The ModGolf Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Golf Business”

From Corporate Consultant to Golf Tech Disruptor - Drew Koehler, Co-Founder at Blue Tees Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:30:00 -0700

Have you ever bought a product online and have it break in a day? Our guest bought a rangefinder on Amazon only to have the eyepiece pop off on the first hole! That moment of frustration on a San Francisco golf course didn’t just ruin a round for two friends - it sparked a movement. In this episode, host Colin Weston sits down with Drew Koehler, co-founder of Blue Tees Golf, to unpack how a group of young professionals with zero golf industry experience but a ton of business acumen decided to disrupt the golf tech space. From liquidating their bank accounts to buying a company just to get the perfect name, Drew shares the wild, unfiltered journey of building one of golf’s coolest and fastest-growing brands. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a side-hustle into a full-blown business, or just want to know what’s next in golf tech, this is a masterclass you don’t want to miss.

Key takeaways in this episode with Drew that you will discover:

Build Your Team Like a Stool, Not a Table
Drew shares why the founding team at Blue Tees was intentionally diverse - sales, finance, industrial design, and marketing. He reveals why going into business with people who have the exact same skillset is a recipe for disaster and how complementary strengths are the true engine of growth.

Design Matters from the Box to the Course
Learn how Blue Tees borrowed a page from Apple’s playbook to create a premium "unboxing" experience. Drew explains that the customer journey starts long before the product is turned on, and how tactile feedback, packaging, and high-quality materials are critical to building trust and brand loyalty.

The Future is a Connected Ecosystem
Drew lifts the curtain on the company’s "Scout AI" and the new Rainmaker launch monitor. He explains how Blue Tees is moving beyond standalone gadgets to create a seamless, connected ecosystem where your launch monitor data automatically updates your rangefinder’s club recommendations - keeping your phone in your bag and your focus on the game.

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then check out our extended bonus segment with Drew on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

Three Quotable Moments from Drew:

On taking the leap: "I was like, 'This is ridiculous. You should go do this yourself. Put your money where your mouth is and actually stand behind the advice you're giving.' So that was my AHA moment. I loved my job. It was safe. But let's go take that leap of faith."

On product design philosophy: "When you open up an Apple product before you even touch the phone, the box is the first thing you touch. Everything is already priming you to have an incredible experience. That design component was a pillar for us."

On the origin of the name: "When we heard 'Blue Tees Golf,' it was a light bulb moment. We were like, 'Our brand and our products are going to give you the confidence to take that step back and go play from the blue tees.' It became our mantra."

Drew Koehler's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/drew-koehler

Links & Resources Mentioned:
Blues Tees Golf Instagram: @levelwear
LinkedIn: Drew Koehler
Blue Tees Golf website: https://blueteesgolf.com/
The ModGolf YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@modgolfpodcast

Episode Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome to the show and The PGA Show converstation that led to this episode
01:30 - The Power of Invitation: Drew’s First Golf Memory
04:25 - From Political Science to Gartner: A Non-Traditional Path
06:50 - The Origin Story: A Broken Rangefinder and a Frustrating Round
09:30 - The "Blissfully Ignorant" Idea: Assembling the Dream Team
12:10 - From Concept to Creation: The Battle for a Name (and buying the company)
14:15 - Liquidating Bank Accounts and The 3 Pillars of Blue Tees
16:15 - The Apple Influence: Obsessing Over the Customer Experience
20:30 - Brand Culture: The Travis Mathew & Southern California Vibe
25:30 - Defining Features: How They Decide What to Build (And What to Leave Out)
28:45 - The Player Plus GPS Speaker: Innovation Born from Selfishness
30:05 - Introducing the Rainmaker Launch Monitor: A Screen Changes Everything
33:55 - The Connected Ecosystem: How Hardware and Software Work Together
35:50 - Frictionless Experience: Keeping the Phone in the Bag
39:55 - The Next Frontier: Scout AI and Democratizing the Caddy Experience
43:15 - Closing thoughts and where to find the extended conversation on The ModGolf YouTube channel

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

As the creator and host of The ModGolf Podcast and YouTube channel I've been telling golf entrepreneurship and innovation stories since May 2017 and I love the community of ModGolfers that we are building.

I'm excited to announce that I just launched our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As my Patron you will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

I'm offering two monthly membership tiers at $5 and $15 USD, but you can also join for free. Your subscription will ensure that The ModGolf Podcast continues to grow so that I can focus on creating unique and impactful stories that support and celebrate the future of golf.

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

We want to thank Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!
Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Special Guest: Drew Koehler, Co-Founder / Chief Revenue Officer at Blue Tees Golf.

Team Over Everything: The Art of Building an Enduring Brand - Hyman Ngo, Levelwear Co-Founder and SVP of Product/Marketing

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:15:00 -0700

"We know who we are. We know who we're not. Rather than focusing on the athlete, as a sports apparel brand, we chose to celebrate all the people around them. It takes a village for anyone to succeed, whether you're a business, whether you're an athlete, whether you're a team. It takes everyone around you—the coaches, the parents, the trainers, the caddies. We need to credit all of those people. And that's the people we want to celebrate."... Hyman Ngo, Levelwear Co-Founder and SVP of Product/Marketing

Welcome to Season 19 of The ModGolf Podcast! We are thrilled to kick off the new season with Hyman Ngo, Co-Founder and SVP of Product and Marketing at the premium athletic wear brand, Levelwear.

In this episode, Hyman takes us on a fascinating journey that began not as a startup, but as an acquisition. He shares the story of how his family transitioned from being a contract manufacturer to building the branded powerhouse that now outfits 85 of the top 100 golf clubs in the U.S and Canada.

We dive deep into Levelwear's unique brand ethos, exploring their powerful "Who's With You" manifesto and how it manifests in the real world through their innovative "Caddy Lounge" activation at PGA and LPGA events. Hyman also discusses the delicate balance of sustainability, the art of staying fresh in a crowded market, and how licensing deals with major leagues like the NHL and MLB help build brand legitimacy. Whether you're a golfer, an entrepreneur, or a fan of smart business strategy, this conversation is packed with insights on building a brand that lasts.

Key Takeaways You Will Discover:
The Power of Authentic Brand Building: Learn how Levelwear transitioned from a behind-the-scenes manufacturer to a coveted brand by focusing on relationships and leveraging early success in top-tier U.S. clubs (like Pebble Beach) to build credibility back home and beyond.

Celebrating the "Who's With You": Discover the philosophy behind Levelwear’s manifesto and how it led to the creation of the "Caddy Lounge." This marketing activation focuses on serving the unsung heroes of the game, proving that authentic engagement with a community can be more powerful than traditional consumer-facing advertising.

Balancing Sustainability with Performance: Hyman shares the brand's commitment to "buy less, but buy better," discussing the challenges of creating durable, high-performance apparel using sustainable materials while navigating the inherent contradiction of a consumption-based business model.

Three Quotable Moments from Hyman:

On the mentality of golf: "It's one of those sports where it's not about how much you want it. The more you want it, the harder you try, the worse you seem to do. It's such a good metaphor in life."
On the Levelwear brand ethos: "We're choosing to celebrate all the people around the athlete as it takes a village for anyone to succeed. And that's the people we want to celebrate."
On their design philosophy: "The one thing about brands is you don't want to get stale. We let the designers have a bit of fun. We'll let them do some things that maybe you would never see a golf brand do. And that's part of our appeal."

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then check out our extended bonus segment with Hyman on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

Hyman Ngo's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/hyman-ngo

Links & Resources Mentioned:
Levelwear Instagram: @levelwear
LinkedIn: Hyman Ngo
Levelwear: www.levelwear.com
The ModGolf Podcast: www.mod.golf

Episode Chapters:
00:00: Welcome to Season 19 and Introducing Hyman Ngo
01:09: The Icebreaker: Hyman's first golf experience and the "metaphor of life."
04:09: Colin’s personal review of wearing Levelwear on the course.
05:29: From Manufacturer to Brand: The 2004 acquisition of Levelwear.
09:00: The Early Days: What the product line looked like 20 years ago and the initial struggle to grow.
12:58: Breaking into the U.S. Market: How Pebble Beach validated the brand for Canadian customers.
14:55: Standing Out in a Crowd: Levelwear's differentiators in a market with 400+ soft goods exhibitors.
22:31: The "Who's With You" Manifesto: The "why" behind the brand.
24:41: The Caddy Lounge: Honoring the unsung heroes of golf and building credibility from the ground up.
26:02: Sustainability Initiatives: Seaweed materials, durability, and the "buy less, buy better" philosophy.
35:04: The Power of Partnerships: How licensing with MLB, NHL, NBA, and the PGA Tour builds legitimacy.
36:05: Peeking Behind the Design Curtain: How the team finds inspiration in streetwear and action sports to stay fresh.
40:13: Where to find Levelwear & Final Thoughts.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

We want to thank our partner British Columbia Golf for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!

British Columbia Golf strives to create a golf environment that is respectful of participant's personal goals and is free from all forms of maltreatment. British Columbia Golf supports women golfers and players of all ages and abilities, while continually working to increase participation in the sport with programs such as the Cloud Series.

British Columbia Golf is the Provincial Sport Organization for golf as recognized by the Government of British Columbia and ViaSport. Golf Canada recognizes the association as the governing body within the province. British Columbia Golf provides programs benefitting golfers and the golf industry in the province. Check out their website https://britishcolumbiagolf.org/

Special Guest: Hyman Ngo, Levelwear Co-Founder and SVP of Product/Marketing.

Season 18 Wrap-up / Season 19 Preview

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:15:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 18 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 19, which launches in March 2026. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how innovation, inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 18 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefully this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which ones you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 18 guests were:

Episode 1
David Buck CEO at Big Swing Kings
In this high-energy season 18 premiere, host Colin Weston sits down with David Buck, the charismatic and hilarious founder of Big Swing Kings. David is on a mission to inject more joy and simplicity into the game of golf, moving away from over-complicated instruction and back to the fundamental truths of what makes a ball go straight.

A former professional golfer who “won’t see his name on any trophies,” David discovered his unique teaching style by accident when a video of him roasting (then instructing) a golfer’s swing went viral. He breaks down why the quest for “consistency” is often misguided, why impact is the only position that truly matters, and how he’s even learning to play left-handed to better understand the learning process for his students.
Click to listen >> Combining Golf Entertainment and Education To Improve Your Golf Game

Episode 2
Kelly Gold Founder of Teefox.golf
"Wouldn't it be cool if you could send your user a notification saying, 'hey, a tee time just opened up at that course you play all the time'? That's what we have built." Kelly Gold, Founder at TeeFox.Golf joins us to share how they remove the frustrations around trying to book a tee time while solving the $12.3 billion problem plaguing golf courses.
Click to listen >> Sniffing Out The Best Tee Times

Episode 3
Todd Keirstead - Golf Entertainer and Skin Cancer Survivor
"If I let the scars be a conversation piece, then hopefully they raise awareness and motivate people to take personal action". Todd Keirstead - Motivational Speaker | Skin Cancer Survivor | Celebrity Golf Entertainer | CEO & Founder of ParaGolf Canada joins us to share his personal journey with skin cancer and how the healing process shapes his world view.
Click to listen >> Finding Purpose on The Practice Tee

Episode 4
Tom Coyne - Best Selling Author and Founder of Coyne Golf
"I don't think people want to read books about going out and doing safe, normal things. So this idea of doing unreasonable things led me into the way I approached Ireland. The crazy idea was, I'll play Ireland as one giant golf course and I'll do it all on foot." Tom Coyne, best selling author and founder of Coyne Golf joins us to share some compelling human interest stories, his quirky travelogue, and a deep exploration of obsession with golf as the backdrop.
Click to listen >> A Course Called Coyne

Episode 5
Matt Erley - CEO of Old Tom Capital
Are you wondering where the real disruption in golf is happening beyond the headlines? Discover why "more people watch golf on YouTube than all linear television golf combined," and where the smartest money is betting on the game's future. Matt Erley, CEO of Old Tom Capital, explains the gaps they are filling and why he believes, "Golf is experiencing incredible growth and innovation and will continue to do so."
Click to listen >> Fuelling Golf's Next Big Ideas

Episode 6
Alex Prasad - CEO of V1 Sports
"Golfers and instructors can tell you their pain points and aspirations, but what they can't tell you is the solution. It's not their job. That's ours." Alex Prasad, the CEO of V1 Sports shares the company journey from its origins in pioneering video analysis to its current position as an innovator leveraging AI and ground force sensors.
Click to listen >> Creating a Unique Lesson Path For Every Golfer

Episode 7
Jonathan Sessa - Founder of The Warrior Golf Academy
What happens when you hit rock bottom and a higher power refuses to let you go? For US Army veteran Jonathan Sessa, the answer was found not in a hospital or a therapy session, but on a golf course. In this profound and powerful episode, host Colin Weston sits down with Jonathan to explore how he transformed his deepest despair into a mission of hope and healing for others through The Warrior Golf Academy.
Click to listen >> How Golf is Healing Heroes

Episode 8
Matt Fisher - Creator of The Mr. Short Game YouTube Channel
YouTube golf content creator Matt Fisher and host Colin Weston dissect the record-breaking success of the Internet Invitational and its over 23 million views. He explains how its raw, personality-driven format is a blueprint for the future, offering a masterclass in what modern golf fans truly want from their entertainment.
Click to listen >> How The Internet Invitational Sparked a Golf Media Revolution

Episode 9
Chris Kallmeyer - CEO at Golf Genius
Does your business struggle to balance culture with growth? Golf Genius CEO Chris Kallmeyer joins us to offer a masterclass in sustainable growth thats reveals how strategic business innovation, a fanatical focus on customer experience, and disciplined acquisitions fuelled their rise to a global powerhouse in the golf industry.
Click to listen >> Scaling Success: How Golf Genius Grew Into a Global Powerhouse

Episode 10
Devon Fox - Senior Director of Digital Programs with The PGA Tour
What if the key to innovating the PGA Tour fan experience was someone who'd never picked up a club? Meet Devon Fox, the Tour's Senior Director of Digital Programs, who reveals how asking the "weird" questions led to breakthroughs like the Fan Council and the tech behind the stunning Apple Vision Pro app. Dive into a conversation that goes beyond golf to explore the future of sports engagement, technology strategy, and creating genuine inclusion from the inside out.
Click to listen >> A Non-Golfer's Strategy For PGA Tour Digital Innovation

Episode 11
Phillis Meti - World Long Drive Champion
What does it truly mean to win at the highest level? For World #3 Long Drive competitor Phillis Meti, victory is measured not just by the bombs she hits past 380 yards, but by the pathways she builds for those who follow. In this powerful episode, we go beyond the grid to explore how a career forged in speed and competition has evolved into a mission of mentorship and legacy. Phillis shares her incredible journey from New Zealand to the world stage, revealing the mindset shifts for longevity, the entrepreneurial ventures that fuel her, and her heartfelt mission to "pull others up" by creating educational opportunities for the next generation of student-athletes.

Discover the untold story of a champion who uses her platform to kick down doors so others can walk through. Listen for invaluable insights on golf performance, athletic mindset, sports business, and the profound impact of creating a legacy that lifts everyone higher.
Click to listen >> Beyond The Grid: Creating Legacy Through Long Drive

Episode 12
Amaya Athill - Founder of Golf Interupted / Regional Director with Golf Canada
She was a rising lawyer until one pivotal golf event made her change everything. Amaya Athill of Golf Canada shares her incredible journey from the courtroom to the fairway, detailing the isolation she felt as a woman of colour on the course and her proven playbook to fix it. Learn the #1 secret to building trust with underrepresented communities, why access isn't just about tee times, and her top strategies for making golf more welcoming for women and kids. This conversation is a masterclass in inclusive growth for golf enthusiasts and industry leaders alike.
Click to listen >> Leaving Law to Liberate The Links

We want to thank Golf Genius Software for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!
Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

I'm excited about our ModGolf Patreon that brings together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As a Patroen member you will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guests: Alex Prasad - CEO at V1 Sports, Amaya Athill - Founder of Golf Interrupted / Regional Director with Golf Canada, Chris Kallmeyer, CEO at Golf Genius Software, Devon Fox - Senior Director of Digital Programs at the PGA Tour, Jonathan Sessa - Founder of The Warrior Golf Academy, Kelly Gold - Founder at TeeFox.Golf, Matt Erley - Managing Partner at Old Tom Capital, Matt Fisher, Creator of The Mr. Short Game YouTube channel, Phillis Meti: World Long Drive Champion, Entrepreneur, and Legacy Builder, Todd Keirstead - golf entertainer and skin cancer survivor, and Tom Coyne - best selling writer and Founder of Coyne Golf.

Live from The PGA Show 2026: Startups From The Inventors Spotlight

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0800

Welcome to a bonus episode of The ModGolf Podcast, live from the floor of the 2026 PGA Show in Orlando! Host Colin Weston continues his "short and sharp" interviews, heading back to the Inventors Spotlight to find the most intriguing and impactful new startups in the game.

This 10-minute power session features two very different but equally innovative companies. First, we explore a groundbreaking safety solution designed to address the rising threat of heat-related illnesses on the course. Then, we shift gears to discover a fun, new way to gamify at-home practice and bring the entertainment of the range to your own backyard.

From life-saving technology to interactive gaming, discover how these entrepreneurs are shaping the future of the golf experience.

Featured Innovators
Conor Martins - Founder & CEO, Rapid Risk Reduction (R3) and HEATbox
Gavin Cayenne - VP of Sales, Rapid Risk Reduction (R3) and HEATbox

Brad Thompson - Founder & Creator, Black Hole Golf

Key takeaways that you will discover:
Golf Courses Need a Heat-Stroke Protocol, Not Just an AED. The team at Rapid Risk Reduction highlights a critical gap in course safety. Just as AEDs are standard for cardiac events, courses need accessible, idiot-proof tools for heat-related emergencies. The HEATbox's built-in video instruction ensures anyone, regardless of training, can step in and help during the critical minutes before medical help arrives.

Practice Doesn't Have to Feel Like Practice. Brad from Black Hole Golf is tapping into the power of gamification to change golfer behavior. By combining physical, interactive targets with a digital app for scoring and leaderboards, he’s created a product that makes skill-building fun, social, and accessible anywhere. It’s a solution that solves the problem of mundane practice by turning the backyard into an entertainment venue.

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Del, Chris and Matt on The ModGolf YouTube channel live from The 2026 PGA Show. Click on this link or the image below as we extend our podcast conversation with key takeaways and lessons learned.

What You'll Discover in This Episode
Chapter 1: [0:00] Welcome Back to ModGolf LIVE!
Colin sets the scene from the PGA Show floor, introducing his mission to highlight early-stage growth companies from the Inventors Showcase.

Chapter 2: [1:15] Introducing Rapid Risk Reduction & The HEATbox
Conor Martins shares the origin story of his company, which started with an opioid reversal tool that saved over 500 lives, and explains why they pivoted to address the growing problem of heat strokes in golf.

Chapter 3: [3:00] HEATbox Demo: The AED for Heat Strokes
Gavin Cayenne, a former PGA professional, provides a hands-on demo of the HEATbox. He walks us through its three key components: the heat stress kit, the hydration pack, and the revolutionary video technology that guides any bystander through an emergency with bilingual instructions.

Chapter 4: [6:00] Instilling Confidence in a Crisis
The team discusses the importance of "bystander response" and how the HEATbox’s video guidance gives users the confidence to act immediately, potentially saving lives on remote parts of the course where EMS is 15-20 minutes away.

Chapter 5: [7:45] Black Hole Golf: Marrying Tradition with Entertainment
Colin meets Brad Thompson, drawn in by the intriguing name "Black Hole Golf." Brad explains his mission to create a gamified practice experience for any open space, blending the feel of traditional golf with the entertainment value of Topgolf.

Chapter 6: [8:45] The Black Hole Golf Demo
Brad showcases his interactive system, featuring light-up, sound-making target discs that work with real golf balls from 10 to 200+ yards. He explains how the companion app tracks points, creates leaderboards, and allows you to challenge friends, making practice feel like a game, especially at night.

Chapter 7: [9:45] Where to Find Them & The Journey Ahead
Brad announces the beta launch for Black Hole Golf and invites listeners to sign up. Conor and Gavin provide their contact information and a special show deal for the HEATbox.

Resources & Links
Learn more about HEATbox & Rapid Risk Reduction (R3):
Website: www.rthree.io
Social Media: @RapidRiskReduction
PGA Show Special: Get two free HEATboxes with the purchase of 15.

Join the Black Hole Golf Beta:
Website (for Beta sign-up): www.blackholegolf.com/PGA

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Live from The PGA Show 2026: Inside Golf's AI Revolution with CourseRev.ai & PITCHcrm

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:15:00 -0800

Host: Colin Weston
Guests: Del Ratcliffe (President, CourseRev.ai), Matt Wade (VP of Product, PITCHcrm), Chris Hill (CTO, CourseRev.ai)
Duration: 28 Minutes

In this episode of ModGolf LIVE, recorded on the show floor at the 2026 PGA Show in Orlando, host Colin Weston sits down with the leadership team behind CourseRev.ai and PITCHcrm. This isn't just a conversation about technology; it's a deep dive into the real-world challenges of getting a tradition-rich industry to adopt modern solutions.

Colin is joined by Del Ratcliffe (President of CourseRev.ai & COO of Pinnacle Golf Properties), Matt Wade (VP of Product, PITCHcrm), and Chris Hill (CTO, CourseRev.ai). Together, they discuss the "secret sauce" of their tech stack - from an AI voice concierge that answers the phone to a CRM that automates marketing - and how they balance cutting-edge AI with the human touch required to train course operators.

Del, bringing his 30+ years of course ownership experience, shares why he’s the "main guinea pig" for the products, how they handle the complexity of different golf course business models, and why getting a course to use the tech is harder than selling it. The team also teases the future of dynamic pricing using unstructured data and explains why AI isn't about replacing staff, but about freeing them up to create better face-to-face experiences.

Key Topics & Discussion Points
Live from the PGA Show: Colin introduces a "3x" interview with three guests representing two integrated companies.

What is CourseRev AI? An AI-powered voice and chat concierge designed to handle tee time bookings, modifications, and general questions, taking the pressure off pro shop staff.

The "Main Guinea Pig": How Del Ratcliffe’s role as a multi-course operator (Pinnacle Golf Properties) allows the tech team to build solutions that solve real, painful problems.

Introducing PITCHcrm: The "oldest product" in the family (since 2012) that automates email and SMS marketing based on customer reservation history, no-shows, and behavior.

The Adoption Hurdle: Why selling the software is easy, but onboarding and training staff on how to use it is the real challenge in a non-early-adopter industry.

Customization vs. Scaling: How the team handles the fact that no two golf courses are alike. Chris Hill explains how they now use natural language programming to quickly customize AI rules for specific course restrictions (e.g., "no seniors after 2 PM on Saturday").

Dynamic Pricing Deep Dive: The debate among owners about surge pricing, and how CourseRev.ai integrates instantly with tee sheets to reflect pricing changes.

The Tease: Chris Hill hints at new dynamic pricing strategies that use unstructured data (like weather and demand factors) in ways humans never could.

Serving Different Course Types: How the technology adapts to MCOs (Multi-Course Operators) with one clubhouse vs. multiple locations spread across states.

The "Robocall" Fear: Addressing the misconception that AI phone answering is like the frustrating automated systems of 10 years ago.

AI & Employment: The team confirms that AI isn't eliminating jobs; it’s allowing staff to focus on high-value, face-to-face interactions in the pro shop.

Measuring Success: Using AI to track KPIs, identify frequently asked questions, and help course operators improve their websites and customer service.

Notable Quotes
Del on the Industry: "We're still largely an industry of mom-and-pop operations out there. Change is not real easy for us to overcome, and it can be scary, too."

Chris on Tech Debt: "With AI, we can actually implement that much easier rather than trying to build something really rigid and structured in code. We can just write that now in natural language."

Matt on Staffing: "Everyone listening to this has probably been in a situation where you've been in the pro shop and the guy's on two phones. It's definitely not eliminating staff because then you can even get more face-to-face quality interactions."

Colin on Entrepreneurship: "If you don't have challenges as a startup you need to challenge yourself more. Like me with snowboarding, if you're not falling down you're not going fast enough."

