next on the tee is a golf podcast featuring conversations with the greats of the game. Hear Tour Legends, Players, and Top Instructors sharing their stories, insights, and playing lessons to help you play better and have more fun.

S13, Ep 13: Golf Instruction Hall of Famer Jim McLean + Nicklaus Design Insights with Michael Riley | Improve Your Golf Knowledge & Course Strategy

Hi folks… welcome in to this bonus edition of Next on the Tee—where golf legends live and your game gets better.

This week, I’m joined by two incredible guests from different sides of the game.

First, Hall of Fame instructor Jim McLean shares insights from his legendary career, including his recent induction into the PGA of America Hall of Fame, stories from his college days at the University of Houston where he teamed with other golf legends and great friend of the show John Mahaffey, plus Bruce Lietzke, Bobby Watkins, Bill Rodgers, and Tom Jenkins to dominate and win the 1970 National Championship. He writes all about it in his new book, “The Houston Dynasty, Tales From College Golf’s Greatest Team,” which is available now on Amazon.com. From there, I get his take on technology vs. feel in modern golf instruction, we dive into his work developing players around the world, like James Nicholas, who recently won on the Korn Ferry Tour, and what it was like opening his golf school in South Korea.

Then, golf course designer Michael Riley joins me to talk about building world-class courses with the Nicklaus Design team, his award-winning work at Reunion Golf Club, and how great courses are created from vision to reality. You’ll also hear stories about working with Jack Nicklaus, taking long plane rides on Air Bear with him, and the competitive spirit of the “Big 3” in course design. From there, we get into the work he’s doing designing backyard putting greens for Southwest Greens. Ever dreamed of having a putting green in your backyard? I know I have. Michael can make that dream come true…

If you’re looking for golf tips, instruction insights, course design secrets, and great golf stories, this episode has it all.

Thanks for pressing play—and if you enjoy the show, please subscribe so you never miss an episode of Next on the Tee.

S13, Ep 12: Tour Legend John Cook Tips For Staying On Plane & Squaring The Clubface + Arnold Palmer-Inspired Golf Wellness

On this episode of Next on the Tee, I’m joined by PGA Tour legend John Cook and Arnie’s Wellness Founder Garrett Perdue for a powerful mix of golf tips, PGA Tour insights, and golf health advice.

John Cook shares a great new device that he and Bob Papa came up with that will help you with a quick warm-up routine for when you’re short on time, plus simple keys to stay on plane, square the clubface, and hit the ball straighter and farther. It can also help golfers over 50 looking to improve flexibility and shoulder turn. Cookie and I also dive into The Players Championship, whether it should be the “5th major,” and his unforgettable experiences at The Masters, including the Crow’s Nest and the time that officials at Augusta National chased Ken Venturi off the course for walking with him.

Then, Garrett Perdue joins me to talk about Arnie’s Wellness, a line of natural, organic skincare and sun protection products inspired by Arnold Palmer. If you’re tired of chemical-heavy products, Garrett shares a better way to protect your skin on the course while supporting the Arnie & Winnie Palmer Foundation off it.

If you’re looking for golf instruction, golf wellness tips, and great stories from the game’s legends, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

S13, Ep 11: Improve Your Golf Game Fast with Teaching & Club Pro HOFer, Mental Game & Miura Equipment Insights from Nancy Quarcelino, Dr. Bob Winters, & Blake Smith

On this episode of Next on the Tee, where golf legends live and your game gets better, I’ve got another great lineup to help you play better and think smarter on the course.

Leading things off is 2000 LPGA Teacher of the Year and Teaching & Club Professional Hall of Fame instructor Nancy Quarcelino. Nancy shares her thoughts on the LPGA’s TV challenges, what advice she’d give to Commissioner Craig Kessler, and insights on this year’s Solheim Cup. From there, she delivers outstanding golf instruction—covering proper setup, how to practice when time is limited, and the common mistakes mid- to high-handicappers make.

Next, The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters, returns with a powerful mental game lesson. This month, he breaks down why saying “I must” after a bad hole leads to pressing, poor decisions, and big numbers—and what to do instead to stay composed, confident, and in control.

We wrap things up with Miura Golf’s North American Sales Manager, Blake Smith. A Master Club Fitter, Blake explains why getting properly fit is essential, then takes us inside Miura’s legendary craftsmanship, where every iron is individually forged and inspected. Plus, we dive into which of their irons and wedges is right for you. Ee hear about their new PI-402 irons and why even elite players trust Miura without endorsement deals.

If you’re looking for golf tips, golf instruction, mental game strategies, and equipment insights, this episode has you covered.

Thank you for pressing play and being part of Next on the Tee Nation.

