Ep174: Why a Club Fitting is Important, Demise of Q School, and Elvis Smylie Joins Nick O'Hern for the Masterclass

Balwyn calling.David from Balwyn left us a voicemail with some views on the Paul McGinley and Brandel Chamblee conversation about a possible merger of LIV and the PGA. Got a comment? Leave a voicemail at our website here, it's easy and takes only a moment or two.We do the show from Titleist and FootJoy HQ, thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;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.Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.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.

17 Maalis 58s

Today a bonus pod where we open up the Talk Birdie To Me 'book club'. We originally considered discussing Red Dog, or Little Women, or Pride and Prejudice, but then we thought we'd discuss golf books instead. Seems to make sense.So today, Nick and Mark discuss some of their favourite books (listed below) and then we chat to film-maker and author Peter Dickson about his new golf book 'The Embedded Lie', which he describes as his 'love letter to golf'. So sit in your favourite chair, whack your feet up on a poufle, pour a lazy drink - and join the Talk Birdie To Me book club.And Mark tells a great story about Jean van de Velde in The Open!Nicks' favourite books:Harvey Penick - Little Red BookMark Fisher - The Golfer and the MillionaireDr Bob Rotella - Putting Out Of Your MindJohn Feinstein - A Good Walk SpoiledMarks' favourite books:Nick O'Hern - How to Play Your Best GolfNick O'Hern - Tour MentalitySteve Keipert and Tony Webeck- Aussies at The OpenPeter Thomson - Lessons I Have LearnedPaul Daley - Ben Hogan: The Yardstick of Golfing GreatnessPeter Dickson's book The Embedded Lie can be purchased here.We do the show from Titleist and FootJoy HQ, thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;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.Southern Golf Club - now 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.

16 Maalis 20min

Plenty of feedback and questions for Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen on Talk Birdie To Me this week.Daniel was Nicks' caddy in San Francisco when he wore golf gear to the baseball and messaged us.Andrew has an idea about tournaments and getting more pros in them.Laurie has a thought about the Australian Open venues.George is after advice on golf swings and 'high hands'.Great message form Tony who won a huge prize with the Golf Clearance Outlet.Andrew reckons we missed a solid candidate for weirdest putters on the pro tour.Pommy has been listening to a podcast which he recommends, particularly for people who want to be a caddy.Mark saw an article in Golf Digest on rakes which he recommends for Mark Allen.Another Mark has a question on ball markers and the rules.And Adam gives Nick and Mark a whack over inconsistent terminology of something in golf.We do the show from Titleist and FootJoy HQ, thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;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.Southern Golf Club - now 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.

13 Maalis 20min

A huge pod today, we start with Karl Vilips' fantastic win in Puerto Rico - amazing. Nick and Mark chat about his path to this point, from an Australian prodigy at 6-years old to PGA winner, how he did it and why he moved to the US so young. Nick chats about what impressed him about Karl's performance, and Mark raises his swing and suggests it may be the new modern swing. Nick would prefer to see Karl waggling, but at the same time he's doing pretty well without it!We discuss Jason Day's suble change in his putting. Nick raises some of the changes at Bay Hill and talks about playing that course.Mark raises 'fast greens' and says that whilst many golfers like to say they play them well, they are not ideal generally. We talk about ideal green speeds.The Australian Open dates, for all tournaments, are yet to be announced. Mark asks are Golf Australia serious about the Open or not? And he invites James Sutherland onto the pod to explain where it's at.Mark has heard that the discussions between the PIF and the PGA in Washington have broken down.Nick's Top 5 is on well known players who wore gloves to putt, in order of worst to best. It won't surprise you to know that it is in fact a Top 6. Surely by now this is an ACCC issue. Nick also tells a great story about the Golden Bear at a conference - very funny.Feedback today - including a call from David in Brisbane who is heading off next week to the Barossa for a boys drinking , ahem, golf trip and wants some advice on how to maintain energy and momentum under duress (ie: late nights, wines and beers). Also in feedback a couple of whacks for Mark. Always fun.PING global results - we're yet to resolve the trumpet situation. Watch this space. And Marks masterclass is on how 'locking your shirt' under your armpit can help your putting. Our intern Javier was in charge of audio, might explain why we fired him.We do the show from Titleist and FootJoy HQ, thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;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.Southern Golf Club - now 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.