Resources & Links
Learn more about CourseRev.ai: https://www.courserev.ai
Email CourseRev: hello@courserev.ai
Learn more about PITCHcrm: https://www.pitchcrm.com

Want to connect with Del? Check out his bio page to make that happen! >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/del-ratcliffe

Timestamps
[00:00] - Cold Open: Colin introduces the "3x" interview at the 2026 PGA Show
[01:30] - Guest Introductions: Del Ratcliffe, Matt Wade, and Chris Hill
[03:00] - What is CourseRev.ai? Solving the pro shop phone pressure with an AI concierge
[04:45] - Del's Dual Role: The President of CourseRev.ai as the client (COO of Pinnacle Golf Properties)
[07:15] - The Tech Stack Explained: How PITCHcrm integrates with CourseRev.ai for marketing automation
[09:00] - The Education Gap: Why golf course owners are laggards in tech adoption and how to warm them up to AI
[12:00] - Customer Success Story: *The journey from reluctance to evangelism
*[15:30] - Balancing Customization & Scale: How the team handles the "mom-and-pop" nature of different courses using natural language AI
[19:15] - The Human Element: Onboarding staff and using the "Notice Board" for real-time course conditions
[21:45] - Dynamic Pricing: Agonizing over surge pricing and how AI uses unstructured data to predict demand
[24:30] - One Size Doesn't Fit All: Differentiating tech needs for MCOs, daily fee, municipal, and private clubs
[28:00] - Overcoming Misconceptions: Why this isn't the frustrating automated attendant of the past
[30:00] - AI & Jobs: How automation creates more valuable face-to-face roles in the pro shop
[31:15] - How to Connect: Finding CourseRev.ai and PITCHcrm online
[32:00] - Wrap Up: Colin teases the "Innovators Spotlight" mini-segments coming up next

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Live from The PGA Show 2026: Beyond Golf Cart GPS and The Data-Driven Golf Revolution / Adam Kanouse with Reach Golfers

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:15:00 -0800

In this bonus live recording from the bustling floor of the 2026 PGA Show, host Colin Weston sits down with Adam Kanouse, Co-CEO of Reach Golfers. Discover why Colin was instantly drawn to their demo at the NGCOA Conference and learn how Reach Golfers is fundamentally rethinking the golf cart GPS experience. Adam reveals why 65% of public courses are still without this technology, how his company avoids an "adversarial relationship" with golfers, and the dual-revenue model that makes premium tech affordable. Get the inside scoop on their stunning, golfer-first interface, their massive untapped market, and their ambitious data-driven vision for the future of course management and personalized marketing.

Here are three key takeaways you will discover from this conversation with Adam Kanouse of Reach Golfers:
1. A Massive, Underserved Market Exists Right Now
Contrary to common belief, GPS technology is not ubiquitous. Adam revealed that approximately 65% of public golf courses in the $45-$75 green fee range have no GPS system at all. This represents a significant greenfield opportunity for Reach Golfers, which is focused on bringing modern tech to courses that have never had it, rather than just battling competitors for their existing customers.

2. Philosophy First: It’s About Enhancing the Golfer’s Experience, Not Just Protecting the Cart
While many in-cart systems began with a primary goal of fleet management and asset protection (which can create friction with golfers), Reach Golfers flips the model. Their “secret sauce” is a golfer-first philosophy—building a beautiful, interactive, and helpful experience that also solves operational problems. This creates a more positive relationship between the course and the player.

3. The Future is a Data Platform, Not Just a GPS
Reach Golfers views its device as a “computer on a cart” with potential far beyond yardages. The next frontier is harnessing on-course behavioral data - like pace-of-play patterns, common traffic areas, and player tendencies - to help courses with dynamic pricing, targeted marketing (e.g., offering lessons to high-handicappers), agronomy decisions, and overall operational efficiency. They are building the foundation for a deeply integrated, data-driven golf experience.

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Adam on The ModGolf YouTube channel live from The 2026 PGA Show. Click on this link or the image below as Colin and Adam extend their podcast conversation with key takeaways and lessons learned.

Key Quotes from Adam Kanouse
On Philosophy: "What differentiates us is we're not trying to protect the golf cart. Our competition all started protecting the golf cart creating a bit of an adversarial relationship with the golfer. We don't think that's necessary."

On the Market: "We called every golf course that was public in 42 of the 50 states this summer. 65% of courses in that $45 to $75 green fee range don't have anything. It's an open market."

*On Product Design: *"We have a huge advantage. We can step in with modern technology, modern design and see what worked and what didn't and only work on the things that people really want and need."

On the Future: "My co-CEO likes to say that this is not a GPS device. This is a computer on a cart. The future is being able to identify the person who's on the course and be able to market to them with things that they care about."

Want to connect with Adam? Check out his bio page to make that happen! >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/adam-kanouse

Key Topics & Timestamps
[00:00 - 02:30] Introduction & First Impressions
[02:30 - 06:00] What is Reach Golfers? The Core Differentiator
[06:00 - 09:30] The Demo & Revenue Model
[09:30 - 14:00] The Massive Untapped Market & Growth Strategy
[14:00 - 18:00] Product Philosophy & The Data-Driven Future
[18:00 - 20:30] 2026: The Growth Year
[20:30 - 22:00] PGA Show Magic & How to Connect

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Live from the PGA Show 2026: SmashSwing’s Multiplayer Golf Revolution with TJ Schier Jr.

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 20:45:00 -0800

In this special live edition from The 2026 PGA Show in Orlando, host Colin Weston kicks off the show with an in-depth conversation with TJ Schier Jr., Founder & CEO of SmashSwing Immersive. They dive into the evolution of TJ's groundbreaking multiplayer simulator system, the power of customer feedback, strategic partnerships with iconic brands like Atari, and the vision to redefine the indoor golf entertainment experience. Recorded amid the energy of the world's largest golf trade show, this episode is packed with entrepreneurial insights, industry trends, and a glimpse into the future of social golf.

Here are three key takeaways you will discover from this conversation with TJ Schier:
1. The Future of Indoor Golf is Multiplayer & Social
The traditional "one player hits, everyone else watches" simulator model is being disrupted. SmashSwing’s core innovation is simultaneous, side-by-side play for 2-24 people, transforming golf into a fast-paced, shared experience. This model reduces the intimidation for beginners, speeds up play, and creates a dynamic, energetic atmosphere more akin to a sports bar or entertainment venue than a solitary practice session.

2. True Innovation is Often a "Kit of Parts," Not a Single Invention
A key entrepreneurial lesson from TJ's journey is that groundbreaking ideas don't always require inventing something entirely new. SmashSwing’s success lies in its unique combination of proven technologies—auto-tee systems, large-format screens, multiplayer gaming software—and wrapping it in a layer of licensed entertainment IP (like Atari games). This strategy of synthesizing existing concepts from different industries (golf, arcades, cinema) to solve a new problem is a powerful blueprint for innovation.

3. Listen to the Market, But Filter with a Strong Vision
While TJ actively sought feedback from hundreds of potential customers, he emphasizes the critical skill of filtering out distracting "noise." Early on, many suggested he expand into soccer, hockey, or movie theaters. By staying true to the focused vision of "revolutionizing indoor golf," he was able to refine a product that genuinely serves that market's needs. The lesson: customer input is invaluable for polishing your product, but a clear, unwavering core vision is essential to avoid chasing every opportunity and losing focus.

Final Takeaway: The multiplayer format reduces intimidation for new golfers, as spectators watch the engaging screen action, not the player's swing mechanics.

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with TJ on The ModGolf YouTube channel live from The 2026 PGA Show. Click on this link or the image below as Colin and TJ extend their podcast conversation with key takeaways and lessons learned that will benefit all entrepreneurs.

Prior to launching SmashSwing, TJ helped ignite the growth of BigShots Golf as part of ClubCorp/Invited to be the second largest player in the golf entertainment space. The brand grew from 1 to 7 units in 20 months with a mix of corporate owned, managed and franchised locations.

Want to connect with TJ? Check out his bio page to make that happen! >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/tj-schier

Episode Chapters
00:00 - 01:30 | Live from the PGA Show Hallway
Host Colin Weston kicks off the show amid the bustling energy of the 2026 PGA Show, introducing the first guest, TJ Schier Jr. of SmashSwing.

01:30 - 04:15 | Introducing the Multiplayer Golf Experience
TJ gives an overview of SmashSwing: a large-format, multiplayer simulator that allows 2-24 players to hit simultaneously, blending competitive entertainment games with traditional driving range functionality.

04:15 - 06:45 | The Build: From Prototype to Show-Stopping Booth
TJ shares the rapid progress of the last eight months, a humorous story about a logistical mishap with lost keys, and the exhilarating moment attendees realized his booth was fundamentally different from other simulators.

06:45 - 09:00 | The Vision: Speed, Scrambles & Cinematic Screens
A look at the upcoming roadmap, including features that will let foursomes play a virtual scramble in 30 minutes and the vision for massive indoor "cinematic" driving ranges.

09:00 - 12:00 | Games & Partnerships: From Atari to Future IP
Discussion of the strategic licensing deal with Atari (Asteroids, Space Invaders) to attract a wider audience and the long-term goal of securing major entertainment IP (e.g., Star Wars) to bring new players to golf.

12:00 - 15:00 | Filtering Feedback & The Indoor Golf Alliance
TJ explains the entrepreneurial challenge of listening to customer feedback while staying true to a focused vision for golf. He also introduces the Indoor Golf Alliance, a collective sharing best practices for operators.

15:00 - 18:30 | Defining the Customer: Country Clubs & Driving Ranges
A revelation about the target market: country clubs are key early adopters, using the system for revenue-generating events. Other customers include public courses and venues building large-scale indoor ranges.

18:30 - 22:00 | Advice for Entrepreneurs: Pitch, Listen, & Combine
TJ's key advice for founders: master the art of clearly explaining your difference, listen to customer problems before pitching solutions, and understand that innovation often comes from creatively combining existing ideas.

22:00 - 24:30 | Creating a "Blue Ocean" & Reducing Intimidation
Colin frames SmashSwing as a Blue Ocean Strategy, creating a new market. TJ highlights how multiplayer play shifts spectator focus to the screen, making golf less intimidating for beginners.

24:30 - 26:00 | How to Connect & Closing
Where to find SmashSwing at the PGA Show (Booth 1213) and how to connect online. Colin wraps up the conversation.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: TJ Schier - CEO/Founder at SmashSwing Immersive.

Leaving Law to Liberate the Links - Amaya Athill, Founder of Golf Interrupted / Regional Director with Golf Canada

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:45:00 -0800

What does it take to leave a fast-track legal career to revolutionize golf? Meet Amaya Athill, Regional Director for Golf Canada, who pivoted from law to the links on a mission to make the game truly accessible for everyone. From her childhood on the greens of Antigua to leading First Tee Ontario with Golf Canada, Amaya reveals her powerful strategies for building trust, breaking down barriers, and creating diverse, welcoming communities in golf. Discover how intentional invitation is reshaping the sport’s future in this must-listen episode.

Amaya shares her unique story of growing up with golf in Antigua, the stark contrast she felt returning to the game as a woman of colour in the UK, and the pivotal moment that led her to leave her law practice behind. We dive deep into her strategic approach to building trust and breaking down barriers in underrepresented communities, and vision for a more diverse and welcoming future for golf by embracing community, intentionality, and the transformative power of invitation.

Episode Chapters:
(00:00 - 01:28) Introduction and Welcome
(01:29 - 03:15) Amaya's "Invitation to Golf" - Learning the game with her father in Antigua.
(03:16 - 05:04: Early Exposure - Growing up in a diverse junior golf ecosystem.
(05:05 - 10:55) The Career Pivot - From practicing law internationally to becoming a "pandemic golfer" and finding community.
(10:56 - 14:23) The Turning Point - Hosting a "Getting Women Into Golf" event in London and landing a job at Golf Canada.
(14:24 - 19:52) Inside First Tee Ontario - Mission, strategy, and the critical importance of building trust in communities.
(19:53 - 23:25) Creating Pathways - Engaging families and the "next step" onto the golf course.
(23:26 - 30:08) The Regional Director Role - Building relationships with golf facilities and navigating capacity challenges.
(30:09 - 35:26) The Municipal Golf and Land Use Conversation - Opportunities for public access and partnership.
(35:27 - 39:18) Innovative Access Points - The role of putting courses, short holes, and "Golf in Small Spaces."
(39:19 - 42:10) The Indoor Golf Boom - Simulators as a key entry point for new golfers.
(42:11 - 45:10) Amaya's Vision for Golf's Future - Hoping for greater diversity at all levels of the sport.
(45:11 - 46:38) How to Connect and Outro

Key takeaways in this episode with Amaya that you will discover:
Trust is the Foundation:
You cannot simply invite new groups into golf. You must first build authentic trust within their existing communities. Amaya emphasizes partnering with local schools and community centers to run initial programs, creating a bridge of familiarity before transitioning participants to a traditional golf course.

Meet People Where They Are:
Growth requires identifying and intentionally removing specific barriers—whether transportation, cost, equipment, or intimidation. Success comes from adapting the delivery (using plastic clubs indoors, providing busing) and finding facility partners whose values and capacity align with the mission.

Access Comes in Many Forms:
The future of growing the game isn't solely dependent on 18-hole tee sheets. Community putting greens, short courses, indoor simulators, and programs like First Tee create crucial, low-pressure entry points that can complement traditional golf and build a broader, more inclusive participant base.

Three Compelling Quotes from Amaya:
*On Finding Belonging: * "When I was in the UK, suddenly I was the only woman of colour that I would find on any golf course. It became a moment of fear, of isolation, of no longer feeling like this sport is mine or belongs to me."

*On the Power of First Experiences: * "Seeing women that I wasn't seeing on the course, but that I needed to see on the course, holding a club for the first time. How hungry they were to know more, but had never had that invitation. That one event changed the course of my life."

On the Secret to Welcoming New Golfers: "People might not remember what you say, but they'll remember how you made them feel. And I think that's the most important part of running programs."

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then check out our extended bonus segment with Amaya on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

Amaya Athill's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/amaya-athill
Amaya Athill is a dynamic leader, advocate, and passionate force for change within the golf industry. As the Regional Director, Ontario for Golf Canada, she leverages a unique blend of professional rigour and heartfelt mission to break down barriers and make the sport more accessible and welcoming for all. Her journey is a compelling narrative of purposeful transformation: after building a successful international career as a civil litigation lawyer called to the bar in the UK and the Caribbean, Amaya made a decisive 180-degree pivot to follow her passion for golf and community. This shift was sparked by her own experience of feeling isolated as a woman of colour returning to the game in the UK, which ignited a drive to ensure others from underrepresented backgrounds could find belonging on the fairways.

Beyond her programmatic work, Amaya is a sought-after voice on diversity, inclusion, and the future of golf. She is the founder of the digital community "Golf, Interrupted," which highlights diverse stories in the sport and is also the founder of Black Women Golfers (Canada).

Links & Resources Mentioned:
Amaya's Instagram: @golf_interrupted
LinkedIn: Amaya Athill
Golf Canada: www.golfcanada.ca
First Tee Ontario: www.firstteeontario.ca
The ModGolf Podcast: www.modgolf.com

Listen and subscribe to The ModGolf Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the extended video conversation on the ModGolf YouTube channel.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

We want to thank our partner British Columbia Golf for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!

When I mentioned Phillis' episode to the folks at British Columbia Golf they immediately wanted to support it, as one of their goals is to create a sport that is accessible and inclusive. They strive to create a golf environment that is respectful of participant's personal goals and is free from all forms of maltreatment. British Columbia Golf supports women golfers and players of all ages and abilities, while continually working to increase participation in the sport with programs such as the Cloud Series.

Special Guest: Amaya Athill - Founder of Golf Interrupted / Regional Director with Golf Canada.

Beyond The Grid: Creating Legacy Through Long Drive - Phillis Meti, World Long Drive Champion

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 13:45:00 -0800

What does it take to not only reach the pinnacle of a sport like World Long Drive but to sustain a nearly two-decade career at its peak? In this engaging episode we go far beyond the grid and the spectacle of 380-yard bombs to uncover the heart, wisdom, and entrepreneurial spirit of a true icon. Host Colin Weston sits down with the remarkable Phillis Meti - ranked #3 in the world and 5 time World Champ - to explore her incredible journey from picking up her father’s shanked golf balls in New Zealand to becoming a global golf ambassador.

Phillis opens up about the fierce mentality required to compete, the pivotal lessons learned from both victory and heartbreaking defeat, and her visionary mission to pave pathways for the next generation. This conversation is a masterclass in longevity, adaptability, and giving back. Whether you're fascinated by the physics of speed, the business of golf, or stories of profound resilience, Phillis’s insights will leave you inspired and ready to “kick the door down” for your own ambitions. Get ready for an episode packed with power, purpose, and unforgettable stories.

Key takeaways in this episode with Phillis that you will discover:
Longevity is Built on Wisdom and Adaptability:
Success isn't just about raw speed. Phillis credits her sustained career to evolving from a "fearless" hitter into a savvier technical player, learning to adapt her ball flight to different grids, and prioritizing recovery and intelligent strength training.

True Power Starts with Your Hands:
A crucial technical insight for anyone wanting more speed: your hands hold the club, so their movement is paramount. Phillis emphasizes that generating speed is a sequencing chain, where proper hip movement ultimately serves to allow the hands to move faster through the hitting zone.

Create Pathways So Others Can Follow:
Phillis’s vision extends far beyond competition. Inspired by her parents, she is actively working to build an indigenous school and recruitment pipeline to help student-athletes from New Zealand and Polynesia transition to U.S. colleges, ensuring they have the support to succeed. Her mission is to show what’s possible and pull others up with her.

Episode Chapters:
(00:01 - 01:25) Introduction: Welcoming World Long Drive Phenom Phillis Meti
(01:25 - 03:15) From Rugby to Golf: Phillis’s First Swing and Family Influence
(03:15 - 06:26) A Multi-Sport Childhood: The Circuitous Path to Long Drive
(06:26 - 08:42) Anatomy of a Competition: How World Long Drive Works
(08:42 - 13:45) The Speed Equation: Training, Technique, and Swinging 125 MPH
(13:45 - 17:13) Wisdom Over Fear: The Evolution of a Champion's Mindset
(17:13 - 19:25) The Key to Longevity: Spinal Hygiene and Injury Prevention
(19:25 - 24:35) The 2025 Season Arc: Global Competition and New Formats
(24:35 - 27:59) Inside the Bag: The Tech & Specs of a Long Drive Driver
(27:59 - 31:14) The State of the Game: Community, Competition, and Commerce
(31:14 - 38:31) Entrepreneurial Drive: Building a School and Creating Pathways Home
(38:31 - 42:43) A Vision for the Future: Bringing Long Drive to the Masses & Closing Thoughts

Quotable Moments from Phillis:

On Perspective and Growth:
"Winning my first championship in 2006 and coming second twice after, I completely lost focus. I got caught up in the hype. Between then and now, I am a better game player with a bit more wisdom. I play the game differently now."

On Equipment and Control:
"The one thing about the women is that we don't swing it fast enough to afford using lofts lower than a seven-degree head. I have one of the fastest club head speeds, but I use one of the highest lofts on the tour."

On Legacy and Lifting Others:
"When you're on your way up, always try to look back and pull others up with you. So if people want to keep going further than you, at least they have your shoulders to stand on. Why not be me to kick down that door? I've got a big foot!"

Phillis Meti's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/phillis-meti
Phillis Meti is a multi-time World Long Drive Champion, currently ranked #3 globally, whose career embodies power, resilience, and purpose. Hailing from New Zealand, her journey began at age seven, wielding a club to pick up her father’s errant golf balls. A gifted multi-sport athlete, she excelled in netball and discus before a flyer for a local long drive qualifier at age 18 changed her trajectory. Demonstrating breathtaking natural power, she not only qualified but went on to win the World Long Drive Championship in her very first attempt in 2006. Nearly two decades later, Phillis remains a dominant force, combining 125 MPH clubhead speed with hard-earned wisdom to outthink and outlast the competition on grids across the globe.

Colin and Phillis were part of Team AM Golf at The Vegas Baby ProAm Invitational in Las Vegas, where they shot lots of video including this YouTube Short as part of Colin's Positivity Project:

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

We want to thank our partner British Columbia Golf for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!

Special Guest: Phillis Meti: World Long Drive Champion, Entrepreneur, and Legacy Builder.

A Non-Golfer's Strategy for PGA Tour Digital Innovation - with guest Devon Fox

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:45:00 -0800

What does a non-golfer who loves Radiohead and once worked in a nightclub bring to the PGA Tour? A fresh perspective that drives groundbreaking innovation. In this long-awaited conversation, host Colin Weston sits down with Devon Fox, the Senior Director of Digital Programs at the PGA Tour. After eight years of connecting on LinkedIn, they finally dive into Devon’s unique journey from NASCAR and Nike to leading digital innovation in golf.

Devon shares how her initial (and only) disastrous golf experience became a strategic advantage, allowing her to ask the questions no one else would. She pulls back the curtain on building the PGA Tour's first Fan Council, the decade-long process that led to the stunning Apple Vision Pro app, and how she intentionally "worked herself out of a job" to bake innovation into the Tour's DNA.

Beyond technology, Devon opens up about the deeply personal motivation behind founding the PGA Tour's LGBTQ+ employee resource group, PRISM, and her advocacy for meaningful, policy-driven inclusion. This is a story about challenging tradition, the power of process, and building a future for golf that engages every fan.

Key takeaways in this episode with Devon that you will discover:

"Golf Ignorance" as an Innovation Superpower:
Devon explains how not being a golfer allowed her to challenge sacred traditions and ask fundamental questions that insiders might overlook, leading to truly fresh thinking in digital fan engagement.

Innovation is a Process, Not a Department:
Learn how Devon moved the PGA Tour from having a small innovation team to baking innovative thinking into the product development process itself, ensuring it becomes a sustainable part of the culture.

Inclusion Starts with Internal Policy, Not External Marketing:
Devon shares her impactful, criteria-driven approach to LGBTQ+ advocacy to create PRISM within the PGA Tour workplace, focusing first on tangible employee benefits and education before any public-facing campaigns, creating lasting structural change.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 - 02:10: Introduction and a Connection Eight Years in the Making
02:10 - 04:20: Devon's First (and Only) Golf Experience: A Hot, Hungry Disaster
04:20 - 07:20: The Strategic Advantage of Being a Non-Golfer & Asking "Weird" Questions
07:20 - 11:20: Building the Fan Council & Sourcing Ideas Directly from Fans
11:20 - 13:30: Learning from the NBA and the Two Rules of Sports Tech Innovation
13:30 - 16:30: Bridging Generations: Using New Tech to Showcase Golf History
16:30 - 19:15: The Innovation Process: From Design Thinking to Working Herself Out of a Job
19:15 - 23:35: Career Journey: From Soul-Sucking Banking to NASCAR and Global Retail at Nike
23:35 - 30:40: Advocacy in Action: Founding PRISM & Driving LGBTQ+ Inclusion from the Inside Out
30:40 - 33:00: The Size and Scope of the PGA Tour Organization
33:00 - 37:00: A Decade-Long Win: The Journey to the Apple Vision Pro App
37:00 - 38:15: Fostering a Culture of Ideas: The Annual Hackathon
38:15 - END: Closing & Teaser for the YouTube Candy Taste Test

Quotable Moments from Devon:

On bringing an outside perspective:
"I really held on to this lack of golf experience and knowledge to give me permission to ask those weird questions that nobody else would ask. It really benefited me."

On the purpose of technology:
"You don't just do innovation and emerging technology for the sake of doing it. It has to have some value for the fan. You have to dig deep and find out what that is."

On the long game of innovation:
"One win I'm really proud of is the work that led up to the Apple Vision Pro app. It's this progression of 'let's see what we require to create it and let's go get after that, then build it in and operationalize that.'"

Want to see Devon's reaction to tasting Thrills, a truly bizarre Canadian "soap-flavoured" gum from the 1970s while trying to carry on a conversation with Colin? Then check out our exclusive and fun bonus segment on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

Devon Fox's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/devon-fox
Beyond technology, Devon is a passionate advocate for meaningful inclusion within the sports industry. Driven by a personal commitment to creating safer, more supportive workplaces, she founded and leads PRISM, the PGA Tour’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group. Under her leadership, the group has driven substantive policy changes, including the expansion of benefits and resources, demonstrating her belief that true progress is built on internal structural change. Through her dual focus on operational excellence and human-centric culture, Devon Fox plays a pivotal role in shaping both the digital future and the inclusive ethos of the PGA Tour.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Devon Fox - Senior Director of Digital Programs at the PGA Tour.

