Ep177: Feedback: Why the US Caddy Culture is Brilliant, Club Songs, and Pre-Shot Routines

What a week in golf it has been, so much to talk about we barely have time for the show opener. And today's show isn't from the Australian Golf Centre, home of the PGA of Australia and Golf Australia, Nick is live from Central Victoria not far from Cathedral, and Mark is overlooking the beautiful 4th hole at Box Hill Golf Course in Melbourne.We start by looking at the Erik Van Rooyen's incredible win in the World Wide Technology Championship. A great performance with so many brilliant stories coming out of it, not only from Erik. Nick and Mark discuss how a number of Australian golfers from the current Order of Merit will be able to go to Round 1 of LIV qualifying, and how the PGA tour might respond to the players who do go to qualifying. Mark's view is that the PGA will not be impressed if any Australian player goes to LIV qualifying, and asks Nick for his opinion. Leads to a chat about what World Rankings mean, Nick believes that rankings may become less relevant over time.Mark mentions his view that LIV and PGA talks are not progressing. Nick describes it as an ongoing saga.Mark is over the moon that Robert MacIntyre is coming to the Australia Open, but less impressed about Michael Block and doesn't want him in with the big boys. Nick and Mark discuss some of the players coming out for the Open, the field of women and men is extraordinary.But....onto the big news story of the week. The Box Hill Pro-Am. Mark promised he'd shoot a course record of 62, however he shot 72, just a touch off the course record. Nick played well, particularly given he was injured. Mark has a tip for Nick on his speaking content and some of the stories he should focus on.Lots of feedback this week, and some great questions from you that Nick and Mark answer on the pod. Keep them coming in, always keen to hear from you. A ripping question from Chris about the 1996 Australian Open where only Greg Norman shot under par, given weather conditions, and Chris wants to know what the worst conditions Nick and Mark ever played in were.Leads to a great story when Mark thought his playing partner was going to be Tiger, but the pairing didn't go his way...instead Tiger was paired with Mark's nemesis.We also had a lot of feedback this week on one aspect of the Box Hill Pro-Am....to do with something Mark Allen was wearing. Troy has sent a video of a putting grip that he asks the boys for their thoughts on. You can see the video here.Nick takes us around the world with the PING global results.A great Top 5 this week, inspired by Andrew Kelly, Mark counts down the Top 5 most unusual starts to golf swings. And, while we're on Andrew Kelly, Nick's masterclass is on stepping into the ball when driving.Talk Birdie To Me, new episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss an episode! If you've got a friend who is into golf, we'd love you to share the podcast with them, and if you can rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts that would be great.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us 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.

7 Nov 202357min

Another fun Talk Birdie To Me this week...We start with Mark and Nick giving us an update on their preparations for this Fridays pro-am at Box Hill, Mark predicts he'll win, and Nick is less confident. A long chat about the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships, won by Jasper Stubbs with a superb performance - particularly in the last 12 or 13 holes - but what a fantastic weekend at Royal Melbourne, the entire tournament was a cracker full of some awesome golf.Mark runs through three amateurs who have been offered a place in this weekends Queensland PGA tournament as professionals. Times have changed, but what a great achievement.A discussion about Michael Block being invited to play in the Australian Open. Neither Nick or Mark are completely on board with the invite, and feel there were more suitable people to invite rather than Block.Mark believes the US College Golf system is a natural pathway for young golfers from Australia and Asia; and explains why. He reckons any young golfer worth their salt in Australia, if they're good, but not quite on the radar of Golf Australia - the US College system is worth a look.Nick made a whirlwind trip to Fiji last week to MC the welcome and evening function for the BMW National Golf Club Final for Australia and New Zealand. Very windy, but some great scores. Mark is, tonight, at Huntingdale in Melbourne just before they rip up the course and it is rebuilt by OCM.Email from Greg from the Central Coast, who has a question on bunker play for Nick and Mark. Fortunately, Mark Allen was arguably the best bunker player in the world and so he can give some cracking advice to Greg. And we have a voicemail from Damien from Sandringham asking a question about Ambrose Golf, and other golf game variants.PING global results from Nick this week again huge. Lots going on, the main news being the Asia-Pacific Amateurs. And results from the DP World tour in Qatar, which reminds Nick of one of most disappointing results as a player - and he tells us the story. Plus a heap of other tournaments from around the world.This weeks Top 5 comes from Nick O'Hern, and he looks at the Top 5 wind players in the world.And we wrap up with a killer masterclass from Mark Allen on how to address the dreaded double cross, the shots that go left.Talk Birdie To Me, new episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss an episode! If you've got a friend who is into golf, we'd love you to share the podcast with them, and if you can rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts that would be great.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us 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 Nov 202351min

