Talk Birdie Mini: The Case For and Against 'The Players Championship' Being a 5th Major

Okay we always say it, but it's always the case - another big week in golf, and Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen will cover it all. Nick is at Cathedral in Victoria today on the dodgiest wifi connection we've ever heard, and Mark is at Australian Golf Headquarters in Melbourne on a fantastic connection.But no time for that......in breaking news, Mark has heard, from someone in the know, in the know, that a decision on where the 2024 Australian Open will be held is imminent, and he reveals the inside info on what he has heard. He'll get to that later in the podcast, he's just waiting on a text message from his 'mole' to confirm a couple of details.A fun chat about the first clubs Nick and Mark ever played with, let us know yours on the socials!Augusta. It is so close, and Nick and Mark are excited. Nick tells us about the course, what it's like to play it, and some of the nuances of the various holes. Nicks insights are great, and we can't wait for the tournament, will be brilliant.A huge weekend for Nelly Korda and Scheffler, whilst he didn't win, he is in a purple patch of form - perhaps with the exception of his putting. Nick and Mark chat about how good Nelly is, and Scheffler of course. Both hugely impressive golfers (captain obvious). Hannah Green got off to a wonderful start at the weekend in the desert, but then fell away. Still, she'll be back, she's a gun. Nick was impressed with Hira Naveed, particularly when he discovered that she's from Perth, even moreso when he discovered that she is a Mount Lawley girl!Okay the text message is in from Mark's contact. Mark reveals what state is definitely out of the running for the Open, and how much the respective state governments have bid to host it, there are two states in the hunt and the bid levels are quite a way apart......but..... it's not that simple. Mark explains why.After the turn, it's the Top 5 - Mark's favourite Australian Open courses. Nick takes us around the world in what has been a big weekend for some of the Aussies in the PING global results. And we have some feedback, including questions for Nick and Mark as usual, and a comment from listener Syd, that Nick and Mark vehemently disagree with, about our Peter Fowler bonus ep. Keep your questions and comments coming.And in todays Masterclass, Nick talks us through the one-hop chip shot. He saw Scheffler and Taylor Moore play it at the weekend in Houston. Nick is a fan, and whilst it's a high risk shot, it's a great one to have in the repertoire if you can.We're here each week with the great support of PING, see your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting. Just like they have with Nick O'Hern, PING will help you play your best. And the Golf Clearance Outlet, great prices on the best gear. See them instore in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.Talk Birdie To Me. New episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss one! And we'd love you to share the podcast, and if you can rate and review us that would be great. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us here. And all our Masterclass videos 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 Apr 202450min

A fantastic bonus episode of Talk Birdie To Me today. Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen have a chat with the legendary Peter 'Chook' Fowler about his career, life, and specifically his short game tips and experiences.It's a wonderful listen with plenty to be learnt from an icon of the game. If you enjoy it, we'd love it you share the episode around with anyone else you think may find it interesting, sharing like that really helps us out !We're here each week with the great support of PING, see your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting. Just like they have with Nick O'Hern, PING will help you play your best. And the Golf Clearance Outlet, great prices on the best gear. See them instore in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.Talk Birdie To Me. New episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss one! And we'd love you to share the podcast, and if you can rate and review us that would be great. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us here. And all our Masterclass videos 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.

27 Mars 202427min

Hatgate.The Talk Birdie To Me WhatsApp group has been going crazy this week. Mark is grumpy about the lack of a Tara Iti hat, Nick is unapologetic that he should not be regarded as a hat courier for people. How does it all end? We find out on the pod. The elephant, or hat, in the room needs to be discussed before we get to any golf chat.After that convo, we get to the golf. Mark has had a sneak peak at the new Commonwealth course, we've put some pics on socials, he loves it and can't wait to play it. Nick suggests we do a pod from Commonwealth, so we're on. Mark discusses how he loves the way that Tom Doak designs golf courses. Nick is a massive fan of the history at golf clubs, of the history lesson when you walk through the clubhouses - the names, the pictures.There was the big meeting in the Bahamas last week with all the big wigs from the PIF and the PGA. Mark has some inside info from his US source on how the meeting went, what was discussed, the vibe in the room. And Nick and Mark discuss what it could mean and how things may end up.Nick has finally caught up on the new series of Full Swing, and we discuss some of the stories. Both Nick and Mark have some thoughts on Keegan Bradley after watching the series.A fun Top 5 today, Nick counts down his Top 5 weirdest hats on Tour Pros over the years. A bit of controversy with one left out that Mark felt should be in the list. Pod listener Steve calls in from the beautiful Rich Rivers Golf Club with a story about watching the great Peter Lonard playing there recently. Which takes us to feedback, lots of it, including a ripping caddy question which we'll follow up next week - and we run through your votes and comments on the GOAT, and put Nick and Mark on the spot to name their GOAT. Interestingly, they each name a different player.Lots of fantastic performances over the last week, and Nick runs through them all in the PING global results, and we wrap the show with a masterclass from Mark Allen inspired by Pro Keith Mitchell on the importance of holding your head still, or close to, right into your follow-through.And this Thursday we'll have a bonus pod with the legendary Peter Chooky Fowler where we'll pick his brains on his short game. Can't wait!We're here each week with the great support of PING, see your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting. Just like they have with Nick O'Hern, PING will help you play your best. And the Golf Clearance Outlet, great prices on the best gear. See them instore in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.Talk Birdie To Me. New episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss one! And we'd love you to share the podcast, and if you can rate and review us that would be great. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us here. And all our Masterclass videos 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.