Scaling Success: How Golf Genius Grew into a Global Powerhouse - Chris Kallmeyer, Golf Genius CEO

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:45:00 -0800

What does it take to build a golf technology empire that not only survives but thrives through explosive growth, multiple acquisitions, and rapid industry change? In this power-packed episode, Colin Weston sits down with Chris Kallmeyer, the CEO of Golf Genius, for a masterclass in scaling a business while preserving its core soul. Four years after his first appearance, Chris returns to pull back the curtain on how Golf Genius grew from a tournament software leader into a comprehensive ecosystem serving every facet of the golf professional’s world. We dive deep into the "glue" that holds it all together - a winning company culture - and explore the cutting-edge integrations of AI, the strategic expansion into sim golf, and the mission to create golfers for life.

If you're in the golf industry, a business leader, or simply fascinated by how to build a beloved and enduring company, press play now. This conversation is packed with actionable insights you won't want to miss.

Listen to this full episode with Chris to discover:
Culture is Your #1 Competitive Advantage:
Discover why Golf Genius prioritizes cultural fit above all else, even in acquisitions, and how this focus has resulted in a world-class employee turnover rate of just 4%. Learn how a foundation of over 70 PGA professionals on staff creates an authentic, service-driven brand.

Serving the PGA Professional is the North Star:
Unpack the strategy of viewing the golf professional as the "center of the universe." See how this philosophy naturally led to a portfolio that solves pain points in tournament management, golf shop operations (Golf Shop), handicapping (via the USGA’s GHIN system), and coaching (Operation 36 & CoachNow).

The Practical & Profitable Application of AI:
Move beyond the hype. Chris details exactly how Golf Genius is implementing AI in two key buckets: to boost internal productivity (in development, support, and marketing) and to build powerful, time-saving features for customers, like automated inventory processing and intelligent coaching tools.

Episode Chapters:
(00:04) Introduction: The Return of Chris Kallmeyer
(02:18) The Foundation: Golf Genius as a Tournament Management Powerhouse
(05:53) The Secret Sauce: Building and Maintaining Company Culture
(08:21) Acquisition Strategy: Why Cultural Fit is Non-Negotiable
(19:02) Defining the Brand: Vision, Values, and Serving the Pro
(13:18) Inside the Ecosystem: Powering the USGA’s Handicap System
(16:36) Solving Pain Points: The Growth of Golf Shop
(19:52) AI in Action: Making Golf Genius and Its Customers More Productiv
(24:52) Growing the Game: The Coaching Portfolio (Operation 36 & CoachNow)
(30:23) The Future is Hybrid: Expanding into Simulator & Indoor Golf
(36:10) Global Growth: Key International Markets
(39:53) Leadership Lessons: Strategic Bets and Saying "No"
(41:51) How to Connect with Golf Genius

Compelling Quotes from Chris
On Culture & Growth: "We have a blended turnover with 300 people worldwide of something like 4% a year. That's world-class. It illustrates that we have a great culture that people enjoy working for. But beyond luck, we do take it very seriously and we work hard to maintain that culture, which gets harder and harder as you get bigger."*

On Their Core Mission: "Our goal is to make the hard things easy while also making the easy things easy. We serve PGA professionals. They're the center of our universe. Whether they're running tournaments, managing golf shops, or coaching, we have products that help them do all those things, and we're here to serve them."

On AI Strategy: "We look at AI in two primary buckets: How can we use AI to make ourselves more productive? And the second bucket is, how can we use AI to deliver AI-powered features that make our customers more productive or deliver capabilities that they don't already have."

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Chris on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to see visual insights and dive deeper with Chris.

Chris Kallmeyer's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/chris-kallmeyer
Chris Kallmeyer is the CEO of Golf Genius, a global leader in golf technology solutions that power the sport's ecosystem. With a career deeply rooted in both technology and a passion for the game, Chris has guided the company through a period of remarkable expansion, transforming it from a premier tournament management platform into a comprehensive suite of tools serving golf professionals at every level. Under his leadership, Golf Genius has successfully integrated ten strategic acquisitions—including Operation 36, CoachNow, and GolfShot—while maintaining an unwavering focus on a customer-centric culture and brand integrity. His philosophy centers on serving PGA professionals as the core of the business, a principle that has driven the development and success of products across tournament operations, golf shop management, handicapping, and player development.

Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Today's golf professionals do way more than run tournaments - and so does Golf Genius. They help you manage tournaments, leagues, and outings, streamline pro shop operations, and elevate your coaching and player development. That's why over 10,000 clubs, courses, resorts, associations, and tours in more than 60 countries trust Golf Genius. Find out what Golf Genius can do for your facility at golfgenius.com.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Chris Kallmeyer, CEO at Golf Genius Software.

Colin's 18 Top Holiday Golf Gift Picks For Under $150

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0800

Are there golfers on your Nice List who are deserving of some holiday cheer? Our host Colin Weston is here to help, as he provides golf gift picks to stuff your stockings and slide under your tree. But how many gift suggestions should we provide from our shortlist of deserving golf startups and companies that we have featured on The ModGolf Podcast? Well, since a traditional round of golf is 18 holes long let's go with that number!

Click on the images below to learn more about and/or purchase the products we cover on this bonus episode.

Hole 1: GripCaddie - revolutionary golf grip cleaning tool --> https://gripcaddie.com/

Hole 2: Grooveit - "The Wet Club Scrub Brush" --> https://grooveitbrush.ca/collections/shop-now

Hole 3: Method Golf Co. - Magnetic Golf Accessories --> https://methodgolfco.com/

Hole 4: The Tee Clip - Handcrafted tee holding accessory
Use coupon code "MODGOLF" to save 20% off a single item --> https://theteeclip.com/

Hole 5: The Links Diary - Golf storytelling that celebrates the soul of the game through words from the fairways of Scotland. A beautifully crafted magazine with new volumes released three times a year --> https://www.thelinksdiary.com/

Hole 6: Back 2 Basics Golf - Short Game Essentials Bundle
Use coupon code "MODGOLF" to save 20% off a single item --> https://back2basics.golf

Hole 7: PureOne - PureGrip Training Club --> https://pureonegolfshop.com

Hole 8: Perfect Practice - indoor putting mats --> https://perfectpractice.com

Hole 9: Swingtweaks - Personalized golf swing analysis and feedback app --> https://app.swingtweaks.com

Hole 10: V1 Sports - The V1 Golf App --> https://v1sports.com

Hole 11: ODIN Golf - Premium X1 Golf balls --> https://www.odin-golf.com/

Hole 12: Dormie Workshop - Handcrafted leather headcovers --> https://www.dormieworkshop.ca/

Hole 13: Zero Friction - synthetic & cabretta leather high performance golf gloves --> https://zerofriction.com/

Hole 14: Garsen Golf - customized putter grips --> https://garsengolf.com/collections/shop

Hole 15: 36 A Day Golf Co. - ModGolf hats and hoodies --> https://36aday.com/products/modgolf-the-reegs

Hole 16: Feetures - high performance athletic socks --> https://feetures.com/

Hole 17: Handsome Bogey - fun and fashionable men's golf polo shirts --> https://handsomebogey.com/

Hole 18: Levelwear - Men's and women's golf belts --> https://ca.levelwear.com/collections/mens-belts

How The Internet Invitational Sparked a Golf Media Revolution - with Matt Fisher, creator of The Mr. Short Game YouTube Channel

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0800

Host Colin Weston sits down with YouTube golf pioneer Matt Fisher (Mr. Short Game) to dissect the cultural phenomenon of the Internet Invitational. They break down the 23-million-view event, exploring why its reality-TV format and creator-driven personalities are resonating with a new generation of fans. Matt shares his expert take on the "winners and losers," the cheating controversy, and why this model is a blueprint for the future of golf entertainment. Finally, they look ahead to the evolving golf media landscape, including TGL and Grass League, and discuss how authenticity is the ultimate key to success for aspiring creators.

Listen to this full episode with Matt to discover:
Personality is the New Premium:
The massive success of the Internet Invitational proves that modern audiences crave authentic personality and entertainment as much as they value elite ball-striking. The unfiltered, reality-show format is a powerful new model for golf engagement.

Strategic Content Separation is Key:
To grow an audience effectively, separate your content by purpose. Matt is splitting his channel into three: one for instruction, one for on-course vlogs, and one for the Mr. Short Game Podcast, ensuring each audience finds exactly what they want.

Multiple Revenue Streams Drive Sustainability:
Relying solely on YouTube ad revenue is risky. A successful creator business is built on a mix of AdSense, strategic brand deals, and affiliate partnerships, all while prioritizing the audience's trust and interests above a quick payday.

Episode Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction: Welcoming back YouTube golf pioneer Matt Fisher aka: Mr. Short Game
(02:30) The Internet Invitational Breakdown: The surprise success of the 23-million-view event
(05:15) Strategy & Timing: Why the delayed release was a brilliant move
(08:45) Audience & "Bro Culture": Did the event reach new fans or just its base?
(12:30) Reality TV & Manufactured Drama: Analyzing the cheating scandal and villain arcs
(16:00) Stock Up, Stock Down: The creators who won and lost in the public eye
(20:15) The Casting Dilemma: Why some creators were chosen and others weren't
(23:00) The Future of Golf Media: TGL, LIV, Grass League, and where the real opportunity lies
(27:30) TGL vs. Influencer Golf: Why pros and creators thrive in different ecosystems
(29:45) The Mr. Short Game Business Model: Revenue streams and building a sustainable content brand
(32:15) Advice for Aspiring Creators: How to break into the YouTube golf space

Compelling Quotes from Matt
On the Internet Invitational's Appeal:
"You have to know going in that this is a reality show and everything's on the table... It's on brand for Barstool. And Bob, especially Dave Portnoy, he is going to exploit every opportunity he has. And I don't blame him. He's creating a great entertaining show."

On the Difference Between Pros and Creators:
"You get Grant Horvat, you put him in the Masters, he's going to come in dead last. But you put him in a cart with Bryson DeChambeau, he's going to come in first in terms of views."

On Authenticity for Creators:
"The challenge is you see what's working and you just try to copy it as opposed to being authentic of who you are and create your own brand. You gotta film yourself and you gotta find who you are in front of that camera and be authentically you."

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Matt on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

Mr. Short Game's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/matt-fisher
As a golf coach Matt has learned that not everybody can be Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus or Phil Mickelson. However, with some simple golf instruction and swing tips you can become a great player and shoot your lowest scores consistently. Matt's goal is to give you great videos that will help you understand the golf swing so you can improve in your chipping, putting, driving and have a powerful swing that will last forever. Will you make it to the PGA Tour? Who knows. But with the right attitude and instruction you can have more fun and play the game of golf at a very competitive level.

Mr. Short Game is here to help grow the game of golf in a fun and creative way: https://www.youtube.com/@MrShortGame

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

We want to thank Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!

Today's golf professionals do way more than run tournaments - and so does Golf Genius. They help you manage tournaments, leagues, and outings, streamline pro shop operations, and elevate your coaching and player development. That's why over 10,000 clubs, courses, resorts, associations, and tours in more than 60 countries trust Golf Genius. Find out what Golf Genius can do for your facility at golfgenius.com.

Special Guest: Matt Fisher, Creator of The Mr. Short Game YouTube channel.

How Golf Is Healing Heroes - Jonathan Sessa, Founder of Warrior Golf Academy

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0800

Warning: the topic of suicide is discussed during this episode of The ModGolf Podcast.

This is more than a story about golf; it's a story about how a single moment, a single community, a single purpose can pull someone back from the brink and empower them to save others.

Listen to this full episode with Jonathan to discover:

The Therapeutic Power of a Single Shot:
Jonathan explains how the intense, fleeting focus required to hit a golf ball can break the cycle of traumatic "thought traps" and provide a unique form of mental therapy.

Building a "Technical School" for Golf & Life:
Learn about Jonathan's vision to create a comprehensive pathway for veterans and first responders. Not just to play golf, but to build careers in the industry as players, caddies, clubhouse staff, and agronomy crews.

From Isolation to Community:
Hear how the Warrior Golf Academy is intentionally designed to combat the #1 killer—isolation—by creating a tight-knit, supportive community that replicates the camaraderie of military and first responder teams.

Episode Chapters:
(01:15) Introduction: The Transformative Power of Golf
(01:54) Jonathan's Story Begins: A Descent into Darkness
(07:24) The Turning Point: A Divine Intervention
(10:23) The Road to Recovery: Costa Rica and a Return to Golf
(13:50) The Birth of a Mission: Founding the Warrior Golf Academy
(17:55) Discipline on the Course vs. the Battlefield
(22:58) Filling the Gaps: A New Model for Veteran Support
(27:05) Stories of Transformation: The Ripple Effect of Hope
(31:45) Creating Community: Indoor Simulators and Local Events
(34:05) The Ripple Effect on Families and Communities
(37:12) The Future Vision: Scaling Hope and Building a "Golf Technical College"
(41:39) A Message to Those Struggling: "You Are Not Alone"
(43:22) How to Get Involved and Support the Mission

Quotable Moments from Jonathan:
On Purpose:
"What people are looking for in this life is belonging and purpose. If you don't have those, then you don't have that will to want to live."

On Golf as Therapy:
"It's really just that extreme focus for the few seconds it takes to hit the golf ball and then you don't have to think about anything. It helps me get out of my own way."

On His Mission:
"My vision for Warrior Golf Academy is to reach at least one person and save their life. If I could do that, then everything I've done is worth it."

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Jonathan on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

Jonathan Sessa's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/jonathan-sessa
Jonathan Sessa is a US Army veteran and the Founder & CEO of the Warrior Golf Academy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and rebuilding purpose for veterans and first responders. His journey is a profound testament to post-traumatic growth. After his military service, Jonathan faced a profound period of darkness, grappling with the physical pain of service-connected injuries, the grief of personal loss, and the isolation that led him to the brink of suicide. His path to healing began with a powerful personal intervention and a transformative period in Costa Rica, where he rediscovered golf not just as a game, but as a therapeutic tool for mental wellness and a catalyst for his new mission.

Driven by his own experience, Jonathan founded the Warrior Golf Academy to create the supportive community he found lacking. His vision extends far beyond teaching the golf swing. He is building a comprehensive "technical school" for the golf industry, providing veterans and first responders with the skills and connections to build careers as players, caddies, club managers, and agronomy staff. By focusing on belonging, purpose, and tangible career pathways, Jonathan's work directly combats the isolation that leads to the tragic statistic of "22 a day."

Today, Jonathan leads a growing movement from the Academy's home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is a certified PGA HOPE instructor and a passionate advocate for leveraging the game's unique disciplines—focus, patience, and incremental improvement—to rewire the mind and heal the spirit. His work ensures that those who have served their country have a welcoming community they can return to, proving that our deepest wounds can indeed become the source of our greatest purpose.

Connect and Support the Mission
You can learn more about Jonathan and the incredible work of the Warrior Golf Academy, including how to get involved, donate or access their resources at their website: https://warriorgolfacademy.com/

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. We also encourage you to reach out to Heads Up Guys for mental health resources, tools and support.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Jonathan Sessa - Founder of The Warrior Golf Academy.

Creating a unique lesson path for every golfer - Alex Prasad, CEO at V1 Sports

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:30:00 -0800

In this episode of The ModGolf Podcast host Colin Weston sits down with Alex Prasad, the CEO of V1 Sports, a company that has been a cornerstone of golf technology for over three decades. Alex shares the journey of V1 Sports from its origins in pioneering video analysis to its current position as an innovator leveraging AI and ground force sensors.

We dive deep into the pivotal "come-to-Jesus" moment that forced the company to re-evaluate its path, the cultural shift to a data-driven mindset, and how they are now using their new AI tool, "V1CTOR," to solve the biggest pain points for golf instructors - time and student engagement. This is a masterclass in business transformation, product-market fit, and building a platform that creates a true win-win-win for the company, the coach, and the golfer.

During this episode you will discover these inspiring takeaways:

Embrace the "Why" Behind the Data
Learn how V1 Sports moved beyond assumptions by relentlessly asking "how do we know?" This shift to a data-validated culture gave them the courage to innovate confidently and build products based on proven user needs, not just gut feelings.

Solve the Real Problem, Not the Stated One
Discover how Alex and his team decoded the common complaint from pros that they "don't have enough time." They uncovered the deeper issue of seasonality and student re-engagement, leading to AI-driven solutions that automate relationship-building.

Trust is Built by Providing Value First
Hear how V1 Sports flipped the script on traditional coaching models. By using AI to facilitate a "Quick Fix"—a free, personalized piece of feedback—they create a gateway to trust between a golfer and a pro, proving value before a transaction ever occurs.

Episode Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:29) The Power of Invitation: Alex's First Golf Experience
(04:02) The Origin Story of V1 Sports
(06:55) The Innovator's Dilemma: The Inflection Point for V1
(12:18) The Hard Work of Product Validation: Talking to Customers
(16:11) The V1 Product Suite and the Introduction of "V1CTOR" AI
(22:14) Building Trust in a Digital World
(27:40) The V1 Business Model: A Two-Sided, Curated Marketplace
(31:51) The Hardware Game: Ground Pressure Sensors and the Unseeable Data
(34:33) Expanding to Other Sports? The Power of Focus
(38:44) The Entrepreneurial Marathon: Lessons from Endurance Sports
(43:30) How to Connect with Alex Prasad and V1 Sports

Book referenced during our converation: The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen

Quotable Moments from Alex:

On Challenging Assumptions:
"Intuition can tell you where to look, but the data is going to validate or invalidate that's the right place to press."

On Understanding Customer Needs:
"What you learn is, customers can tell you their pain points, they can tell you their aspirations, but what they can't tell you is the solution... It's not their job. That's ours."

On the Core Philosophy of V1's AI companion, V1CTOR:
"The best way to build trust between a random person on the internet and a golf instructor is to show some value first."

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Alex on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below.

Want to connect with Alex? Check out his bio page to make that happen!
Alex Prasad's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/alex-prasad

Visit the V1 Sports website to learn more and to download the V1 Golf App in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Alex Prasad - CEO at V1 Sports.

Fuelling Golf's Next Big Ideas - Matt Erley, Managing Partner at Old Tom Capital

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0700

"Golf has been experiencing incredible growth and innovation and will continue to do so. But behind every great idea is a spark of capital and there was a gap. Broader sports investors weren't really paying attention to the category, and we thought, 'Maybe there's a huge opportunity here.'"

Matt Erley is the Managing Partner of Old Tom Capital, a pioneering investment fund specifically focused on early-stage golf and golf-adjacent companies. With a career spanning operational roles and angel investing, Matt co-founded the firm to address a critical gap in the market, providing strategic capital to the innovators shaping the future of the $100 billion golf industry. Named as an homage to the legendary innovator Old Tom Morris, the fund embodies a belief in golf's resilient growth and the transformative power of backing great founders in spaces like agronomy, golf software, emerging media, and the "golf light" experience economy.

During this episode you will discover these inspiring takeaways:
1. The "Unfair Advantage" for Founders
Discover how an investment from Old Tom Capital is more than just money; it's a strategic partnership designed to give your company a leg up on the competition.

Matt Erley reveals that their goal is to provide portfolio companies with an "unfair competitive advantage" through their deep network and operational expertise. Unlike passive investors, Old Tom actively helps its companies by making key introductions, offering strategic guidance, and leveraging synergies across their entire portfolio. For any founder or aspiring entrepreneur, this insight into what a true value-add investor looks like is invaluable and reveals how the right capital partner can accelerate growth.

2. The "Golf Light" Revolution
Learn about the massive, under-the-radar investment trend that is making golf more accessible and creating the next wave of golfers.

Move beyond traditional 18-hole courses and Topgolf. Matt introduces the compelling narrative of "Golf Light"—the high-growth category encompassing driving ranges, par-3 courses, and short courses. He explains why this segment is perfectly positioned to capture the new, "golf-curious" audience looking for a faster, less expensive, and more social experience. His investment in Blue Jeans Golf exemplifies this thesis, highlighting a huge opportunity to "glow up" thousands of independent driving ranges across the country.

3. How to Actually Get Noticed by a Golf Investor
Cut through the noise and learn the specific milestones and mindset you need to successfully secure funding for your golf venture.

Matt pulls back the curtain on Old Tom's investment process, offering a clear roadmap for founders. He explains why they typically avoid very early-stage "ideas" and what they look for instead: tangible momentum, initial monetization, and a clear path to a $100M+ business. He also debunks common mistakes, like leading with an NDA, and emphasizes the importance of simply starting to build and validate your concept in the accessible golf ecosystem. This practical advice is a must-listen for anyone serious about building a golf business.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction: The Capital Behind Golf's Innovation
02:18 - The Old Tom Capital Origin Story
04:08 - Building Conviction and the First Investment
07:50 - The Evolving Ecosystem of Golf Capital
10:26 - A Day in the Life: How Old Tom Vets Deals
13:15 - Advice for Founders: From NDA to Action
17:24 - Portfolio Deep Dive: Grass League & The Future of Golf Media
20:14 - Portfolio Deep Dive: Blue Jeans Golf & The "Golf Light" Revolution
28:23 - Creating Synergy: The LVMH of Golf?
31:29 - The Investor's Role: More Than Just a Cheque
36:39 - Navigating the AI Hype in Golf Innovation and Tech
41:03 - The Lightning Round: Tin Cup, Tech, and Dream Foursomes
45:08 - How to Connect with Matt and What Makes a Fundable Business

Quotable Moments from Matt:
On the unique opportunity in golf:
"Golf has historically been a very sexy category to invest in, but it needs advocates internally who are showing outside investors that these are great places to invest because golf needs more capital. It's not going to just come from us. It needs to come from a lot of sources."

On the philosophy behind their investments:
"The moment we write a check, we like to think that we give that company an unfair competitive advantage because of who we are and what we put into it and the network that we've built."

On the massive shift in how golf is consumed:
"More people watch golf on YouTube than all linear television golf combined. And it's not cannibalizing the PGA Tour it's just being additive."

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Matt on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below.

Want to connect with Matt? Check out his bio page to make that happen!
Matt Erley's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/matt-erley

Are you an innovative founder struggling to find investors who truly understand the golf industry? Discover what it really takes to get funded in today's golf market as Matt shares how his firm provides an "unfair competitive advantage" and the one thing he tells every aspiring founder to do first. Visit the Old Tom Capital website to learn more and to connect.

We want to thank Golf Genius Software for supporting The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!
Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Matt Erley - Managing Partner at Old Tom Capital.

A Course Called Coyne - Tom Coyne, best selling author and founder of Coyne Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:30:00 -0700

What does it take to walk 1,100 miles around the coast of Ireland, playing every links course along the way? In this inspiring conversation, bestselling author and golf adventurer Tom Coyne sits down with ModGolf Podcast host Colin Weston to share the incredible stories behind his epic journeys.

During this episode you will discover these inspiring takeaways:
The Power of an "Unreasonable" Goal:
How committing to a seemingly crazy idea - like walking the entire coastline of Ireland to play its links golf courses - can lead to the most profound personal and professional journeys, revealing that the best stories lie just beyond the edge of conventional thinking.

Golf is the Backdrop, Not the Whole Story:
Why the most compelling narratives in golf aren't about the perfect shot, but about the people you meet, the unexpected hospitality you encounter, and the personal challenges you overcome both on and off the course.

From Obsession to Entrepreneurship:
How a passion for writing and golf can organically evolve into a successful business, turning hard-won knowledge and authentic experiences into a venture (Coyne Golf) that helps others create their own unforgettable adventures.

Episode Chapters
00:00:00 - Introduction: The One and Only Tom Coyne
00:01:04 - A Random Introduction to "A Course Called Ireland"
00:03:01 - Tom's First Golf Experience and Family Connection
00:06:14 - The Origins of an "Unreasonable" Idea
00:09:46 - Writing as a Job and Overcoming "Writer's Block"
00:13:30 - From Fiction to Nonfiction with "Paper Tiger"
00:17:04 - The Logistics of Walking Ireland
00:23:20 - The Infamous Keen Shoes Story
00:26:30 - The Magic of Ardglass and Irish Hospitality
00:33:00 - Golf as a Backdrop for Human Stories
00:34:47 - The Metaphor of Ireland as a Golf Course
00:36:19 - Cold Turkey: Not Playing Golf for a Year
00:38:23 - A New Quest in "A Course Called Scotland"
00:41:08 - The Difference Between Irish and Scottish Golf Trips
00:43:03 - The Importance of Vulnerability in Storytelling
00:45:12 - From Books to Business: The Birth of Coyne Golf
00:46:58 - Conclusion & Teaser for the YouTube Deep Dive

Quotable Moments:
"I don't think people generally want to read books about going out and doing very safe and normal things. So this idea of doing unreasonable things certainly led me into the way I approached Ireland. The idea was, I'll play Ireland as one giant golf course. Sometimes the next tee is going to be three days walk away and that's what I'm going to do. I'll do it all on foot."