Seems we say it every week, but it really is another big week in the world of golf. We kick off todays show remembering the great Ivor Robson, one of the most famous voices in golf - and the man who made Mark Allen nervous at Carnoustie when he teed off at the British Open.Mark and Nick chat about the Asia Pacific Amateur Championships, which are on in Melbourne later this week and have caused havoc with the boys finding a carpark at Golf Australia headquarters for the podcast. Really is a first world problem.On a more serious note, we discuss the awful fire that destroyed the Eastern Golf Club in the Yarra Valley last week; and the challenges facing Oakleigh Golf Club in Melbourne, and more recently Moore Park in Sydney. Almost seems golf clubs are under threat everywhere.A great win by Minjee Lee in South Korea this week, making it 2 wins in 3 starts for her. What a star. Will she be one of our greats? The boys think so, and discuss whether she is a hall of famer.The LIV/PGA 'agreement to agree' has gone quiet. Mark mentioned last week that the Golf Australia boss has assured him it's on track, however Mark has another source who reckons that the two groups are not talking. Watch this space. But he does have a theory on what may help the two parties come closer, and discusses with Nick.Nick admits to not liking lamingtons. Ridiculous. We get a call from Drew in Western Australia who is not only a listener to the pod, but a former caddie of Marks, and played against Nick in their younger days. Drew tells a ripping story about beating Nick in matchplay - not bad for bragging rights - and about when he caddied for Mark. We discuss what songs Nick and Mark would choose as their 'play-on' song if they had to have one. Both make excellent choices.As usual heaps of feedback and questions from you, keep them coming, we love them. Nick takes us around the world with the PING global results - one of our most popular segments. And we have a great Top 5 today from Mark where he counts down the top 5 duffs, and we have a bit of help from one of the most famous Duffs. This guy here.A great masterclass from Nick this week on using your right hand to place your putter head, and why it makes such a difference.Talk Birdie To Me, new episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss an episode! If you've got a friend who is into golf, we'd love you to share the podcast with them, and if you can rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts that would be great.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us 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.

24 Okt 202354min

What a week in golf, there is so much to discuss, so settle into your walk, drive, or chair and get ready for a big episode of Talk Birdie To Me.We start with Min Woo Lee’s big win in Macau at the weekend, what a superstar he is becoming. And we discover that Mark Allen has turned into an 'FWG'....what is that? We explain on the podcast, it's not something to be proud of!Great win from Rod Pampling - a golfer with 'effortless power' according to Mark, and Nick reckons he is one of the good guys, even though Pamps beat him in a matchplay tournament, not that Nick is still bitter about it. Nick and Mark discuss Ben Eccles great win in the WA PGA Championship, an excellent win, particularly after a slow start. And Nick names one of the big earners in golf this week....and it's not a player!We discuss the decision not to award world rankings to LIV players, Mark believes that the PGA/LIV talks are not going well, although the CEO of the PGA Gavin Kirkman has told him that they are proceeding well, so Mark will take him at his word on that. We discuss some of the challenges with giving points to LIV players, and explore a couple of ways it could work, and what they’d like to see happen.This week saw Ben An suspended for doping. Nick talks about when he was drug tested on tour, how often and how it happens. He describes it as quite a humiliating process.This week Lexi Thompson played the PGA tournament in Vegas, and shot even. Nick and Mark discuss how she played, and Nick was fascinated by what she carried in her bag.Nick had a fitting at PING this week, and Mark wants to know all about it. Nick explains what he’s arranged and how the fitting went.Lots of feedback this week, a great question about how US social golfers are ‘liberal’ with the handicap system, and we find out who the nicest bloke on tour is.Nick takes us around the world with the PING global results. Some ripping performances from there Aussies over the weekend; and Nick then talks about playing in Madrid, and his favourite bar there called El Toro.The Top 5 this week was suggested by David Craig from Brisbane, and is the Top 5 shots that pros would like a redo on, Nick has compiled his list, thanks for all your suggestions. One of the Top 5 is from Scott Hoch in the US Masters, and Mark tells a very funny story about having dinner with Scott in New Zealand with their waiter doing something very awkward.And a great masterclass this week from Mark Allen on not moving your head when putting, but moving your eyes instead.Talk Birdie To Me, new episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss an episode! If you've got a friend who is into golf, we'd love you to share the podcast with them, and if you can rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts that would be great.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us 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.

