Tree of Life

16 Dec

S12, Ep 54 Part 1: Brian Jacobs on The Lessons That Change Careers Plus Connor Lewis and the Wanamaker You Could Own & The GOAT Debate Gets Real…

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 – 9:58 am

On this episode of Next on the Tee, I’m joined by four outstanding guests who bring game-changing perspective from three very different corners of golf.

First, top New York instructor and a wonderful human being, Brian Jacobs returns to talk about his move from an elite Florida club back to Rochester, the lessons he learned, and the key questions every PGA Professional — or anyone considering a new job — should ask before saying yes. I also talk with him about the positive impact he’s made on players’ lives, and he shares the details about his upcoming trip to Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill, which anyone is free to join in on.

Next, Connor Lewis, Founder of the Society of Golf Historians and the new Antiquity Golf Company, makes an electric debut. Connor dives into the treasures of golf history, dives deep into the GOAT debate (Snead, Hogan, Jack, Tiger, Trevino, Bobby Locke), why he’d pick Lee Trevino to face anyone 1 on 1, and how the PGA Tour has copied almost everything from LIV short of the shotgun starts.

Then be sure to come back for Part 2, because the doctors are in. The Confidence Doctor Dr. Bob Winters returns with updates on his students’ successes, the meaning of “social loafing” in golf, his thoughts on the Tour’s direction, and a key reminder for competitive players: When doubt creeps in, believe you belong out there.

He’s followed by Doc Merrill, Head Golf Coach at the University of Maine at Augusta. He’s developed a lot of great young players. You’re going to really enjoy his stories and insights.

Thank you as always for pressing play and being part of this week’s show.

 

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

10 Dec

S12, Ep 53: Greg Lloyd: The Standard Is No Longer the Standard

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 – 4:52 pm

In this special bonus edition of Next on the Tee, I’m thrilled to welcome back my all-time favorite Pittsburgh Steeler, Greg Lloyd, for his 15th appearance on the show. As a proud Pittsburgh guy who grew up watching Greg dominate on Sundays, it’s always an honor to share time with him—whether here or during the years he joined Bob Lazzari and I on Thursday Night Tailgate.

If you’ve ever wondered what Greg Lloyd is like today, I can tell you this: he’s exactly the same man off the field that he was on it—intense, passionate, fiercely loyal to the black ’n gold, and never one to pull punches. That honesty is why we made him a member of our Thursday Night Tailgate Guest Hall of Fame.

In this conversation, Greg gives his unfiltered thoughts on the current state of the Steelers defense. He doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. He talks about the lost art of tackling, why “hoping” for success means you didn’t prepare, and what it meant when he buckled his chinstrap at practice—spoiler: somebody was about to get hit. He shares stories about how his defenses rallied to the ball, shouting “Hold him up—we’re coming!”

Greg has a standard for Steelers football, one forged by the Steel Curtain of the 70s, his own dominant 90s units, and the championship defenses of the early 2000s. And this year’s group? They’re not living up to it—and Greg doesn’t hesitate to say why.

If you bleed black and gold, this is a segment you’re going to absolutely love. Strap in… Greg Lloyd is back, and he’s bringing the fire.

 

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

02 Dec

S12, Ep52, Pt 2: S12, Ep 52 Part 2: Featuring Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton + Monitoba Golf HOFer & Golf Tech Pioneer Terry Hashimoto

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 – 11:42 am

 

On this week’s edition of Next on the Tee, I’m thrilled to welcome back two extraordinary guests who continue to inspire, educate, and elevate everything they touch.

First up is one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met —Olympic Gold Medal Figure Skater Scott Hamilton. If there was an award for the greatest person on the planet, Scott would have won it for the last 40 years in a row. His life is a masterclass in perseverance. From battling brain cancer since birth, to pushing through years of unexplained health challenges, he rose to capture the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal and become one of the most beloved voices in sports broadcasting.

Scott joins me to talk about his fantastic annual event, Scott Hamilton & Friends, benefiting the incredible work of the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation. We dive into the star-studded lineup (including several Classic Rock stars), the mission behind his fundraising, and the impact his foundation continues to make.

We also look ahead to February, when Scott returns to the NBC broadcast booth for the Winter Olympics in Italy, marking his 10th Olympic Games on the microphone—tying the legendary Dick Button. Scott shares what a day in the life of an Olympic commentator is like, how he prepares, and what to expect from a U.S. figure skating team loaded with medal contenders including Ilia Malinin, Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito, and Amber Glenn.

