Flagstick Podcast (Flagstick)

Fresh off an appearance at the Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo, Jeff and Scott jump into a conversation about that specific show but also about consumer golf shows in general. They discuss the evolution of the shows, how they can get better, and how they can have a viable place in the future if they make the inclusions they need to meet the demands of the ever-changing audience. With a big week on the PGA TOUR for the The Players, the guys share their own experience of playing TPC Sawgrass and what you cannot see or feel at home that you can while playing the well-known course. We divulge if we think it is must-watch television for us, and ponder whether not having defending champion Cam Smith in the field diminishes this year's tournament. On the back nine we welcome in Dustin Brekke, the Director of Engineering at Cleveland Golf/Srixon Golf/XXIO, for an interview that explores the evolution of the Srixon Golf brand golf equipment and what their new MKII products bring to the market.

Plenty of Canadian golf talk this week as we run down the list of some top finishes by Canadian pros on their respective tours. That includes Brooke Henderson who not only had a 3rd place to start the LPGA season but appeared in a video with popular golf YouTuber Micah Morris. As a result we wonder what her future potential might be on the YouTube platform. We also have a look at the recent GolfWeek Junior Girl Rankings and the rise of many young Canadian women on those charts, plus share some details on exactly how talented they are. We also mix in a tip on what you should be working on your game more even though you likely think you are good at it. On the back nine we chat PGA Merchandise Show, new products, and trends within the industry. We finish it all up with a guessing game where we predict what music artists are the most popular for certain top tour pros.

Thoughts of a Spring or Summer golf trip have pushed plenty within our community to reach out about advice, so on this episode we dig into the topic. We cover off everything we can share from decades of taking them ourselves. From where to go, to how many people to go with, travel logistics, avoiding inter-group conflicts, playing formats, and many other considerations to make your trip a successful one. Before we get to that, we have a discussion about the annual PGA Merchandise Show that just wrapped up in Orlando, Florida. We provide a snapshot of the attendance, who was exhibiting, and how the show has changed over the last three decades. Just for kicks also wander into the results of our Flagstick Twitter poll this week about the foods people would like to see at golf course half way houses. We spend way more time talking about egg rolls than you would ever expect from a golf podcast. But hey, it's worth a laugh or two.

We take a different approach for Episode #80 by digging deep into our mailbag to address many questions from the community. But first, we talk about the current king and queen of golf, Nelly, Korda, and Scottie Sheffler, catch you up with some Canadians having success on the professional and collegiate fronts, and examine what the latest big finish in a major championship has done for Brooke Henderson‘s world rankings. From the listener mailbag, we answer a myriad of questions on a wide range of topics including: Travel destinations - locally and beyond, some favourite holes and courses, equipment, what we look forward to in 2024, the best advice we’ve been given in golf, favourite training aids, and even which LPGA tour players we would like to play with on a scramble team. It's almost an hour of answers to your questions that we are happy to answer. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

Golf season is here in our area...sort of. We chatted about that and the prospects of outdoor golf soon. TGL has concluded its inaugural season. We recap the finale, give our final verdict on the first campaign, and ponder what we might see in season 2. Famed golf club designer Roger Cleveland has returned to the company he founded in 1979. We discuss what this means for Cleveland Golf and take a stroll down memory lane about the products he was responsible for. Golf researcher Dave Pelz passed away on the weekend at age 85. We explore his legacy and how he changed the modern game of golf forever. On the Back 9, we are joined by author David McPherson for an interview about his latest book, 101 Fascinating Golf Facts. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

With the weather improving and golf season just about here there is plenty to discuss on this show. We start with the Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo and share what we saw there, it's level of success, and what we think it means for the golf year ahead. That leads us into discussion of our golf course openings calendar, the Presidents Cup and what International Captain Mike Weir has to say about it this week, the LPGA's event in Singapore and how some Canadians fared, on and off the bag, season 2 of Netflix's Full Swing, and the opening of applications for the 2024 Flagstick.com Shootout presented by COBRA PUMA Golf. On the back 9, we take an observation from the recent golf show and turn it into a conversation about the changing face of golf and those who play it. Who they are, how they will be influenced, and how the business of the game has to adapt to the new clientele. We also make our picks for the winners of the Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo draw for a Cleveland Golf wedge, Srixon golf bag, and Cleveland Golf putter. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

It's that time of year when golf course ranking lists begin to appear all over the world. Of course, what you think about them and their merit is up to you, but we take the time on the Back 9 this week to have a spirited discussion on the topic. Do they hold merit, are they misunderstood by golfers, courses, and marketers, and what value do they have beyond being the centre of debate? We give our take based on years of experience around them and trying to run an opinion-based rating from readers through the years. On the** Front 9** we catch you up with the latest Ottawa Valley, Ontario, and Quebec golf tournament news, and in Product Watch we talk about some of our favourite styles of golf books, with some examples of ones we have enjoyed through the years. On the** Lesson Tee**, Kevin and Jake Haime explore "bounce" on wedges and its role in helping you to hit better chips and pitches.

It's been a busy last two weeks and we have plenty of news to share this week from our recent coverage of everything from Ottawa Valley Golf Association tournaments to the Canadian Junior Girls Golf Championship. In Product Watch we dive into the proliferation of special edition golf shoes - what they are and what we like about them. Kevin and Jake Haime stop in from The Lesson Tee with some thoughts on having a better arm structure in the golf swing, and in the Back Nine we explore golf trips to Prince Edward Island, their popularity, and why golfers are flocking there to spend their vacations.

Tournament season is winding down for some golf tours and ramping up with some big events for others so there is plenty to talk about on this episode. On the Canadian front, we give a full recap of the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour Zone Championship, the PLAY Junior Golf Tour Kevin Dickey Tour Championship, along with the results of the Flagstick.com Cup on that junior tour. We dive into this week's CPKC Women's Open, Canada's only LPGA TOUR stop, to discuss what we expect from the course, the players, and especially the Canadians. That includes a new look for Brooke Henderson and a look at the parts of the game where she has had some issues compared to last year. We discuss the PGA TOUR's Championship and conclusion to the FedEx Cup race, including our favourites, dark horses, and some opinions on the format. We have a game to close out the show, with Over Par/Under Par opinions of a variety of topics that often divide golfers, or at least cause some discussion.

It's a Pandora's box on this show. We've recently done a show on what we love about golf, and now it is time to take it in the other direction. This is not to tear down the game but just to give our observations on how it could be made better to address the golf market in 2024 and into the future. Among the angles we discuss are junior golf participation, golf equipment pricing and opportunities, etiquette and respect for the course, education and lessons, course amenities, technology, and marketing by associations at a consumer level to drive interest and engagement. It's a detailed look at what golf is and what it can become to keep the game attracting players into the future and keep the business of the game thriving. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

With the Solheim Cup about to start we thought we would give it the due attention as the world's golf eyes fall up Spain this week where the Europeans look to defend the title against Team USA. We discuss who we think might win, who we are cheering for, and who might be the biggest star and dud for each team. We wander through the local and national golf news and topics on our mind this week. Kevin and Jake Haime are back on the Lesson Tee with some thoughts to help your golf game, and we take a look at some of the latest golf equipment and products that have recently arrived on the market.

