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.

S11, Ep 53, Pt 2: LPGA Top 50 Instructor Debbie O’Connell & Montauk Downs Director of Instruction Keith Jarvis

Debbie has a fantastic new mental game program starting on October 21st, called “Conquering Your Golf Mind.” If you want to quickly improve your mental approach, have more fun on the course, and lower your handicap, this is the course for you. To sign up, you can text the word “YES” to 727-339-0106 and use the coupon code “Conquer50” to get access to the five-day program for the unheard of price of $47. You can join in to the live sessions or each day is recorded so you can watch at your convenience.

This week Debbie and I will discuss what’s included in the program, as well as her impressive work with a student, helping them lower their handicap from 22.3 to 13.9 in a short period of time. I also get her thoughts on the Solheim Cup and whether adding U.S. and International women to the Presidents Cup could bring some excitement to the event, which could use a refresh. I always enjoy my time with Debbie. You’ll see why Golf Positive is the perfect title to what she does.

I round out this week’s show, with another good friend, Keith Jarvis. Keith spent the summer teaching at Montauk Downs Golf Course, located at the very tip of Long Island. Megan Younkman, the Regional Director of Instruction for several of the state courses including Bethpage and Montauk Downs, and a friend of the show, praised Montauk as a hidden gem, and the great work Keith is doing there. Tom Patri is also a big fan of the course. Keith will share more about what makes Montauk Downs such a special place, and he’ll provide tips on how to overcome mental barriers to breaking 80, 90, or 100 for the first time. We’ll also talk about making better contact with the ball and the best strategies to avoid those blow-up holes.

S11, Ep 53, Pt 1: Super Agent Leigh Steinberg and Buffalo Dunes Director of Instruction Jason Hase

I’m excited to be joined by one of the most prominent figures in the history of sports and a member of our Thursday Night Tailgate Guest Hall of Fame, Leigh Steinberg. Leigh has been a regular guest for over 11 years, with his first appearance dating back to August 1, 2013. We’ll be diving into the massive surge in money within the world of sports, from skyrocketing player contracts to the impact of NIL deals in college athletics. We’ll also discuss something that was once unimaginable: sports leagues and teams being sponsored by gambling sites, as well as Las Vegas becoming home to multiple major sports franchises. Leigh is a great friend, and I’m thrilled to have him on the show again.

Following Leigh, I’ll be joined by Jason Hase, Director of Instruction at Buffalo Dunes in Garden City, Kansas. Buffalo Dunes was recently recognized as the 8th best municipal course in the country by Golf Magazine, and Jason will share what makes the course so special, including the ongoing renovations and the amazing community volunteers helping with the project. We’ll also talk about the fantastic junior golf program he’s running. Jason will be joining me about 30 minutes into the show, and I can’t wait for you to hear from him.

S11, Ep 52, Pt 2: The Voice of Pittsburgh Sports Media Paul Alexander & Hall of Fame Instructor Jim McLean

Paul Alexander has been broadcasting in Pittsburgh for over 30 years. You’ve heard him on KDKA-TV and 93.7 The Fan, covering the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates. His long tenure and deep connection with the local sports community have made him a respected and well-known voice in Pittsburgh. You can listen to his golf show Going Low on Saturday mornings on 93.7 The Fan. In this segment, Paul shares his insights on the Steelers and Pirates, reflects on his recent rounds at Olde Stonewall and Wanango Country Club, and discusses why Pittsburgh is an underrated gem when it comes to golf.

Jim McLean, one of the most respected instructors in golf, is in several Hall of Fames and has led his golf schools to certify over 400 teachers, many of whom are now top instructors across the country. He has quickly become one of my favorite guests. We discuss his soon-to-open golf school in Armonk, New York, and dive into his thoughts on the evolution of teaching techniques. Jim also shares his experience opening a new golf school in South Korea and the growing popularity of the sport there.

S11, Ep 52, Pt 1: Tom Patri & Hal Sutton

As Tom prepared for the arrival of Hurricane Milton in Naples, Florida, he shared his insights on the Presidents Cup, including reports of players swearing at Tom Kim, and highlighted the impressive performances of golfers over 60 who are still proving they can compete at a high level.

Hal Sutton gives us an update on his latest course design, the Darmor Club, which recently opened to rave reviews and is poised to become one of the top courses in the U.S. Hal recounts a special call from Sahith Theegala, who sought to play Darmor as part of his Presidents Cup preparation. We also take a trip down memory lane to Hal’s very first lesson with the legendary Harvey Penick.

S11, Ep 51, Pt 2: Elevate Your Play: Expert Instruction From Golf Tips Magazine Top 25 Instructors Jon Decker & Tom Stickney

Jon Decker, the 2015 Southern Ohio Teacher of the Year and Director of Instruction at the Medallion Club, shares stories from his time with legendary mentor Phil Rogers, a memorable encounter involving Rogers and Gary Player, and strategies for overcoming the mental challenges that can sabotage your game. He also gives us a sneak peek into his new book, Fairways to Heaven…One Shot at a Time.

Tom Stickney, a Top 100 Teacher by Golf Magazine and a Top 50 International Instructor, brings his expertise to the table as we explore the differences between old-school and new-school teaching methods, the debate between speed training and letting the club do the work, and tips for golfers over 50 looking to increase their driving distance. Tom also offers his take on how to fix the over-the-top swing and shares his perspective on the current state of the PGA Tour.

S11, Ep 51: Pt 1: Steelers Legend Rocky Bleier and The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters.