S13, Ep 10: PGA Tour Drama, Ryder Cup Strategy & Game-Changing Golf Tips with Tom Patri & Nick Bradley

On this episode of Next on the Tee, my guests deliver a powerful blend of golf instruction, PGA Tour analysis, mental game strategies, and insider stories designed to help you play better and think smarter on the course.

I’ve got two of the game’s top instructors—Resident Director of Instruction Tom Patri and world-renowned coach Nick Bradley—to break down the biggest stories in golf and provide actionable golf tips you can take straight to the driving range or the course.

Tom Patri kicks things off with a deep dive into the unpredictable nature of the PGA Tour, including the rapid rise and recent struggles of Luke Clanton, plus what we can learn from Shane Lowry following a couple of late-round collapses. He also shares insights on Akshay Bhatia’s surge at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, along with practical instruction on how to handle adversity when the game humbles you. Plus, Tom explains the growing popularity of mini drivers, including how to hit them effectively off the deck—an essential tip for golfers looking to improve their long game.

Then, legendary instructor Nick Bradley—coach to major champions like Nick Faldo and Justin Rose, plus European star Paul McGinley—joins the show to discuss the future of professional golf, including the evolving dynamics between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf. Nick shares his perspective on Anthony Kim’s comeback, the Ryder Cup outlook, and what Team USA must do to compete more effectively. He also offers insight into Tiger Woods’ potential pursuit of the U.S. Senior Open, along with how modern data and analytics are reshaping golf instruction today.

As always, this episode is packed with golf tips, mental game advice, Tour insights, and engaging golf stories that will help you lower your scores and enjoy the game even more.

If you’re looking to improve your swing, sharpen your mindset, and stay up to date on everything happening in the world of golf, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Special shout out to the folks over at Feedspot for including Next on the Tee in their list of top golf podcasts. Check out all their great stuff at podcast.feedspot.com

 

S13, Ep 8: Make More Putts: Expert Putting Tips from Tom Patri & Taylor Crosby

In this episode of Next on the Tee, I’m joined by two of the game’s top instructors to help you lower your scores where it matters most—on the greens. Since nearly 40–50% of our strokes are with the putter, eliminating three-putts can make an immediate difference in your game.

First up is top instructor Tom Patri, who shares insights from a putting clinic he hosted at Twin Eagles in Naples, Florida. Tom breaks down the fundamentals of the putting stroke, including whether it should be straight back and straight through or naturally arcing, how to aim the putter face more accurately, and whether the “ball under your lead eye” setup rule is fact or myth.

In segment two, I’m joined by Taylor Crosby, Lead Instructor at The Kingdom at Lake Oconee, who discusses how golfers can achieve more center-face contact, what he commonly sees during putter fittings, and the differences between mallet and blade putters. Taylor also reveals one of the most overlooked fundamentals that we don’t practice enough.

If you want to make more putts, eliminate three-putts, and gain confidence on the greens, this episode is packed with practical golf tips, putting instruction, and insights from two of the game’s best teachers.

S13, Ep 7: PGA Tour Stories, Golf Industry Insights & Callaway Chrome Tour Technology with Rich Katz & Jenn Whaley

On this episode of Next on the Tee, two compelling guests join the show to share incredible golf stories, insights into the future of the game, and the technology shaping modern performance.

Leading things off is golf industry veteran Rich Katz, a man who has spent more than three decades representing PGA Tour players and helping shape the business side of professional golf. Rich is the Founder of The Buffalo Agency, a division of Billy Casper Golf, and during our conversation he shares memorable stories about his close relationship with golf legend Billy Casper, along with insights from his decades inside the professional game. Rich also talks about the incredible surge in golf participation since the pandemic, exciting companies he encountered at the PGA Merchandise Show, and how AI and new technology are influencing golf instruction, golf equipment, and the future of the game.

Then we turn to one of the rising talents in our game, Jenn Whaley, the Senior Product Manager of Golf Balls at Callaway Golf. Jenn gives us a fascinating inside look at the technology behind the new Callaway Chrome Tour golf ball, that’s generating faster ball speeds, what cross-seam and in-seam means for aerodynamics, and how the team at the Ely Callaway Performance Center continues to push performance forward for players of all skill levels. Jenn also discusses the growing number of women entering the game, creative golf ball designs, and how equipment innovation can help golfers play better and enjoy the game more.

Between Rich’s decades of golf industry experience and golf stories from the PGA Tour, and Jenn’s insights into golf technology, golf equipment, and modern performance design, this episode delivers an entertaining and informative look at the people and ideas shaping the future of golf.

Tune in for another great conversation where golf legends live and your game gets better, filled with engaging golf stories, golf tips, golf instruction, insights, and perspectives from the people helping grow the game we all love.