17 Okt 202358min

Another big show this week. Marko wants to discuss his new favourite player, Ludvig Aberg, who he describes as a 'machine'. Nick agrees that he is going to be a superstar and calls him a tall, strapping strong, ball striking machine. Mark reckons he’ll play in the the next US Masters, Nick believes he is the most exciting player since Rory McIllroy.Speaking of Rory - we discuss Rory's height.There's great golf swings, and then there is this one from Carl Yuan. Worth a look. Nick and Mark discuss.Celebrations for the Fitzpatrick family in the Dunhill - what a tournament and what a result for the family. Mum might have outperformed Dad!Mark discusses Charlie Woods swing, and how he is developing. Clearly an awesome pedigree, so how’s he doing? Nick and Mark discuss. Nick loves how Charlie is developing and calls him a ‘mini-me’ of Tiger, all the mannerisms are the same. Fascinating chat about how Tiger has worked with Charlie to teach him to play, and Nick tells the story of kicking balls with Charlie when he was about 8-years old.Leading on to Nick and Mark discussing other father/sons in golf.What about Lexi Thompson being invited to play the PGA tournament in Vegas. Mark and Nick love the experiment and reckon it's great for golf.Shad Tuten. Very tough outcome for him, nearly had a tour card and missed out after what happened in Indiana. Nick and Mark discuss. Very tough for the young guy.Nick runs through the PING global results, some rippers and some surprises from around the world. And how about Gabi Ruffels!! Brilliant!Great voicemail from David Craig from Brisbane with a ripper Top 5 suggestion for Nick and Mark , which we’ll do next week on the show. David suggested Top 5 shots that players would love to redo. Great idea, and if you have a suggestion let us know - you can leave a voicemail or message us on socials.Lots of great feedback this week. We love it, keep it coming.So the Top 5 this week is from Mark, he looks at the "Top 5 Non Short Par 4 Fun Holes in Australia". Very specific. Any to add? Let us know.And a ripping masterclass from Nick on nailing short putts.Talk Birdie To Me, new episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss an episode! If you've got a friend who is into golf, we'd love you to share the podcast with them, and if you can rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts that would be great.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us 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.

10 Okt 202353min

A massive show, so much to discuss - in fact so much so that we don't even have time to play the show opener today. Because we must talk about what we saw in the Ryder Cup, so much to unpack.Nick and Mark discuss the performances, particularly from the European team who were exceptional. We analyse who stood up and played well and who underperformed. Both Nick and Mark believe that the US team don't feel as strongly about the Ryder Cup as the Europeans, and they explain why.And Nick outlines some of the moves that they made prior to the tournament which had a major influence on the outcome. There was controversy of course, Mark says that Joe LaCava's behaviour on the course was 'shameful', Nick agrees, but also believes Rory McIllroy probably regrets his reaction in the carpark afterwards.Plenty to discuss with Patrick Cantlay and 'hat-gate', what about Viktor Hovland's chip shot? And once and for all, we find out how to pronounce Ludvig Aberg's name. And we have a question from Talk Birdie To Me listener Tim on how good the greens looked in Rome, which Nick and Mark discuss.Nick 'nearly' tells a great story about a 'charitable donation' from a PGA golfer which went, perhaps, to a 'charity' a little closer to home than was expected. Mark finishes the story, very funny.Mark and Nick discuss the LIV & PGA tour schedule for next year, or at least what we know about it so far.Mark is angry about a local council proposal considering closing down a local golf course.We have a voicemail today from Neal in Townsville with a ripping question about matchplay tips. Helpfully, we have a bloke who may have beaten Tiger Woods twice in matchplay, the only person in the world to ever do so, so Neal has come to the right place. And we chat to Steve from the Gold Coast who is passing on a tip he read from Ian Baker-Finch on chipping.Some great feedback as usual, keep it coming - including a comment today from Nick O’Hern's mum!We go around the world with the Ping global results, a cracking Top 5 today with Nick counting down the Top 5 golfers who don't wear hats (requested by Franco Caruso), and a masterclass from Mark on the importance of not stopping your swing at impact on the ball.Talk Birdie To Me, new episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss an episode! If you've got a friend who is into golf, we'd love you to share the podcast with them, and if you can rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts that would be great.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us 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 Okt 202357min