We've got two national opens to talk about on this show, one in the United States and one in Canada. Before we get to those, we catch you up on the latest regional news from eastern Ontario including details from the Spring Open for the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour, some upgrades happening at Loyalist Country Club in Bath, Ontario, and the signing of a Kingston athlete to an endorsement contract with a major golf club manufacturer. We had a lot of preview material for the RBC Canadian Open on our last show, but we bring you some current details from the week including comments by players like Rory McIlroy on the renovated Hamilton Golf and Country Club layout. On the back nine, we look at the US Women's Open and the Canadians taking part, Brooke Henderson, and Maude-Aimee Leblanc. Brooke met with the media earlier in the week and shared some insight on why she enjoys major championships. We also discuss the retirement news from Lexi Thompson, and we finish up the show with some Ancaster or Lancaster Trivia. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

This week, we dive deep into the hallowed grounds of Augusta National to dissect Rory McIlroy's triumphant and historic victory at the 2025 Masters. Relive the thrilling final round, the dramatic playoff against Justin Rose, and the significance of McIlroy finally completing the career Grand Slam. We'll analyze the key moments, discuss the emotional weight of his achievement, and place this win within the context of golf history, examining what it means for his legacy and the sport as a whole. But the conversation doesn't stop at the iconic 18th green. We then shift our focus to the future of the game, tackling the pressing issues currently facing junior golf. From rising costs and accessibility challenges to the balance golf course owners must navigate to achieve their business goals, both short and long term. Join us for a thoughtful and engaging discussion that bridges the magic of Augusta with the realities of nurturing young talent on the fairways. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

Golf tournament season continues in Canada, fueling our news and topics discussed on the front nine. We run the gamut from the Ottawa Valley Golf Association Senior Men's Intersectionals to the World Deaf Golf Championships with plenty of results and details in between. We take a look at the recent play of Lydia Ko and wonder how this might affect what happens next for her career. On the Back Nine, we delve into the PGA TOUR Championships for a full discussion. From the format to the restoration of the East Lake G&CC, to the meaning of this event and the PGA TOUR playoff structure as a whole. There is a lot to debate and consider as the PGA Tour wraps up its main season. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

We're neck deep in golf coverage this week with a bunch of news to share and a timely topic to discuss on the Back 9. Among the news topics: OVGA Men's Intersectionals OVGA U13/U15 Championships Alexander of Tunis Championship at Rivermead Is The Canadian Men's Amateur Returning to the National Capital Region in 2025? Updates on the LPGA, PGA TOUR, and DP World Tour Play Junior Golf Tour updates Flagstick.com Shootout Flagstick Academy Tips On the Back 9, we discuss the surprising announcement that Keegan Bradley will be the Team USA Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. What are the implications of the decision and how much can a Captain influence the event's outcome? How does that change if they are a Playing Captain; something Bradley has not ruled out? Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

Tournament results and tournament preparation are in focus this week on the show. On the Front 9 we give our final takes on the 2024 Open Championship, drop some news from Ottawa Valley Golf Association, PLAY Junior Golf Tour, Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour, Golf Quebec, and Golf Ontario events, while also touching on news from the LPGA and PGA TOUR Americas. On the Back 9 our focus is on helping people who are looking to run a golf tournament. We share nuggets and knowledge from our 25 years of being involved with running events. We run through the many things an organizer needs to be thinking about, from checklists and timelines, through to budgets, marketing, and details for a high-quality execution that will make it a success. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

With the holiday season upon us we thought we'd talk about golf gifts this week, but not only in the traditional way. Yes, we'll bring you some suggestions on gifts for the people in your lives, but we also challenge ourselves and consider what we might want to give to some of the top pro golfers in the game today. It makes for a fun segment, escpecially when you have to consider a gift for Tiger Woods or Brooke Henderson! As always, we have plenty of regional and Canadian golf news to discuss, Product Watch has us diving in for a look at some Jordan golf shoes, and on the Lesson Tee, Kevin and Jake Haime have a look at the movement of the knees in the full swing and what we can all learn to do better, or less of.

We get the Fall Travel talk started this week, but first we have plenty of news to share. We rec-cap the end of the OVGA Junior season, the OVGA Intersectionals, and provide an update on Quinte Kingston Intersectionals, the Cornwall Open, local Pro-Ams, and some charity golf. Kevin and Jake Haime join us for more instruction talk. In the meat of show we take on the topic of golf travel to the Pinehurst/Sandhills region of North Carolina. We update you on the latest news for the region, give insight from over two decades of travelling there, provide some tips on golf courses, accommodations, travel, and the other highlights that are a must for any golf fan who makes the pilgrimage.

You'll find out quickly in this episode that our answer to the title question is yes, we both believe The Open is the best men's major championship. Your mileage may vary but we make our case for why as we preview the 151st edition of the event taking place this week in England. We lend some insight the Hoylake Golf Links at Royal Liverpool, who we think may be a good fit as a winner, and what skills they will need to prevail. In the balance of the show we bring you another instruction piece from Kevin and Jake Haime, discuss the Flagstick.com Shootout that we recently hosted, share some thoughts on the OVGA Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, and introduce you to a young golfer who put on a dominant performance at a Golf Quebec Provincial Championship.

It's a big week in professional golf, so we take a look at The PLAYERS Championship and offer some thoughts on the event, the Canadians in the field, and Scottie Scheffler's quest to win it for a third consecutive time. We also chat about last week's events, particularly the Arnold Palmer Invitational and some comments by Collin Morikawa about his decision to not speak to the media after a tough loss. Jeff and Scott exchange their opinions on the situation. Staying on the PGA TOUR theme, Scott shares about his opportunity to attend and play in the Puerto Rico Open Pro-Am - what it entailed, what his impressions were of the opposite-field event, and some general comments on the destination. In addition to all this, we summarize the recent Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Show, talk about pending golf facility openings here in Ontario, and reveal who made the 2025 Class of Inductees for the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

Birthdays, sickness, hockey, pulled pork, and even some golf on this show. We catch up after a week away, bring some updates on tournament registrations, golf shows, and golf jobs, and then we get to the show's meat. As we pine to play some outdoor golf, we highlight a number of regional and worldwide golf holes, break down the designs a bit, and share how we might play them. It's a good chance just to talk about hitting some shots, how we view strategy in golf course design, and also create some aspiration to play some of the best-known golf holes in North America, and beyond. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

Jeff and Scott had a chance to play together this past week; giving them pause to consider what a gift it is to enjoy the company of friends and family on the golf course. They discuss this, leading to talk about the value of golf course, beyond how they may be portrayed in "rankings". That also leads to talk about golf course rankings, how many people misinterpret them, and what value do they have when they are not as incluive as they could be. Kevin and Jake Haime of the Kevin Haime Golf Centre are back with more instruction to get your game in tune. On the Back Nine it is all Ryder Cup talk as we discuss how the teams are shaping up a month out from the competition, why Captain's value varying elements in the process of creating a "team" and who will think will be stand-outs from the U.S.A. and European Squads in Italy this year.

After a very busy week away, the Flagstick Podcast returns with a show full of news and with plenty of analysis on the return of the LPGA Tour to Canada. The CP Women's Open has not been conducted since 2019 due to the pandemic and fans turned out in droves at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club to see some of the most talented golfers on the planet. We have a full wrap-up of the week including the win by Paula Reto, the takeaway for Brooke Henderson, and Lorie Kane's 30th and final CP Women's Open. We also discuss the impact on the local community and how the golf course and infrastructure made the tournament one to remember. On the lesson tee Kevin Haime talks triggers to start your golf swing, and in Product Watch we dive into the winner's bag of Paula Reto and discuss some equipment trends on the LPGA TOUR that the average golfer should be paying attention to.

The boys are back after several weeks of challenges but that just means there is plenty to talk about. In this episode we discuss the surprise induction into the Ottawa Valley Golf Hall of Fame for Joe McLean, the announcement of Mike Weir as the International Team Presidents Cup Captain in 2024, as well as sharing some memories from 2007 when it was last held at Royal Montreal Golf Club. We chat about the recent spectacular play by Eastern Ontario's Kurtis Barkley in Dubai and Australia on the G4D Tour, and take a look at the season that was for Smith Falls' Brooke Henderson. That includes a summary of her first 200 events as part of the Rolex World Rankings. Lastly, we consider the lengthening of the 13th hole at the Augusta National Golf Club and how it may change The Masters going forward. In the Lesson Tee with Kevin Haime, he and Jake Haime discuss the flex in the trail knee during the full swing, and in Product Watch we have a look at the latest milled putters from Cleveland Golf.

After touching on local and national golf news, we settled in to discuss this week's Captain's Picks that filled out the respective Presidents Cup teams. What did we like, what did we disagree with, and we wonder how much of it even matters to the outcome? We also get you ready for some late Fall travel by chatting about some places we have visited before on the back end of the Canadian golf season to stretch out our year. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

As we prepare for the Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo, Jeff and Scott sat down to discuss golf facilities getting opened in Eastern Ontario, Talor Gooch’s comments about Rory McIlroy, the 2024 schedule for the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour, the latest inductee into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, and the return of the Loyalist Junior Showcase Tournament. On our Back Nine, we jump into the deep end of Golf Improvement as many people look to get ready for the upcoming golf season. We take a holistic look at the topic, beyond just your full swing technique, to consider the many different where you can possibly improve your score, and simply make your golf experience better every time you tee it up.

