Ep154: Ian Baker-Finch retires, Cam Young's Killer Final Day for his First PGA Tour Win, and a Royal Melbourne 'Open Update'

A short bonus episode of Talk Birdie To Me today, with a guest in studio - Gene Saunders, who is the Titleist Golf Club Business Manager, Australia and New Zealand. He's dropped in to talk about the latest Scotty Cameron putters, and particularly the chain link face milling technology. They look great, but clearly they're not made just for appearance, so we wanted to find out what that technology does and more importantly will they help us play better golf!Gene also talks about why they have used carbon steel, and runs through some of the different styles.Whatever brand you prefer, it's always fascinating to get some insights into the thought process that goes into golf equipment and Mark and Nicks chat with Gene was a ripper!We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.And the watchMynumbers app: download from the App Store or Google Play, and Southern Golf Club: with their brand new Simulator Room, including Trackman.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:BMW, luxury and comfort for the 19th hole;Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best;Golf Clearance Outlet, they beat everyone's prices;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia;And watchMynumbers and Southern Golf Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Kesä 11min

Another feedback pod today, we love these as you basically do all the work and we just respond to your comments and questions.We start with wolfpacker Pete who has sent a pic in of the rakes that are apparently being trialled at Royal Queensland and is keen on Nick and Marks thoughts, Peter also had a suggestion for the best golf club in Queensland, as did many others, we read through a bunch of them.During this the Troppo Tour comes up and Nick tells a story about playing that tour, a funny story that happened when he was driving from Mt Isa to Proserpine in North Queensland. Mark suggests that we need to get Wayne 'Radar' Riley on for a bonus pod talking about the Troppo Tour.Angela has a question for Nick and Mark about the Australian Masters, and then we have video call from Stewy in Gisborne, Victoria who has interested to know if Nick and Mark have any 'golfing goals' left to achieve. They do, and they talk about what they are.Alex has a question for Mark about the Australian Open timing, he disagrees with Marks view that the date should move to February and explains why.Wolfpacker Alison asks if either Nick or Mark are playing in the Sandbelt Invitational this year.....we find out. And then a voicemail from Paul who says Rory's drive on the first playoff hole at Augusta was the best pressure drive he's ever seen, and explains why. Nick and Mark discuss, and invite your feedback - what do you feel is the best pressure drive ever in golf? Let us know.And a reminder of our forthcoming 'Mean Tweets' bonus pod which is coming up - let us know, give us a whack, let us know what you dislike - and (pending our lawyer Denis Denuto signing off on them) we'll read out your comments on a bonus 'Mean Tweets' episode.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.And the watchMynumbers app: download from the App Store or Google Play, and Southern Golf Club: with their brand new Simulator Room, including Trackman.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:BMW, luxury and comfort for the 19th hole;Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best;Golf Clearance Outlet, they beat everyone's prices;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia;And watchMynumbers and Southern Golf Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Kesä 23min

Darren from Perth and his mate worked out how many rounds they've played together over 35-years, and Darren gave his mate a cheeky drive-by at the end of the voicemail message. Can you beat their number?Got a thought, story or question? Yo can leave a voicemail at the Talk Birdie To Me website here, it takes only a moment and you can do it on your phone or computer.And don't forget to subscribe to us on socials at these links: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and see us on YouTube here.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:BMW, luxury and comfort for the 19th hole;Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best;Golf Clearance Outlet, they beat everyone's prices;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia;And watchMynumbers and Southern Golf Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Kesä 37s