Scott also takes us inside key moments from his own career—from finishing dead last in his early competitions, to handling Olympic pressure, to the humbling conversation with the Ohio Governor about “Hometown Hero Syndrome,” which brought powerful perspective during his post-Gold whirlwind. We wrap with some fun stories about his guitar collection and his experience at Rock ’n Roll Fantasy Camp.

Then we transition back to golf with one of the most innovative minds in the game—Terry Hashimoto, Co-Developer & Founder of Swing Balance and BodiTrak Golf, and Founder of Ai Sensor & ProScreen Ai. Terry has been a dominant figure in Canadian golf for decades, a Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame inductee, and one of the industry’s most sought-after experts in biomechanics, balance, and golf technology.

Terry updates us on the groundbreaking work he’s doing in the AI space, including how the Ai Sensor app can “revitalize” an 11-year-old BodiTrak mat using a simple iPhone connection. We break down what golfers are actually seeing in those videos, how Lidar technology helps diagnose dysfunctional movement patterns, and how instructors can use normative values—based on age, height, gender, and weight—to create customized recovery and movement protocols for all 11 joints from head to ankle.

We also dive deeper into weight shift, proper trail-leg loading, and how golfers can adjust when dealing with physical limitations like arthritis, old injuries, or—like in my case—ankle replacement surgeries. Terry shares practical, eye-opening ways players can compensate for mobility loss and still play great golf through smarter movement patterns.

It’s an inspiring, insightful, and energizing episode featuring two world-class individuals who continue to push boundaries in their respective arenas.

Thank you for pressing play.

Where golf legends live…and your game gets better.

 

 

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

20 Nov

S12, Ep 52 Part 1: LIV’s Big Move, Young Talent at Risk & Life at Hole in the Wall with Tom Patri & Jon Buddenhagen

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, November 20th, 2025 – 10:45 am

Welcome in, folks, to another edition of Next on the Tee, where golf legends live and your game gets better.

We kick things off with our Resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri, who shares his reaction to the breaking news that LIV Golf will move to a 72-hole format starting in 2026. If that shift leads to World Golf Ranking points, what does it mean for the PGA Tour? With every LIV event next year offering bigger payouts than the Tour’s Signature events, could they target up-and-coming young talent the way they did with former Rory McIlroy protégé Tom McKibbin? Could rising players be swayed by a $5 million signing bonus, larger guaranteed purses, and the ability to still earn OWGR points to access the majors? TP breaks it all down and gives us his take on how this could reshape professional golf.

Then I’m joined by someone Tom knows well and has worked with over the years — Jon Buddenhagen, Head Golf Professional at the historic Hole in the Wall Golf Club in Naples, Florida. Jon shares the story behind this unique, golf-only club that dates back to the 1950s — no tennis, no pickleball, no dining, and no tee times. Members simply walk up and play, making it one of the purest old-school golf experiences you’ll find. Jon takes us inside a day in the life of a Head Golf Pro, how they maintain the course to meet member expectations, and he offers a couple of great tips to help you shave a few strokes off your game.

And be sure to come back for Part 2, when I’ll be joined by two great friends of the show — 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamiltonand golf-tech genius Terry Hashimoto.

Thank you, as always, for tuning in and being part of this community.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

19 Nov

S12, Ep 51 Part 2: Courses with Soul & Questions that Matter with Mitch Laurance & Dr. Bob Winters

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 – 12:11 pm

On this edition of Next on the Tee, we kick things off with someone who means the world to me — a mentor, a cherished friend, and the former host of the greatest golf-travel podcast ever created, Talking Golf Getaways — Mitch Laurance.

Mitch joins me fresh off a quick trip to Alaska and a summer adventure across Scotland, where he uncovered some hidden gems on the island of Arran. Wait until you hear about the historic, soulful courses he discovered and what makes them so special. We also dive into the brilliance of Mike Stranz, revisiting the unforgettable experiences found at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, True Blue, and Tobacco Road. Mitch also tells us, if he had one round left to play, where would he tee it up? His answer — and the emotion behind it — is powerful.

Then we wrap up with our monthly check-in with the Confidence Doctor himself, Dr. Bob Winters. This month, Dr. Bob focuses on questions — the ones we should ask ourselves about what we truly want from the game, the questions to bring with us to the course, and the ones he poses to his players to help them make better, smarter decisions. It’s perspective-shifting wisdom that every golfer can use.