We return this week with a Front 9 that has a full slate of news from the Canadian golf scene, including amateur, college, club professional, adapted golf, and touring professional golf. We touch on job changes, strong finishes by Canadian juniors, and pros playing at various qualifying schools. We also share news on the World Long Drive Tour returning to Eastern Ontario for 2025. On the back nine we focus on putters and run through a list of what we think are some of the all-time putter designs. You'll recognize a lot them. We also give a nod to modern putters and speculate about which popular ones may eventually work their way on to the -All-Time Classic list. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

The countdown is on to the Flagstick Open! Join us for the latest news and a compelling case for why you shouldn't miss the Flagstick.com Shootout. We're also eagerly awaiting warmer weather as Ontario's golf courses burst open for the season! This week, we tackle a crucial question: who can you trust for golf equipment reviews? Plus, we dissect those sudden-death finishes at the Masters and RBC Heritage – is it the best way to decide a winner? We'll share our thoughts on Nelly Korda's Czech-inspired Champions Dinner, empty the mailbag with early RBC Canadian Open predictions, ponder the return of the Korn Ferry Tour to Canada, explore the unique charm of Harbour Town, look ahead to the next major, preview the Chevron Championship, and delve into the mini-driver phenomenon. We'll even discuss when to upgrade your driver, assess JT's chances of winning more the rest of this year, and reveal the golf courses topping our 2025 wishlists! Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

We have plenty to talk about this week with golf season chugging along at the amateur and professional levels. We bring you updates on some events in the Ottawa Valley (Gordon Cup, OVGA, Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour)and share some insights from a trip to TPC Toronto for the PGA TOUR Americas Fortinet Cup Championship. Scott also made a visit to the Canadian All-Abilities Golf Championship and has some thoughts about the event, the athletes, and the host golf facility. We also get you up to speed on Canadians playing on pro tours around the world, and in the Back 9 take some time to discuss this week's Solheim Cup competition. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

As we wander towards the end of the year, plenty of fun golf conversations remain left to have. In this show, like always, we provide some updates on Canadians playing golf worldwide. That includes the Ladies European Tour Qualifying, the Grant Thornton Invitational, and the PGA Tour Qualifying School. We wander through some talk on Tiger Woods and the PNC Championship, and chat about the implications for others now that Jon Rahm has officially chosen to play the LIV Golf League and is suspended from the PGA TOUR. We take a reverse course from the toxic golf topics to share some personal highlight moments that we experienced in golf in 2023, and on the Back 9, we explore golf trips to Florida and give some insights from our past journeys. We hope it helps the community when they are trying to look for southern golf destinations for upcoming trips. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

After a week of break, we finally got to wrap up the Presidents Cup and talk about how the event went overall, what it was like being on the ground rather than watching on television, and our thoughts on the future of the event. We share some insight from the World Junior Golf Championships recently hosted in Mississauga, Ontario, wrap up some news from the OVGA, PGA of Ottawa, and Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame, and spotlight a new grip from True Temper. On the Back 9, we discuss Fall Golf, how it impacts golf performance, and what adjustments average players can make to play better and enjoy the game more in cooler, wetter conditions when the ground starts to get much softer. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

As we move further into the new year, the world of golf is heating up. This week on the Flagstick Podcast, we delve into the 2025 Golf Ontario schedule, share our thoughts on week 4 of the TGL, and discuss the potential arrival of rangefinders on the PGA Tour. On the Back 9, it's an LPGA focus as the circuit returns, and we explore what lies ahead for stars like Nelly Korda and, in particular, Canada's own Brooke Henderson. Henderson, winless for two years, appears poised to capture her 14th victory in her 11th year on tour at just 27 years old. We also recap the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and highlight the newest winner on the Asian Tour, who previously enjoyed success winning tournaments here in Canada. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

Soooo much to talk about this week. Golf season is firing up on the pro tours, equipment scene, and travel business. We dip into a lot of it. Part of it is chatting about the latest Canadian winner on the Korn Ferry Tour and a huge player announcement for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Osprey Valley. On the Back 9, we discuss the TGL and where we stand with it after week three. There are a few hot takes, so you may want to tune in to those. We close it out with some chatter on things we'd like to personally do in golf in 2025, leading us to a stunning realization about what did NOT happen in 2024. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

We are in the midst of a big run and pro and amateur events, leaving us plenty to talk about. This week, we share some thoughts on the U.S. Open, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and run through a myriad of regional and provincial events, including insight from attending a few of them. We also bring you the latest instruction from Kevin and Jake Haime of the Kevin Haime Golf School to help you improve your game. On our back nine Scott caught up with Jodie Jenkins of the Endless Summer event being held in Belleville, Ontario in a few weeks that will bring together some of the top men’s long drive professionals in the world to compete under the lights at the Trillium Wood Golf Club. He’ll reveal some of the big names who will compete and offers full details on how you can watch.

A extra fun one on tap this episode as we wrap up a few junior events, discuss the Rickie Fowler win on the PGA TOUR, and ponder the magnitude of the U.S. Women's Open being played at the Pebble Beach Golf Links for the first time and what we will be interested to see. Kevin and Jake Haime join us from The Lesson Tee for another bit of instruction, and we decide whether we believe the golf indexes claim by some NHL players are legitimate or not in a game we call Onside or Offside. Joining us for a guest interview is Cameron Pero, the winner of the 101st Ontario Men's Amateur Champion, following in the footsteps of his father who won the title in 1989. We'll get his perspective on the win, what it meant to have his father on the bag, how college golf is treating him, and what his plans might be for the future.

Social media platforms provide a way for content creators to get their work seen, which is no different when it comes to golf. On this episode our big back 9 discussion is all about it. We mostly have a look at the "entertainment" type channels; who were are keeping an eye on, who we like to watch and why, and maybe even some hints on who could be emerging in this scene. On the front nine, we wrap up the Solheim Cup, discuss the latest events for the Ottawa Valley Golf Association and PGA of Ottawa, and talk about collegiate golf in Canada. That includes a recent NCAA D1 men's event in Canada and what we saw when we dropped out to a Canadian university golf tournament that included some of the best teams from Ontario and Quebec. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

It's a big show as we finally announce the third tournament of our series presented by Flagstick.com. We give you the details on the location, the format, and who we have partnered with as the presenting sponsor. Sam MacPhail, the Executive Director of GolfPEI joins us for an interview about all things golf in Prince Edward Island. He gives insight on how to book a golf vacation there, the type of courses they offer, things to look for that you might not have expected, and how they strive to add a personal touch to your vacation planning. Scott shares insight from two days on the road at the Media Day for the RBC Canadian Open and the Golf Ontario Hall of Fame Day, and we pay tribute to a media colleague who passed away recently.

After a week away (with good reason) the Flagstick Podcast returns. Scott spent the entirety of last week on a special and personal assignment that surrounded the playing of the 2022 RBC Canadian Open. He shares his insight from the week in Etobicoke, Ontario, from both inside and outside the ropes. That includes the play of Rory, Justin Thomas, and Tony Finau, the Canada player angle, the overall success of the entire PGA TOUR event, and details of time spent with the two Canadians who survived the University of the Southwest golf team accident and, along with their families, were guests of Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum at St. George's Golf and Country Club and Islington Golf Club. On the Front 9 we discuss the 11th LPGA TOUR win by Brooke Henderson, recent PGA of Ottawa and PLAY GOLF Junior Golf tour events, the Kingston Men's City Golf Championships, the upcoming Ontario Women's Match Play, and the opening of the new Short Game practice area at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club. Kevin and Jake Haime share insight on the driver swing versus the iron swing, and in Product Watch we talk about factors that influence when you change out golf equipment for newer product.