12 Maalis 1h 16min

Today we're doing a bonus pod previewing The Players Championship this weekend at TPC Sawgrass, a wonderful event and one that Nick has played multiple times. Nick and Mark discuss the course, particularly the famous 17th hole and how it feels when you know it's getting close.Nick gives his view on the best way to play the course, what he did. Mark describes it as a 'hitters' course, Nick agrees and says you can't 'short game' you way around Sawgrass.Mark is bullish on a particular player. He calls up his Betr app and shows us what he's done - he's whacked 100 bucks on a player to win at 46-1. Nick doesn't agree and thinks this player is more likely to miss the cut. Ouch.We discuss the players who are a chance and why, with particular attention on the Aussies.And then, and this is a bit of fun, we call our mate Hummer at Betr and ask him to create a multi for Talk Birdie listeners that Nick and Mark have built. It's a very gettable 3-leg multi involving Jason Day, Scottie Scheffler and Ludvig Åberg. We're quietly confident, and the odds are attractive. But....this multi is only for Talk Birdie To Me wolfpackers and only on Betr. You can check it out here.Opening an account by the way takes about 90-seconds.Good luck, and remember to gamble responsibly.We do the show from Titleist and FootJoy HQ, thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;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.Southern Golf Club - now 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.

11 Maalis 22min

We love receiving voicemails of all kinds. Fehan messaged us about the LPGA tournament at Blue Bay over the weekend.Talk Birdie To Me comes from Titleist and FootJoy HQ, thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;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.Southern Golf Club - now 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.

9 Maalis 1min

Well the pod gets off to a bad start when Mark decides to wear a Joe Highsmith style hat for the duration. Highly recommend you avoid watching this episode on YouTube when it is available. Some comments and questions to run through.Christopher has a comment on the suitability of wearing golf attire, and Nick tells a very funny story about going to the baseball in the US looking decidedly 'golfy'. Rochey has a comment and question on Marks patented 59 ranking system.Tom went to LIV, and loved it, but has a question about the shotgun starts.Warwick has an idea for the pod.And Anthony has a question about Marks changes to his short game, and how players from the past dealt with a specific issue.We do the show from Titleist and FootJoy HQ, thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;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.Southern Golf Club - now 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.

6 Maalis 16min

Another fun pod today. We start with the huge win of Ryan Peake in the New Zealand Open, without being dismissive of the past, it is a wonderful redemption story and Mark says a great example of what second chances can do. Mark and Nick both want to get Ryan on the pod when he is back in Australia.However, Mark is not a fan of the NZ Open being a Pro-Am calling it 'garbage'. Nick understands why it is and proposes a compromise approach, Mark then offers an alternate compromise.Jake Knapp's 59 at PGA National needs to be analysed by Mark Allen's patented 'Talk Birdie To Me 59 Analyser'. Which he does. Nick discusses Jakes plug shot out of the water.Joe Highsmith. What is with that hat, and what about that putting? Discussions are had, and laughs are had. Both are ridiculous.And why does Mark Allen call Ricky Pointing a 'disgrace' ? Trouble in paradise.We discuss Luke Clanton getting his card and his Dad's beautiful reaction, which gives Nick an idea about Q-School mini's...he reckons riveting viewing. Speaking of riveting viewing, for the wrong reasons. Mark plays the famous video of Joe Daly at Q-School in 2000. Brutal.We play a video of Jeff Guan's driving, looking pretty sharp. A tough road for him, but we wish him all the best.Marks Top 5 today is a cracker. The Top 5 ridiculous putting actions on tour that he has seen. It is very funny. Has he missed any? Let us know.Couple of stunning reno's in Sydney: Royal Sydney, and NSW Golf Club, we look at some pics of both and discuss.Lots of results to run through in the PING Global results, in what has been a big week for lefties. Unsurprisingly, Nick is pleased with that. And we run through some feedback, Mark gets a whack from Wolfpack member Don, and Mark gives tour pro David Micheluzzi a whack (again!). This could end in court. Lucky we've got our lawyer Dennis Denuto on retainer.And a great masterclass from Nick, inspired by Jake Knapp, on how to play plugged lies.We do the show from Titleist and FootJoy HQ, thanks to our great partners:Titleist, the #1 ball in golf;FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf;The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;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.Southern Golf Club - now 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.

5 Maalis 59min