"For me, golf provides the trajectory for a story. But you don't know what the story is until you go out and find it. And it has nothing to do with where that five-iron went. What doesn't bore me are people and why we do the things we do. I've been lucky that golf has been a really good way to find a lot of that."

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Tom Coyne on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below.

Want to connect with Tom? Check out his bio page to make that happen!
Tom Coyne's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/tom-coyne

Featured Links & Resources:
The Coyne Golf website: [https://www.coynegolf.com/]
Follow Tom on Instagram: [@coynegolf]

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Tom Coyne - best selling writer and Founder of Coyne Golf.

Finding Purpose on The Practice Tee - Todd Keirstead, golf entertainer and skin cancer survivor

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0700

"The C-word is one of the most scariest words in the English dictionary. My father died of cancer so when you hear that word, it punches you in the stomach. I ended up having nine facial reconstructive surgeries due to skin cancer on my nose. I had no idea what I was going to look like. So I had a conversation with my wife and I said, "I'm going to share my story. I'm going to go public with it to let people know what UV can do, but also it might help me out psychologically". And it was the best thing I did."

Todd Keirstead's life in golf is a powerful narrative of transformation, resilience, and profound impact. His journey began with the gift of the game from his father, a bond forged on the fairways that led him to become an elite player. When injuries curtailed his competitive playing career, Todd channeled his expertise into teaching at the prestigious Jim McLean Academy, laying the foundation for his future. He soon discovered a rare talent for trick shots, blending his incredible hand-eye coordination with a natural comedic flair to build a globally recognized golf entertainment business. Voted Trick Shot Artist of the Year and featured on major media outlets, Todd has performed for thousands, using his unique skills to raise millions for charity and share the joy of golf in a truly unforgettable way.

Beyond the spectacle, Todd's story took a deeply personal turn when his life outdoors led to a skin cancer diagnosis. With raw honesty and courage, he publicly shared his journey through nine facial reconstructive surgeries, transforming his personal challenge into a national platform for sun safety advocacy. As a brand ambassador for Melanoma Canada, he now dedicates himself to education, helping others avoid a similar fate and proving that vulnerability can be a source of immense strength and healing for both himself and others.

This same empathy and drive to give back fuels his work as the founder of Paragolf Canada. Witnessing the power of adaptive golf to restore purpose and joy, Todd has become a leading force in making the game accessible to all. From wounded veterans to survivors of life-altering accidents, he provides the tools and inspiration for individuals to reclaim their connection to the game and the social bonds that make it so special. Todd Keirstead’s journey is a testament to a life lived in service to others, proving that the true power of golf lies not in perfect shots, but in its unparalleled ability to heal, connect, and inspire.

Featured Links & Resources:
The Todd Keirstead Golf website: [https://toddkeirsteadgolf.com]
Follow Todd on Instagram: [@toddkgolf]

During this episode you will discover these inspiring takeaways:
1. The Power of Vulnerability
Discover how Todd's decision to publicly share his harrowing journey through skin cancer and nine facial reconstructive surgeries became a source of personal healing and a powerful platform for advocacy, inspiring countless others to take their health seriously.

2. Beyond the Trick Shot
Learn that world-class golf entertainment is more than just social media virality; it's a disciplined business built on live execution, audience connection, and the confidence to perform under pressure without a net.

3. Golf as a Tool for Healing
See how the game of golf is being reimagined through adaptive techniques to restore purpose, community, and joy to wounded veterans and individuals with physical disabilities, proving the sport's profound impact extends far beyond the scorecard.

Episode Chapters:
(00:00:00) - Introduction
A preview of an emotional and inspiring journey with golf entertainer, advocate, and entrepreneur Todd Keirstead.
(00:01:49) - A Father's Gift
Todd shares his first golf memories and the powerful bond with his father that introduced him to the game.
(00:03:06) - From Player to Performer
The transition from competitive golfer and Jim McLean instructor to a globally recognized trick shot artist and entertainer.
(00:06:16) - The Business of Wonder
The discipline behind the spectacle: building a viable entertainment business, crafting a live show, and the difference between social media virality and live execution.
(00:08:09) - Signature Shots & Celebrity Encounters
Todd reveals the trick shot that won him Trick Shot of the Year and how his unique performances have landed him on TMZ.
(00:10:31) - The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
The moment Todd heard the "C-word," his family's history with cancer, and the beginning of his fight against skin cancer.
(00:13:58) - Going Public with the Pain
Why Todd chose to share every step of his nine facial reconstruction surgeries online, turning a personal trial into a public mission.
(00:16:20) - Becoming a Sun Safety Advocate
Todd's work with Melanoma Canada and the three crucial lines of defense every golfer needs to know to protect themselves.
(00:19:45) - Paragolf Canada: Golf for All
The inspiring origin story of Paragolf Canada and how adaptive golf restores purpose and community to those with physical disabilities.
(00:23:32) - Stories That Define a Mission
Two powerful, heartwarming stories of how adaptive golf transformed the lives of a wounded veteran and a Humboldt Broncos survivor.
(00:27:11) - The Thread That Binds It All
Reflecting on a journey woven together with empathy, compassion, and the unifying power of the game of golf.
(00:28:14) - Closing & Video Preview
Where to find Todd online and an invitation to continue the conversation on the ModGolf YouTube channel.

Quotable Moments:
"The trick shots nowadays, they're going viral on social media, but what a lot of people don't know is the camera's rolling for about four hours to get that one lucky shot. And there's really only a handful of us in the world that can literally put on a live demonstration in front of hundreds of people and not miss. It's kind of cool to be in that select category. And it's fun to be able to not only entertain people, but execute and do something that you love with a golf club."

"I'm using golf as an excuse to get out of the basement and have that social aspect of the game. And for some people that have recently acquired a stroke, golf might mean 30 yards and it might only mean hitting 10 shots in an 18-hole round, but they're sitting in the golf cart with three of their friends, having a drink, having laughs. And it's that social aspect that is pulling them out of the basement and giving them a purpose again. It's giving people back what they thought they've once lost."

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Todd Keirstead on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below.

Want to connect with Todd? Check out his bio page to make that happen!
Todd Keirstead's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/todd-keirstead

If you have a skin blemish that you think might be cancerous, don't hesitate to have it looked at. Melanoma Canada is a great resource and in the US visit The Skin Cancer Foundation for information and support.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Todd Keirstead - golf entertainer and skin cancer survivor.

Sniffing Out the Best Tee Times with Kelly Gold, Founder of TeeFox.golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode of The ModGolf Podcast, host Colin Weston sits down with Kelly Gold, the innovative founder behind TeeFox.golf. Kelly shares his journey from a solutions engineer in the tech world to tackling one of golf's most persistent frustrations: booking a great tee time. We dive into the $12.3 billion problem plaguing golf courses, the strategy behind building the largest tee time catalog in the US, and how a forced rebrand led to one of the most memorable names in golf tech.

If you've ever spent an hour refreshing golf course websites or wondered how technology can make golf more accessible, this conversation is for you.

Watch the Live Demo:
Colin and Kelly jump over to the ModGolf YouTube channel right after this episode for a live demo of the TeeFox platform! See how it works and how you can book your next tee time at over 7,000 courses in the US.
Watch the TeeFox.golf Demo on YouTube >> https://youtu.be/xpvjWa24zio

During this episode you will discover these key takeaways:
The $12.3 Billion Leak:
Hear the shocking scale of revenue golf courses lose annually due to last-minute cancellations and no-shows, and how TeeFox is designed to recapture that value.

Beyond the "Golf Now" Model:
Learn why the traditional aggregator business model fails to include many top-tier courses and how TeeFox's different approach aims to create a truly comprehensive, golfer-first marketplace.

The Power of a Pivot:
Kelly's initial brand, TeeBox, faced a trademark challenge. Hear how this setback led to the creation of the clever and memorable TeeFox brand, proving that sometimes the biggest obstacles lead to the best opportunities.

Subscribe to The ModGolf Podcast on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode with the innovators shaping the future of golf. Listen to the full episode on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | The ModGolf Website www.mod.golf

Episode Chapters:
00:28 - Introducing Today's Guest: Kelly Gold of TeeFox.golf
00:57 - Kelly Gold Joins the Show from Denver, Colorado
01:15 - How a Meeting in Ireland Led to This Conversation
01:27 - The Icebreaker: Kelly's First Golf Experience and Who Got Him Hooked
03:30 - Decoding "Solutions Engineering" and Kelly's Tech Background
05:47 - The TeeFox Elevator Pitch: Building the Premier Tee Time Distributor
07:03 - TeeFox's Secret Sauce: Differentiating from GolfNow and Other Competitors
09:40 - Building a Two-Sided Marketplace that Benefits Golf Courses
12:11 - The Technology Culture Shock: Bringing Tech Innovation to the Golf Industry
15:28 - The Staggering Statistics of Tee Time Cancellations and No-Shows
17:22 - The TeeFox Revenue Model: Subscriptions, Fees, and Golfer Choice
19:45 - Scaling Nationally: The Goal of 8,000-9,000 Golf Courses
20:54 - The Story Behind the Rebrand: From TeeBox to the Memorable TeeFox
24:44 - The Worst Job Kelly Ever Had and What It Taught Him
27:56 - Building the Team: Leveraging a Network of Talented People
29:28 - The Aha Moment: From Side Hustle Prototype to Full-Time Venture
33:44 - Where to Find TeeFox.golf Online
34:11 - Closing Remarks and a Tease for the YouTube Demo

Quotable Moment:
"Wouldn't it be cool if you could send your user a notification saying, 'hey, a tee time just opened up at that course you play all the time'?... there are ways that we can get this data out into the industry to create better experiences for golfers." - Kelly on the vision for TeeFox as a data platform for the entire golf industry.

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Kelly Gold on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below as Kelly walks Colin through a live TeeFox.Golf demo to effortlessly book a couple of tee times.

Want to connect with Kelly? Check out his bio page to make that happen!
Kelly Gold's bio >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/kelly-gold

Do you find yourself frustrated by lack of available tee times in your area? If you are, then visit the TeeFox website or click on the image below to unlock access to tee times and to receive wait list cancellation alerts.

Follow TeeFox.Golf on social media:
• Instagram: @teefoxdotgolf
• TikTok: @teefoxdotgolf

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

I'm excited to announce that we launched our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! You will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Kelly Gold - Founder at TeeFox.Golf.

Combining Entertainment and Education to Improve Your Golf Game - David Buck, CEO at Big Swing Kings

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:15:00 -0700

In this high-energy season 18 premiere, host Colin Weston sits down with David Buck, the charismatic and hilarious founder of Big Swing Kings. David is on a mission to inject more joy and simplicity into the game of golf, moving away from over-complicated instruction and back to the fundamental truths of what makes a ball go straight.

Tune in for a conversation filled with laughs, practical wisdom, and a refreshingly simple approach to solving golf’s most frustrating problems.

Watch the video version with a special swing roast of host Colin Weston on: The ModGolf YouTube Channel

Featured Links & Resources:
Big Swing Kings Website: [www.bigswingkings.com]
Follow David on Instagram: [@bigswingkings]

During this episode you will discover these inspiring takeaways:
1. Stop Chasing "Consistency" and Start Understanding Impact
The golf world is obsessed with backswing positions, elbow angles, and perfect posture. David argues that this is backwards. The most important moment is the micro-second of impact. If you don’t know what a good impact position looks and feels like, you can’t possibly build a consistent swing around it. David’s entire philosophy starts with mastering a one-foot back, one-foot through motion to ingrain this feeling before ever adding speed.

2. The Fastest Path to Improvement is Often the Simplest
Golf is a simple game, but it is not an easy one. David advocates for stripping away complexity, both in swing thought and in equipment. He is a staunch advocate for single-length irons (from lob wedge to at least the 8-iron) because they remove variables like changing ball positions and spine angles, allowing you to focus purely on the strike. This simplicity creates inherent accuracy and makes the game easier to learn.

3. You Have to Choose Fun to Play Your Best Golf
Frustration, anger, and the dreaded shanks can make golf feel like a chore. David’s unique approach uses humor, light-hearted roasting, and camaraderie to break down the barriers of fear and frustration. By creating a community where it’s okay to laugh at yourself, he helps golfers relax, which is the first step toward playing better and truly enjoying their time on the course.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome to Season 18!
01:19 - Who is David Buck and What is Big Swing Kings?
02:16 - David’s “Failed Pro” Background and Philosophy
04:21 - The Overwhelmed Golfer’s Dilemma
04:38 - The Big Swing Kings Process: Start at Impact
06:31 - The Viral AHA Moment That Started It All
09:54 - The Story Behind the "Big Swing Kings" Name
11:30 - Is This Only for "Kings"? (Spoiler: No. Queens are welcome too!)
13:47 - The Upcoming Swing Roast of Host Colin Weston!
13:46 - Why David is Learning to Play Golf LEFT-HANDED
16:38 - The Case for Single-Length Irons
21:55 - How to Work with Big Swing Kings
25:31 - A Testimonial: Curing the Dreaded Shanks
33:14 - YouTube Golf, Tiny Clubs, and Storytelling
37:35 - Wrap-Up & How to Connect

Quotable Moment:
“The general consensus is fantastic. Same length eliminates complexities and it helps everybody. The fewer variables there are in my equipment, the easier it is for me to find straight.” - David Buck

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with David Buck on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below as Colin has his 16 handicap swing ROASTED by David before helping with some simple and straightforward improvement drills.

Want to connect with David? Check out his bio page to make that happen!
David Buck's bio >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/david-buck

Care to have your swing roasted? (oops, we meant analyzed!) Then visit the Big Swing Kings website or click on the image below to set something up with David.

Follow Big Swing Kings on social media:
• Instagram: @bigswingkings
• TikTok: @bigswingkings

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Season 17 Wrap-up / Season 18 Preview

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 15:45:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 17 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 18, which launches in September 2025. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how innovation, inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 17 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefully this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which ones you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 17 guests were:

Episode 1
LIVE From The 2025 PGA Show Media Stage! - Part 2
Hazel Thompson Founder and CEO of Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours
This episode takes on a travel theme, as you will discover how to simplify the effort and complexity of transporting your clubs. And if you are considering a golf getaway with friends to Ireland, we have the person that can help make your dream trip a reality. We pick up where we left off at the end of last season where ModGolf was invited back to cover The 2025 PGA Show and host Colin Weston recorded four engaging conversations with golf industry innovators on the Show Floor Media Stage. First up on Episode 1 is Hazel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours who helped Colin plan his May 2025 Irish golf trip. ☘️

Jonathan Marsico CEO of Ship Sticks
Our second conversation at The PGA Show Media Stage was with Jonathan Marsico, CEO of Ship Sticks. During Colin's conversation with Jonathan you will discover how to take the hassle, complexity and effort out of travelling with your golf clubs. You'll also learn how Jonathan and his co-founder went from an idea that addressed a personal pain point to a scaleable, profitable business.
Click to listen >> Live From The 2025 PGA Show Media Stage! - Part 2

Episode 2
Jeff MacGregor - Founder of The Cart Locker
Have you struggled to find balance when juggling the launch of a new business venture while keeping your existing job? On this episode you will discover and learn how Jeff MacGregor manages to maintain the position he loves as a Head Golf Pro while overseeing a startup that is quickly scaling up.
Click to listen >> Turning a Side Hustle Into a Successful Business Venture

Episode 3
Gina Louise Phillips - Actor, comedian, writer and golf personality
"So I take an improv mindset. It's all about fun. It's all about what happens next." Gina Louise Phillips combines her comedic, writing and acting experiences to inject a fresh perspective into the golf industry. Join us as Gina shares how her journey on shows like The Last of Us with Pedro Pascal and co-hosting Score Golf TV has inspired her to write and develop a golf-themed sitcom called Squat Valley Golf about a dysfunctional family run public course on the brink of bankruptcy.
Click to listen >> Applying an Improv Mindset to Golf

Episode 4
Agustín Pizá - Principal at Pizá Golf
First appearing on The ModGolf Podcast back in November 2021, Agustín (Augie) Pizá rejoins us to pull back the curtain on his design inspiration and process as he walks us through six of the fun and challenging holes he and his Pizá Golf team created for TGL.
Click to listen >> Revealing The Process and Inspiration Behind Designing TGL Golf Holes

Episode 5
Don Rea - PGA of America President
"On the PGA Tour, they play for millions and at The PGA of America we get millions to play." PGA of America President and Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club Don Rea joins host Colin Weston to share his 25 year journey advocating for the game and industry that he deeply loves.
Click to listen >> It's The Banter Not The Birdies That Matter Most

Episode 6
Matt Williams - Co-Founder of Noonan Caddie
"Life is short. I’m committed to spending it doing what I love." Matt Williams, Co-Founder of Noonan Caddie joins us to share how you can make better on-course shot selection decisions that will result in less blowup holes and lower scores.
Click to listen >> Increasing Your Odds For On-Course Swing Success

Episode 7
Pete Charleston - President and Co-Founder of GolfLogix
Never played the course you just booked a tee time on? No problem. You can preview each hole in immersive simulator-quality graphics before you play.” Pete Charleston - President and Co-Founder of GolfLogix joins us again after his original appearance back in 2018 to bring us up to speed on their newest innovations that include 3D virtual reality hole flyovers.
Click to listen >> Helping Golfers Play Smarter and Make Better Decisions

Episode 8
Graeme McCubbin and Kenny Pallas - Co-Founders of The Links Diary
"We were bored with mainstream media and how they portray golf. We felt disenfranchised with that side of golf and thought, "Wouldn't it be cool if we did something different?" That is why we created The Links Diary." Host Colin Weston sits down with two of the four Links Diary Co-Founders Graeme McCubbin and Kenny Pallas for a chat to learn about the magazine they so passionately create.
Click to listen >> Crafting Beautiful Stories From The Home of Golf

Episode 9
Cory Powell - Co-Founder of Hubble.GOLF
"It's much bigger than myself. What really excites me and keeps me moving every single day is to do something that truly grows the game and has some legacy behind it." Co-Founder Cory Powell joins Host Colin Weston to share the entrepreneurial backstory leading up to the recent launch of Hubble.GOLF
Click to listen >> Creating "The Expedia For Golf Tournament and Event Planning"

Episode 10
TJ Schier Jr. - CO/Founder of SmashSwing Immersive
"We look to attract and appeal to the "golf curious" with SmashSwing". Host Colin Weston speaks with TJ Schier Jr., the founder of SmashSwing Immersive. They discuss the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the golf industry, highlighting TJ's unique approach to creating an engaging indoor golf experience that anyone can play.
Click to listen >> Transforming The Golf Entertainment Gaming Experience

Episode 11
Dr. Richard Berger and Teddy Koukoulis - Outpatient Hip and Knee Surgery
In this milestone episode of The ModGolf Podcast, host Colin Weston celebrates the 200th episode with two remarkable guests: Dr. Richard Berger, a pioneering orthopaedic surgeon, and his knee replacement patient Teddy Koukoulis, who is an avid golfer and PGA teaching pro. They discuss Dr. Berger's minimally evasive knee and hip replacement techniques that are transforming the outcomes and recovery process for golfers, high performance athletes and everyday people wanting to remove the burden of chronic pain and reclaim their quality of life.
Click to listen >> "The Innovation Behind The Incision" Helping Golfers Reclaim The Game They Love

Episode 12
Paras and Bryan Gore - Co-Founders of Swing Sports and Golf She
On this inspiring episode of The ModGolf Podcast, host Colin Weston sits down with Paras and Bryan Gore, the visionary co-founders of Swing Sports and Golf She. Together, they discuss their journey in the golf industry, the challenges they faced, and their mission to elegantly empower women both on and off the golf course.
Click to listen >> Elegantly Empowering Women Both On and Off The Golf Course

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guests: Agustín Pizá - Founder and Architect with Pizá Golf Design, Cory Powell, Co-Founder of Hubble.GOLF, Don Rea - President, PGA of America and Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Course, Dr. Richard Berger, Founder of Outpatient Hip and Knee Surgery, Gina Louise Phillips - Host, Producer, Writer, Actor and Golf Personality, Graeme McCubbin - Creative & Photography with The Links Diary, Hazel Thompson - Founder & CEO of Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours, Jeff MacGregor - Founder of The Cart Locker, Matt Williams, Co-Founder of Noonan Caddie, Paras Gore - Co-Founder of Swing Sports and Golf She, Pete Charleston - GolfLogix Co-Founder and President, TJ Schier - CEO/Founder at SmashSwing Immersive, and Teddy Koukoulis, elite level golfer and Dr. Berger knee replacement recipient.

Elegantly Empowering Women Both On and Off The Golf Course - Paras and Bryan Gore, Co-Founders of Golf She and Swing Sports

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0700

"So as a woman, we have been identified as "the fairer sex". And to me, that's not something negative. Women are elegant. Women are beautiful. Women are strong. Women are capable. There are more women in the world than there are men. And so, we deserve something that speaks to that elegance, that speaks to that femininity, that speaks to that strength, that speaks to us being above and beyond."... Paras Gore, Co-Founder of Swing Sports and Golf She

On this inspiring episode of The ModGolf Podcast, host Colin Weston sits down with Paras and Bryan Gore, the visionary co-founders of Swing Sports and Golf She. Together, they discuss their journey in the golf industry, the challenges they faced, and their mission to empower women both on and off the golf course.

During this episode you will discover these inspiring takeaways:
The AHA Moment:
Paras shares the pivotal experience at Golf Galaxy that ignited her passion for creating stylish and functional golf accessories for women.

Innovative Products:
Learn about the unique products offered by Golf She, including multifunctional head covers and stylish handbags that cater to the needs of female golfers.

Community and Inclusion:
The Gores discuss their vision for a more inclusive golf community and their plans to support underserved youth through a future foundation.

Marketing Strategies:
Discover how they are leveraging social media and user-generated content to spread awareness about their brand and products.
Future Aspirations: Paras and Bryan share their goals for the future, including expanding their product line and fostering a supportive community for women in golf.

Episode Highlights
• Paras's journey from frustration to entrepreneurship
• The value of elegance and functionality in golf accessories
• Insights into the challenges of breaking into the golf industry
• The couple's commitment to empowering women through their brand

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Paras and Bryan Gore on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below as they extend their podcast conversation as Paras shows off some of her fashionable and functional accessory designs.

Want to connect with Paras? Check out her bio page to make that happen!
Paras Gore's bio >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/paras-gore

Care to check out the luxury golf accessories Paras has designed for golf-loving ladies? Then visit the Swing Sports website or click on the image below.

Follow Golf She / Swing Sports on social media:
• Instagram: @swngsports
• Facebook: Swing Sports
• TikTok: @swngsports

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Paras Gore - Co-Founder of Swing Sports and Golf She.

"The Innovation Behind The Incision" - Helping Golfers Reclaim The Game They Love

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 20:45:00 -0700

"Don't wait one minute. It is not worth giving up one minute of your quality life"... Teddy Koukoulis, avid elite level golfer and one of Dr. Richard Berger's knee replacement patients. Join us for this enlightening conversation that blends sports, science, and personal triumph, and discover how innovation in medicine is reshaping the future of golf!

In this milestone episode of The ModGolf Podcast, host Colin Weston celebrates the 200th episode with two remarkable guests: Dr. Richard Berger, a pioneering orthopedic surgeon, and his knee replacement patient Teddy Koukoulis, who is an avid golfer and PGA Teaching Pro. They discuss Dr. Berger's innovative knee and hip replacement techniques that are transforming the outcomes and recovery process for golfers, high performance athletes and everyday people wanting to reclaim their quality of life.

