Golf?33:34 The Bars Exam37:19 Future Goals and Reflections

With Andy Walker out on the recruiting trail, Scott Walker takes the opportunity to dive into Scottie Scheffler’s four-stroke victory at the 153rd Open, and his consistent top-tier performances as described by some of the best guests of the show over the past two seasons. What makes him great? How does his life and faith affect his performance? Do you have to be obsessed to be great? This show answers those questions as only The Edge can.00:00 Show Open02:07 Those Tricky Comparisons to Tiger05:46 Why Scottie’s Game Rises Above The Rest11:58 Faith, Family, and Golf15:07 What The Olympics Showed About Scheffler

While Andy balls out at the Michigan Senior Open, Scott takes you through the preview of the last major championship for the men this year. This episode doesn't spoil when play starts at Royal Portrush, so take a listen while you watch The Open. Scott and Andy talk about Shane Lowry's ballstriking, Tommy Fleetwood's putter, the emotion we've seen from Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffer, and...IS TIGER WOODS THE LUCKIEST PLAYER IN GOLF HISTORY? (Yup, apparently we went there).Chapters00:00 Show Open02:59 How The Keys To Shane Lowry's Open Win Still Apply Today06:32 The Mental Grind of Major Championship Golf08:59 Our Favorite Tournaments11:41 How Tommy Fleetwood Gave Away His Best Chance To Win16:03 The Role of Luck in Golf16:36 Aggression vs. Defense in Golf Strategy19:29 Commitment Above All Else22:20 Is Tiger Woods The Luckiest Player In Golf History?25:17 Creating Your Own Luck in Golf

Andy Walker celebrates his 50th birthday as the PGA TOUR comes to his new hometown of Detroit. Scott Walker comes for the party, and stays for the content, which takes you inside the ropes of The John Shippen. Joe Hooks talks about his win in The Shippen, and what it means for the event. Scott & Andy talk about what it means to have "Big Show Game".Then, for the Bars Exam, we drop some lyrics at the drop of a dime, baby! Chapters00:00 Show Open01:10 Joe Hooks Wins The John Shippen03:02 Joe Hooks Says Why This Win Matters So Much04:58 Who's Next? The Talent On Display at The Shippen10:47 It's Lonely On The Road11:54 How Stress Shows Up In The Body15:22 It's Not A Gift If You Take It19:02 Big Unc Energy20:32 Party Favors

While Andy is away, Jerry Foltz, lead announcer for LIV Golf, joins Scott to talk about why it is premature to give the U.S. Open to Scottie Scheffler, who are the best players in the world right now, and where LIV Golf stands in its third season. This conversation from longtime friends literally talks about all aspects of the golf world.00:00 Show Open01:09 Memories of Erin Hills04:16 The Bryson DeChambeau Breakdown09:17 Is Brooks Cooked?12:46 The LIV Golf Experience19:35 Global Impact and Audience Growth23:38 Will They Or Won't They (Merge)

Could Scottie Scheffler win a fight with 100 gorillas? No...but he could win a fight with 155 other golfers. Andy and Scott try to find 5 players not named Scheffler who can win the 125th U.S. Open. Scott and Andy draw comparisons between Scheffler to Tiger Woods at his peak, especially in light of Scheffler's odds for the 2025 US Open. The episode dives into the formidable nature of Oakmont, the venue for the 2025 US Open, emphasizing its demands on precision and power. Andy shares insights on the course’s extreme difficulty, recounting experiences at similar challenging venues. The show wraps up with a Bars Exam segment and plans for celebrating Andy's upcoming 50th birthday.Chapters00:00 Show Open05:19 Comparing Scottie Scheffler to Tiger Woods07:33 The Challenge of Oakmont14:48 Majors Poker - Top Contenders27:38 Bars Exam (East Coast/Solo Artist/2020s)

Scott travels to Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California, to interview Michael Block, renowned for his performance at the 2023 PGA Championship. On the range, Scott and Michael talk about Block's unexpected rise to stardom, the pressures and changes it brought to his career, and his teaching philosophy which focuses on feel over technicalities. Block also shares personal anecdotes, insights into notable golfers like Rory McIlroy, and his aspirations for the future, including participating in the Champions Tour. You will gain a deeper understanding of Block's approach to golf, both as a player and a coach, and his reflections on handling success and fame.Chapters00:00 Show Open02:13 Michael Block's Teaching Philosophy04:58 Career Reflections07:01 Future Aspirations and Inspirations08:11 Playing with Rory McIlroy09:42 The First Time His Wife Saw Him Cry13:55 What His First Major Taught Him19:39 YouTube Golf & How It Has Changed Golf23:57 How To Play Under Pressure

Scott Walker and Andy Walker delve into the recent PGA Championship, highlighting Scottie Scheffler's victory and his ability to fix issues mid-round, and what to make of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm coming up short. Then, we talk upcoming NCAA Division I golf championships, with an insightful conversation with Conrad Ray, two-time NCAA Champion Stanford Men's Coach. The hosts further explore the importance of strategy over swing aesthetics, with anecdotes from legendary golfers like Tiger Woods and Notah Begay. They conclude with reflections on the nuances of college versus professional golf development, shedding light on why the college pathway might be crucial for aspiring golfers.Chapters00:00 Show Open00:53 Scottie Scheffler's PGA Win Analysis02:09 Bryson DeChambeau's Breakdown03:43 Jon Rahm's Resurgence04:46 NCAA Championships Overview05:55 Stanford Women's Golf Dominance06:49 Men's NCAA Golf Preview08:42 Conrad Ray Interview09:56 Lessons From Playing With Tiger19:33 Slowing The Game Down25:45 Should Future Pros Play College Golf28:42 Swinging vs. Scoring30:18 What Data Is Important?33:14 The Art of Scoring36:26 Bars Exam39:49 Andy Talks U.S. Senior Open Qualifying