Ep50: 'Cheat Sheets' at Phoenix Open, the Best Par 3's in Australia & 'King Kobori'

Another big week in golf with lots to discuss on the Talk Birdie To Me podcast.

We start at party central, Phoenix, what an event it was and what a finish! They shut down alcohol service at one point, and they had to lock the gates. 200,000 people through the gates. Huge. Nick and Mark loved it and discuss how the players handle the noise and excitement, and how some don't. Cue audio of Billy Horschel. Nicks view is, as a player, that you know what you're getting into and if you can't handle it, then don't play the event. Mark asks about the famous 'cheat sheets' on players weaknesses that are rumoured to be handed around the crowd - Nick confirms that it is true, and it happens.

Mark discusses the newly christened King (Kazuma) Kobori and says that it is clear that he is the best putter on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, and it is no coincidence that he is also the best player currently. Mark doesn't believe that aspiring pros practise their putting enough, and we hear some extraordinary stats about Scottie Scheffler to do with his putting. Conversely, Nick Taylors putting in Phoenix was exceptional.

And we get a voicemail from Chris with a ripping question about Par 3 courses for Nick and Mark.

Following Phoenix, Nick counts down the Top 5 courses he has played around the world and both Nick and Mark each have a great story about the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus.

Into feedback, and a question from Ross about his clubs and how often to update. Nick and Mark give their view, and Nick decides that we should go to an expert, so we call Matt Austin from PING to put it to him. Unfortunately (for us, not the person), he is fitting someone for new PING gear when we call so we get bumped to voicemail.....the perils of a live podcast. But who are we to interrupt a PING club fitting !!!! If Matt doesn't call before the end of the pod, we'll get him next week.

Also in feedback, we get a massive whack. Not from one person, but from a bunch on the same issue.....we fall on our sword, we're guilty. When you get it wrong, you have to go with it. But some feedback is great, and as a result Mark has an idea that he'll raise with Sam at the Golf Clearance Outlet about Talk Birdie To Me merchandise....watch this space.

Nick takes us around the world for a run through of all the PING Global results and he outlines what he'd like to see Scheffler try with his putting. One global result he is unhappy about is the Superbowl - he was keen on San Francisco, but unfortunately Kansas City got there in overtime.

Mark's Masterclass this week is on the importance of practising like a professional if you want to be a professional, or even play at the highest level you are capable of.

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