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

Hold everything.....today's feedback pod gets off to a bad start when, just prior, Nick O'Hern decides to do some stretching but doesn't consider the angle that Mark and Dan have of his 'parts' when he is doing the stretches. Very nearly derails the entire pod. Some things cannot be unseen.But, like triathletes, or footballers in a big game, we push through the pain and hook into the pod. We start with a wolfpacker suggestion of a few great Irish courses that you can play on a budget. And then a question about putting tips in cold weather.Craig from the UK has a question for Nick and Mark about the angle of attack using his persimmon - and Mark has an idea to do a side by side comparison of a persimmon club vs the latest drivers from Titleist and PING for example.Comment about Jordan Spieth getting relief and the left handed vs right handed chat from last week.Our search for the identity of the Mad Greek on YouTube continues, he or she is yet to out themselves but a couple of wolfpackers have a thought on who they might be. One suggestion is Terry Pilkadaris, and Mark tells a great story about Terry as a young golfer.David is a new listener to the pod, and loves the idea of the Talk Birdie To Me golf day on the Gold Coast at Links Hope Island (details here), however is unable to make it and suggests a golf day in Victoria where he lives. We like it. If you can make the Gold Coast, tickets on sale now - we'll be there at Links Golf and Wellbeing at Hope Island on Wednesday October 8th. Short clinic, light lunch, shotgun start tournament with Talk Birdie par rules, and then a buffet dinner, few stories from Nick and Mark and we'll do some questions live at the event from anyone who wants to chat with the boys.Whilst we're discussing the Gold Coast golf day - Nick is horrified by Dans pronunciation of 'buffet' as 'buff- et' and Mark's pronunciation of 'champagne' as 'sham-pag-knee'. Clearly a disconnect between the working class Mark and Dan, and the hoity toity Nick O'Hern.Back to questions. Does Nick get a sponsor exemption if he wants to play the WA Open? Wolfpacker Sandy asks what is going wrong with Australian Mens Golf....the women flying, the men less so. Mark and Nick have some solid views on how to address the issue.And we wrap with a question about Tiger, and his swing and coaching changes. Timely, as later this week we'll chat to his former caddy Steve Williams, which we're looking forward to very much.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 Aug 28min

Well after Mark was in shock last week that Nick O'Hern had not found time to watch Happy Gilmore 2, homework was set. Nick (and Dan) both had to get up to speed....no excuses....and watch it.What was the verdict? We find out the entire Talk Birdie To Me teams views of Happy Gilmore 2, we rate our fave cameos, we discover if Nick and Mark are about to have a rib muscle removed to get more distance, we hear some of your thoughts - and who was very famous actor in the movie who Mark completely was oblivious to!And we end with our patented Talk Birdie To Me choc top ratings for the movie.Warning - this bonus ep has spoilers, so if you haven't yet seen the movie, and plan to, maybe hold off on listening to this episode.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 Aug 16min

Fun pod today. Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen kick it off by discussing our reworked set - still at Titleist and FootJoy HQ but in a different space.....a change is as good as a holiday. Speaking of holidays, tickets are selling well for our Talk Birdie To Me Golf Day at Links Golf and Wellbeing on the Gold Coast on October 8th, after being on sale for about 5-days, nearly a third of the tickets are sold, so the day will sell out - we'd love to see you there, tickets available here.We discuss the domination of the Asia Pacific region in womens golf at the moment, with a new number one in the world in Jeeno Thitikul, and Nick and Mark discuss why they are dominating. Work ethic is a clear standout reason according to the boys. Nick suggests getting Jan Stephenson on the pod as a guest. Steph Kyriacou played well in tough conditions at the weekend, and one particular shot involving her was extraordinary, we discuss.And the retirement of a legend. Ian Baker-FInch, what a career, Nick and Mark love what he has done and how good he is. Although missing the discussion about IBF due to the international feed being delivered into Australia was very disappointing - Mark has had enough and says 'we are missing so much' by being given the international feed. Nick says Jim Nance is the best in the business, and he's one that he wants to hear, rather than the international feed team.In the chat about IBF we also find out that Mark is a tight-arse. And we discuss who might replace IBF, Frank Nobilo the consensus choice from Nick and Mark.Cam Young, a great win at the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina, and a fantastic final round (after a tough first hole) to win his first ever PGA tournament. We discuss that final round. Nick is reminded of playing this tournament and described it as the greatest cut he ever made, and tells the story of why.Update on Royal Melbourne's preparation for the Australian Open. It's good news, and Mark is pleased to have heard it and to pass it on.Last week we had a voicemail from wolfpacker Tom in Arizona, and Mark decided to give Tom some homework - this is what the podcast has become, we're giving homework to wolfpackers, we really are quite disgraceful. Nonetheless, Tom delivers in spades with a ripping Top 5 desert courses in Arizona, with rationale for each. During the turn, Mark has been on google looking at Tom's number 1 course, and he decides that he needs to visit Arizona to play it. We'd like to be in the room when Mark asks his wife for permission to fly to Arizona to play a round of golf. Onto the Top 5, Mark lists the 5 things that The Australian Open needs to have implemented to make it as good as it can be, and as good as it used to be.Breaking news - next week we'll have a bonus pod chatting to Steve Williams, former caddy of Tiger, about his new book - and he will personally sign a copy to one wolfpacker. How do you win? Well we want your questions to ask Steve, what would you like us to ask on your behalf? We'll choose three and put all three to Steve, and Nick will vote on the best question to win the signed book. Let us know on socials, or message us through the Talk Birdie website here. Our bonus pod with Steve will be later next week.Nick runs through the PING globals from the weekend, and we have plenty of feedback to run through. Amongst other things we talk ball fitting, equipment evolution, blades vs hollow clubs, and a couple of suggestions for other players who didn't live up to their potential.And a reminder that later this week we'll do our review pod on Happy Gilmore 2!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 Aug 1h