Another episode filled with heart, history, insight, and inspiration. Thank you for pressing play.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

14 Nov

S12, Ep 51, Pt 1: Designing Greatness: David Duval & Shane LeBaron on Building Olde Eight

published in category: Next on the Tee on Friday, November 14th, 2025 – 2:51 pm

This week on Next on the Tee, I’m joined by two incredible guests —former World #1, 1999 Players Champion, and 2001 Open Champion David Duval, and Top Instructor and the first ever Director of Instruction at Cherry Hills Shane LeBaron, who’s been a great friend of the show for nearly a decade.

Shane and David are teaming up on something VERY special down in Greenwood, South Carolina — the Olde Eight Golf Club and the amazing surrounding community they’re building. They’re here to give us an inside look at the vision behind it and what’s sure to be one of the great private communities in the country. We talk about what makes the course unique, its state-of-the-art practice facilities, and whether it might one day host a Tour event. You’ll also hear how David got involved in the project, what inspired its design (including a hole that might remind you of Augusta’s 12th), and how the two are building something far beyond your typical golf club experience.

We also discuss the work that Shane and David have put in on David’s game that has improved each of the last 4 seasons out on the Champions Tour — which resulted in multiple Top 10 finishes this season and a strong close at the Simmons Bank Championship and at the Furyk & Friends tournament.

It’s a deep dive into design and passion for the game — straight from two guys who live and breathe golf.

🎧 Press play, settle in, and enjoy another great conversation on Next on the Tee.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

13 Nov

S12, Ep 50 Pt 2: From Green to Tee: How Top 100 Teacher Scott Munroe Builds Better Golfers

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, November 13th, 2025 – 11:43 am

In Part 2 of Episode 50, I’m joined by Scott Munroe, Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and one of the “Hoosiers” from the Two Hoosiers & a Hong crew. Scott is a longtime Teaching Professional at the ultra-exclusive Nantucket Golf Club in the summer. If you’ve ever wondered what golf looks like behind the gates of one of the most private clubs in the country, Scott takes us there. Nantucket has had members like Jack Welch and Bill Belichick, and the course was designed by our good friend Rees Jones, so the stories run deep.

Scott also shares how he develops junior players in a way that may surprise you — teaching them backwards, starting on the putting green and working out toward the tee. It’s a strategy we also heard from our friend Eva Rogers. Scott explains why it helps kids understand scoring, feel, and confidence faster than any launch monitor ever could.

We also talk about the unique culture among great coaches in golf: the freedom and willingness to share knowledge, not guard it. No “secret sauce.” No holding back. Just helping each other help more players enjoy the game.

And before we wrap, Scott gives us a few simple home drills to keep your swing loose and active during the colder months, so you don’t feel like you’re starting over when spring rolls back around.

It’s fun, insightful, and full of takeaways you can use right away. Scott is fantastic, you’re going to love him.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

13 Nov

S12, Ep 50 Pt 1: Qualifying Isn’t Guaranteed: Shaun Micheel on the Fight for the Champions Tour + US Kids Lifetime Master Teacher James Hong, The Next Generation Starts Here

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, November 13th, 2025 – 11:41 am

Thank you for coming back and pressing play on this week’s show. I’ve got a jam-packed episode featuring a major champion…and two of the most dedicated and respected teachers in our game.

Leading things off is my great friend Shaun Micheel, the 2003 PGA Champion, and one of the very first guests to ever join this show. This marks Shaun’s 39th appearance here, and as always, he brings thoughtful insight and honesty. We get into just how tough it is to qualify for the Champions Tour — and why winning a major doesn’t automatically open that door. We also dive into how LIV has forced the PGA Tour to evolve, whether Shaun would consider playing if LIV launched a senior circuit, and we check in on how his Indiana Hoosiers have been surprising folks this football season.

Then I’m joined by James Hong, a U.S. Kids Golf Lifetime Master Teacher, and one-third of the famed Two Hoosiers & a Hong trio. James gives us a fascinating look into coaching young players today — in a world where instant gratification, TrackMan numbers, and social comparison are everywhere. We talk expectations, patience, parents, and how to keep the fun and curiosity alive in junior golf.

Be sure to come back for Part 2, because another one of the Hoosiers joins me — Scott Munroe, longtime Teaching Professional at the extremely exclusive Nantucket Golf Club. Scott shares what it’s like teaching at one of the most private clubs in America, how he earned the nickname “99,” and why he teaches juniors backwards — starting at the hole and working back to the tee. He also gives us some great drills to keep our swings sharp through the winter months.

It’s an insightful and really fun episode — full of stories, wisdom, and a whole lot of passion for growing the game.

Thanks as always for taking the journey with me.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



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