After a week away, we catch back up on all that is happening in the world of golf, at both a regional, Canadian, and World level, including a chat about where we are at with all things golf here at the mid-season point here in Canada. On the Back 9, we chat all about golf in the Olympics; the men's final results (and women's play, so far), the format, the fans, the courses, where it has come, and where it might be going. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

With the 2025 edition of The Masters set to happen next week, it's time to take a look at the opening male major of the season. Among the aspects we discuss are its validity as a major, the traditions, the strength of field, who are the favourites, can Scheffler repeat, can Rory complete the career grand slam, what do we like on the concessions menu (and what is the latest addition), and many more aspects of what many consider to be their favourite major championship. We also discuss how the weather affects the golf season, the continued presence of one-size-fits-all golf swing methodologies, and how our golf course openings calendar is shaping up. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

The Dream Golf Road Trip, what that encompasses looks as varied as the golfer. What it consists of is very individual and on this show we talk a little about the concept and what it might mean to each of us. Train, plane, RV, or auto; private or public golf courses; golf every day with friends or some days spent with strangers. Jeff and Scott talk through some scenarios they would like to pursue themselves, and what they come up with might surprise you. With it being consumer golf show season we take a wander through our nearly 30-year relationship with the Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo. We share some highlights, and even a few lowlights, and chat about a few things people can expect to see this year on March 1/2 at the EY Centre in Ottawa. We also recap the week in Canadian pro golf, detailing top play by Canadians on seven pro tours around the world, tell you why you might want to get to a TrackMan golf simulator if you are a fan of the Presidents Cup, and we reveal where the 102nd edition of the PGA Championship of Canada will be played.

Updates coming at you this week on the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour and the Zone Championship, the 81st Eastern Ontario Golf Championship, and the growing field for the 2022 CP Women's Open. In Product Watch we discuss our own WITB (What's In The Bag) but focus on everything NOT golf clubs to allow every day golfers a look at what low handicap players and pros carry with them to the golf course. In our feature interview we could have brought you some boring talk with a breakdown of the legalities happening between the PGA TOUR and LIV Golf but instead we thought we'd bring you some content that really matters - an interview with an excited ten-year-old, Landon Touchette, who just made his first hole in one.

There is plenty to discuss this week as we creep ever so slowly toward the outdoor golf season here in Canada. The schedules are out regionally for the Ottawa Valley Golf Association and the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour; we dig into those to discuss highlights, specifically when it comes to the venue. We drop some opinions on the 27th PGA TOUR victory by Rory McIlroy and the latest week of the TGL. On the news front, we let you know which Canadian just made the watch list for the NCAA Ben Hogan Award and who was named the new COO and General Manager at eQuinelle. On the Back 9, we discuss golf club fitting, something more golfers are doing as opportunities become available and the investment in golf gear increases. We help familiarize you with the process and what to expect. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

After missing a week, Jeff is back and almost healthy again. He was a trooper and we put together a show with plenty of news from the professional and amateur golf scene, with a few extra tidbits on industry news and even a reveal of a forthcoming golf book. We cover some NCAA golf tournaments and Canadian golf course news. We have updates on Team Canada for the World Amateur Team Championships and the upcoming Pan Am Games golf tournament. On the back nine, we feature an interview with Michelle Mulligan. Scott spent some time with the Senior Manager of Global Apparel for adidas Golf at Cabot Cape Breton. They talk about what goes into the design of golf apparel, from choosing colours to monitoring trends worldwide. It's an insightful look into golf fashion.

It's another fun show this week as we introduce and explore some of the stories you will find on Flagstick.com. They include spotlighting new college golf teams in Ontario, an update on Canadian golfers involved in a tragic accident six weeks ago, the lost Stanley Thompson-designed Hillcrest Golf Club and the story that took two years to unearth, and a golfer who is looking to shoot his age or better and has done it more than 100 times. We also reveal some new Flagstick merchandise, Kevin Haime shows you how to dial in your stance width, and in Product Watch we look at a new book that will commemorate the biggest golf event in the world. In the balance of the show we take on the topic of branding in golf (equipment, etc) and how companies build bonds with golfers, and why those golfers make the brands choices they do. We'll lean on three decades of marketing experience to take on the discussion, sharing insight on how things have changes, and stayed the same, through the years. This episode is brought to you by TaylorMade Golf Canada with segment sponsorship by Greensmere G&CC, Metcalfe GC, GolfSim Gurus, and the Kevin Haime Golf School.

It's Tourism Week in Canada so we thought we would delve into the topic when it come to golf, specifically. After some news on course openings, volunteer awards, and upcoming celebrity appearances in the region, we jump into discussion about golf tourism across the country. That includes sharing the current economic impact (in the billions) and discussing what some regions are doing well already to attract golf tourists, and the potential for its growth. We share some thoughts on what could be driving more golf toursim, and how mainstream attention needs to extend beyond the "marquee" golf facilities that people have come to know through extensive media mentions. To emphasize and explore the topic we are joined by Adam Chamberlain and Chad Townsend of the Gowan Brae Golf Club in Bathurst, New Brunswick for a discussion about golf in their province and what it offers.

For a few generations, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has been a staple in the golf travel world. They set a standard that many others followed and as many new golf destinations emerged, the area sometimes fell down the list as a trip choice. That is changing. The 90+ golf properties in Myrtle Beach are stepping up to get the next generation of golfers familiar with their wide range of offerings. That "flex" includes a new PGA TOUR event in the area, other new facilities, and a long list of courses re-investing in their amenities. We details some of these changes on this show. We also discuss Tiger Woods returning to play on the PGA TOUR after ten months away from official events, the rising trends of Canadian women succeeding at Division 1 NCAA golf tournaments, and share some thoughts on the new honourees for the 2024 Golf Ontario Hall of Fame.

With The Masters all done for another year and golf courses opening in our area, there is a different energy for this show with the golf season arriving here in Canada. We give our takes on the first men's major championship of the season, from the winner, to the contenders, the course, and the story-lines. In our news and notes we take on the topic of websites for golf courses and how key they are for communications, as we chat about our course opening dates calendar and how it has become a much-anticipated part of our Spring. In the back nine we are joined by Cleveland Golf Senior Product Manager Casey Shultz to explore and explain all the features of their new RTX 6 ZipCore wedges and what consumers should consider as they make their wedge purchases.

With the outdoor golf season here we are starting to get plenty of questions about equipment so on this show we take on a popular topic among our community members - fairway woods, particularly the three wood. What makes for a good three wood; what features might be helpful when choosing one, and for those not ready to buy a new one, what are some of the most popular ones of the past? We take all that on in our Back Nine. Call it a mix of advice and nostalgia and we blend expert advice with personal experiences from the last few decades of being around new product introductions. On the Front Nine, we catch you up on the hot play of Stephen Ames on the Champions Tour, the continued success of Canadians on the PGA TOUR Americas, and some Eastern Ontario news regarding the Ottawa Valley Golf Association's Junior programming, as well as an update on some regional golfers qualifying for U.S.G.A. Championships. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

Now that the "Cup" season is done, we take some time to talk about the Fall Golf that the rest of us experience. We talk about why we and so many others love golf at this time of year, things we can do to enjoy it more, and for those who are looking to still keep their scores as low as possible, dig into adjustments you can make. We cover things from clothing to equipment in ways you can tackle playing in soft and wet conditions and still be able to maintain a low number on your scorecard. As many have done, we dig into the 2023 Ryder Cup and give our simple takeaways from all the happenings in Italy. What did we enjoy, who played well, and what storylines captured our interests? We also delve into our experience as Captains at this week's PGA of Ottawa PING Challenge Cup and give some thoughts on the matches we saw between some of the best club professionals in the region, playing for their respective teams.

Amid The Masters, there is not much else we want to talk about. Aside from Jeff addressing a beef he has with social media figure Paige Spiranic about how people should choose the tee decks they play from, it's nothing but Masters talk this week. With the 485-page Masters Media Guide as our backbone, we take a look at some facts and figures from the most beloved golf tournament in the world. We bring you some nuggets you may not be aware of, some that will be familiar, and some you might not even care about. In any case, it's a fun episode about a tournament we both love, which continues to be the unofficial start of golf season for many around the world. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

It's a high energy and diverse show this week as cover an array of topics from the PGA TOUR and LPGA TOUR, junior golf, some equipment chatter, and our back nine conversation on "Ranger Danger", talking about good and bad habits on the practice ground. We get started with a discussion about the PGA TOUR's RBC Heritage and winner Matt Fitzpatrick, as well as our takes on the Harbour Town Golf Links and why what you see on the broadcast is much different than the playing experience we have had there. We then shift to another course we have played, the TPC Louisiana, as it hosts the Zurich Classic this week. We discuss the course's merits and what we feel about partner events and their place on tour. The LPGA has their first major of the season, the Chevron Championship, and we share some thoughts on the Canadians playing and even some special products being made to celebrate the move to the Houston area. Tour talk concludes with recent news from the Tiger Woods camp on his latest surgery and what it could mean for his career. We also mix in some product talk this week about a new retro looking driver from TaylorMade; and finish up the Front Nine with news on the Play Junior Golf Tour and a new amateur event we are planning . On the Back Nine we expand on an article on Driving Range habits that we posted on Flagstick.com and give you some insight on best practices, common mistakes people make, and things golfers should avoid if they want to get better at the game.