During this episode you will discover these inspiring takeaways:
Revolutionary Recovery: Dr. Berger's minimally invasive knee replacement technique allows patients to recover faster and more completely than traditional methods. This innovation not only reduces pain and swelling but also enables golfers like Teddy to return to the game in record time—Teddy shot a two-over-par 74 just three weeks post-surgery!
Empowerment Through Action: Both Dr. Berger and Teddy emphasize the importance of not waiting to address joint pain. Teddy's journey illustrates how taking proactive steps can lead to a significant improvement in quality of life, allowing individuals to engage in activities they love without the burden of chronic pain.
Mental, Physical and Social Transformation: This episode highlights the profound impact of physical health on mental well-being. Teddy shares how overcoming his knee pain has not only improved his golf game but has also revitalized his overall lifestyle, enabling him to participate in activities he once thought were lost to him.

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Teddy and Dr. Berger on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below as they extend their podcast conversation with commentary on Teddy's post-surgery golf swing video, along with more life-changing inspirational patient success stories from Dr. Berger.

Want to connect with Teddy and/or Dr. Berger? Check out their bio pages to make that happen!
Dr. Richard Berger's bio >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/dr-richard-berger
Teddy Koukoulis' bio >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/teddy-koukoulis

Dr. Richard Berger is a renowned orthopedic surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH in Chicago and is a pioneer of minimally invasive knee and hip replacement surgery. His groundbreaking approach preserves muscles, ligaments, and tendons, promoting quicker recovery and less post-surgical pain.

Dr. Berger developed The BEST (Berger Elective Surgery and Telemedicine) Experience, a program designed to streamline the joint replacement process with virtual consultations, pre-surgery guidance, and a seamless recovery plan. Dr. Berger’s approach, which minimizes trauma to soft tissue, tendons and ligaments, allows for a significantly faster recovery time. “Patients experience less pain, fewer complications, and are able to return to normal activities much sooner,” says Dr. Berger.

Visit Outpatient Hip and Knee Surgery or click on the image below for more information on Dr. Berger's innovative techniques and to schedule an appointment.

And don't forget to check out Teddy's inspiring golf swing video on our YouTube channel!
---> https://youtu.be/N-l34doMpq0

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

We want to thank our Episode Presenting Partner Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!
Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Special Guests: Dr. Richard Berger, Founder of Outpatient Hip and Knee Surgery and Teddy Koukoulis, elite level golfer and Dr. Berger knee replacement recipient.

Transforming The Golf Entertainment Gaming Experience - TJ Schier, CEO/Founder at SmashSwing Immersive

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 12:15:00 -0700

"Our goal is to put a golf club in someone's hands for the very first time so they have a fun, memorable experience."

On this episode of The ModGolf Podcast, host Colin Weston speaks with TJ Schier Jr., the founder of SmashSwing Immersive. They discuss the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the golf industry, highlighting TJ's unique approach to creating an engaging indoor golf experience.

Join us for an insightful conversation with TJ Schier Jr. as he shares his entrepreneurial journey and the innovative vision behind SmashSwing Immersive. Whether you're a golf enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable lessons on creativity, market understanding, and the power of community feedback.

Key Takeaways you will discover on this episode are:

Embracing Feedback for Innovation
TJ emphasizes the importance of gathering feedback from potential users during the development phase. By inviting a diverse group of testers to experience SmashSwing, he was able to refine the product based on real user experiences rather than assumptions. This iterative process not only improved the technology but also expanded the target market.

Targeting the Non-Golfer Market
SmashSwing aims to attract the 99% of the population that doesn't typically engage with golf. By creating a fun, gamified environment that appeals to social and casual players, TJ is redefining the indoor golf experience. This strategy opens up new avenues for growth and accessibility in the sport.

Building a Strong Brand Identity
TJ discusses the significance of a well-crafted brand and first impressions. By investing in professional branding and creating a polished environment for SmashSwing, he ensures that potential customers see the value and quality of the experience. This focus on branding helps to instill confidence in both consumers and investors.

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with TJ on The ModGolf YouTube channel as he gives us a SmashSwing demo from their test facility in Dallas. Click on this link or the image below as Colin and TJ extend their podcast conversation with key takeaways and lessons learned that will benefit all entrepreneurs.

https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/tj-schier

To learn more about SmashSwing, check out their website at https://smashswingimmersive.com or click on the image below.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

I'm excited to announce our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As my Patron you will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: TJ Schier - CEO/Founder at SmashSwing Immersive.

Creating "The Expedia For Golf Tournament and Event Planning" - Cory Powell, Co-Founder of Hubble.GOLF

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 07:30:00 -0700

Episode Overview
In this episode of The ModGolf Podcast, host Colin Weston welcomes Cory Powell, co-founder and CEO of Hubble.GOLF. They discuss Cory's journey in golf, his entrepreneurial spirit, and the innovative platform Hubble.GOLF aims to create for golfers, their families and event organizers.

Key Highlights
Introduction to Hubble Golf
Cory describes Hubble Golf as the "Expedia for golf events," aiming to be the largest searchable database for all things golf, including junior, amateur, and professional events.
Cory's First Golf Experience
Cory shares a heartfelt story about how his grandfather introduced him to golf at the age of eight, gifting him a set of junior clubs and taking him to a local driving range.
The Entrepreneurial Journey
From starting a pooper scooper service at eight years old to organizing tournaments and playing professionally, Cory's entrepreneurial spirit has been evident throughout his life.
The AHA Moment for Hubble.GOLF
Cory discusses the challenges he faced while trying to find golf events and how this led to the idea for Hubble.GOLF. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and co-founding with Kevin Lewis, who brought technical expertise to the project.
Market Research and Customer Validation
Cory explains how he gathered feedback from golfers and parents to validate the need for Hubble.GOLF, including surveys that indicated a willingness to pay for the service.
Mentorship and Personal Growth
The importance of mentorship is highlighted as Cory shares his relationship with Jim Casino, who has provided guidance and support throughout his entrepreneurial journey.
Risk-Taking in Entrepreneurship
Cory reflects on his approach to risk-taking, emphasizing the need for passion, perseverance, and the ability to pivot when necessary.

Cory Powell's journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and community in the world of golf and entrepreneurship. Listen in to discover his vision for Hubble.GOLF and the future of golf events.

"Hubble.GOLF is the Expedia of golf events. So everything from junior golf, youth, amateur college, professional, charity, networking, green grass, non-green grass, we will be the largest searchable event database for all things golf. And the idea stemmed from my background trying to find events and figure out a schedule and put together an itinerary and what's the budget around that itinerary and how do I share that itinerary with other people? And that's what we've created."

"On average a parent spends over four hours planning one individual event and a junior golfer participates anywhere between 12 and 18 events in a season. We save parents day's worth of time figuring out their child's season and ultimately save them money on their travel costs."

"If you truly are passionate about what you do, you wake up every day invigorated and excited to get to work, to chase it, put in the work. It's not easy. You have to be disciplined. You have to be willing to do it. My grandpa always used to say, "you have to be willing to pay the price and do what others aren't willing to do." And that's long hours and hard work."

Are you a watcher more than a listener who enjoys entrepreneurship stories? Then you can watch our video as Colin and Cory extend their podcast conversation on The ModGolf YouTube channel . Click on this link of the image below to watch.

Cory Powell is an experienced entreprenuer who founded his first business at 8 years old hustling the neighbours with his "dog poop scoop service". This story is one of the highlights of our conversation! Want to connect with Cory? Check out his bio page to make that happen!

https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/cory-powell

Download Hubble.GOLF for free at https://hubble.golf/home or click on the image below. ModGolf doesn't benefit from your participation. We just like what Cory and his team have created with Hubble.GOLF!

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Cory Powell, Co-Founder of Hubble.GOLF.

Crafting Beautiful Stories From The Home of Golf - Graeme McCubbin and Kenny Pallas with The Links Diary

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:00:00 -0700

Host Colin Weston met Graeme McCubbin at The 2025 PGA Show in Orlando and their mutual love for design and visual storytelling immediately connected them. Graeme generously gave Colin a copy of The Links Diary, which led to an invitation to participate in The Stand on Solway, a three day Scottish golf experience with more than a dozen other links-loving people gathered to create memorable experiences and new friendships. While relaxing post-round at the manor house where everyone was staying, Colin sat down with two of the four Links Diary Co-Founders Kenny Pallas and Graeme for a chat to learn about the magazine's origin story.

"The Links Diary started when the world shut down during COVID. We were bored with mainstream media and how they portray golf. All they do is sell you an advert on every single page for another golf product. We felt disenfranchised with that side of golf and thought, "Wouldn't it be cool if we did something different? Tell real stories, use beautiful imagery and when combined with a clean, modern design aesthetic compels you to feel something deeper. So when you read the magazine and see the imagery, you experience the quality and become part of The Links Diary journey."... Graeme McCubbin, Photographer and Creative Director with The Links Diary.

Want to WIN a year's subscription to The Links Diary? Join our ModGolf Patreon Community as a paid member and you'll be entered along with all of our other exclusive ModGolf Giveaway Contests! >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

We created ModGolf on Patreon to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As my Patron you will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

I'm offering two monthly membership tiers at $5 and $15 USD. Your subscription will ensure that The ModGolf Podcast continues to grow so that I can focus on creating unique and impactful stories that support and celebrate the future of golf.

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

"Being from Scotland, we knew we had an advantage because no one was telling that type of story from the home of golf. So we wanted to really lean into that and show people coming over here on vacation or a work trip, who are taking golf in while they're here. You can play these other amazing, iconic, lesser known courses that enrich your experience."

Are you a watcher more than a listener? Then why not watch Colin's video shorts with The Links Diary crew during The Stand on Solway three day Scottish adventure on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below as Colin shares some quality time with The Links Diary lads.

Want to connect with Graeme and Kenny? Check out their bio pages to make that happen!

https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/graeme-mccubbin
https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/kenny-pallas

Would you like to become a Links Diary membership subscriber? Check out their website at https://www.thelinksdiary.com/memberships or click on the image below. ModGolf doesn't financially benefit from your subsciption. We just love what Graeme, Kenny, Jamie and Stu create three times a year with The Links Diary.

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Special Guests: Graeme McCubbin - Creative & Photography with The Links Diary and Kenny Pallas - Brands & Editorial with The Links Diary.

Helping Golfers Play Smarter and Make Better Decisions - Pete Charleston, President and Co-Founder of GolfLogix

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0700

"And who do we love? We love you, Colin. We love the 18 handicapper. That's amazing for us because if we get an 18 handicap, a newer youth playing, or we get a woman who is learning golf, their improvement rate is so dramatic. If we can make them more intelligent out there, if we give them a complete view of the course and they're standing on the tee box and they can see the elevation changes they can visualize their shots and we help them read their putts. That was a huge piece because most people don't know how to read greens."

Pete Charleston - President and Co-Founder of GolfLogix joins host Colin Weston tafter his original appearance back in 2018 to bring us up to speed on their newest innovations that include 3D virtual reality hole flyovers.

"With GolfLogix our vision has always been about focusing on the masses. Do we love the really good scratch golfers in the plus? Of course, but there's just not many of them."

"If you make better choices, maybe you don't get that double or triple bogey. Maybe you get a bogey, maybe you get a par. Maybe you birdie it. These are all things that are possible you know when you're using something that helps you become more intelligent about the game."

Are you a watcher more than a listener? Then you can watch our video with Pete on The ModGolf YouTube channel as he walks us through a GolfLogix demo. Click on this link or the image below as Colin and Pete extend their podcast conversation with video demos and success stories.

Pete Charleston is an experienced entreprenuer with over a quarter century of golf startup reps under his belt. Want to connect with Pete? Check out his bio page to make that happen!

https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/pete-charleston

Download GolfLogix for free at https://www.golflogix.com/ or click on the image below. ModGolf doesn't benefit from your participation. We just like what Pete and his team have created with GolfLogix!

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Pete Charleston - GolfLogix Co-Founder and President.

Increasing Your Odds For On-Course Swing Success - Matt Williams, Co-Founder of Noonan Caddie

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 26 May 2025 05:15:00 -0700

"We are the Ozempic for golf! I can shoot lower scores without changing my swing."

Do you struggle to make better on-course shot selection decisions that will result in less blowup holes and lower scores? Then the Noonan Caddie app is for you!

Noonan Caddie Co-Founder Matt Williams joins host Colin Weston to share his entrepreneurial insights as a multiple time founder in the golf entertainment and technology space.

Are you a watcher more than a listener? Then you can watch our video with Matt on The ModGolf YouTube channel as he walks us through a Noonan Caddie demo. Click on this link or the image below as Colin and Matt discuss positive tips and cautionary tales for new entrepreneurs embarking on their startup journey.

"Life is short. I’m committed to spending it doing what I love."

Matt Williams combines his passion for golf, technology, and entrepreneurship to build meaningful ventures that enhance the player and guest experience.

Matt is the co-founder and President of Noonan Caddie - an innovative app that turns your phone into a digital caddie. Noonan unlocks the scoring potential already inside you by making smarter decisions rather than grinding on frustrating swing overhauls.

Matt is an experienced entreprenuer and multiple time startup founder, including the creation of GolfTRK - Kansas City’s premier member-focused indoor golf facility. https://www.golftrk.com/

Download Noonan Caddie at https://www.noonan.ai/ or click on the image below for your seven day free trial. ModGolf doesn't benefit from your participation. We just like what Matt and his team have created with Noonan Caddie!

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Matt Williams, Co-Founder of Noonan Caddie.

It's The Banter Not The Birdies That Matters Most - Don Rea, President of The PGA of America

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 02 May 2025 08:30:00 -0700

"Whether it's to get better at golf as a game or improve as an executive or you're somebody who wants dedicate their life to the industry and send their kids to college, you've got to surround yourself with people that are better than you are and that certainly has happened for me. A high tide raises all ships and it's elevated my ability to be a good provider for my family, but also feel fulfilled in a life that's dedicated to golf because I just dig it."

PGA of America President and Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club Don Rea joins host Colin Weston to share his 25 year journey advocating for the game and industry that he deeply loves.

"Some people say that they're professional golfers on The PGA Tour and we're golf professionals. There is no doubt the mission of the PGA of America is having 31,000 men and women out there every day trying to help people get it airborne. I believe we're the voice of the golfer in the game. There's 28.1 million out there playing. And who do they talk to? Well, they talk to our members. They talk to me. So we're their voice when it comes to any issues that might face golf. We're the first people they come to. We're the first responders of golf."

"The special thing about a college campus is that when you go there, there's a connection to that place. It always will be. And the alumni of that tell everybody why they should go to their college. We never had that. And that's what the new PGA of America headquarters is. It's not just a building. It's our home. There's two championship golf courses, a 10-hole lit golf course that's crazy busy every night, a two-acre putting green where little kids are running around in their bare feet with their big putters that are bigger than they are just putting around. For us, it's our why. There's a lot of relationships out there and ROIs of why you invest in something or partner with somebody. But for us, it's not about that. You need to know our why and why we exist. You can talk about a why, you can show it, you can see it, you can feel it and smell it. And that's what the home quarters of the PGA of America is."

"That's where the 31,000 members ensure that we do everything we can to leverage the assets of the PGA of America to tell the story of the PGA professional so that we're serving them. And in the end that's our mission. Serve the member and grow the game. It's just that simple."

PGA of America's New Headquarters Campus in Frisco Texas

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Don Rea - President, PGA of America and Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Course.

Revealing The Process and Inspiration Behind Designing TGL Golf Holes - with Agustín Pizá / Pizá Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 06:30:00 -0700

When our host Colin Weston attended a TGL match (Tiger's Jupiter Links vs Rory's Boston Common) he quickly learned that several of the compelling holes played out on a 60' high simulator video screen and 360º rotating, undulating green are designed by previous guest Agustin Pizá, who is the creative force behind Pizá Golf Design.

First appearing on The ModGolf Podcast back in November 2021, Augie rejoins us to pull back the curtain on his design inspiration as he walks us through six of the fun and challenging holes he and his Pizá Golf team created for TGL.

Are you a watcher more than a listener? Then you can watch our video with Augie on The ModGolf YouTube channel as he walks us through his inspiration and process on six TGL hole designs. Click on this link or the image below as Colin and Augie discuss how their mutual backgrounds in architectural design influence their creativity in the golf space.

Here are images of all six holes that Augie shares with us for you to take in while listening to the podcast:

The Plank Teams will need to walk “The Plank” as they navigate this uphill hole with tricky diagonal bunkering. For this short 380-yard par 4, it could be tempting for teams to go for the driver, but 3 pot bunkers narrow the landing area adding risk to the aggressive play.

Agustín says: "For The Plank, we wanted to design something simple but also something that required you to think through your shots. To achieve this, we positioned the bunkers to create several dynamic diagonal lines across the hole."

"When you stand on the tee box, that positioning gives you the sensation of, ‘Oh, it’s full of bunkers, there’s nowhere to land my ball!’ But obviously that’s not the case, you have several landing areas and platforms to access. The Plank is designed to be a drivable par-4, depending on the wind, but the strategy will change if it’s a crosswind versus wind at the players’ backs. If less than a driver is chosen off the tee, a well-placed tee shot still leaves a short approach and great chance at birdie."

Pick Yer Plunder Set in Bounty Bay, this hole is the ultimate match play par 5. From the gold tee, players are faced with three options. The riskiest, and by far most rewarding choice, is going straight over the guardian bunker to a 27-yard-wide fairway, requiring a 300-yard carry.

Choosing the right option, the fairway is just 37-yards-wide and requires a 285-yard carry. With a solid drive, players will be left with less than 250 yards remaining. The safest play is to the left, where the fairway is 70 yards wide. But the further left you miss it, the more blind and long your second shot will be.

Agustín says: "A 590 yard par 5. The hole idea is you can take that middle section and you will be rewarded. You will only have a 200 yard shot to the GreenZone to get on in two. The alternative is to play the right arm or the left arm. You will have to play the second shot on a high cliff or a low cliff. This hole not only plays with your psyche on ways of playing it, but also where you land could create some blind shots and some other challenges that you probably were not expecting."

On The Rocks This stunning downhill par 3 hangs off the edge of a cliff in the North Sea of Scotland. The green sits on a 41-yard-wide island that replicates the exact same-sized turntable in TGL's GreenZone at SoFi Center. Players will be tempted to be aggressive, most will likely have a short iron in hand, but any slight misjudgment and a team may quickly find themselves On The Rocks.

Agustín says: "This is one of the last designs that we created, it's a par 3 that sits right on the cliffs. What we did very special here, is we took the GreenZone and just erased everything, all the surroundings, and kept the turntable. We have five distinct tee boxes. The first two tees are right in the center and they are somwhere between 100 yards and 130 yards. On the sides, the tee boxes spread out to ask for a fade or for a draw. If you go towards the furthest one out, it'll ask for a draw and it's 180 yards out."

Sidewinder A high trajectory right-to-left tee shot will reward teams with Position A on this reachable Par 5, while bunkers dot the approach to the green, which sits beyond a small ravine. While the design is similar to Serpent, the penalty areas have been minimized with the intention for Sidewinder to have a bit less bite.

Agustín says: "You can take the conservative route on the right and if you hit over 290 to 310 yards you will get that speed slope onto position A. If you try to clear the left side and be more aggressive you will get rewarded even more. If you cannot get home in two then you will have to find a very good strategy to attack the GreenZone. You have to choose whether you want to lay your ball on the left or the right and that will be dictated by where the flag is played."

The Spear A close relative of Temple, teams will face a simple risk vs. reward choice when teeing off on The Spear. The design places a pinch point right around the PGA TOUR average carry and gives players a choice to either hit a long and straight tee shot past the pinch point, or lay up short and play to the green in three.

Teams that hit the ball short of the pinch will have plenty of room to lay up as they progress towards the green. Players that are able to execute the risky drive and land safely are then rewarded with a green light to go for the floating GreenZone in two.

Agustín says: "The Spear is a full par 5. Architecture at the end is about playing with form and we started to create this hole by playing with triangles and we came up with The Spear. It pinches away on the fairway at approximately 300 yards, give or take. That's where it's going to make players think, with a crosswind likely a key factor in play, too. The strategy is right there in your face. It's a heroic hole. Do you want to lay up to guarantee a three shot hole or do you want to try to clear it and take that risk as it opens up in a very generous way? You'll have a very good chance of getting home in two if you clear the pinch successfully."

Temple is a hole design inspired by ancient civilizations and based on simplicity, the art form of two triangles facing each other to create a unique risk vs. reward with its hourglass shape. The choice off the tee is whether to carry the narrow intersection where the opposing triangles meet, or to lay up short and run the risk of a 240-yard or longer shot into the green. From the tee box, the fairway reaches its narrowest point at 285 yards before it widens again. The entire hole is surrounded by penalty areas and wind will be a factor within the virtual setting, complicating the decision for teams.

Agustín says: "Temple is a par 4 playing over 500 yards that we found in the mountains of South America. This is a very special design because it plays with simplicity. With just two forms - two triangles pinched in the center - it can give us so much excitement and strategy, and we have placed the green in a position to reward the most aggressive shots off the tee."

Want to connect with Augie? Visit his bio page for contact information. And visit The TGL website to learn more about all 29 holes designs that were available for the 2025 TGL season.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Agustín Pizá - Founder and Architect with Pizá Golf Design.

Applying an Improv Mindset to Golf - Gina Louise Phillips, Host, Producer, Writer, Actor and Golf Personality

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 07:15:00 -0700

"So I take an improv mindset. It's all about fun. It's all about what happens next." Gina Louise Phillips combines her comedic, writing and acting experiences to inject a fresh perspective into the golf industry. Join us as Gina shares how her journey on shows like The Last of Us with Pedro Pascal and co-hosting Score Golf TV has inspired her to write and develop the first golf-themed sitcom.

Here are three key takeaways you will discover from Colin's engaging conversation with Gina:

1. The Power of Community in Golf: Gina emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment for women in golf. She shares her experiences and insights on how showing up and being visible can inspire others to join the game. By breaking down barriers and highlighting programs that cater to women, she encourages listeners to embrace golf as an accessible and enjoyable sport.

2. Improv and Golf: Embracing the Unexpected: Gina draws parallels between her background in improv and her approach to golf. She discusses how the principles of improv - such as being present, accepting mistakes, and adapting to the moment - can enhance the golfing experience. This mindset allows her to enjoy the game without the pressure of perfection, making it more about the fun and camaraderie than the score.

3. The Journey of Self-Discovery: Throughout the conversation, Gina reflects on her journey in the golf industry, from feeling like an outsider to embracing her unique perspective as a woman in a male-dominated space. She encourages listeners to focus on their strengths and to create opportunities for themselves, rather than waiting for others to validate their worth. This message resonates with anyone looking to carve their own path in any field.
These takeaways not only highlight Gina's passion for golf but also inspire listeners to approach the game - and life - differently. It's all about connection, growth, and enjoying the journey!

These insights not only provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, actors and writers but also inspire a deeper appreciation for the evolving landscape of the golf industry.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, you can watch our video with Gina on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below as Colin and Gina discuss the keys to making golf more inviting and welcoming for everyone.

Want to connect with Gina and hear more about "Squat Valley Golf", the sitcom she is currently writing? Visit her bio page for contact information. And visit Gina's IMDB page to learn more about the shows and movies she has appeared in.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

We want to thank our Partner Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!
Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Special Guest: Gina Louise Phillips - Host, Producer, Writer, Actor and Golf Personality.

Turning a Side Hustle Into a Successful Business Venture - Jeff MacGregor, Founder of The Cart Locker

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0700

Host Colin Weston met Jeff MacGregor at the 2023 PGA Show where he was launching The Cart Locker - a motorized cart storage solution for any facility that wants to enhance their operations while adding a new revenue source. Fast forward two years and we finally managed to align with Jeff's hectic schedule (he is also the Head Pro at The Glendale Golf & Country Club in Edmonton Alberta Canada!) to share his startup journey on The ModGolf Podcast.

Here are three key takeaways you will discover from Colin's engaging conversation with Jeff:

1. How Design Thinking Fuels Innovation in Golf: Jeff's journey with The Cart Locker highlights the importance of identifying and solving pain points within the golf industry. His innovative approach to creating a locker system for motorized carts not only addresses a logistical issue at his club but also opens up new revenue streams for golf courses. This emphasizes how innovation can lead to significant improvements in the golfing experience.

2. The Value in Building Relationships Jeff's success is rooted in the relationships he has cultivated over his years in the golf industry. His ability to leverage these connections has been crucial in gaining trust and support from other golf professionals and clubs. This serves as a reminder that networking and building strong relationships can be invaluable for entrepreneurs looking to launch new products or services.