After hearing Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen talking about Links Hope Island last week and the story of Michael Long calling a penalty on himself, giving Ernie Els the win, Tour Pro Scotty Laycock had a further couple of stories to share, and left a voicemail.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.

2 Aug 1min

A feedback pod today where we read through a bunch of your questions and comments.We start with a couple of comments on Cam Smith following Nick and Mark's chat last week on his form. Last week Mark listed his 'Irish Bucket List' courses, and we've had a big reaction with people suggesting other courses in Ireland to play, and saying that he needs to extend his trip to get them in. Leads to a chat about Tour Pro Eamonn Darcy who Nick played with a couple of times. And then we have a voicemail from Tom in Arizona with some thoughts on Irish courses, and Mark gives Tom some homework - he'd love Tom's Top 5 'desert courses'.After the turn, a comment from wolfpacker Mad Greek on unposrtsmanlike behaviour on tour, he outlines some poor behaviour he witnessed....and then we try to figure out who Mad Greek is. He sounds like he was a Tour Pro, but we're unsure who....time to reveal yourself Mad Greek !Dale has a comment on wolfpacker Fezz from last week who doesn't like giving shots back to the course (Fezz plays of +1). Dale disagrees with Fezz and calls him a clown.David has a question about a young golfer in the US who was disqualified last week after his caddy threw his hat in the air to check the wind. And Kiwi Lad Welly, who caddied for Mark in New Zealand, has written in about a time he reckons Mark might have felt like breaking his fingers (after last weeks chat on golfers breaking fingers of caddies accidentally). Mark tells us about that tournament where he was playing with John Senden and recalls a moment where he made a poor shot that hit a tree, turned around to see John laughing at him.Another voicemail, this one from James in Sydney on blending irons in his bag, wants to know if he should look at doing this given lots of pros seem to be.And Nick has a question on the setup of Bethpage for the Ryder Cup.Finally, we've locked it in. Our first ever Talk Birdie To Me golf day at Links Golf and Wellbeing at Hope Island on the Gold Coast. Limited tickets, shotgun start, par rules, plus a light lunch , and a buffet dinner - along with Nick and Mark speaking , telling some war stories, and lots of fun. It is on Wednesday October 8th, starts around 11.30am or so, first tee-time 12.30. If you can make it we'd love to see you - tickets and more info 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.