It's a very full show after a short break isnce the last episode. Scott shares a little about his recent trip to Los Angeles to test some new products with adidas Golf and do interviews with players like Collin Morikawa and Tyrell Hatton; the boys chat about junior golf and the upcoming PLAY Junior Golf Tour schedule, as well as give their thoughts on the upcoming Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo and what they expect from it after a multiple-year hiatus for the in-person version. In keeping with that theme, we have an interview with the show manager, Greg Chambers of the NGCOA Canada, and he provides the details on what consumers can expect to see from the show that will take place on March 3/4 at the EY Centre in Ottawa. On the Back Nine we dive into the new Netflix golf series - The Full Swing, and without revealing too many details, explain what we liked and did not like about the eight episodes, what we may have learned about certain players from it, who we think the show is suited for, and what we hope to see included in Season 2.

Jeff and Scott are back for the second year of the Flagstick Podcast. On this episode we welcome Tomo Bystedt, a key creator in the TaylorMade Golf team, who shares deep details about the creation and introduction of the new Stealth 2 line of drivers, fairways, and rescue clubs. He addresses the design challenges and opportunities, the "unicorns" in the new product line, and gives us the scoop on initial reactions to the clubs by the top touring pros in the world. We discuss the slew of new equipment flooding the market, why or why not you should be purchsing them, and dbanter about product cycles in golf in comparison to the auto industry. We also share some news about the 2023 Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo, and welcome a new show sponsor.

How can we ignore it? The biggest news in Canadian golf news, in sports news, is that Nick Taylor won the 2023 RBC Canadian Open held at Oakdale Golf & Country Club. We explore the win this week on the show; with personal insights on time spent with Nick in the past, how people reacted to the victory, and what it means for Canadian golf. Also, how the win saved a week that threatened to be overshadowed by other global golf news about a proposed alliance between the PGA TOUR, the DP World Tour, and PIF. It's a fun chat about a moment that will go down as one of the top ones in the country's long golf history. The balance of the show is packed with U.S. Open talk, regional discussions about junior golf, the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour, a new initiative by Golf Ontario that is helping to introduce women to the game here in Eastern Ontario, and Scott shares some nuggets about recent stop-ins at a PLAY Junior Golf Tour event and a speaking engagement he did this past week for LPGA legend Sandra Post. We also discuss the Flagstick.com Shootout, bring you a golf tip from the Kevin Haime Golf School, and preview an interview for the next episode.

Fall Golf is nearly upon us so rather than ignore the topic and the potential end of the golf season in part of the world, we are embracing it with a Back Nine discussion about the topic. We share what we like and don't like about golf at this time of year, adjustments golfers should make with their equipment, and highlight some golf courses in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec that provide a scenic backdrop at this time of year. In the Front Nine we wrap up the Ottawa Valley Golf Association Intersectionals, the final Race to the Capital One Cup standings for the PLAY Golf Junior Tour, and look ahead to the Flagstick Two-Ball Championship. In the Lesson Tee with the Kevin Haime Golf School, Jake Haime show you how to improve your pitch shots with the help of a hanger, and we also have a glance at the new golf shoe lines from ECCO Golf. This episode is brought to you by PING Golf Canada with segment sponsorship by Greensmere G&CC, Metcalfe GC, Golf Sim Gurus, and the Kevin Haime Golf School.

It's the week prior to the LPGA coming to playing in our backyard so you know the CP Women's Open has to dominate the show. We take a look at the history of the LPGA tournament in Ottawa, the tremendous field scheduled to play, what we think the atmosphere will be like, and many more angles on the championship. As alwas there is plenty of news to share on regional and Canadian golf events, from OVGA tournaments and Hall fo Fame inductions to the success of players in the recent Canada Cup tournament. In the tip this show, Kevin Haime shows how one-hand golf swings can help you learn to improve multiple aspects of your golf swing, while Product Watch has us exploring autonomous powered golf carts. We also announce the winners of our YouTube contest presented by Cleveland Golf and Srixon Golf.

There's plenty to talk about on this show as the outdoor golf season in most parts of North America draws closer. For those in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, we’ll provide updates on range and course openings, discuss the release of the 2025 Golf Facility Openings Calendar at Flagstick.com, and highlight courses that are already open in Ontario. With the Canadian dollar struggling against foreign currencies, we’ve seen an increase in requests from people looking to spend their golf travel dollars within Canada this year. We dive into that, exploring destinations now on the radar for upcoming golf trips. Jeff has spent some time on TikTok recently and stumbled upon some "Hot Takes" on golf. This sparks a conversation about twelve-hole courses and twilight green fees that might pique your interest. On the Back Nine, we take a broader look at Rory McIlroy following his recent victory at The Players Championship, which brings him close to $100 million in career PGA TOUR earnings. We discuss his legacy, what the future may hold for him, what’s holding him back from winning The Masters, and what a win at Augusta National could do for his public perception. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

We're back after an unanticipated break but that means we have all the more to talk about. The outdoor golf season seems to hanging on in Eastern Ontario and we chat about why some golf courses are not staying open for more golf. We highlight some recent awards for regional golf people and wrap up some of the latest results for collegiate golfers from the area. We take a look at the recently announced plans for the 2023 Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo as well as others across Canada, and ponder the staffing gaps among the professional staff at many golf clubs. In Product Watch we discuss a new option in the Project X shaft family, while Kevin and Jake Haime show us more insight derived from looking at the golf swing in 3D.

Fall Golf is in full swing and while the competitive golf season is coming to close in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, there is still news from the secondary school, college, and pro golf ranks. We wrap up the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour Ping Challenge Cup from the Hylands Golf Club. As Captains of the two sides, Jeff and Scott have the ultimate in perspectives. Even more so for Scott his year who played for points at the Hylands Golf Club. In our Back Nine this week, we bring you an intyerview with Sarah Marai, the Global Product Manager for adidas Golf that Scott recorded last week in Whistler, British Columbia at their Fleece Fairways global product launch. On the Lesson Tee, Kevin Haime shows you a simple drill to help you get your lower body moving better in the downswing of your full swing, and in the Product Watch we preview a 2023 rain jacket from Galway Bay.

Welcome to 2024 and the first episode of the season. There is plenty to catch up on this show with the start of the pro tours for the year, success by young Canadian amateurs on a world tournament stage, industry news and job openings at various golf courses, and news coming out of the amateur schedules for the season ahead. On the Back 9 we get to the topic that many golfers are talking about at this time of year - new golf equipment. We discuss who is getting the buzz, why golf ball manufacturers are paying more attention to the "middle" market, and what factor should be your big priority when you go to buy your next piece of gear.

Prompted by a recent visit to the Brantford G&CC, this week the boys discuss a very deep and subjective topic - What Makes A Golf Course Interesting? We give our takes and views on why a course often appeals to us, and why others do not. Our discussion is just a slice of what the topic deserves so we encourage listener/viewer feedback. We'd like to hear what makes a golf course interesting to you. On the Front Nine, we re-cap the recent Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour event, give the latest updates on the PLAY Junior Golf Tour, let you in on news from the U.S. Senior Open and The Open Qualifying, and explain why the PGA TOUR Americas event in Edmonton is playing a 17-hole course. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

It's time to close out the year and look ahead to 2024. We wrap up a couple of last pro events that we had our eye on then we run through many key moments from the past year. We highlight some of the best in golf that happened at an international, national, and regional level. On the Back 9, we share what we are looking forward to in 2024 on the golf scene, at the pro and amateur levels, in tournament play, in the business or the game, and for what we have played within the Flagstick brand. That includes our tournaments and a very new foray we have been working on for some time. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

It's a jam-packed show this week as Jeff and Scott record after attending the CP Women's Open Media Day at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club. Before they get deep into that they cover off some chatter about the Alexander of Tunis Championship, update you on the progress on Kurtis Barkley and his latest results in Ireland on the G4D (Golf For Disabled) Tour, and share some news on the latest Ontario Golf Hall of Fame induction announcements, including an award for somebody familiar. We give you some details from our day at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club including the some news on players commitments for the 2022 CP Women's Open and a first-hand look at the golf course that had more than 1100 trees decimated by a storm in late May. Kevin Haime shows you how to minimize your wrist action in the swing and we take a closer look at the Srizon ZX-7 irons in product Watch. In the Back Nine we have sit down interviews with CP Women's Open Tournament Director Ryan Paul, the legendary Lorie Kane, and 11-time LPGA TOUR winner Brooke Henderson.

