Tree of Life

02 Jan

S12, Ep55: Legends Never Fade: Eddie & the Cruisers, Seve & the Revival of Otey Putters with Matthew Laurance & Steve Strano

published in category: Next on the Tee on Friday, January 2nd, 2026 – 11:50 am

Welcome to this week’s edition of Next on the Tee — where golf legends live and your game gets better. I truly appreciate you being here and pressing play.

I’m really excited to share this episode with you because it features two wonderful friends—one who has been very dear to me for years and another new friend who I hope will be joining me many times going forward.

Leading things off is Matthew Laurance, a longtime favorite of this show and someone I’ve been blessed to call a close friend. Many of you know Matthew from his iconic role as Sal Amatto, the fictional bass player in Eddie & the Cruisers—easily one of my all-time favorite movies. What started as a social media connection grew into appearances on Thursday Night Tailgate, and those conversations eventually turned into a genuine friendship.

This time around, Matthew shares his thoughts on the direction the PGA Tour appears to be heading, which feels like a sharp turn away from the long-standing focus on “growing the game.” We also dive into why Seve became his all-time favorite player, his lingering disappointment from the 1986 Masters, and revisit stories from Eddie & the Cruisers—including what it’s like for him when On the Dark Sidecomes on the radio while he’s driving.

In Segment 2, I’m thrilled to welcome Steve Strano for his Next on the Tee debut. Steve is the son of my gumba Rob Strano, so you know right away he’s going to be a great guest. Steve is an entrepreneur who is helping to resurrect a legendary and nearly forgotten brand of putters.

That brand is Otey Putters, which helped legends like Jimmy Demaret, Dr. Cary Middlecoff, Jackie Burke Jr., and Doug Ford win five Masters between 1947 and 1957. Steve’s passion for Otey is contagious, and during our conversation, he had me completely fired up about these beautifully handcrafted putters, still made in their original factory in Selma, Alabama, by Otey Crisman III, the son of former PGA Tour pro Otey Crisman.

You’re going to love Steve’s energy, his respect for the history of the brand, and the care that goes into every putter. Be sure to check them out at OteyThree.com.

Thanks again for being here and for pressing play on this week’s show. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed bringing it to you.

 

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

17 Dec

S12, Ep 54 Part 2: The Doctors Are In: Fixing Your Mental Game, the PGA Tour & College Golf

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 – 3:12 pm

The Doctors Are In to help fix what’s ailing you, whether your mental game needs pumping up or the PGA Tour, college golf, and the NIL have you feeling sick.

We start things off with our monthly visit from The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters, who shares updates on the success his players are having at the high school, college, and AJGA levels. Dr. Bob explains the concept of social loafing with respect to golf, offers candid thoughts on the PGA Tour doing the opposite of growing the game, and delivers a powerful tip for tournament golfers facing self-doubt—believing you truly belong. He also breaks down his memorable D.U.M.B. Golf acronym.

Then I welcome Doc Merrill, Head Golf Coach at the University of Maine at Augusta, for his Next on the Tee debut. A former medical physician for 37 years, Doc shares his journey into coaching, insights into his program, the impact of NIL on his roster, and stories from recent tournaments. He also recounts meeting Arnold Palmer at the 1975 U.S. Open and previews his upcoming book.

Insightful, honest, and engaging—sit back, relax, and enjoy this hour…because the doctors are in.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

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

 



Podcasts