31 Juli 25min

Massive pod today, and we start with a bit of news that Nick and Mark have heard from an industry insider who is very high up in the golf world, about the new ball that is being developed and due in 2028. It is currently in testing and apparently the testing has not gone to expectations, with the results being far from ideal. Longer hitters with high launch and low spin aren’t impacted much, whereas the shorter or midrange drivers are impacted - not the intended outcome.Onto the golf. Nick and Mark discuss Lottie Woad, what a superstar this young lady is going to be, winning her first tournament after turning pro. Nick likens her swing to Scottie Scheffler, not the swing itself but after impact. We have a look.Mark loved watching Sunningdale again with the ISPS Handa Senior Open, saying it looked stunning, and reminded him of Royal Melbourne. Nick played Royal Melbourne at the weekend and said whilst the course isn't in tournament shape yet, it is looking better than he expected it would.Mark talks about greenkeepers being 'mongrels' on swap days. Mark had a tour of the Huntingdale redevelopment at the weekend and said it is 'spectacular'. Nick gives an update on the Long Island development at The National.Nick has launched a new website with some friends - he has criminally ignored his Talk Birdie friends....I guess we all know where we stand now. Awkward. But the website is basically a place to buy and sell second-hand, quality golf gear - it's brand new, still a couple of bugs, but worth checking out here - GoGolfer.com.au.We discuss the video where Trump was caught cheating at golf (again!), Mark isn't convinced he was cheating this time and explains why, although he says his caddy is clearly very experienced at helping Trump cheat.After the turn, we chat Happy Gilmore 2. Mark is horrified that neither Nick or Dan have watched it yet, Mark loved it and on our patented movie ranking system gives it 4 choc tops out of a possible 5 choc tops rating. Mark sets homework for the team to watch the movie and wants to do a review pod next week.Nicks Top 5 is on the best ever debuts as a pro...where does Lottie Woad rank, does she make it?And then we chat to David Hogben, the boss of Links Golf and Wellbeing on the Gold Coast about our Talk Birdie To Me Golf Day idea. We workshop it live, and come up with:A date (Wednesday October 8)A plan for the tournament (Shotgun Start)Light lunch and dinnerWar Stories from Nick and Mark over dinnerPrizes.We'll work on the details over the next 24-hours and let you know on our socials.....but looks like we're on for the Gold Coast.Lots of feedback today, but we stick to the comments on Scheffler and how many majors he'll win - plenty of other feedback that we'll hold until later in the week, as the pod is running overtime today, and we don't want to lose our podcast license.Nick takes us through the PING Global results, Mark predictably whinges about the music even though it's his fault. And a cracking masterclass from Mark on pros warming up using their alignment stick and how they are using it differently to what he is used to.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.

30 Juli 1h 2min

Another feedback pod today, we're getting plenty of comments and questions so keep them coming.We start with a comment from Timothy in reference to our 'hardest opening holes' conversation last week, with a great (ie. funny) story about playing at Latrobe in front of a crowd and what happened.Then a voicemail from Paul in Wollongong with a question on grip pressure.Jamie wants to know why a US players caddy was refused entry into the UK for The Open Championship due to a 30-year old drug charge, yet Ryan Peake was allowed in given his more recent, and more serious, issues.And we have an update on our conversation late last week about a potential Talk Birdie To Me Golf Day on the Gold Coast where we want to get together with the Talk Birdie Wolfpack and have a comp, and a get together.....it is looking promising.Phil has a comment and question on the 1996 Australian Open in Sydney where Mark played, and a question about his home course in Newcastle.And finally today, Adam from Ballarat has a Top 5 suggestion - the Top 5 players who had great potential, but didn't live up to it. Nick and Mark answer it live on the fly.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 Juli 20min

Nick and Mark always enjoy your feedback and questions, and we've got some rippers today,We start with a message from Timmy, who has sent in a video of his swing and is after some tips on where he can improve, and he has a question around a soft or firm grip.Aitken has a question about whether, if it was an option 30-years ago, Nick and Mark could have played LIV in Asia and qualify for majors via OWGR points, they would have done so in order to remain Australian based rather than move to America.Jeff has just discovered the podcast and watches on YouTube, he has given Marks pre-shot routine from a few weeks ago a crack and has seen a real improvement in his game - great news!And we've been hearing the ads , and seeing the ads, for Links Hope Island over the last couple of weeks which has given us an idea. We've been talking, and we've had a few suggestions from wolfpackers also, about doing a Talk Birdie To Me golf day of some kind. Maybe a Talk Birdie tournament where wolfpackers can play, Nick and Mark play, Dan might even have a crack (massive hack) and we put a feed on, have a catchup, a live Q&A, few stories - and Mark, as the only member of the team who has played Links Hope Island, reckons that would be a perfect place to do it.There's only one slight challenge we've not run it by the Links Hope Island team, so it might go pear-shaped....but we'll try to get the boss on the pod, and see if we can convince him that it's a good idea.Okay back to the feedback. Message from Jonathon about playing in bad weather, which leads to a Mark story about the legendary Peter Thomson - it's a ripper. Message from Matt who played with 9-year old Jasper in the Rossdale Open, and got absolutely rinsed.Damian has a question for Nick about his Top 5 finishes from last week, he reckons Nick missed an obvious one, and Mark doesn't miss a chance to use Grok again....he has an addiction to Grok, it's quite ridiculous, and Grok proves on this occasion to be completely useless.And we finish with a question from Fezz about amateur golfers and handicaps.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 Juli 25min