Masters week is here but since we already did a preview two weeks ago, we have another angle on this show that is applicable all year long. After we get you updated on news from the Presidents Cup, PGA of Ottawa, Ottawa Valley Golf Association, Ontario Senior Men's Championship and the Flagstick.com Shootout presented by COBRA PUMA Golf, we take the show in another direction - to the lesson tee. We take a look at some of the skills that are needed for players to have sucess at the Augusta National Golf Club, how they relate to the average golfer, and how they can make those parts of the game better. That includes insight on long iron play, improving contact and control with short wedge shots, getting long breaking putts closer to the hole, and how to manage your game play for optimal scoring. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

This episode is a doozy as we dig into a wide-ranging topic - what the perfect golf club/course would look like if you built it from scratch. Not only do we provide our own opinions on the course itself, amenities, services, staffing, and programming, but we share the insight from dozens of listeners and readers who weighed in on our social media channels. Yes, we did not get to every aspect, it's just too big of a topic, but we covered off a lot of areas and set up discussions for the future. We think you'll find it informative and may get you thinking differently about the golf facilities of the future and what they might look like. Before we head to the main event, on the Front Nine we provide an update on the Flagstick Open Amateur Championship, give some thoughts on the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and it's watchability, ponder how controversies at the highest levels of golf might be taking away from the game, and talk about the growing level of golf content on platforms like YouTube.

It's the opening episode of the Flagstick Podcast where we lay out the groundwork for what is to come with this new show from Flagstick.com. Co-Hosts Jeff Bauder and Scott MacLeod let you know who they are, what they bring to the show, and what listeners (and viewers) can expect from the weekly episodes. In the Front Nine presented by Metcalfe Golf & Country Club we share insight into the new direction for the Flagstick brand as we start our 26th season of operations, discuss the prospects for golf courses openings in the Ottawa Valley in the near future, lay out some of the movements within the golf professionals of the area over the last few months, and update you on recent activity by Canadian players on the LPGA and PGA TOURS. Our feature interview this week is with Greg Chambers of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada. He joins us to discuss the recent virtual Canadian Golf Expo, how it went and where things might be headed for next year. We also dive into the business of golf at the club level in 2021 and explore all the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the golf course operators among their membership for 2022, and beyond. In The Lesson Tee with the Kevin Haime Golf Centre, Kevin shows us how you can improve your swing using a basic frisbee that most of us already own. Thank you to episode sponsor TaylorMade Golf Canada and segment sponsors, Greensmere Golf & Country Club and Metcalfe Golf.

Yes, we're a couple days late hitting the publish button on this episode but, believe me, it's with good reason. A catastrophic storm hit parts of Ontario on the May long weekend and that interrupted a few things. That included power and internet service at our offices. Thankfully that has been resolved and here we are. That storm also impacted the** Flagstick Open Amateur Championship** presented by TaylorMade Golf Canada and *adidas *but we managed to complete play and crown a winner. Brennan Smith, the repeat champion, sat down with Scott after the victory for the feature interview in this episode. We also share plenty of news from the week, including details on how the big storm impacted many golf courses and events, some Golf Ontario news as they hosted their Spring Junior Classics, details on the** OVGA Scramble, the **PLAY JUNIOR GOLF TOUR season-opener, and another endorsement deal for an Eastern Ontario touring pro. On the Lesson Tee with Kevin Haime, he looks at tightening the backswing turn, and in Product Watch we have a look at some new golf shoes with a "champion" pedigree. We may be a little tuckered from a long week, but Episode #9 of the Flagstick Podcast is here. Enjoy!

Golf tournament season is ramping up an we have a deep line-up of notes to share this week on the Front Nine of the Flagstick Podcast. Gord Percy, the 49th President of the PGA of Canada joins us for a feature interview on what we can expect from his tenure, we dive into one of the tools that helped Matt Fitzpatrick win the U.S. Open, and Kevin Haime shows us what he looks for in a golfer's takeaway to help the have better control of the game. We also reveal some items from the tournament registration package for the 2022 Flagstick Two-Ball Championships, and have early details on a new contest coming up for our YouTube subscribers. This episode is brought to you by TaylorMade Golf Canada with segment sponsorship by Greensmere G&CC, Metcalfe GC, Golf Sim Gurus, and the Kevin Haime Golf School.

We're back after a very full last two weeks preparing for, and running the Flagstick Open Amateur Championship. On the episode, we wrap up how that event went with some extra details from the organizing side, and also catch you up with the latest news on players and events around Eastern Ontario. That includes the PLAY Junior Golf Tour, Toronto Player's Tour, the Endless Summer Long Drive Championship Pro-Am, and the Spring Open on the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour. We talk PGA Championship (which we mostly missed watching) and the two big stories from the week, winner Brooks Koepka, and club professional Michael Block. We drop some related opinions on the Ryder Cup and where we see things going next for Mr. Block. On the Back 9, we dig into the Flagstick.com Shootout, including the list of players who have already been invited, what goes into choosing the field and things we are excited to see come July when the event happens at Smuggler's Glen golf course.

Happy June! This month means it is RBC Canadian Open time so we do our final preview this week, chatting about the course, the scores we expect, and who will be in the field, including at least 19 Canadians. We introduce a TaylorMade Golf YouTube giveaway with two prize packages to be won. (details in pod on how to enter), and we roll through some regional and provincial news tidbits. Scott challenges Jeff with some Canadian Open trivia; we introduce a new supporting sponsor for the Flagstick Shootout, and to close the show we give our takes on the Retrogression method as a way to decide ties in golf.

It's that time on the calendar, when we wind things down after many hours of recording, take some time to reflect on the twelve months that have passed, and be grateful for all that went on. On this show we take a run through some highlights of the 2024 season. We do that from a local, provincial, Canadian, and International perspective. We talk tournaments, outstanding players, and just moments in general. It's a great way to close out the year. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

With the U.S. Open being played at Pinehurst Resort, our conversation about the championship dominates the show this week. We chat about our experiences on the #2 course, how it will play for the field, and what our full expectations are for the major. We make some picks and give details on what disasters and opportunities wait for the field, including the seven Canadians playing. We also catch you up on some of the latest news about regional golf tournaments and give you an update on who may represent Canada for the men in golf at the Paris Olympics. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

This week, it's a packed show with more news than expected about the Canadian golf scene, including who will represent Canada in the upcoming World Amateur Team Championships and the PanAm Games. We fill you in on the latest. We delve into a big PGA of Canada - Ottawa event, the PING Challenge Cup, as we announce the teams we will each be acting as Captains to in the coming days for this annual battle between Head Professionals and Assistant Professionals. Kevin and Jake Haime join us on the Lesson tee with some thoughts on the grip. On the Back Nine, we wander through some thoughts on the 2023 Ryder Cup and our expectations for the week, who we might like to see matched against each other and consider why the United States team has struggled through the event's history on European soil.