Rocky is one of the greatest storytellers in sports and has been a frequent and favorite guest over the years. He first joined me way back in 2011, and this marks the 13th time I’ve had the honor of chatting with him. We’ll dive into the Steelers’ season, revisit his early days in Pittsburgh, and hear some fantastic stories about playing alongside Terry Bradshaw. Rocky also shares his thoughts on the toughest moments he’s had on the football field, my favorite Chuck Noll story, and his experiences playing in some of his favorite Pro-Ams.

Following Rocky, we get our monthly visit from The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters. This time, Doc talks about how to create a “Personal Zone of Control” and the importance of managing our expectations rather than trying to meet the expectations of others and creating a personal playing space. It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their mental game.

Tune in for these amazing stories and more!

S11, Ep 50, Pt 2: Two-Time Tennessee Teacher of the Year Virgil Herring & 2 Time Winner on Tour Rick Fehr

Virgil Herring is a graduate of Mississippi State’s Professional Golf Management program and has earned the title of Middle Tennessee Section PGA Teacher of the Year five times, as well as Tennessee Teacher of the Year twice. He has worked with several Tour players, including Brandt Snedeker.

In our conversation, Virgil shares stories about his time working with Snedeker, and we discuss Brandt’s recent accolades—being named the recipient of the 2024 Payne Stewart Award and serving as an Assistant Captain at both this year’s Presidents Cup and next year’s Ryder Cup. Virgil also offers valuable advice on how to get your swing on the correct plane and how to reach a Flow State on the mental side of the game.

Rick Fehr, who helped BYU win the national championship in 1981, was the low amateur at both the 1984 Masters and U.S. Open. After winning twice on the PGA Tour, Rick transitioned into becoming a top instructor.

Rick and I dive into the topic of old-school versus new-school golf instruction. Have tools like Trackman and home simulators given us a false sense of knowledge about our game? He also shares his thoughts on Scottie Scheffler’s claim that his mind is the strongest part of his game. We discuss whether trying harder or trying something different is the right approach, and Rick reflects on what it was like seeing himself on a trading card for the first time.

S11, Ep 50, Pt 1: Steelers Legend Greg Lloyd Tells It Like It Is & Dr. Kathy Hoeft Helps Us Start & Finish Strong

Greg Lloyd, a Steelers Hall of Honor inductee, is also a member of our Guest Hall of Fame over on our football show, Thursday Night Tailgate. This is the 13th time I’ve had the privilege of speaking with Greg. In this segment, we discuss the challenges of being a late-round pick from a small college, overcoming judgments based on school size rather than talent, and his approach of going full speed at every practice, never taking a play off. Greg also reflects on a special visit from The Chief when he had knee surgery during his rookie year, Bill Cowher’s idea of moving him to Inside Linebacker, playing alongside Kevin Greene, and the moment he first saw fans wearing his #95 jersey in the stands.

Dr. Kathy Hoeft makes her debut on Next on the Tee. She’s a fantastic physical therapist and athletic trainer, and in this episode, she shares her expertise on taking a holistic approach to relieving knee, hip, ankle, and lower back pain. We also dive into topics like Tai Chi, shedding the “dad bod,” the best foods to eat at the turn, and which supplements are worth taking and which ones are best avoided.

S11, Ep 49, Pt 2: Bethpage Director of Instruction Megan Younkman Plus Comedic Legend Tom Dreesen

In Part 2 of Episode 49, I’m joined by two fantastic people: Megan Younkman, the Director of Instruction at Bethpage State Park, one of the Top 50 Junior and LPGA Instructors in the game, plus comedic legend and veteran of 61 appearances with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, Tom Dreesen.

Megan Younkman is not only a top junior instructor, but she’s also the Director of Instruction at Bethpage State Park. This year, her 17 & Under team is competing for the National Championship, while her 13 & Under All-Star team made it to the finals. Megan shares insights into their success and talks about the preparations already underway at Bethpage Black for next year’s Ryder Cup matches.

Tom Dreesen brings over 50 years of show business experience to the conversation. With 61 appearances on The Tonight Show and years spent as the opening act for Frank Sinatra, he’s got a treasure trove of stories. He’s also hosted his own Pro-Am, played in the Bob Hope Desert Classic for several years, and competed on the Celebrity Tour. Plus, he’s a proud member of the Caddie Hall of Fame. In this segment, Tom shares his fascinating experiences and more.

S11, Ep 49, Pt 1: Two Great Ladies in our Game, Western Pennsylvania’s own Missie Berteotti and the First Female President of the PGA of America, Suzy Whaley

Suzy Whaley is one of the most knowledgeable and gracious individuals you’ll ever meet. She made history as the first woman to qualify (not through a sponsor’s exemption) to play in a PGA Tour event since Babe Didrikson-Zaharias did it in 1945. Suzy was also the first female President of the PGA of America and now serves as the President of the exciting new golf platform, Golf Nation.

In our conversation, Suzy shares her insights on the recent Solheim Cup, a thrilling victory for Team USA. We discuss the possibility of creating a Presidents Cup-style event for women, giving international players a stage to showcase their talents. Suzy also reflects on Nelly Korda’s phenomenal season, the sometimes negative focus of media, and the innovative work happening at Golf Nation.

Missie Berteotti is one of Western Pennsylvania’s greatest golfers. She helped the University of Miami win a national championship and secured her first LPGA Tour victory at the 1993 Ping/Welch’s Championship, defeating Dottie Mochrie in an epic battle that went to the 5th playoff hole. Today, Missie is a leading instructor in the game.

Missie and I talk about a recent charity event where she teed it up alongside Steelers legend John Banaszak, and she shares her experience of going head-to-head with Mochrie to capture her first Tour win. We also chat about some of her favorite golf courses in the Pittsburgh area.