3. Embracing Sustainable Business Practices: The Cart Locker's design and manufacturing process reflect a commitment to quality and sustainability. Jeff's decision to produce the lockers locally rather than overseas demonstrates a focus on durability and brand integrity. This takeaway encourages listeners to consider the long-term implications of their business decisions and the importance of maintaining high standards in product development.

These insights not only provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs but also inspire a deeper appreciation for the evolving landscape of the golf industry.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, you can watch our video with Jeff on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below as Colin and Jeff discuss the keys to launching a startup venture.

Want to connect with Jeff? Visit his bio page for contact information. And visit The Cart Locker website to learn more about their motorized cart storage solution for private golf clubs.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Jeff MacGregor - Founder of The Cart Locker.

Live From The 2025 PGA Show Media Stage! - Part 2

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 10:15:00 -0800

Welcome to Season 17 of The ModGolf Podcast! This episode takes on a travel theme, as you will discover how to simplify the effort and complexity of transporting your clubs. And if you are considering a golf getaway with friends to Ireland, we have the person that can help make your dream trip a reality. We pick up where we left off at the end of last season where ModGolf was invited back to cover The 2025 PGA Show and host Colin Weston recorded four engaging conversations with golf industry innovators on the Show Floor Media Stage. First up on Episode 01 is Hazel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours who helps Colin plan his upcoming Irish golf trip. ☘️

"Certainly AI is disrupting travel. Where it's a simple travel experience AI can do it, but considering the travel times from each course and hotel, the human tour operator understands the local nuances of the courses and the local culture and directly interact with the locals. It's taking it to an elevated level if you're wanting unparalleled, unrestricted and unforgettable and most of all fun is our ethos. So AI cannot replicate this and it's amazing because I use AI to help put together the beautiful colour pictures for the itinerary. So there's that place, but the actual experience of understanding what you want to do when you're there and putting all of that together. AI can't do that."
... Hazel Thompson, Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours

Are you looking to experience the best that Ireland has to offer, both on and off the golf course? Then I encourage you to contact Hazel to help plan your perfect Irish excursion... *https://excelgolftours.com *

You can also learn more about Hazel and Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours on her ModGolf bio page.

Click on the image below to watch Colin's conversation with Hazel Thompson on The ModGolf Youtube Channel!

Taking the hassle, complexity and effort out of travelling with your golf clubs
Our second conversation at The PGA Show Media Stage was with Jonathan Marsico, CEO of Ship Sticks.

During our conversation with Jonathan you will discover how to take the hassle, complexity and effort out of travelling with your golf clubs. You'll also learn how Jonathan and his co-founder went from an idea that addressed a personal pain point to a scaleable, profitable business.

"So what we've done and still do today with Ship Sticks is centered around the customer experience and journey perspective. Everything the customer touches is what our business is about. Yes, we're powered by these great global logistics companies, but we provide a high end personal touch. We know as golfers, when you're going to golf resorts, when you're going to country clubs, when travelling to play golf, that's what the experience we want to get ourselves and our customers are getting it at these golf facilities. We want to be a great extension and a great partner of that experience for the travelling golfer, who work with our team at Ship Sticks."

Click on the image below to watch Colin's conversation with Jonathan Marsico on The ModGolf Youtube Channel!

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Hazel Thompson - Founder & CEO of Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours.

SEASON 16 WRAP-UP / SEASON 17 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 18:45:00 -0800

That's a wrap for Season 16 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 17, which launches in March 2025. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how innovation, inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 15 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefully this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which ones you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 16 guests were:

Episode 1
Petra Himmel - Founder of GolfSustainable.com
"Climate change doesn't really care if we care or not. It's just there. We either react in time or golf courses will struggle. The good news is that we have possibilities and solutions." Petra Himmel, journalist and creator of Golf Sustainable opens our Season 16 with insights on how the golf industry can become more resilient, sustainable and future proof.
Click to listen >> Making Golf More Resilient, Sustainable and Future Proof

Episode 2
Lehua Wise - Director of Golf at Kohanaiki Golf Club
Ikigai (ee-key-guy) is a Japanese concept that combines the terms iki, meaning “alive” or “life,” and gai, meaning “benefit” or “worth.” When combined, these terms mean that which gives your life worth, meaning, or purpose. Our guest Lehua Wise shares how she found her Ikigai as the Director of Golf at Kohanaiki Golf Club.
Click to listen >> Finding Her Ikigai Through Golf

Episode 3
Jay Karen - CEO at The NGCOA
Host Colin Weston speaks with return guest and friend of the show Jay Karen, CEO at The NGCOA to hear his take on how golf courses and owners will navigate the upcoming decades as climate change, technology, entertainment and sustainable practices present new opportunities and challenges for the golf industry.
Click to listen >> Fun is The Leading Message

Episode 4
Tim Markison - Founder and CEO at Athalonz
Are you an entrepreneur who is struggling to move your venture forward? On this episode you'll learn three key takeaways from Athalonz Founder Tim Markison that will benefit you. Trigger warning: the topics of child abuse and suicide are discussed during our conversation.
Click to listen >> The Power of Passion and Purpose

Episode 5
Hoyt McGarity - President at 8AM Golf
Are you an innovator who is struggling to a move your venture forward? I get it. I've been there. In this episode you will discover three key entrepreneurial takeaways from guest Hoyt McGarity to help you find clarity and inspiration.
Click to listen >> Embracing Innovation While Honouring Tradition

Episode 6
Joe Assell - Co-Founder/CEO at GOLFTEC
On this episode you will discover how Joe Assell has started and grown a business over 30 years that began as a golf swing test lab in the basement of a golf club pro shop to what is now the global leader in golf instruction with almost 300 store locations world wide.
Click to listen >> The Power of a Growth Mindset

Episode 7
Courtney Campbell - Founder of Birdies Babes Golf
Do you think that golf is too hard, too intimidating, too time-consuming, not social and not much fun? Our guest Courtney Campbell - PGA Teaching Pro and Founder of Birdies Babes Golf - will debunk your concerns and hopefully motivate you or your non-golfing friends to give the game a shot.
Click to listen >> Building Community, Confidence and Connections

Episode 8
Scott Davis - CEO of J.LINDEBERG North America
So many apparel brands try to make golf cool, but J.LINDEBERG consistently pulls it off by combining European style with technical performance. North American CEO Scott Davis joins us to share the secret sauce that makes you and me look as stylish as brand ambassadors like Jesper Parnevik and Viktor Hovland.
Click to listen >> The Bridge Between Sport and Fashion

Episode 9
Clive Mayhew - Founder of Golf.ai
AI is set to revolutionize various aspects of the golf industry, from enhancing customer service at golf courses to providing personalized recommendations for equipment, booking golf travel and improving the overall player experience. Clive Mayhew, Founder of Golf.ai joins us to share how they are at the forefront of transforming the game of golf.
Click to listen >> How AI is Transforming The Golf Industry

Episode 10
Adam Scully - Host and Producer of Golf Talk Canada
Get ready for a high-energy half hour as Golf Talk Canada's Adam Scully joins us to talk about all things... GOLF! From planning an amazing Canadian golf trip to the state of professional golf, Adam and Colin cover it all in this fun, informative and fast-paced episode of The ModGolf Podcast.
Click to listen >> Masters Memories and Your Canadian Golf Course Bucket List

Episode 11
Todd Bishop - Co-Founder of Dormie Workshop
Todd joins us to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of their company Dormie Workshop and shares how they unlocked an untouched niche in the golf consumer market.
Click to listen >> Telling Unique Golf Stories Through Custom Leather Cover Designs

Episode 12
The 2023 PGA Show - Tim Wright, CEO of Caliber Golf and Richard Platt, President of Rimac Golf
Host Colin Weston attended The 2025 PGA Show, where he broadcasted live from the Media Stage. Here are the first two of four engaging conversations with a diverse group of entrepreneurs that he met at the show. Colin sits down with Tim Wright, Founder and CEO of Caliber Golf and Richard Platt, CEO of Rimac Golf as we learn about their golf innovations and thoughts on the industry's biggest annual gathering.
Click to listen >> Live From The 2025 PGA Show Media Stage! - Part 1

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guests: Clive Mayhew - Golf.ai Founder and Principal Investor, Courtney Campbell, Founder of Birdies Babes Golf, Hoyt McGarity - President at 8AM Golf, Jay Karen - CEO, The National Golf Course Owners Association, Joe Assell - Co-Founder and CEO, GOLFTEC, Lehua Wise - Director of Golf at Kohanaiki Private Club and Residential Community, Petra Himmel, journalist and creator of www.GolfSustainable.com, Scott Davis, CEO of J.LINDEBERG North America, Tim Markison - Founder/CEO of Athalonz, and Tim Wright - Founder of Caliber Golf.

Live From The 2025 PGA Show Media Stage! - Part 1

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:15:00 -0800

ModGolf was invited back to cover The 2025 PGA Show from Orlando, where host Colin Weston recorded four engaging conversations with golf industry innovators on the Show Floor Media Stage. First up is Tim Wright, Founder and CEO of Caliber Golf.

Caliber Golf has designed and built a premium hockey shaft putter system engineered to improve control, consistency and alignment on the greens. At first glance, you might assume that Caliber putters are a gimmicky golf product but I assure you that they are not. Tim generously sent me a customized ModGolf Caliber putter last year after we met at The 2023 PGA Show and I really enjoy using it.

You can also learn more about Tim and Caliber Golf and the Blue Line putting alignment device on his ModGolf bio page.

Click on the image below to watch Colin's conversation with Tim Wright on The ModGolf Youtube Channel!

Inconsistent Golf Ball Compression Numbers = Inconsistent Distances
Second up is Richard Platt, Founder of the Rimac Golf Ball Compression Testing Device, a precision instrument for golfers who want to ensure consistent ball performance. With a weight of 19 lbs this tester provides accurate and reliable results every time. If your approach shot or putt stops just short of the hole, it may be the ball…not you! No one ball or one compression is best for everyone, but everyone must know the compression of the ball they are using. The Rimac Compression Testing Device allows you to test your balls before playing.

Click on the image below to watch Colin's conversation with Richard Platt on The ModGolf Youtube Channel!

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Tim Wright - Founder of Caliber Golf.

The Journey of Dormie Workshop: Telling Unique Golf Stories Through Custom Leather Cover Designs

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 15:15:00 -0800

Here are three key takeaways you will discover from Colin's conversation with Todd:

1. The Journey of Dormie Workshop: Todd Bishop shared the inspiring backstory of Dormie Workshop, which began as a passion project between him and his brother Jeff. Their journey from ski and surf bums to successful entrepreneurs highlights the importance of community, creativity, and perseverance. They started by creating unique golf ball markers and eventually transitioned to crafting high-quality leather golf head covers, driven by a desire to offer something better than what was available in the market.

2. Customization and Innovation: A significant aspect of Dormie Workshop's success lies in their commitment to customization and innovative design. Todd discussed how they leverage technology, such as laser etching, to create personalized products that resonate with customers. Their ability to combine different materials and techniques has allowed them to stand out in a crowded market, catering to both individual golfers and professional athletes.

3. Future Expansion and Collaborations: Looking ahead, Dormie Workshop is expanding its operations, including a new facility in Los Angeles to tap into the larger U.S. market. Todd emphasized the importance of partnerships and collaborations, such as their work with the clothing brand Extracurricular, to enhance their offerings and reach. The upcoming PGA Show will serve as a platform for them to unveil new deals and showcase their innovative products, further solidifying their position in the golf industry.

These insights not only reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of Dormie Workshop but also highlight the evolving landscape of the golf industry, where creativity and customer engagement play crucial roles.

BONUS: we'll be running another #modgolfgiveaway contest as we're giving TWO of our lucky Patreon members a custom ModGolf leather driver headcover designed by Dormie Workshop! Sign up to our ModGolf Patreon community as a monthly member and you'll be entered for a chance to win some awesome golf gear... and a unique ModGolf headcover!
Join us at - www.patreon.com/ModGolf

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, you can watch our video with Todd on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to see some of Dormie Workshop's unique cover creations.

Want to connect with Todd? Visit his bio page for contact information. Would you like a custom designed leather headcover that tells your story? Go to the Dormie Workshop website to fill out their intake form. You can also find all of their cover collections to elevate your golf experience.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

How AI is Transforming The Golf Industry - Clive Mayhew, Founder of Golf.ai

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 19:45:00 -0800

From our insightful conversation with Clive Mayhew on the ModGolf Podcast, here are three key takeaways you will discover by listening to this episode:

1: AI's Transformative Role in Golf Clive emphasizes how AI is set to revolutionize various aspects of the golf industry, from enhancing customer service at golf courses to providing personalized recommendations for equipment and improving the overall player experience. The integration of AI can streamline operations, making it easier for golfers to book tee times, access course information, and receive real-time advice while playing.

2: The Evolution of Golf.ai The journey of Golf.ai showcases how innovation can stem from unexpected places. Clive shares how the initial success of a metaverse project led to the creation of Golf.ai, which focuses on providing accurate golf rule information and engaging users through AI-driven interactions. This adaptability highlights the importance of listening to user feedback and evolving based on their needs.

3: Future Opportunities and Partnerships Clive discusses the potential for Golf.ai to partner with existing golf tech companies and integrate their datasets, creating a comprehensive AI solution for the industry. This collaborative approach not only enhances the capabilities of Golf.ai but also provides significant value to golf course operators and equipment manufacturers, paving the way for a more interconnected and efficient golf ecosystem.

You will gain a deeper understanding of how AI is poised to shape the future of golf, the innovative spirit behind Golf.ai, and the collaborative opportunities that lie ahead in the industry.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, we encourage you to watch our extended conversation on The ModGolf YouTube channel as Clive and Colin kick the tires of Golf.ai with a live demo. How AI is Transforming The $100 Billion/year Golf Industry Click on this link or the image below to watch our video.

If you would like to connect with Clive, visit his bio page for contact information. To learn more about Golf.ai click on the image below to visit their website to choose a partner and ask them a golf question!

We want to thank our friends at Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... plus you can WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Clive Mayhew - Golf.ai Founder and Principal Investor.

Building Community, Confidence and Connections - Courtney Campbell, Founder of Birdies Babes Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 22:30:00 -0800

Here are three key inspirational and informative takeaways that you will discover from the episode of The ModGolf Podcast featuring Courtney Campbell, Founder of Birdies Babes Golf:

1 Empowering Women Through Community: Courtney emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and fun environment for women in golf. Birdies Babes Golf fosters a community where women can learn, socialize, and enjoy the game together, breaking down barriers and encouraging newcomers to participate without fear of judgment.

2 Create Innovative Programming and Events: This podcast highlights Courtney's creative approach to engaging women in golf, such as themed social nights and networking events. These gatherings not only provide a platform for learning the game but also facilitate connections among participants, leading to lasting friendships and a sense of belonging within the golfing community - all while having a fun time together.

3 The Power of Invitation: Courtney discusses how personal invitations play a crucial role in bringing new players into the sport. By encouraging existing members to invite their friends, Birdies Babes Golf has successfully expanded its reach, demonstrating that a welcoming atmosphere and shared experiences can significantly enhance women's participation in golf.

In 2019 Courtney launched Birdies Babes Golf (originally named Birdies Babes Beats) at an indoor golf entertainment venue in Vancouver as a way to give women a fun and relaxed introduction to the game she loves. Five years later, Birdies Babes Golf stages themed events all over greater Vancouver, especially at her 9 hole home course Gleneagles in West Vancouver.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, we encourage you to watch our extended conversation on The ModGolf YouTube channel as Courtney offers up insightful takeaways and nuggets of wisdom with 5 KEY TIPS TO HELP WOMEN GET INTO GOLF Click on this link or the image below to watch our video.

If you would like to connect with Courtney, visit her bio page for contact information. To learn more about Birdies Babes Golf click on the image below to visit their website.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... plus you can WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Courtney Campbell, Founder of Birdies Babes Golf.

The Power of a Growth Mindset - Joe Assell, Co-Founder/CEO at GOLFTEC

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0800

From the episode of The ModGolf Podcast featuring Joe Assell, CEO of GOLFTEC, here are three key takeaways that you will discover:

1 Embracing a Growth Mindset: Joe emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset within GOLFTEC's culture, which has been crucial for their innovation and expansion over the past 30 years. This mindset not only drives the company to continuously improve its offerings but also fosters inclusivity, allowing them to reach a broader audience in the golf community.

2 Evolution of Golf Technology: The podcast delves into the fascinating history and evolution of golf technology, highlighting how GOLFTEC has adapted and integrated new advancements. Joe discusses the transition from traditional methods to modern, data-driven approaches, including the use of their proprietary OptiMotion technology, which measures thousands of data points in a golfer's swing.

3 Future Trends in Golf: Joe shares insights on the future of golf technology, including the increasing role of mobile applications and remote coaching. He discusses the upcoming launch of GOLFTEC Anywhere, which aims to provide golf lessons and coaching through smartphones, making the game more accessible and engaging for players everywhere.

These takeaways reflect the dynamic nature of the golf industry and GOLFTEC's commitment to enhancing the golfing experience through innovation and community engagement.

If you enjoyed our podcast with Joe, we encourage you to watch our extended conversation on The ModGolf YouTube channel as Joe offers up insightful lessons for innovators looking to navigate the complex and sometimes overwhelming entrepreneurial world. Click on this link or the image below to watch our video FIVE KEY THINGS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR MUST KNOW.

If you would like to connect with Joe, visit his bio page for contact information. To learn more about GOLFTEC and SkyTrak click on the image below to visit their websites.

We want to thank our partner inrange® for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!

inrange® is a radar-based ball-tracking company that enhances the driving range experience by offering the most engaging gameplay and precise ball-tracking on the market. From private clubs and standalone commercial ranges, to multi-storey “Big Box” entertainment venues and limited-flight ‘compact’ ranges, Inrange® creates unparalleled experiences for every type of player - and unleashes your business’ growth potential. They are also the only software in the world offering a bay vs bay link up feature - allowing large groups to play against one another in teams across the entire venue. To learn more check out www.inrangegolf.com.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... plus you can WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Joe Assell - Co-Founder and CEO, GOLFTEC.

Embracing Innovation While Honouring Tradition - Hoyt McGarity, President at 8AM Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 12:15:00 -0800

Are you an innovator who is struggling to a move your venture forward? I get it. I've been there. In this episode you will discover three key entrepreneurial takeaways from guest Hoyt McGarity to help you find clarity and inspiration:

1. Embracing Innovation While Honoring Tradition: Hoyt emphasizes the importance of balancing the rich traditions of golf with innovative practices that can help the sport grow. 8AM Golf aims to support and celebrate golfers through a collection of brands that provide tools and experiences designed to enhance enjoyment on the course. This approach reflects a commitment to making golf more accessible and fun for everyone.

2. The Power of Community and Mentorship: Hoyt shares his personal journey in golf, highlighting the significant influence of mentors like his grandfather and Rick Hartman, who guided him through his early career. This underscores the value of community and mentorship in fostering talent and passion within the sport, which is essential for the next generation of golfers.

3. Strategic Growth Through Synergy: The conversation reveals 8AM Golf's strategic approach to acquisitions and partnerships (like they have with Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods), focusing on brands that complement their existing portfolio. Hoyt discusses the importance of aligning new ventures with their core values and ensuring they enhance the overall experience for golfers. This strategy not only strengthens their brand but also creates a cohesive ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders involved in the golf industry.

These takeaways reflect Hoyt's entrepreneurial journey and business leadership insights, offering valuable lessons for anyone looking to navigate the entrepreneurial world, particularly in the golf industry. Hoyt's episide showcases the dynamic nature of the golf industry and the innovative strategies being employed to ensure its growth and sustainability.

If you enjoyed our conversation with Hoyt, we encourage you to watch our extended conversation on The ModGolf YouTube channel as Hoyt offers up insightful lessons for innovators looking to navigate the complex and sometimes overwhelming entrepreneurial world. Click on this link or the image below to watch our video FIVE KEY THINGS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR MUST KNOW.

If you would like to connect with Hoyt, visit his bio page for contact information. To learn more about 8AM Golf and the companies they own click on the image below to visit their website.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... plus you can WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Hoyt McGarity - President at 8AM Golf.

The Power of Passion and Purpose - Tim Markison, Founder and CEO at Athalonz

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 19:45:00 -0800

Here are three key takeaways from Tim Markison's episode on The ModGolf Podcast that will benefit you:

1. Embracing Challenges and Learning from Failure: Tim emphasizes the importance of facing obstacles head-on in entrepreneurship. He shares that his journey with Athalonz has been filled with challenges, particularly in transitioning from a business-to-business model to a direct-to-consumer approach. He learned that understanding the market and effectively communicating with consumers is crucial for success. This experience highlights the necessity of resilience and adaptability in the entrepreneurial landscape.

2. The Power of Passion and Purpose: Tim's story illustrates how personal experiences can fuel entrepreneurial endeavors. His background, including overcoming childhood trauma and his daughter's health challenges, inspired him to create Athalonz and engage in philanthropy. He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and ensure that their ideas align with a meaningful purpose, as this can sustain motivation through the inevitable ups and downs of business.

3. The Importance of Intellectual Property: As a patent attorney, Tim underscores the significance of protecting innovations through patents. He advises entrepreneurs to file for patents early, especially before publicly disclosing their ideas, to safeguard their intellectual property. This proactive approach not only protects their inventions but also adds value to their business, making it more attractive to investors and partners.

These takeaways reflect Tim's journey and insights, offering valuable lessons for anyone looking to navigate the entrepreneurial world, particularly in the sport and athletic product industries.

In 2021 Tim completed a 40 day Cycle to End Abuse from San Diego to Jacksonville Florida across the US to raise awareness about child sexual abuse. Click on this link or the image below to learn more. Every cent donated to the Cycle to End Abuse goes to a professionally vetted, non-profit organization dedicated to ending child abuse and/or aiding victims.

If you would like to connect with Tim, visit his bio page for contact information. To learn more about Athalonz click on the image below to visit their website and receive $30 USD off a pair of Mana Mangrove Pro shoes using Promo Code MODGOLF30. I don't get any commision, it's just our way of saying "Thanks for being a fan of The ModGolf Podcast!"

Sadly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in North America have been sexually abused as children and those statistics have not changed in 30 years. If you are a man suffering in silence and don't know where to turn to for confidential help, I encourage you to visit Heads Up Guys the world's leading Men's Mental Health resourse.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... plus you can WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Tim Markison - Founder/CEO of Athalonz.

Making Golf More Resilient, Sustainable and Future Proof - Petra Himmel, GolfSustainable.com

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 06:45:00 -0700

What will a typical golf course look like in 2050? Will 7,200 yard long layouts with deep green fairways and rough be a thing of the past due to water shortages and heat waves? Will golf properties be "off the grid" energy self sufficient by incorporating on-site renewable energy sources such solar power to achieve their sustainability goals?

To open Season 16, host Colin Weston and guest Petra Himmel explore the spectrum of sustainability issues surrounding the golf industry, from plastic use in golf balls to the environmental and social benefits of urban golf courses.

"You really have to believe in the future otherwise you could give up at once. We currently have all these erosion, flood, wildfires and heat wave stories that are impacting golf clubs. Climate change doesn't really care if we care or not. It's just there. We just have one chance to get it right, so we either react in time or we will struggle. There are so many experts predicting that you either start preparing for it or you just don't have a chance to survive economically as a golf club. If you are in the wrong region or if you aren't prepared, then you will not make it. The good thing is that we have possibilities and solutions."... Petra Himmel, journalist and creator of www.GolfSustainable.com

Petra created GolfSustainable.com in 2020 as a response to the trends and practices she witnessed as a journalist covering professional golf for over two decades. Click on this link or the image below to learn more.

If you would like to connect with Petra, visit her bio page for contact information.

After their engaging conversation on this podcast episode, Petra and Colin jumped over to The ModGolf YouTube channel to discuss her takeaways from the first sustainability conference of England Golf titled "The Sustainable Future of Golf". Click on the image below to watch.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... plus you can WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Special Guest: Petra Himmel, journalist and creator of www.GolfSustainable.com.