It's a packed show again this week with many golf events going on in the heart of the Canadian golf season. We catch you up on Junior, Amateur, and Pro events - with results from the OVGA, Play Junior Golf Tour, Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour, and news from Golf Ontario, the LPGA TOUR, and the PGA TOUR Americas on the Front 9. The Back 9 is all about the 152nd edition of The Open at Royal Troon as we give our early takes and share what we're keeping an eye on this week. We have some details on past play at the course, the choice by the R&A not to boost the purse excessively, and dig into the most famous hole at Royal Troon, the 8th "The Postage Stamp." Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

This is a variety pack-type show including a myriad of topics that we work our way into. It all gets started with a talk about the appearance of several new drivers on the USGA and R&A conforming clubs list, what that means, and does it matter. That includes our thoughts on how people react so strongly to these preliminary photos. We catch you up on some news from the Canadian amateur and pro golf scene, including the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, Q-School, and the G4D TOUR. The latter includes a dream come true for not a player, but a parent of a player. In the "memory lane" part of the show we discuss a newspaper article from 1985 on the best golf holes in Eastern Ontario, how we may rekindle gathering opinions about that from our community in the modern era, and we share one hole that might make the list for each of us. On the Back Nine, we have an extensive interview with Blair Harris of the Quinte Kingston Intersectional Matches about the history, development, and future of that event and how it is creating greater camaraderie among golfers of that region.

Tournament season is officially underway so we have plenty of golf news to cover off this week in the Front Nine. We bring you results from the Ottawa Valley Golf Association Spring Classic, news from the Canadian National Women's Team, an exciting addition to the field for the 2022 CP Women's Open at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, word on a golfer named as the St. Lawrence College athlete of the year, a preview of the Loyalist Junior Showcase, results from a Sunday night survey on golf travel, details the 2022 inductees to the OVGA Hall of Fame, and results from the RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier in Quebec. For this show's Product Watch we take a look at the ever-growing bluetooth speaker market and highlight a few, and their features, that are designed specifcally for the golfers. In the Back Nine this week we have an informative interview as the RBC Canadian Open prepares to return for the first time since 2019. Scott sat down with Tournament Director Bryan Crawford at the 2022 venue, St. George's Golf & Country Club, to talk about the logistics and plans to make this edition the best on all fronts since the tournament began in 1904.

In a world that too often shifts to the negative narrative first, we figured it was time to take a step back and have a little bit of appreciation for the sport of golf that many of us love. It's the week of Valentine's Day so what better time than now. We each made a list and take you through a few things we love about the sport; hoping that it might spark some thoughts for the listeners and viewers about why they have also come to appreciate golf. We also chat about Nick Taylor's win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the extracurricular actiivities at that event that came to the forefront this year, we have a look at the pros that will make up the Golf Canada Team Canada program for 2024, and share some news on the return of a formal pro event series for women in Canada. We also discuss some of the latest golf equipment unveiled this week. Be sure to share a comment on any of our platforms about what makes golf special for you. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

We've got nine holes on our mind this week. No, not playing nine but talking about the concept of playing nine holes instead of eighteen and exploring why from people frown upon it, or nine holes courses in general. We chat a little about the advantages, discuss how they shaped our own golf careers, and reference some of the better ones we have played though the years. Also on the agenda for Scott & Jeff this week: the growing trend of golf courses having their own alcoholic beverages, the shifting preferences in golf shoe styles, the addition of more junior golf tournament opportunities in Eastern Ontario, and we take a look at the Flagstick.com PGA Ottawa Tour schedule and venues for 2022. On the Lesson Tee, Kevin Haime gives insight on using the ground for more power in the golf swing, and for Product Watch we spotlight a device that promises insight into your wrist angles during your golf swing and putting stroke - Hackmotion.

Things get a little spicy this week as Jeff and Scott jump into the contentious topic of golf ball distance rollback after this week's announcement by golf's governing bodies. They dig into a few different angles, tangle over a few points, and set the table for what golfers can expect to see when it comes to their own golf balls and new testing standards for the future. We detail the fate of three Canadians playing at the LPGA Q-Series, with some key details and stats about what success in Alabama means for Savannah Grewal, Maddie Szeryk, and Alena Sharp. We also drop a few details about how Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson are feeling as they head into this week's Grant Thornton Invitational as partners. On the Back 9, we have an interview with a local dentist, hear his golf origin story, and explore the heights of the game that his passion for it has taken him to.

We have plenty of news to share this week at both the local, regional, and national levels about the RBC Canadian Open, the Ottawa Valley Golf Association, the LPGA, and a young Canadian amateur from Eastern Ontario qualifying for the U.S. Open. We also discuss some upgrades happening at regional golf courses and why it is important for their futures. On the Back Nine, we discuss the changing face of golf content, the evolution in our 30 years of producing it, how we are adapting, how the audience is changing in their consumption habits, and a new project that we have that fits right into how consumers are seeking golf information and entertainment. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

Many of the pro tour seasons are coming to a close, so we update you on their status and qualifying schools. We have some regional job news and also share details on the 17 players named to Team Ontario for 2025. We discuss big changes coming to the PGA Tour and highlight the season-ending LPGA tournament and their big purse news. On the Back 9 we get you ready for indoor golf season with a load of advice on how you can get the most of it. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

With the golf season beginning to wind down in our part of Canada we take a big portion of this show to talk about what lies ahead for many of those who play the sport in the region, transitioning to indoor golf play, practice, and training. We talk about the evolution of indoor golf, how you might want to start if you plan to train this winter, and even some ideas on simple things you can do to keep your skills sharp. On the Lesson Tee, Kevin and Jake Haime take a look at a simple way to improve your lower body movement in the full swing, and in Product Watch we spotlight a golf shoe that is ideal for late Fall golf. We also bring you news on where some of the top Canadian pros are teeing it up this week, who won the 2022 PGA of Ottawa Awards, and discuss the passing of an LPGA winner who played out of Canada for a time, something many were unaware of.

We return this week with a special interview and plenty of golf news from the last two weeks. First, we will share news of recent awards from the Ottawa Valley Golf Association and Golf Quebec. We bring you details on our Indoor Golf Directory and some information on how a Calgary-based golf entertainment centre plans to start expanding across Canada. We also get you up to date on a few professional events, mostly qualifying schools for the PGA TOUR, LPGA TOUR, and Ladies European Tour, where Canadians are competing. We also discuss the Hero World Challenge, Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods, and the betting prospects of the team formed by Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners at the Grant Thorton Invitational. On the Back 9, we have a feature interview with Jose Miraflor, the Vice-President of Product Architecture and Consumer Connections at COBRA GOLF on their new DS-ADAPT drivers, fairways, and hybrids that are highlighted by the FutureFit33 system and adapter. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

Big news broke this week with word that the PGA TOUR Canada is returning to the Ottawa, Canada area in 2023 with the Commissionaires Ottawa Open Eagle Creek. We explore the three decade history of tour events at Eagle Creek (and in Ottawa) and talk about the opportunities and challenges ahead. In Product Watch we review a new book on the Math, Science, and Data in golf today as summarized by broadcaster Will Haskett in his latest book, while Kevin and Jake Haime take us to the Lesson Tee to explore ways to promote better balance in your swing. On the back 9 we dive into one of our latest Twitter polls on what age people took up the game of golf. We also share some of the stories they told us about how they came to play the sport.

Before we get to talking about putting on this, we take a swing at more regional topics including the 2023 Ottawa Valley Golf Hall of Fame inductees, the new OVGA schedule, an update on the Flagstick Open registrations, and news about a unique offering at a local golf course. On the Back Nine it is all about putting as we explore our own relationships with putting and putters, talk about common issues most players have, and even suggest some things you can work on with a coach or on your own.

It is a whopper of a show this week with a few hot topics to handle, ones lighting up the golf social media world and on the lips of many golfers. We get things started with the end of the Dell Match Play Championships on the PGA TOUR. We meander through our thoughts on match play in the professional game, what role it should and not have, and the value of different formats for professional golf tournaments. That's a good transition point as we take a look at the schedule for the 2023 Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour, where the circuit will be playing this season, and reveal a format change for one long-standing event. With The Masters on the horizon, we jump into some early hot takes on who the favourites are, how the atmosphere will be with the LIV League players in the field, and even drop a few nuggets on the Par-3 tournament and broadcast inclusions. For the meat of the show, we finally get to share some thoughts on the proposed Model Local Rule on changes to testing in the golf ball that is meant to slow down things at the "Elite" level of the game in 2026. We explain the proposal, provide some insight on a recent consumer survey done by TaylorMade Golf, and give our perspectives on what we believe the impact might be, if implemented.