Massive show, we start by discussing the US Women's Open this week at Erin Hills, Nick and Mark talk through the Aussies and Kiwis, and the international stars. Nick's tip - on this course is to keep an eye on the 'power players', and Mark says watch out for Steph Kyriacou who is in great form. Mark loves the fact that the prize money is $12 million. Predictably, Mark finds a way to pump up his man-crush on Sepp Straka.And then. The story Mark has been chasing for a few days now. Mark tells Nick and Dan that he has reliable information that LIV is looking to buy the DP World Tour. Nick and Mark discuss what it means, if it is a good thing or not, and how it may happen. Mark calls it 'the best possible outcome'. Would be big. Really big.In Australia this week - today at the time this pod is posted - Rugby League State of Origin is on which is, for overseas wolfpackers who may not be aware, the pinnacle of Rugby League in Australia, and the world. Nick and Mark put a golfing twist on it and discuss the best Australian golfers by their 'State of Origin'. Who did they miss? Who did they over or under rate? Let us know.Mark saw a video this week about imperfect greens and discusses. We discuss the end of The Colonial at the weekend, Nick and Mark loved it and they talk about Ben Griffin, Matti Schmid, and Karl Vilips. After the turn, we hear about Nicks new website with some excellent golf videos, tips and ideas for your game. There is a (very reasonably priced) subscription fee, but the content is excellent and it's worth checking out. Video and website link here. Thanks to Southern Golf Club, Marks Top 5 is 'courses that were built to be the toughest, but the pro's ripped them apart'.Voicemail from Ric in Perth with a question for Nick O'Who, leading to a business idea from Mark....he needs the profits to fund his relentless investment with Betr on Sepp Straka. PING globals from Nick, including one result which gets mentioned only as Nick finds the players name amusing. Feedback, and we decide to do a bonus episode on 'mean tweets'. Want to whack us? Message us, or put it on socials with hashtag #meantweets. Bonus ep on the way. More feedback on bunkers, and lots on last weeks chat about whether LIV is the best place to prepare for a major or not. Some blunt comments from wolfpackers.Great masterclass from Nick on playing the percentages and managing risk.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.And the watchMynumbers app: on the App Store or Google Play, and Southern Golf Club: with their brand new Simulator Room, including Trackman.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:BMW, luxury and comfort for the 19th hole;Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best;Golf Clearance Outlet, they beat everyone's prices;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia;And watchMynumbers and Southern Golf Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Touko 1h 11min

Today we're reading out some of your questions and comments, Nick is still in Cathedral this week, Mark in the studio. We start the feedback pod with some constructive (or is it) criticism for Mark from wolfpacker Ross. Does Mark take it in the spirit it was intended? Predictably not really.Craig has a question about tour pros and divots, why don't they repair them? He feels it is disrespectful and asks Nick and Mark their view. Peter has a question on bunker maintenance.And we have a swing review with a difference today. Sent in by Will from Sydney, it's a video of tennis superstar Rafael Nadal's swing, Will is keen for some thoughts.Ry has a a masterclass suggestion on helping out with chipping around elevated greens.Adam has a question about a potential involvement from the PIF in Australia, and Geoff from Michigan wants to know how the path back to the PGA might look for LIV players should they want to return.And stay with us at the end of the show, we play the update reel from Mick Cocking at OCM, who texted Mark back during the show and said - yep you can play it - a fascinating insight into how OCM are redeveloping Huntingdale in Melbourne, but even if you're not in Melbourne it is an interesting listen, or view on YouTube, as to how course design works.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.And the watchMynumbers app: download from the App Store or Google Play, and Southern Golf Club: with their brand new Simulator Room, including Trackman.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:BMW, luxury and comfort for the 19th hole;Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best;Golf Clearance Outlet, they beat everyone's prices;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia;And watchMynumbers and Southern Golf Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Touko 26min

After listening to this weeks pod where there was a question about the rakes at Kingston Heath, Shaun from Melbourne left us a message with some thoughts on the rakes at both Kingston Heath and Metro.Got a thought, story or question? Yo can leave a voicemail at the Talk Birdie To Me website here, it takes only a moment and you can do it on your phone or computer.And don't forget to subscribe to us on socials at these links: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and see us on YouTube here.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:BMW, luxury and comfort for the 19th hole;Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best;Golf Clearance Outlet, they beat everyone's prices;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia;And watchMynumbers and Southern Golf Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Touko 49s