It's another big show this week and Nick and Mark are up and about after the Solheim Cup at the weekend, so much to unpack, some wonderful performances, plenty of emotion, a massive shank, and a snappy media conference. And of course what a performance from Carlota Ciganda. We discuss it all on the pod.The chip from Lexi leads into a chat from Mark about something he's been trying in his own game, a chipping technique from Gabriel Hjersted.Mark asks Nick to explain what different pressures are at play when you're playing as part of a team, as opposed to an individual game. With Nick having played Presidents Cup twice, he's well placed to answer.Mark has also been following the news that Australian company OCM will be redeveloping the Medinah Golf Course in Chicago. Very exciting.We have a voicemail from Jamie in Tassie, a great fun question to do with the Ryder Cup that Nick and Mark get right into and have a lot of fun with; and we have a bunch of feedback from you, including some constructive criticism on how we have been pronouncing a certain players name. Mark has homework as a result.Nick runs us through the Aussie performances around the world in the Ping Global Results, plenty of news to cover.This weeks Top 5 is one that Nick and Mark could only get a Top 3 out of last week, and enlisted your help with. It is the Top 5 golf hugs of all time. You have come through with a heap of great suggestions, and the boys try to narrow it down to a Top 5.And inspired by 'that shot' from Lexi at the weekend in the Solheim Cup, a great masterclass from Nick O'Hern.Talk Birdie To Me, new episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss an episode! If you've got a friend who is into golf, we'd love you to share the podcast with them, and if you can rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts that would be great.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us 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.

26 Sep 202353min

After a few shows at various golf clubs, we're back at Australian Golf HQ today, and there's a lot to discuss in the world of golf!We start the show with Mark making and admission about something he did whenever he played in Singapore or Malaysia; and he then asks Nick for some advice on his game, as Nick is now Mark's unofficial golf coach.But to more important things - the golf from the weekend. Ryan Fox, a wonderful result swooping back in to with the BMW PGA Championship. Very impressive performance. Nick and Mark discuss the Wentworth course, how beautiful it is, but how it has had some challenges over the years with the redesigns. Nick was also impressed with Aaron Rai's performance, Mark has some concerns about his gear and his clothing - Nick agrees. Following Min Woo Lee giving Ryan Fox a huge hug after his win, Mark wants you to suggest some of the great hugs in golf history to compile a Top 5. Let us know on the socials or send a voicemail here. Another great result from the weekend was from Scott Hend on the Europeans Legends Tour, a great performance, and Mark recommends following Hendy on social media - very entertaining. Nick was impressed with the performance of PING player Sahith Theegala in the Napa Valley, both Nick and Mark loved the scenes when he won with his family present, wonderful footage and a victory a long time coming. Mark had a look at what was in Theegala's bag, one of the things that he loves to do - he calls himself a golf dork.Nick talks about the performance of the European players and has a theory on why they are stronger than the Americans leading into the Ryder Cup.After the turn, Mark has a crack at Nick over a disgraceful oversight.We love getting voicemails from you, keep them coming. Today we hear from Paul Higgins with a question about a recent Top 5; and Ry Coleman who asks the guys about left and right holes. Nick & Mark give some great advice.Plenty of feedback this week, starting with Mark copping a whack. And it's something that he's been picked up on previously. We may have an endemic issue with something he is doing. Keep the feedback, comments coming on socials, or send a voicemail anytime here.Nick gets Mark up to speed on some recent changes to the PGA Tour with the reintroduction of the PGA Tour Q-School presented by Korn Ferry. And then lots of results from around the world, with a focus on the Aussies and Kiwis.A fun Top 5 this week from Nick, who counts down his Top 5 'poor form' moments in golf history. If you have any to add let us know. And todays masterclass is from Mark and inspired by Scott Hend at the weekend on the DP World Tour, and is specifically for people who are slicers.Talk Birdie To Me, new episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss an episode! If you've got a friend who is into golf, we'd love you to share the podcast with them, and if you can rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts that would be great.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us 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.

19 Sep 202357min