26 Mars 20241h

Today the gang is back together. Nick is back from Tara Iti and Te Arai in New Zealand and Mark is back from The National at Cape Schanck. And Mark is keen to find out all about Nick's experience on the New Zealand courses. Did they live up to expectations? Or did they disappoint? Nick talks us through it. He describes Tara Iti as tough, fiery and brilliant, and reckons Te Arai has nailed the experience for golfers, and for families. He explains why on the pod. This inspires Mark's Top 5 today, which is great, but also one of the more self-indulgent Top 5's we've had - the 5 courses in the world that Mark would like to play but hasn't. Does Tara Iti make his list? But all is not smooth sailing. Mark is annoyed that Nick didn't bring him back a Tara Iti or Te Arai hat. Disappointing and could threaten the future of the podcast if we don't solve this impasse.Mark raises the Players Championship, he loved it, and says Scheffler is playing at the moment so well, almost like he is on ice skates. We didn't get the reference either. And we discuss Wyndham Clark and how well he played. Mark wants to know how Nick felt standing on the 18th tee when he played TPC Sawgrass, and Nick said that the course forces you to focus on your mental game. He talks about the pressure of the island green, knowing it is coming.Nick and Mark both have some thoughts on Scheffler's putting, and feel his body is twisted, closed. We discuss. Still on the Players, US journalist Evin Priest has suggested the season should end with that tournament. Could it happen? Nick and Mark discuss.During the Top 5 Mark tells a story about trying to sneak his way into Augusta years ago, did it work? And the story of how he was offered a spot playing in Augusta but turned it down to go to a party.....oh dear. Some wonderful golf at The National at the weekend, a great way to wrap up the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, and Mark congratulates Cameron John on a fantastic win. We chat about the Order of Merit results, and 'the bubble'. This leads us into the PING Global Results in what was a slightly quieter weekend around the world, and perhaps not the strongest week for some Aussies. Plenty of feedback, including a whack for the boys from pod listener Andrew Huntley who reckons they missed an obvious golfer in the lefty/righty conversation last week.And Nick gives a fantastic masterclass, inspired by Scottie Scheffler, on transitioning your weight into the ball when driving.We're here each week with the great support of PING, see your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting. Just like they have with Nick O'Hern, PING will help you play your best. And the Golf Clearance Outlet, great prices on the best gear. See them instore in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.Talk Birdie To Me. New episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss one! And we'd love you to share the podcast, and if you can rate and review us that would be great. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us here. And all our Masterclass videos 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.

19 Mars 202455min

We're doing Talk Birdie To Me internationally this week, well in part anyway. Nick O'Hern is at Tara Iti and Te Arai in New Zealand, and Mark Allen is at Australian Golf Headquarters in Melbourne. Mark is ever so slightly jealous of Nick being at Tara Iti as he's not played it and wants to! Nick is playing Tara Iti this week, but over the last few days has played the north and south courses of Te Arai, and he discusses the two courses and which is harder.Mark asks Nick if, as in the US and NZ, should Australian private clubs explore 'Member/Guest' weekends and tournaments. Huge in the US, could they work in Australia? Are there any already? Let us know if you're aware of any.Wyndham Clark. Was it a rules violation or not? Nick and Mark discuss what happened on the 18th hole at Bay Hill and whether the right decision was made by the officials. Nick and Mark disagree on the interpretation, and Nick says professional golfers always know if they move their ball - despite what they might say.Scottie Scheffler found his putting mojo, at least to a degree. The technique might still not be perfect, but he got into a rhythm, and Nick and Mark discuss what he has changed. Mark says if he nails his putting consistently, he will terrify every golfer on the tour. However, when putting, Mark believes Scheffler has what he calls an 'anxious head', and that's what this weeks masterclass is on.Leads to a chat on the Netflix Full Swing 2 series. Brilliant. Mark discusses an episode where Wyndham Clark sees a sports psychologist.Back to Bay Hill, a course Nick dislikes immensely, and Nick tells a story about being DQ'd from the Arnold Palmer Invitational because of John Daly going on a bender...a very funny story, not at the time for Nick, but in hindsight.Top 5 this week was suggested by pod listener Chris Payne who was keen to hear Nick and Marks thoughts on the Top 5 players who were right-handed, but pretty handy as lefty's. Chris said Mac O'Grady was a highlight, and he makes the list, however Mark disagrees with Nicks choice for #2.Lots of feedback, and some questions for the guys, always great - shoot any questions or comments through.Massive PING global results this week, with plenty of Aussies around the world doing well - Minjee Lee a standout, and on the verge of something special according to Nick and Mark.And Marks masterclass on having an 'anxious head' when putting is a ripper.We're here each week with the great support of PING, see your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting. Just like they have with Nick O'Hern, PING will help you play your best. And the Golf Clearance Outlet, great prices on the best gear. See them instore in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.Talk Birdie To Me. New episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss one! And we'd love you to share the podcast, and if you can rate and review us that would be great. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us here. And all our Masterclass videos 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 Mars 20241h