We start today's pod talking about Scottie Scheffler's thumping win in Charlotte, Nick describes Scottie as 'Tiger-esque' at the moment, and Nick and Mark discuss his impressive performance, and some key moments. Mark loves how the year is shaping up with Rory, Scottie notching big wins, and Nick adds Bryson to the conversation as well.Nick brings up the multi that we had on with Betr. It didn't go well. Rory let us down, and it appears that we were on the wrong JT. Mark is confident that one will come off for the Wolfpack, and he is doubling down on Straka.Back to Scottie. Mark was impressed, not only with his performance but with how is caddy Ted Scott spoke about how Scottie handled the weekend mentally. Nick outlines what he sees in Scottie's game when he is under pressure. Mark loved the stats that were being provided on Scottie's misses to the left from Trevor Immelman who he describes as an elite golf commentator. We play a video of Scottie's 2nd shot on 15 on Sunday which Mark describes as his best shot of the tournament - but what a follow through! And on swings and follow throughs, who is the tour pro that Tiger tells Charlie to watch?Nick questions if the LIV guys are getting effective preparation for majors, in playing LIV. Mark raises Jon Rahm and feels if he made the birdie on 14 and 15, the outcome may have been different, both Nick and Mark feel an in-form Rahm is great for golf.Mudballs. Should they be addresses? Mark says the mudball situation in Charlotte should not have happened. And we discuss Shane Lowry's ball in another player's pitchmark/plughole, Mark feels this should be address, Nick says it is part of the game and it should be left as is.What about Jhonattan Vegas' shot into a rake! We watch the video and discuss. Mark starts banging on about rakes again. Illegal drivers. Nick and Mark discuss Scottie's and Rory's, and Mark says Rory's non-media appearance was 'shameful'.Top 5 from Nick on the toughest final 3 holes he's ever played in a major, he runs through them, explains why, and names what he believes is the toughest Par 4 in the world.Feedback today is largely on the coverage in Australian at the weekend, and on Rory's announcement last week. Plus we have a wolfpacker comment about Kingston Heath that Mark 'refuses to comment on'.PING globals results from Nick, comprehensive as always, and Marks masterclass which he describes as 'his greatest ever'.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.And the watchMynumbers app: download from the App Store or Google Play, and Southern Golf Club: with their brand new Simulator Room, including Trackman.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:BMW, luxury and comfort for the 19th hole;Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best;Golf Clearance Outlet, they beat everyone's prices;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia;And watchMynumbers and Southern Golf Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Touko 54min

Feedback pod today, and we've got plenty of comments and questions from the Wolfpack.We start with a message from a young bloke who might have a future in this crazy game - Bradley Hughes - with a comment on Royal Melbourne Composite, which is hard to argue with. That feedback from Hugo reminds Nick that he also left a voicemail last week with some clarity on the Tiger Woods missing ball incident, providing some info that neither Nick or Mark were aware of. Mark decides that we have to get Tiger's caddy Steve Williams on the pod. We'll work on that.Matt asks if there are any holes on the Royal Melbourne East course that are better than the West, and if so what are they. Nick and Mark run through a few and explain why. Hurmeez thinks the Australian Open should be at Royal Melbourne on the Composite each year - Nick and Mark give their view. And Jonesy from Sydney feels it should be at a different course each year, but only on Sandbelt courses.Mark would love to see Coolum get a major tournament again, particularly now there are no dinosaurs on the course.Pete has a request for a guest following the recent Portsea Pub story. And then after the turn, we head to the US, to Nebraska in fact, where wolfpacker Matthew would like to discuss the greatest shot ever made, and place some criteria around it. A good chat with Matthew, with some fun interruptions from his cat.A couple of weeks ago we had a caption contest for the picture of Nick's caddy Wilbur at Augusta - we've got three finalists from a massive amount of entries (we edited out the ones that were insanely rude - there was a surprising amount), and we have 3 finalists, plus an extra one from an ineligible entrant who is a current tour pro, thus why he can't enter!A comment on a 'missed mulligan', and some feedback on a bit of gear that he bought from Golf Clearance Outlet from Ray, which has changed his game. And we spoke a week ago about 9-year old Jasper who is killing it - Paul sees Jasper each week in the simulator where he works, and gave us some of Jaspers figures.....woah....we have to get him on the pod for a chat, we'll sort that.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.And the watchMynumbers app: download from the App Store or Google Play, and Southern Golf Club: with their brand new Simulator Room, including Trackman.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:BMW, luxury and comfort for the 19th hole;Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;PING will help you play your best;Golf Clearance Outlet, they beat everyone's prices;Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia;And watchMynumbers and Southern Golf Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Touko 25min