SEASON 15 WRAP-UP / SEASON 16 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 15:15:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 15 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 16, which launches in mid September 2024. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

Our Season 15 guests were:

Episode 1
David Hinkle and Rio Valeriano - T36 Golf Co-Founders
"We’re flipping the script on traditional golf and redefining the sport for a new generation of golfers" T36 Golf Co-Founders David Hinkle and Rio Valeriano join host Colin Weston to share how their "Double Loop" design delivers a full 18-hole game experience with a smaller environmental footprint and shorter playtime.
Click to listen >> CREATING A NEW TYPE OF GOLF

Episode 2
Tyler Simmons - CEO and Founder of BucketGolf
"Seeing my roommate throw his clothes into his pop-up laundry hamper, I realized that I should instead make retractable pop-up buckets which cut our product cost almost in half." Tyler Simmons - CEO and Founder of BucketGolf shares how they have created a portable, fun golf game that anyone can enjoy almost anywhere.
Click to listen >> TURNING A HOMEMADE GOLF GAME INTO A GLOBAL BUSINESS VENTURE

Episode 3
Nick Darby - UK non-profit Get Golfing
"It was such a shame seeing all these beautiful golf courses going downhill. So our job is to save as many courses as we can to keep golf flourishing." - Nick Darby with UK non-profit Get Golfing shares how they are on a mission to revolutionize the golfing experience.
Click to listen >> A NON-PROFIT ON A MISSION TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE GOLFING EXPERIENCE

Episode 4
Jared Solomon - CEO of Five Iron Golf
"It doesn't matter that we made a million dollar mistake, let's keep moving forward and learn as we go". Jared Solomon - CEO of Five Iron Golf joins host Colin Weston to share how four co-founders built a successful indoor golf entertainment business starting from the back room of a Manhattan men's clothing store.
Click to listen >> LEARN BY DOING AND JUST KEEP MOVING FORWARD

Episode 5
Carolin Pinegger - "The Golf Pitch Challenge"
"I felt like I was treading water and not because I wasn't working hard enough. I was doing my very best and wasn't getting where I wanted to be. I needed to pivot and change!" Golf entrepreneur and Ex-Pro Golfer Carolin Pinegger shares her personal story and latest collaborative venture: The "Shark Tank for Golf Innovators" called The Golf Pitch Challenge.
Click to listen >> EMBRACE CHANGE TO FUEL ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS

Episode 6
Ann Liguori - Author of "Life On The Green"
To celebrate her recent book "Life on the green - lessons and wisdom from legends in golf" host Colin Weston creates a game show called "Who Said That??" to test Ann's ability to recall quotes from the dozen stories told. We hope you like this fun and inspiring episode as much as we enjoyed making it!
Click to listen >> TAKING AN ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH TO BUILD A CAREER IN SPORT JOURNALISM

Episode 7
Igor Vainshtein - Founder GolfTrak.app
Entrepreneur Igor Vainshtein joins us to share his incredible journey that started when his parents immigrated to Australia from the former USSR with $200 and no English skills whatsoever. We discuss the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and Igor's passion to constantly innovate and create products that customers want.
Click to listen >> EMBRACING LESSONS: WISDOM GAINED FROM FAILURE

Episode 8
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SYNTHETIC TURF
Known initially by names such as AstroTurf, ModSod and Artificial Turf, we explore the origins of synthetic sport surfacing with a focus on applications in the golf industry. Host Colin Weston speaks with subject matter experts Bob Johnston (Principal, JSA Sport Architecture) and Jeffery McDaniel (Synthetic Turf International) to uncover the history and explore the future of this multi-billion dollar industry.
Click to listen >> A BRIEF HISTORY OF SYNTHETIC TURF

Episode 9
Tim Briand - Foresight Sports
So how do golf launch monitors work and what is the technology behind them? Tim Briand with Foresight Sports joins host Colin Weston for an engaging and in-depth conversation about the massive growth in the launch monitor sector for both the professional player on the range and the recreational player having fun in a golf simulator.
Click to listen >> TECH-DRIVEN PRODUCTS THAT BOTH TRAIN AND ENTERTAIN

Episode 10
Kevin Carpenter - The GratiDude / Grateful 4 Golf
"I am perfectly content helping one person at a time, as every ripple makes a wave". Kevin Carpenter, aka The GratiDude joins us to share the impactful work he takes on through his Grateful 4 Golf non-profit program and his discovery of "The superpower of meditation".
Click to listen >> SHARING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Episode 11
Jeff Nicholson - VertaCat Mobility Riders
Stand tall, roam free, and “Stand and play the VertaCat way”. Jeff Nicholson joins host Colin Weston to share how their 70 year old manufacturing company saw an opportunity to give back to the sport they love by creating the VertaCat all-terrain mobility rider for paraplegic athletes.
Click to listen >> "THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE MY LIFE!"

Episode 12
Barney Adams - Adams Golf Founder / CEO of Breakthrough Golf Technology
We are joined by golf industry icon and entrepreneurial legend Barney Adams, who shares the trials, tribulations and successes he has encountered over his career that spans more than five decades. This episode provides you with lessons learned, key takeaways and nuggets of wisdom from one of golf's most successful entrepreneurs.
Click to listen >> IF YOU DON'T LOVE IT DON'T DO IT

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guests: Ann Liguori - award-winning sport’s talk show host, Barney Adams, Founder of Adams Golf and CEO, Breakthrough Golf Technology, Bob Johnston, Principal at JSA Sport Architecture Inc., Carolin Pinegger - CEO of David Leadbetter Entrerprises / The Golf Pitch Challenge / Online Golf Coach, David Hinkle - Co-Founder and Principal at T36 Golf, Igor Vainshtein - Founder of GolfTrak.app, Jared Solomon, CEO and Co-Founder of Five Iron Golf, Jeffrey McDaniel - Global Director of Business Development at Synthetic Turf International, Jeffrey Nicholson - Chief Marketing Officer with VertaCat, Kevin Carpenter, Coach, Teacher and The GratiDude / Grateful 4 Golf, Nick Darby - Golf Retail Sales Manager at Get Golfing, Rio Valeriano - Co-Founder and Principal at T36 Golf, Tim Briand - Director Of Business Development at Foresight Sports, and Tyler Simmons - CEO and Founder of BucketGolf.

Tech-Driven Products That Both Train and Entertain - Tim Briand, Foresight Sports

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 02:15:00 -0700

"The average North American male golfer, over 80% - four out of five of them - gamble when they play regularly. So when we look at a virtual format like simulator golf, one of the big elements that creates stickiness is golf is community. And a lot of that community is based upon the idea of I can compete against you even though we have different skill"... Tim Briand, Foresight Sports

"There's far more commercial opportunity for a business that's able to optimize in the entertainment and in the gamification channel than if you're just focused on instruction and club fitting. In the gamification world while the exact precision of spin axis and spin magnitude might not be important to a 25 handicap because they don't understand it. What they do understand is if I'm in a simulator playing against my friends and this system is not capable of giving me an authentic outcome, I might not want to use that system to compete. Would you gamble on a broken slot machine? Probably not. Especially if you're doing big stakes contests like a million dollar closest to the flag contest in a simulator."

We enjoyed our conversation with Tim so much that we decided to jump over to The ModGolf YouTube channel to learn more about the Foresight Sports culture of innovation and the diverse line of products that they offer. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

You can learn more about Tim and Foresight Sports on his bio page.

Episode Chapters
02:15: We open the show with Tim giving us an overview of the history of Foresight Sports

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Tim Briand - Director Of Business Development at Foresight Sports.

A Brief History of Synthetic Turf

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:30:00 -0700

Over the past seven years I have interviewed almost 200 golf industry innovators to bring you stories around the future of the game. But on this episode we're going to try something different. As an entrepreneur myself, I'm always pushing to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. I enjoy documentary-style podcasts and have been looking to create one, but couldn't decide on what story to tell. I recently realized that the story was right under my nose - or more accurately, right under my feet.

While in Sarasota Florida I was invited to PopStroke, which is a fun and challenging 36 hole mini golf entertainment experience. I was impressed by the quality of the synthetic greens, fringe and rough and it got me thinking about the origins of artificial turf. I wanted to learn the why, when and how synthetic turf came to be, along with the evolution of the materials and fabrication techniques over the past six decades.

So who invented this product and why? Artificial sports turf was first brought to fame when used in the Astrodome in 1966, a newly-built stadium in Houston Texas. AstroTurf – a short-pile synthetic turf – was installed because they were struggling to maintain their natural grass field due to a lack of sunlight. For most of the 1965 major league baseball season, the Astros played on green-painted dirt and dead grass and were desperate for an alternative.

The stadium owners and engineers needed a solution quickly, so they decided to try out a grass substitute made of artificial fibers called ChemGrass. The product was first used at Moses Brown School in Rhode Island in 1964 and became popular quickly. Today, the brand is known as AstroTurf and is manufactured in over 60 countries around the world.

But AstroTurf is only part of the story. Since I am no expert in the world of synthetic turf, I reached out to a couple of people who are to fill in the missing pieces to this puzzle. I asked Jeffrey McDaniel - Global Director of Business Development at Synthetic Turf International and architect Bob Johnston, who specializes in designing high performance sport surfacing to help us understand the origins and future of synthetic turf.

Have a look at the Synthetic Turf International website and you can also learn more about Bob Johnston and Jeffrey McDaniel on their bio pages.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guests: Bob Johnston, Principal at JSA Sport Architecture Inc. and Jeffrey McDaniel - Global Director of Business Development at Synthetic Turf International.

Embracing Lessons: Wisdom Gained from Failure - Igor Vainshtein, Founder of GolfTrak.app

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 16:30:00 -0700

"It was a simulator venue that had six bays with lessons and it was going out of business. In the building I worked in there was a space for lease on the ground level. We ended up buying the business and moved it there for five years. An Indoor Golf Centre with 10 bays, an indoor bunker, massive putting green, a bar and a cafe. It did okay but the rent we were paying was huge so in the end we have to get out of there."

"Shortly after that I had an idea to pivot. 24-hour gyms were really booming in Australia at the time. Why don't we have a 24-hour golf simulator place where you can go and practice anytime? We built two bays and it did well. Then I opened a second venue and that one nosedived and just blew up. I closed it down, lost a lot of money with the four simulators that I had there. I put them on Facebook Marketplace and they sold in a week. I'm like "hmm, this is interesting." So I bought five more simulators to sell. Why am I busting my chops with these venues when I can just bring them in, sell them, make my money and never hear from the customer again? It was great. I pivoted the business. Ended up closing down my second venue and just went completely e-commerce." ... Igor Vainshtein

"At the time it is horrendous. It feels horrible to lose a ton of money. I lost my money, I lost my parents money, which I borrowed from them and they had to bail me out again. It was embarrassing and as you are going through that pain, it's very difficult to see how you will come out of it. But if you're a true entrepreneur, perseverance and grit, you may not know how you're going to get there. But you've got to believe that you will get there. That's part of the job as an entrepreneur to find the "how". But if you don't believe that you'll get the you will never get there."

You can also learn more about Igor and connect on his bio page. And download the GolfTrak App for free at the Apple App Store for iPhone. https://golftrak.app

"I had extremely disastrous blow ups in my career. Moments where I thought there's no way I'm coming back from this. But if I look back now, I wouldn't change a thing because all those little "sliding doors moments" is why I'm here today. And I didn't go through the pain, maybe I wouldn't be able to appreciate the things and I would take things for granted and I wouldn't have the fun and the joy that I get out of life these days. For anyone who's experiencing that who's in that pain right now, I would say "You just don't know". There's a phrase "that it's gonna be alright in the end and if it's not alright, it's not the end."

Episode Chapters
02:40: How and when Igor took her first golf swing and who introduced him to the game
04:40: The story of Igor's family immigrating from the USSR to Melbourne Austrailia
06:20: Igor's early days as an entrepreneur and the experiences that have shaped his approach to life
08:15: Igor's return to golf and the creation of his 24-7 Golf venture
15:00: How a phone call with GOLFTEC CEO Joe Assel over the brand name grew over time into a flourishing collaborative partnership
18:00: The virtue of failure and how to learn from the experience and move on
22:00: We learn about the GolfTrak App, a "golf simulator in your pocket"
25:10: The camera technology and frame rate required to accurately track ball flight data
30:00: The business model behind GolfTrak App and the customer segment they appeal to
33:20: The GolfTrak App customer acquisition strategy
38:35: Igor shares his experience at the Golf Pitch Challenge and Mastermind Event in Orlando

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Igor Vainshtein - Founder of GolfTrak.app.

Taking an Entrepreneurial Approach to Build a Career in Sport Journalism - Ann Liguori, Author of "Life On The Green"

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 24 May 2024 18:45:00 -0700

"It was tough. For every advertising sponsor that I brought in, I had a million rejections. I just persevered and ended up interviewing everybody from Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Hank Aaron to Wilt Chamberlain. The journey has been incredible, but I learned on the fly in a lot of ways."

Ann Liguori is a leader and trailblazer in sports broadcasting as President of Ann Liguori Productions, Inc., award-winning sport’s talk show host, public speaker, broadcaster, journalist, author and producer. Ann's latest book is Life on the Green: Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf where 12 legendary players in golf share life lessons they learned from the game. Life on the Green is available on Amazon.

We want to thank our partner British Columbia Golf for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!

When I mentioned Ann's episode to the folks at British Columbia Golf they immediately wanted to support it, as one of their goals is to create a sport that is accessible and inclusive. They strive to create a golf environment that is respectful of participant's personal goals and is free from all forms of maltreatment. As a provincial arm of Golf Canada, British Columbia Golf supports women golfers and players of all ages and abilities, while continually working to improve partner relationships to increase participation in the sport.

If you're looking to plan your next amazing golf trip, British Columbia Golf is the place to explore and book from the over 300 golf courses they support across our beautiful province. To learn about the impact they are making and to discover your next golf adventure, check out their website at www.britishcolumbiagolf.org.

"Sports Innerview was the cable show that I did for 17 years, which I was able to syndicate on all these sports cable networks around the country and that's this show that I went out and sold. MSG Network said "Ann we love your work. We hear you on FAN. We see your byline. We can give you a time slot every week on WFAN, but we can't pay you." So I went knocking down doors on Madison Avenue trying to get meetings with advertising executives and they looked at me like I had three heads. Like "Wait you're a woman and you want to host a sports show?"... Ann Liguori, President of Ann Liguori Productions, Inc.

You can also learn more about Ann on her bio page. Life on the Green is available for purchase on Amazon.

Life on the Green: Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf
12 legendary players in golf share life lessons they learned from the game.

Interviewed by award-winning sports journalist and broadcaster Ann Liguori, a select list of champions including Jack Nicklaus, Annika Sorenstam, Gary Player, Jan Stephenson, Tom Watson, Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Nancy Lopez, and more, talk about their personal journeys and wisdom they gleaned from their time playing the game of golf.

Life on the Green appeals to all, going in-depth with exclusive content for die-hard fans while providing amusing anecdotes and inspirational content for everyone, humanizing and helping us understand a little bit more about each star and their success story.

Each person’s story highlights a different, central theme, allowing readers to have key takeaways and a clearer understanding of how the subject became so successful, and in turn, be inspired to utilize those life lessons towards their own lives and legacy. Encompassing universal themes like patience, goal setting, staying positive, pursuing one's passions, treating people right, never giving up, practicing humility, and more, Life on the Green inspires, entertains and enriches in equal measure.

Episode Chapters
03:20: Ann shares when she was first introduced to golf and who invited her.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Ann Liguori - award-winning sport’s talk show host.

Embrace Change To Fuel Entrepreneurial Success - Carolin Pinegger, The Golf Pitch Challenge

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 08 May 2024 06:30:00 -0700

Calling all golf entrepreneurs! Do you have a golf venture our product that you need help getting to the next level? Even if you're at the idea stage, our guest Carolin Pinegger is looking for you to join them for the next Golf Pitch Challenge and Mastermind event October 7-9 2024 in Miami Florida.

On this fast-paced, engaging episode we learn about Carolin's not-so-straight-line in golf and business to arrive at the place she is along her entrepreneurial journey.

"I wanted to pivot, to change and people that are too planned will have a hard time succeeding because you have to fail fast and you have fail forward and you have to pivot and you have to change and sometimes you even have to change before we really see the reason why you have to change. I felt like I was treading water and it most certainly wasn't because I was working hard enough. I was doing my very best and I wasn't getting where I wanted to be. And then I said "I need a change!" ... Carolin Pinegger

We want to welcome our new Episode Presenting Partner Synthetic Turf International!

Synthetic Turf International - also known as STI - is the industry’s premier producer and supplier of high-quality, natural-looking grass products for residential and commercial applications, both indoors and out.

I have collaborated on projects and ventures with STI for over 10 years through my Sport Entertainment company, so I have seen first hand how innovative, passionate, and creative they are.

If you are considering an artificial landscaped grass lawn, a putting green, golf tee lines and hitting mats, a synthetic sports field, playground turf or a dog park, then I highly recommend STI for your next project. And all of STI's grass products are crafted completely in-house and proudly made in America.

To learn more about the endless synthetic turf application and installation possibilities that Synthetic Turf International has to offer, contact them at synthetic-turf.com.

"My dad was a serial offender in entrepreneurship. He has the right amount of crazy in him. Every entrepreneur needs that. To be misunderstood much more than anybody else who isn't an entrepreneur can tolerate. That's something that a lot of entrepreneurs need to hear. If you want to make it big, if you want to be an entrepreneur, you have to be ready to be criticized. You have to be ready to be misunderstood much much more than the general public because they don't want to put themselves in that situation. That's why they will never be entrepreneurs. It's just not up their alley and that is fine. There are different requirements for entrepreneurs than for somebody who isn't."

You can also learn more about Carolin and connect on her bio page.

The Golf Pitch Challenge & Mastermind Event
Do you have a new golf product or service venture that you want to take to the next level, even if it's only at the idea phase? If you do, we encourage you to apply for and attend the next Golf Pitch Challenge October 7-9 2024 in Miami Florida. Register now at https://golfpitchchallenge.com or email Carolin at c.pinegger90@gmail.com

At The 2024 PGA Show host Colin Weston recorded six conversations with golf industry innovators on the Show Floor Media Stage. First up was Carolin Pinegger, CEO at David Leadbetter Enterprises.

Carolin discusses the Golf Pitch Challenge that took place at the show, where six golf startups pitched to a panel of judges that included David Leadbetter and Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington.

The winning venture was The Grip Caddie https://gripcaddie.com who won $10,000 in consulting and partnership services.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Carolin Pinegger - CEO of David Leadbetter Entrerprises / The Golf Pitch Challenge / Online Golf Coach.

Learn By Doing And Just Keep Moving Forward - Jared Solomon, CEO and Co-Founder of Five Iron Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700

"We made a million-dollar mistake on the build-out. We thought plumbing could work one way. It couldn't. It's tough for a company that was started with the money that we had at the time, but you make those mistakes and move on, learn from it and don't dwell on it."

Jared's Five Iron Golf story begins in early 2015 with Mike Doyle teaching simulator lessons in the back of a men’s clothing store in midtown Manhattan. As the demand for Mike’s lessons grew throughout 2015 and 2016, Mike and student Jared started dreaming about an indoor facility where Mike could teach more lessons and golfers could work to improve their games — all while flipping standard golf culture on its head and appealing to everyone.

We want to welcome our new Episode Presenting Partner Synthetic Turf International!

I have collaborated on projects and ventures with STI for over 10 years through my Sport Entertainment company, so I have seen first hand how innovative, passionate, and creative they are.

Speaking of Synthetic Turf International clients, Five Iron Golf has installed their turf products in the majority of their venues.

To learn more about the endless synthetic turf application and installation possibilities that Synthetic Turf International has to offer, contact them at synthetic-turf.com.

"At our Las Vegas location we originally had a putting green in the center. We realized that nobody wanted a putting green. And so we put in shuffleboard. Nobody wanted shuffleboard and we put in the high top tables where people could just drink and were like, "Okay, this is what people want". And I like to believe that I've cultivated the spirit with the other Founders that it doesn't matter what happened, let's move forward. We're literally inventing a concept over here. The best thing that we can do is test and fail, test and fail and move forward and take everything that we've learned and hopefully use those for the franchises and our own future corporate stores and do the best that we can."

Episode Chapters
03:20: How and when Jared was introduced to golf
04:40: The Five Iron Golf origin story. Spoiler: it involves hitting balls in the back of a Manhattan men's clothing store!
07:15: Jared explains how he and the three other co-founders mustered up the courage to launch Five Iron Golf
10:10: The story behind the first Five Iron Golf location opening in mid-town Manhattan
12:50: How Five Iron creates experiences for both the casual and passionate golfer without alienating either one of the groups
16:15: "We want our Five Iron locations to look like modern art museums". Jared discusses their design guidelines and how grafitti art became the focal point for their brand vision
19:10: How Five Iron finds and hires artists to collaborate at each of their venue around the US
20:45: Selection of the Five Iron Golf name and logo design
23:40: How Five Iron scaled from one location to 25 and counting
26:50: Jared's thoughts on starting a company and when to bring in outside investment
28:10: Franchising vs the owership model for venue locations
29:30: Mistakes made along the way and what the leadership team has learned from them
32:50: The power of partnerships and collaborating with golf brands and influencers
34:10: What the future has in store for Five Iron Golf

You can also learn more about Jared on his bio page.

Want to learn more about Five Iron Golf, find out if there's a location near you and to book a fun experience for you and your friends? Have a look at the Five Iron Golf website or email Jared Solomon at jared@fiveirongolf.com

With Mike and Jared clueless as to how to actually execute their grand idea, the final two co-founders, summer camp friends Nora Dunnan and Katherine Solomon (also Jared’s wife) entered the scene. With Nora operating the ship and Katherine navigating through some early legal storms, Five Iron Golf was launched and open for business in mid-2017.

Five Iron has quickly re-shaped Manhattan's golf culture, growing from Mike’s original lesson crew to a re-imagined, high-tech, inclusive urban golf experience for golfers and non-golfers alike. Five Iron is for everyone.

For the serious golfer, Five Iron hosts ten Full Swing simulators, a Trackman lesson studio, four teaching professionals, lessons, club storage, showers, practice time, leagues, 100% top-of-the line clubs to use (complimentary), and in-house club fitting specialists Club Champion.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Jared Solomon, CEO and Co-Founder of Five Iron Golf.

A Non-Profit On a Mission To Revolutionize The Golfing Experience - Nick Darby with Get Golfing

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 22:30:00 -0700

It's funny how random, accidental conversations morph into something special. While returning from The 2024 PGA Show Demo Day in Orlardo on a shuttle bus, host Colin Weston sat beside someone and asked how his day went. That young man was Nick Darby, who was attending on behalf of Get Golfing which is a UK non-profit that acquires and revitalizes distressed golf properties. After an engaging bus ride conversation, Colin asked Nick if he would tell the Get Golfing story on The ModGolf Podcast. Fast forward and here we are. We hope you like this inspiring episode as much as we enjoyed making it.

"Here in the UK we have this issue which I don't see too much globally, where lots of our golf courses are either financially suffering while the land value is increasing. So many golf courses are being bought up, slabbed over with cement and housing estates are being built on them. We are on a mission to change this trend."

"So on the charity side of it, we reinvest and try to acquire golf courses that are going under and put money back into them, back into the communities and really get that golf course to prosper."

Big thanks to Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!
Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

"We took over these seven golf courses and we just looked at ourselves and said "Can we actually do this?" We thought "If we don't do this, these golf courses are going to be given to somebody else not necessarily to grow the game of golf." Then we just put our hearts and souls into it."

"It sounds like it's an impossible task because we've only ever operated one golf course to then knowing that we had another golf course that was 300 miles away. It was exhilarating. It was fantastic to go into these golf clubs and say to the staff "You've still got a job, come and work for us. It's going to be fantastic." And then also tell the members of the golf club. "Hey, you're not going anywhere. You're going to stay right here. Your golf course is going to stay open". And that feeling is just incredible and that's why we do what we do. It's because golf is just so important and we owe so much to the game of golf and this is how we give it back".... Nick Darby / Get Golfing

Episode Chapters
03:40: Nick provides an overview of what Get Golfing does and why they do it
05:15: How and when Nick was introduced to golf and who invited him
06:25: The story of the "AHA Moment" and launch of Get Golfing
08:20: How Get Golfing Founder Edward Richardson acquired Redlibbets Golf Club in Kent England
10:15: How during the pandemic Get Golfing went from operating one golf course to seven
13:10: Using Redlibbets GC and the non-profit test case that led to tripling the club membership
30:50: The Festival of Golf... August 2024... 3 day Ladies European Tour Access Series event... includes Night Golf, a Golf Sixes event
32:00: Hosting the first global Ladies Disabled Golf Tournament
39:40: Nick discusses the future of Get Golfing, that includes partnering with innovative technology companies like our show sponsor Golf Genius Software!