We've hit the road this week for Talk Birdie To Me, and we're coming live from The National Golf Club at beautiful Cape Schanck in Victoria.Nick and Mark are excited to discuss Hannah Green's fantastic performance at the weekend, where she scored birdies on the final 3 holes to win in Singapore. Brilliant. Birdie, birdie birdie! Nick and Mark both love what Hannah has achieved over the past couple of years, although Nick is annoyed with her because he feels she is now the best golfer to come out of Mount Lawley, knocking him off the perch.Big performance from Min Woo Lee in the US, scoring a big payday with his T2 finish in Palm Beach. Mark asks Nick to talk about what winning that kind of money does to your mindset at that level of golf. A big headline has been the return of Anthony Kim. Even though he had a tough day at the office, Mark was impressed with how he played given how long since he has played golf at this level. Nick doesn't love the fact Kim is with LIV, but sees it as a good short term move, perhaps less so long term. Nick and Mark discuss LIV, and the rumoured meeting last week. Mark again states his view that the big winner from the whole thing could be the DP World Tour, and this may be good news for Australia and New Zealand. Whilst we're talking LIV, listener Luke has a question about Rory McIllroy, so we get him (Luke not Rory) on the phone for a chat.We've had another great question, this time from Brian, about off the shelf shafts vs custom shafts. Nick and Mark are unsure about the benefit for Brian - so we call Matt Austin from PING who knows this stuff like the back of his hand.A fun Top 5 today from Mark on the Top 5 fast swings. Nick is surprised by one of Marks entries.Into feedback - lots of it, and one listener gives Nick a whack. We give Nick right of reply. We also find out that Nick is not aware of a massive historical television moment. Mark is horrified. You will be as well. Click here for a clue.Mark reveals that he bumped into Peter 'Chooky' Fowler at the driving range recently, and has invited him to come on the pod and talk about his short game competitions with Seve. If you have any questions for Chook, let us know and we'll put them to him.Huge results this week in the PING global results. Led by Hannah Green and Min Woo Lee. And a ripping masterclass from Nick O'Hern on swing tempo.We're here each week with the great support of PING, see your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting. Just like they have with Nick O'Hern, PING will help you play your best. And the Golf Clearance Outlet, great prices on the best gear. See them instore in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.Talk Birdie To Me. New episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss one! And we'd love you to share the podcast, and if you can rate and review us that would be great. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us here. And all our Masterclass videos 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 Mars 202459min

We've been getting plenty of voicemails from Talk Birdie To Me listeners, some are questions for Nick and Mark, others are you simply leaving a comment or a story. As much as we'd love to play them all on the show, if we did the podcast would go for 2-hours - and nobody wants that!So, from time to time, we'll pop a voicemail in the Talk Birdie To Me podcast feed. If you want to leave a message for us - it is very simple, just head to our website here on your mobile or computer, hit the record button, tell us who you are, where you're from, where you play your golf, and leave your message. Couldn't be easier, you'll be done in 60-seconds.We're here each week with the great support of PING, see your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting. Just like they have with Nick O'Hern, PING will help you play your best. And the Golf Clearance Outlet, great prices on the best gear. See them instore in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.And don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, and you can see all our Masterclass videos 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 Mars 20241min

Something a little different today. First some background.When Mark Allen isn't chatting golf with Nick O'Hern on the Talk Birdie To Me podcast, often you'll find him having fun with his great mate David 'The Ox' Schwarz over at the Couple of Blokes podcast here.This week, on the Couple of Blokes pod, Marko tells a never before publicly told story about some exceptionally bad behaviour during the 1998 Presidents Cup in Melbourne. Massive names were involved in this particular Presidents Cup: Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Peter Thomson, Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Stuart Appleby and plenty more. But there was one particular player who took bad behaviour and inappropriateness to a level not seen before, and hopefully not seen again.Listen to the excerpt here on Talk Birdie To Me, the excerpt here is safe to listen to - however the full, unedited version, over at the Couple of Blokes pod comes with a language warning, an NSFW warning, and a 'don't listen around the kids' warning. Full story here.Talk Birdie To Me resumes normal transmission next Tuesday, see you then!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 Feb 20244min