Ep78: Lydia Ko Wins Again, Nick's Top 5 "Tool Moments" and Mark: This Part of Women's Golf "is a Disgrace"

Nick O'Hern is a PING guy through and through, and has been for years. That's because PING are the best in the business. But he does keep an eye on what other gear is around, and he has a new wedge that he is excited about, and Mark is a little envious of!

But into the show. Congrats to Lydia Ko, another win, and her second gold medal in a couple of weeks with the win at St Andrews. Mark loves seeing the women back at the home of golf, and Nick and Mark discuss some of what they watched. A tough tournament for the Aussies, but Lydia is a superstar and it was a great win. Nick and Mark talk about the pressure of playing at St Andrews, and Mark talks about the legendary Ian Baker-Finch's tough day there many years ago.

Mark tells a story about being a kid and checking out all the pros gear at Huntingdale when they weren't around. A bit naughty, but very exciting.

Mark raises an aspect of women's golf that he calls a 'disgrace' and both he and Nick believe this should be immediately changed. It is a part of women's golf that has been addressed with the men, and should be fixed with the women's game. Australia's very own Karen Lunn is one of those disadvantaged by this.

Nick and Mark discuss the Fedex cup, and how they are not a fan of the format for the final. We discuss how it could be improved.

We then discuss milkshakes. Not a typo. We discuss milkshakes. Has this podcast jumped the shark? Possibly.

Mark made some comments on radio this week about 13th Beach Golf Club in Victoria, which Helen from the club has reached out to us to discuss. We give Helen a call and she talks us through some of the fantastic initiatives that 13th Beach have to grow women's participation and membership.

Mark describes todays Top 5 from Nick, thanks to the mighty Southern Golf Club, has his 'best ever'. Nick counts down his Top 5 'tool behaviour' moments in golf. Could have been a Top 20 easily.

Nick takes us around the world with the PING global results, plenty going on to discuss. And Mark raises his concerns to Nick about the cancellation of the first stage of the DP World Tour qualifying school in Australia. Nick has been discussing it with the powers that be, and it may not all be bad news, but some further research needed....watch this space.

We wrap the pod with a Masterclass 'how not to be Keegan Bradley' from Mark.

A big thanks to our wonderful Talk Birdie partners:

• PING, they'll help you play your best, like the have for Nick O'Hern. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
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• The Golf Clearance Outlet, join GCO Live for great member benefits and comps. They're in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.
• And Southern Golf Club - Home of the Australian Master of the Amateurs in January 2025, entry is free!

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