It's time to kick off the new year with Episode #110. We get caught up with each other after a few weeks away, look at some tournaments already taking place worldwide, and reveal the 15 players who will be part of the Ottawa Valley Golf Association Junior Development Program. We dropped some details on registration for the 2025 Flagstick Open Amateur Championship, and our big discussion is about TGL, the Tomorrow Golf League, and all our impressions of the first night of action. What did we like, what did not appeal to us, and how do we think it could be better. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

Recorded on Jeff's 54th birthday, Scott decided to celebrate him as we mixed in some trivia related to the number 54 and Jeff's birth year, 1970. It's a fun run through some golf and hockey (Jeff's a big hockey guy) trivia with a few side trips to discuss the topics covered. On the Front 9 we discuss some golf course closings and openings in the Eastern Ontario region, some news updates from the Ottawa Valley Golf Association, catch you up on where Canadian pros are playing this week (Hint: all over Asia), and we update you on some Canadian results in college play all over North America. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

It's a milestone as we reach the recording of the 50th episode of the Flagstick Podcast. As such, while we run through some of the latest golf news from the region and Canada, we put a lot of focus on the back nine for this show. There we talk about Golf Bucket Lists. You know the ones; the course we want to play, the milestones we want to break, the other goals we would like to accomplish. Jeff and Scott run through some of their bucket list items while encouraging listeners to share some of theirs on the Flagstick social media channels. We talk about past list items for us, ones we still want to take on, and even explore the emotions that tie us to the items that we all put on our lists. We also reveal the winners from the TaylorMade Golf contest from earlier this year.

In the wake of The Masters, there’s a lot to talk about this week and we start with a recap of the first men’s major of the year. We give our thoughts on the success of Scottie Scheffler, how the rest of the field responded, and our overall impressions of the championship. We also update you on some recent recognition for Canadian golf clubs for their outstanding junior programs, some news of major television coverage coming to an eastern Ontario golf event, and we discuss the recent passing of a familiar and beloved PGA of Canada golf professional. On the Back 9, we get you ready for the golf season by discussing the things you need to do to prepare with your equipment, and then what your expectations should be to start the season. We also detail how you can adjust indoor golf practice to outdoor golf play. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

As usual there is plenty on our minds this week as the golf season continues to roll on in our home base of Eastern Ontario. We bring you news this week about a new job opening with Golf Ontario, a new golf league program involving The Marshes and the Ottawa Valley Golf Association, a new F&B option at an Ottawa-area practice facility, and updates on the play of Kurtis Barkley, a Canadian playing in England on the new G4D Tour. On the Back Nine we have a wandering conversation of how to go about choosing the tee box you play at the golf course. We consider the past stereotypes, the implications of the choices, and an evolving system that could help you enjoy your next game of golf that much more. On the Lesson Tee with the Kevin Haime Golf School, Kevin and Jake Haime show you how to tune your aim with your putter. We finish off the episode with a dicussion about laser rangefinders and focus in on one for our Product Watch – the Blue Tees 3 Max. This episode is brought to you by TaylorMade Golf Canada with segment sponsorship by Greensmere G&CC, Metcalfe GC, Golf Sim Gurus, and the Kevin Haime Golf School. Besides Flagstick.com you can also catch the Flagstick Podcast episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and multiple other platforms including YouTube. Please join listeners in thirteen countries and subscribe, add it to your notifications, and a leave a review!

After the latest Canadian news from the professional, college, and junior ranks, it's all about The Masters as we look ahead to the 2024 Championship. We take a run through last year's leaderboard to see who might continue their good play at Augusta National; we consider who might play best among the Canadians; and we take a glance at the early odds being given to the top and bottom players. We also discuss who might be the more popular storyline if they happen to win at Augusta. We also chat about our favourite holes and shots that test the players and ponder just how much of a green fee we might pay if we were allowed to play at the Augusta National Golf Club. Also part of the show is a discussion on golf balls based on a web poll we did about whether people use the same model for all their rounds. You might be surprised at the results and what we have to say about it. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

After a short break we are back with episode 49 (It'll be a very fun next one for our 50th) On this show we catch up on the latest news related to golf in Canada and the Eastern Ontario region, including events within the Ottawa Valley Golf Association, Golf Canada, and the Flagstick Two-Ball Championship. We discuss the ongoing bunker project at Rideau View Golf Club, and talk about the value of Inter-Club events, especially for junior golfers. On the Back Nine we take a look at the big stuff happening on the pro tours, with talk about the AIG Women's Open, the FedEx Cup Playoffs/Wyndham Championship, and wander deep into some thoughts about the Ryder Cup and the difficult decisions ahead for Captains Zach Johnson and Luke Donald.

With the Fall season upon us, it is time to start looking at next year in the golf industry. It's a time when golf courses and facilities began to evaluate their success and failures and plan for where they are headed. With that in mind, we put our marketing and golf operations hats on and dig into a discussion of branding in the golf industry. From our years and scope of experience, we delve into a few aspects of the topic and why some of the best golf courses in the world tend to excel in merchandising and memory-making. On the Front Nine, we have news from the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, a golf association seeking board members and volunteers, and we discuss the impact of Lexi Thompson being the 7th woman to play a PGA TOUR event and any implications from it.

The 2025 inductees for the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame have been announced. We tell you who made the cut, and what made them Hall of Fame worthy. We delve into some golf content, including details from the new Netflix Full Swing Season 3 and the 2025 plans for the PGA TOUR's Creator Classic. Almost two months into the year we check in on how the big pro tours are doing, specifically the Canadians playing them and how they are faring. Greg Chambers from the National Golf Owners Association Canada joins us for an interview about the upcoming Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo. He provides details on what you can expect from this year's show. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

A past week full of uncertain weather added some extra "texture" to some major Golf Quebec and Golf Ontario championships happening not far from us; we provide updates on how they played out. We have details from a new venture that will bring golf to an Ottawa stadium for a few days later this summer, and we share the latest from the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour and the Play Junior Golf Tour. On the back nine, we stretch our memories with a discussion about the 170 or so golf courses that existed in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec through the years (now just over 150) and flush out the few ones ones we each still have yet to play, what are some of the ones that surprised us, and take on the idea that a golf course has to be "famous" to be worth a play. We also update everyone on the Flagstick.com Shootout and the TaylorMade goodie pack giveaway.

As we creep closer to a full-on outdoor golf season in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, we're back with another episode full of regional golf talk, and plenty more. We get started with some updates on the local golf facilities and opening dates, work into news on some golf events in our region, and even have some updates on local golfers and their recent tournament play. Scott and Jeff then explore the current business enviroment for golf and surmise what 2022 may have in store. It also happens to be Masters week (easy to tell from Scott's coat if you catch the podcast on YouTube) so we pick some favourites, ponder whether Tiger Woods will play, and have a look at the Canadians in the field for this year. For our feature interview, Carol Ann Baxter is our guest. The owner of Archie's in Cornwall, Ontario and the Executive Director of the PGA of Canada - Ottawa Valley Zone talks about her history in golf, how she and her team are adapting their business each year, and shares details on what is in store for 2022 for the golf professionals of the region. She's always a delight to talk to and has a wide perspective on golf that you should find interesting. In Product Watch we take a look at the newest direction in golf grips from Golf Pride and on the Lesson Tee with Kevin Haime he provides some backswing insight garnered from working with G.E.A.R.S. 3D Motion Capture.

With a major gift-giving holiday less than a month away, we figured it was time to record a show that our listeners can share with their loved ones. On the Back 9 of this episode, we run through a list of potential golf gifts that every golfer might appreciate, in a wide range of prices. That will make it the perfect podcast to listen to with friends and family so they can get a subtle hint about what you might like to receive this year if they are so inclined. On the Front 9, we wrap up the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour seasons with updates on how the Canadians fared. We also reveal who the new Tournament Director of the CPKC Women's Open is, where the PGA TOUR Americas will be taking their season-ending championship in 2025, and let you know where you can buy a golf course in eastern Ontario right now. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748

This week is all about you - the listener and viewer, the member of the Flagstick.com Community. We reached out to gather your golf questions on any topic and you provided us with many diverse ones. We take on all of them on this show - from thoughts on handicaps, to travel, best halfway houses in golf, innovative products, favourite swings, team golf formats we like, and making swing changes. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #2227748