S13, Ep 6: Behind the Miracle: Ross Greenburg on the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team + Donnie Hammond on The Masters, The King, & Anthony Kim’s Comeback

On this episode of Next on the Tee, I welcome two outstanding guests—legendary sports documentarian Ross Greenburg and two-time PGA Tour winner Donnie Hammond.

Ross, former President of HBO Sports and now runs his own Production company, which is producing some of the great documentaries and movies of our time. Ross has been the creative force behind more than 100 award-winning documentaries. He takes us inside the making of Miracle and Do You Believe in Miracles, sharing behind-the-scenes stories about Herb Brooks, Kurt Russell’s preparation, and how they recreated the emotion of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team’s gold medal run. We also revisit his acclaimed projects 61, When It Was a Game, and his Magic & Bird documentary.

Then Donnie Hammond shares unforgettable PGA Tour stories, including his dominant Q-School performance at TPC Sawgrass, competing in The Masters, a practice round with Arnold Palmer, and his thoughts on Anthony Kim’s comeback victory in Australia. Plus, a fun conversation about NASA’s Artemis II mission and the return to lunar orbit.

It’s a powerful mix of sports history, golf legends, PGA Tour insight, and unforgettable storytelling.

Pt 2, S13, Ep 5: We sharpen the most important club in your bag — your mind.

Dr. Bob Winters, “The Confidence Doctor,” returns with a powerful lesson on patience, resilience, and mental toughness in golf. This month’s Dr. Bob-ism says it all: “Patience is confidence waiting to happen.” We dive into how emotional control, persistence, and belief directly impact your scores — especially when the round starts going sideways. If you’re looking to lower scores through better golf psychology and course management, this segment is for you.

Then Dave Stockton Jr. makes his long-overdue return to the show. We talk about the legendary Stockton family’s influence on the game, Ryder Cup success, and why their winning mindset could be exactly what Team USA needs next time around. Dave also shares stories from recent rounds at some incredible West Coast golf courses, including time spent at Goathill Park, the oceanside public course co-owned by Bill Murray, plus hanging out with Dodgers and Padres legend Steve Garvey.

From mental game mastery to Ryder Cup strategy and hidden gem golf courses, this episode blends instruction, insight, and great stories from inside the game.

Thank you for pressing play and being part of the journey.

S13, Ep 5 Part 1: Scott McCarron Talks Winter Olympics, Potential PGA Tour Changes & Senior Major Win Plus Julie Inkster

Scott McCarron and Juli Inkster join me for an unforgettable episode filled with major championship stories, Solheim Cup drama, and insight into the future of professional golf.

Scott shares his thoughts on the proposed PGA Tour changes, winning the Senior Players Championship coming from six shots back, the difficulty of qualifying for the Champions Tour, and why leadership matters in growing the game. We also revisit the Miracle on Ice and another iconic Winter Olympic moment.

World Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster reflects on winning the 1986 Mixed Team Championship with our friend Tom Purtzer, her 17-win college career at San Jose State, her first LPGA win as a rookie, and her emotional 1999 U.S. Women’s Open victory at age 38. Plus, an incredible Solheim Cup comeback story from 2015 and her legacy at San Jose State.

Legends. Leadership. Championship moments. It’s all in this episode of Next on the Tee.

S13, Ep 4: Debbie O’Connell on Golf Mindset & Bunker Play + Chad Finn reflects on the Miracle on Ice, the Super Bowl Plus his Outlook for the AL East

On this edition of Next on the Tee, we blend game improvement with big-time sports conversation.

Leading things off is LPGA Class A Teaching Professional and Top 50 LPGA Instructor Debbie O’Connell. Debbie shares insights from her upcoming Conquer Your Golf Mind session and explains how mastering your mindset can transform not just your golf game—but your life. We dive into practical tips you can take straight to the course, including how to gain confidence in greenside bunkers, eliminate negative self-talk, stop labeling clubs as “can’t hit it,” and create more power through better body rotation. She also walks us through the importance of forward shaft lean at impact, and what she’s building with her Business Golf Live venture.

Then we switch gears with Boston Globe columnist and acclaimed sports journalist Chad Finn. We kick things off with a look back at the 1980 “Miracle on Ice”and where it ranks among the greatest moments in sports history before breaking down the Super Bowl, Drake Maye’s performance and mindset, and the Patriots’ future under Mike Vrabel. From there, we head to spring training to discuss offseason moves, roster decisions, and his outlook for the AL East. Chad also shares insights from his outstanding books chronicling the Boston Celtics from 1946 to the present and more than a century of Red Sox history.

It’s a full episode packed with instruction, perspective, and stories from two outstanding guests.