FREE membership for ALL junior golfers...2,500 and counting!

You can also learn more about Nick on his bio page.

On this episode Nick shared that their August 2024 "Festival of Golf" weeklong activation will feature a Golf Sixes event. One second ever ModGolf Podcast episode back in 2017 was with then DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley, who talked about their first Golf Sixes event. Click on the image below to listen to this engaging episode.

Want to learn more about the impactful non-profit work Get Golfing takes on, perhaps book a tee time or just hang out at one of their welcoming clubhouses? Have a look at the Go Golfing website or email Nick Darby at nick@getgolfing.org

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Nick Darby - Golf Retail Sales Manager at Get Golfing.

Turning a Homemade Golf Game Into a Global Business Venture - Tyler Simmons, Founder of BucketGolf

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 17:00:00 -0700

At the annual PGA Show late January in Orlando I always make a point of taking the 30 minute bus shuttle out to Demo Day to kick the tires of the golf industry's latest equipment at the 360º range facility. The product that really caught my attention had nothing to do with hitting balls across the 400 yard diameter driving range. Off to the side was a compact setup that exuded a fun vibe where people were hitting oversized plastic whiffle balls with an oversized plastic club.... at buckets with flags in them.

This was my introduction to BucketGolf. After playing a quick round I struck up a conversation with Founder and CEO Tyler Simmons to learn about how BucketGolf came to be. Tyler's entrepreneurial journey aligns nicely with the stories we showcase on The ModGolf Podcast, so I had no choice but to invite him to share it with all of us.

"I figured out after looking at my roommate throw his clothes into his pop-up laundry hamper that I should just make pop-up buckets which solved a ton of issues for us. The game became cheaper because the box is much smaller and it cut the price in half. Two years in is when the snowball started rolling down the hill. Once I figured out the social media side, marketing strategy and of how to get the game out there, it all clicked at the same time."... BucketGolf CEO and Founder Tyler Simmons

I discovered BucketGolf and Tyler at the 2024 PGA Show Demo Day, where we created a couple of videos for our ModGolf Instragram. Click on the image to watch and give it a 'Like' and follow us while you're there!

You can also learn more about Tyler on his bio page and purchase your own BucketGolf set from their website.

"The hardest part in the beginning was how long it took me to learn how things work. We really didn't see any success for the first two years. I was trying as hard as I could and put everything I had into BucketGolf outside of my regular day job. The biggest insight for me was learning that shipping is very expensive. You need your box to be small. The light bulb moment that took us from "not doing too much in sales for the first couple years to starting to go upward" was the buckets used to be a soft flexible plastic and the box they shipped in was too big."... Tyler Simmons

Episode Chapters
[03:10] How and when Tyler was introduced to golf and who invited him
[04:20] The "AHA moment" that led to the creation of BucketGolf
[06:50] What it's like to play BucketGolf and set up a course
[09:55] Tyler shares stories of the most amazing BucketGolf shots he has seen
[10:50] We learn about the BucketGolf ball and clubs
[12:45] How BucketGolf opens the game up to people who have never played before
[13:40] The story behind coming up with the brand name "BucketGolf"
[14:40] How "BucketGolf Glow" allows people to play at night
[16:30] Tyler discusses why they decided to attend The PGA Show and value it provided
[18:50] BucketGolf's B2B marketing strategy to sell to businesses, schools and organizations
[20:20] Tyler's background and experience before launchnig BucketGolf (hint: he had a lot to learn!)
[21:10] Steps and sequencing Tyler took to design and manufacture the orginal BucketGolf product
[23:00] The design pivot Tyler took that changed the pricing and sales volume for BucketGolf
[25:50] The BucketGolf manufacturing process
[29:00] The Power of Partnerships to accelerate BucketGolf's growth
[31:00] BucketGolf tournaments, events and social media content creation
[32:40] The best user-created BucketGolf courses that Tyler has seen

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Tyler Simmons - CEO and Founder of BucketGolf.

Creating a New Type of Golf - David Hinkle and Rio Valeriano with T36 Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0700

David Hinkle and Rio Valeriano with T36 Golf are flipping the script on traditional golf and redefining the sport for a new generation of golfers. Their revolutionary "Double Loop" design lets you experience a full 18-hole game with a smaller environmental footprint and shorter playtime.

T36 Golf's unique "Double Loop" layout at Baytown Texas amplifies the player experience while reducing time of play by an hour and the land required to around half of that of a traditional 18 hole course.

"I decided to go down to Key Largo and took my significant other Dina. We walked into this place called The Raw Bar and we sit at the only two seats available next to another couple and we order a drink called a "Dinarita". It's a margarita with a good tequila, splash of Chambord, no salt. So they say "Those sound great! Get us two of those." That struck up a conversation with this gentleman that was involved in golf. Three weeks later, I called him and said "I've got this course, 118 acres. I know we can't do an 18-hole golf course. What can we do?" He said "Actually you can build an 18-hole golf course on that acreage. Let me introduce you to somebody". That led us to a golf course architect which was that "AHA Moment" that ultimately evolved into T36 Golf."... Co-Founder Rio Valeriano

Episode Chapters
[03:00] How and when Rio and David were introduced to golf
[08:00] How David and Rio met each other and the "AHA Moment" that started T36 Golf
[11:30] Rio shares the "Dinarita" cocktail story at a Key Largo bar that led to meeting the right person at the right time
[15:00] How and why they decided to build the first T36 Golf course in Baytown Texas
[21:10] The "Double Loop" course layout explained
[26:00] course design considerations to ensure the playing experience is fast, safe and fun
[28:00] David talks about their target demographics and how they take a Blue Ocean Strategy approach to their business model
[34:20] Their branding exercise and how they landed on the name "T36 Golf"
[37:30] The importance of supporting youth golf at T36 Golf and Troon
[39:30] How they have created a community gathering place for the people of Baytown
[42:00] amplifying the customer experience through the restaurant, menu and lounge design
[44:30] future expansion plans for the T36 Golf brand

You can also learn more about Rio and David on thier bio pages.

Want to check out T36 Baytown (located 30 minutes east of Houston Texas) and perhaps book a tee time? Have a look at their website to learn more.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guests: David Hinkle - Co-Founder and Principal at T36 Golf and Rio Valeriano - Co-Founder and Principal at T36 Golf.

Live From The 2024 PGA Show Media Stage! - Part 2

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0800

At The 2024 PGA Show host Colin Weston recorded six conversations with golf industry innovators on the Show Floor Media Stage. Fouth up is Geremy Davis, Host, Creator and CEO of The Golf & Gospel YouTube Channel.

Geremy is a former NFL player who along with music producer Torrence Wade, competes against various guests in 9 holes in hopes to win the match and also have conversations about music, sports and most importantly for him: The Gospel.

Check out Geremy's "Golf & Gospel" YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@Gday85

Fifth up is Eddie Fadel, President of apparel brand Ashworth Golf who shares how they reimagined their apparel brand that is "Unapologetically Golf".

Revered by passionate players since 1987, Ashworth is the original, authentic golf apparel brand - designed by golfers for golfers.

Click on the image below to watch Colin's conversations with Geremy Davis, Eddie Fadel, Brett Jaffee and David Rider on The ModGolf Youtube Channel!

Last up are entrepreneurs David Rider and previous guest Brett Jaffee, Co-Founders of Caddy Time. Caddy Time is the "Uber For Caddies" that benefits golfers who play, the caddies who elevate the experience and the courses they are on. Brett and David give us an update on the growth of the business and their expansion into international markets overseas. Visit www.caddytime.com to learn more.

Episode Chapters
[01:06] Geremy Davis, Host, Creator and CEO of The Golf & Gospel YouTube Channel
[12:09] Eddie Fadel, President of Ashworth Golf
[22:00] David Rider and Brett Jaffee, Co-Founders of Caddy Time

You can also learn more about Eddie Fadel on his bio page and ModGolf YouTube video.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guests: Brett Jaffee - Co-Founder of Caddy Time, David Rider - Co-Founder / Chief Strategist at Caddy Time, Eddie Fadel - President of Ashworth Golf, and Geremy Davis - Host, Creator and CEO of The Golf & Gospel YouTube Channel.

Live From The 2024 PGA Show Media Stage! - Part 1

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 12:45:00 -0800

At The 2024 PGA Show host Colin Weston recorded six conversations with golf industry innovators on the Show Floor Media Stage. First up is Carolin Pinegger, CEO at David Leadbetter Enterprises.

Carolin discusses the Golf Pitch Challenge that took place at the show, where six golf startups pitched to a panel of judges that included David Leadbetter and Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington.

The winning venture was The Grip Caddie https://gripcaddie.com who won $10,000 in consulting and partnership services.

Do you have a new golf product or service venture that you want to take to the next level, even if it's only at the idea phase? If you do, we encourage you to apply for the next Golf Pitch Challenge. Register at https://golfpitchchallenge.com

Second up is Jason Deese, Founder of Flash Weather AI. Jason shares the origin story of Flash Weather AI and the entrepreneurial hustle he exerted to unlock a customer market in the golf industry with partners Golf Genius Software. Flash Weather AI delivers patented predictive lightning forecasting and notifications up to 99.6% accuracy. Now golf course owners, operators and tournament officials will know when and where lightning will occur within the hour. You can learn more at https://flashweather.ai

Click on the image below to watch Colin's conversations with Carolin Pinegger, Jason Deese and Thinh Tran on The ModGolf Youtube Channel!

Third up is entrepreneur Thinh Tran, Co-Creator of GimmePro and Founder of Transrover. GimmePro is the world's first ball picker that conveniently fits in your golf bag. Visit https://gimmepro.golf to learn more.

Episode Chapters
[01:48] Carolin Pinegger, CEO of David Leadbetter Enterprises and The Golf Pitch Challenge
[14:45] Jason Deese, Founder of FLASH Weather AI
[24:55] Thinh Tran, Co-Creator of GimmePro and Founder of Transrover

You can also learn more about Carolin on her bio page.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guests: Carolin Pinegger - CEO of David Leadbetter Entrerprises / The Golf Pitch Challenge / Online Golf Coach, Jason Deese - Founder of FLASH Weather AI, and Thinh Tran - Co-Creator of GimmePro and Founder of Transrover.

SEASON 14 WRAP-UP / SEASON 15 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 21:30:00 -0800

That's a wrap for Season 14 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 15, which launches in February 2024. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

Thanks also to our friends at Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!
Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 14 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefully this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which ones you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 14 guests were:

Episode 1
Preston Phillips - Venture Partner with Cerro Capital and WhiteRock
"In the case of new sports that are coming of age, I enjoy being in the middle of it and really understand how we can connect the dots through our support of sport technology ventures. I love feeling closer to these sports, either by participating in them or just tagging along for the fan ride." Preston Phillips, Venture Partner with Cerro Capital and WhiteRock joins us to share his quest to leverage technology that enhances the fan and player experience.
Click to listen >> THE QUEST TO AMPLIFY FAN ENGAGEMENT

Episode 2
Paul McEldon - CEO at ClubFace-Golf and ClubFace-Book
"What dawned on me was that if this whole golf community of diverse yet like-minded people could come in a place that was safe and relevant, would there be space for them?" So that's when we created the first version of ClubFace-Golf. Paul McEldon - CEO ClubFace-Book joins host Colin Weston to share how his team has created the "Facebook for golfers".
Click to listen >> CREATING AN ENGAGING SPACE FOR LIKE-MINDED GOLFERS

Episode 3
Claude Brousseau - Director of Player Development at The Wailea Golf Academy
"I grew up in a small little town, 500 people in the middle of nowhere. What matters the most is not where you start, it's where you go and how much you enjoy the process of realizing wow, life is good." Claude Brousseau, Director of Player Development at The Wailea Golf Academy joins host Colin Weston for an inspirational 40 minutes of conversation.
Click to listen >> YOU ARE THE CEO OF YOUR LIFE

Episode 4
Isaiah Mwesige - CEO of The AFRIYEA Golf Academy in Uganda
"There are few young people who are playing the game, however The AFRIYEA Golf Academy has been able to change the status quo and create a difference. We believe in taking the game to where people are rather than bringing people to where golf is." Isaiah Mwesige joins us to share the growth of golf in Uganda.
Click to listen >> THE RISE OF GOLF IN UGANDA

Episode 5
Kevin Corn - PGA Teaching Pro / Creator of The Kids Golf Program at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital in St. Louis
"All the children at Ranken Jordan are medically complex. We have kids in hospital beds and wheelchairs and walkers. They are on ventilators, they've got feeding tubes and regardless of what they're facing they hit golf balls. It's a very powerful afternoon and no better way to spend a day than helping them get better through golf."
PGA Teaching Pro Kevin Corn joins us to share the impactful program he spearheads at The Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital in St. Louis.
Click to listen >> THE HEALING POWER OF GOLF FOR KIDS

Episode 6
Danielle Tucker - Creator and Host of The Golf Club Radio Show
Danielle Tucker was a golf podcaster before podcasting was even a thing. For over a quarter century every Saturday from her studio in Honolulu, Danielle's radio show has showcased golf industry innovators in her island back yard and from around the world. Host Colin Weston speaks with one of the golf media's original storytellers who is still going strong.
Click to listen >> CELEBRATING OVER 25 YEARS IN GOLF RADIO

Episode 7
Gary Guerrero Jr. - Founder of Lag Shot Golf and Scratch Golf Academy
Gary Guerrero Jr. has built several successful golf businesses on the foundation of his marketing acumen. His simple and effective formula? Put all your energy into a product until it scales beyond your imagination. Then leverage those learnings and that audience to create the next venture. Host Colin Weston sits down with the Founder of Lag Shot Golf and Scratch Golf Academy to learn about his personal journey and "Give First" entrepreneurial mindset.
Click to listen >> EMBRACING A "GIVE FIRST" MINDSET TO SUCCESSFULLY START AND SCALE BUSINESS VENTURES

Episode 8
Scott Lundmark - President of Adventure Golf & Sports
Whether you call it Miniature Golf, Minigolf, Putt-Putt or Crazy Golf, chances are you've played at least once in your life. Scott Lundmark, President of Adventure Golf & Sports joins us to share stories from their company's 30+ year history of designing, building and operating fun putting courses that are enjoyed by millions of people.
Click to listen >> "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PUTT!"

Episode 9
Adam Beach - Founder of MyGolfSpy
"The golf consumer saw that someone was fighting for them, which is exactly why MyGolfSpy became successful. We put the consumer first and the companies last. I don't care about the corporations, I care about the golfer and how they spend their hard-earned money. MyGolfSpy Founder Adam Beach joins us to share his motivation for creating "The World's Most Extensive Golf Equipment Reviews".
Click to listen >> BOLDLY CREATING "THE CONSUMER REPORTS FOR THE GOLF INDUSTRY"

Episode 10
Amy Bockerstette - Down syndrome golfer advocate and ambassador for I GOT THIS Foundation
"I have Down syndrome and I am rocking my extra chromosome!" - Amy Bockerstette and her dad Joe join host Colin Weston for a heartfelt, fun and inspirational conversation about how golf has positively impacted their family and the community they have helped create.
Click to listen >> WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER?

Episode 11
Christina Kim - PGA Tour Pro
On the LPGA Tour Christina Kim is known for her bubbly, fun, positive personality. After more than a decade of professional golf that veneer cracked, leaving Christina exhausted, empty and depressed. On this compelling episode Christina and host Colin Weston share stories of trauma, rejuvenation and a newfound joy for both life and golf.
Click to listen >> WORKING THROUGH TRAUMA TO EMERGE MORE RESILIENT, GRATEFUL AND HAPPY

Episode 12
Brad Schweigert - Chief Product Officer at PXG Parsons Xtreme Golf
"I met with Bob Parsons and immediately knew what I was going to do. I would regret saying no, knowing that I passed up on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was a huge decision and lots of people thought that I was crazy to leave Ping but I felt that I had to give it a go." - Brad Schweigert, Chief Product Officer at PXG joins Colin for a masterclass in product innovation and entrepreneurship.
Click to listen >> APPLYING A TECH STARTUP MINDSET TO INNOVATE GOLF CLUB DESIGN

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guests: Adam Beach - Owner and Founder of MyGolfSpy, Amy Bockerstette, I GOT THIS Foundation Ambassador and Down syndrome Golfer Advocate, Brad Schweigert - Chief Product Officer at PXG Parsons Xtreme Golf, Christina Kim - LPGA Tour Pro, Claude Brousseau, Director of Player Development at The Wailea Golf Academy, Danielle Tucker - Owner, Host and Producer of The Golf Club Radio Show, Gary Guerrero Jr., Founder and CEO of Lag Shot Golf and Scratch Golf Academy, Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of AFRIYEA Golf Academy, Kevin Corn - PGA Head Golf Professional and Pediatric Hospital Golf Program Creator, Paul McEldon, CEO at ClubFace-Golf, Preston Phillips - Entrepreneur/Investor/Advisor with Whiterock and Cerro Capital, and Scott Lundmark, President of Adventure Golf & Sports.

Boldly Creating "The Consumer Reports For The Golf Industry" - MyGolfSpy Founder Adam Beach

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 13:15:00 -0800

"I got sick for a few years and I was getting tired of being in bed thinking about what I wanted to do. So I sent out a focus group study to golfers that had been on a list of mine from my previous business and it was a survey asking them multiple questions about what their pain points were in the golf industry. What I heard was the frustration around not knowing what club to buy, feeling like every club was marketed as better. Marketing had started to become more important than performance. The balance was out of whack. And in a moment it matched with my moral compass. My grandmother taught disabled children her whole life. I was around these kids and I didn't like seeing them being taken advantage of just like I felt golfers are being taken advantage of. I looked at my wife when I was still in bed and I said, "I'm going to start the Consumer Reports of golf" and she instantly said, "yes you are!". So I got my ass right out of bed and got to work."

We also want to thank Golf Genius Software for supporting The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

"The Golf Digest Hot List was the bible to tell golfers what to buy as a print publication at the time and they had staked claim to that. But they had yet to lay claim to the digital world, so like the wild west I wanted to put down my flag down before they did. I wanted to build trust with the most hardcore golfers out there, create a place where they could come and trust anything and everything that we put out there. Something that was honest and had integrity behind it rather than run by the manufacturers. I thought it would be 3-5 years before the manufacuturers got on board with it. I knew it would be a bit of a rub but man, was I ever wrong."

"The manufacturers not only didn't like MyGolfSpy, but they hated everything that we stood for. They tried to sue us and use any angle they could to shut us up. Manufacturers keep a lot of the small media companies quiet because of one simple thing: the small media companies and blogs didn't have a legal team but we did. I had a group behind me that knew what I was after and stood up for me as a legal team. None of these manufacturers didn't have a leg to stand on with any of these potential law suits and they knew it, and they wanted to threaten us to keep us quiet. But as soon as we fired back - and our biggest weapon was "if you want to sue us, great. But we're going to make it public and every letter you send us we be public record". To this day MyGolfSpy has never been sued and we have never taken an article down."

"The golf consumer saw that someone who was fighting for them, which is exactly why MyGolfSpy became successful. We put the consumer first and the companies last. I don't care about the corporations, I care about the golfer and how they spend their hard-earned money. I don't want golfers spending more if it does not help them improve compared to what they already own. This is a philosophy that companies are not accustomed to because it has been engrained in us that we need the newest club that comes out."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Adam on our Youtube Channel!

"When I first created MyGolfSpy my vision was to make the cream of the crop rise to the top and have all the junk go away. In order to do that there were small companies like Sub70, Vice and EvenRoll who now have bigger names partly because we leveled the playing field and we gave them a place to be heard about. Golf Digest isn't writing about these small companies because they are not getting paid to do so. We said "here's what we're willing to do. If a product performs in the top X percent of our testing and we believe that that product or service is a standout we will then spotlight them to help amplify the messaging to keep these brands who deserve it on the tip of golfer's tongues through content marketing."

"We had to diversify in the beginning in order to survive for the long term. I looked at MyGolfSpy as a Proof of Concept. This wasn't something that I did for the money. I did this to try and change an industry that I believed needed changing. It had gotten out of hand. So I said, "I'll give it a few years to see if it works and if it does I'll reinvest my own money to go to the second phase and build our own test facility. But if no one likes this or cares, I'll move on and do something else". We have grown every year with the reader and the consumer. It's a testiment that proves that the golf consumer has an apetite for this information. So to create something sustainable for the long term we could not rely on the advertising dollars. I see MyGolfSpy as a 100 year business that survives long after I am gone."

Episode Chapters
[03:00] Ice-breaker question: Tell us about your first golf experience and who invited you? - and why we should play more par 3 courses
[05:00] Adam's background and experience that led up to the creation of MyGolfSpy
[09:25] The MyGolfSpy "AHA Moment", the business strategy and first release of the platform
[13:30] How did you land on the name MyGolfSpy?
[15:30] The MyGolfSpy business model and how they generate revenue
[21:35] How MyGolfSpy tests equipment and the story of their first testing lab
[25:30] How MyGolfSpy acquires equipment so that their testing and reviews remain unbiased
[28:20] The evolution of MyGolfSpy reviews to position the messaging for various golf consumer groups
[31:00] Discovering the diverse demographics of the MyGolfSpy audience and how they connect with each of them
[33:30] Who are the MyGolfSpy equipment testers?
[35:05] The MyGolfSpy "Most Wanted" awards and why they created them

To learn more about Adam and MyGolfSpy, check out their website.

And his other business True Fit Golf.

You can also connect with Adam on his bio page.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Adam Beach - Owner and Founder of MyGolfSpy.

"It's All About The Putt!" - Scott Lundmark, President of Adventure Golf & Sports

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 16:15:00 -0700

"I joined the business over 16 years ago, but even before that my father would talk about potential clients saying "Well, I don't know if I want miniature golf at my Family Entertainment Facility because it's kind of going out of style". But miniature golf is one of those activities and attractions that will never go out of style."... Scott Lundmark, President of Adventure Golf & Sports

Miniature Golf Fun Facts...

There are 4,383 Miniature golf courses in the United States as of September 2023.
The earliest documented mention of a miniature golf course is in the June 8, 1912 edition of The Illustrated London News, referring to a minigolf course called The Golfstacle. Even earlier, William Senhouse Clarke patented the 'Golfstacle' box kit in 1907.
The first miniature golf course in Canada was at the Maples Inn in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. The "Mapes" was constructed as a summer home in the 1890s but was renovated into a club in 1902, opened to the public in 1914, and had a miniature golf course in 1930. The popular nightspot burned in 1985.
Parkside's Whispering Pines Miniature Golf is the oldest miniature golf course in the United States. This historic gem has been entertaining visitors since its opening in 1930.
51 countries have National Minigolf Association governing bodies which are part of The World Minigolf Sport Federation. ______________________________________________

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

"Our business in booming right now. In fact it has grown consistently over the years and with the addition of Putt Shack, PopStroke and The Puttery, combined with the explosion of craft breweries there has been a flood of money pouring in the marketplace for miniature golf. Part of the reason is because it's attractive to all ages from six year old children all the way to great-grandparents."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Scott on our Youtube Channel!

"From a business perspective, miniature golf has high player throughput, little maintenence and low operating costs which are factors that help fuel its growth. And it's even popular for the cool, hip date night people out there!"

Episode Chapters
[02:40] Scott shares his first golf experience at 11 years old at their family run "Arne's Funland Little Duffers Miniature Golf" course.
[05:00] The origin of the family miniature golf business which all started with Scott's dad Arne Lundmark, known as "The GodFather of Mini Golf".
[07:00] Making the entrepreneurial decision around 1980 to sell their adventure park and focus on designing and building mini putt courses.
[14:00] AGS miniature golf products and their new innovations such as "Mini Links" portable golf holes.
[17:00] Who the AGS customers are and how they have expanded and diversified their client base to include cruise ships and rooftop, rollout and pop-up activations.
[22:15] Future trends and predictions on where the miniature golf industry, products and experiences are heading.
[24:45] New tech-enabled growth segments for mini-golf that have been fueled by the emergence of Topgolf, Popstroke and Putt Shack.
[25:35] AGS and Scott's commitment to eco-friendly, carbon reduced, sustainable products as their new Modular Advantage system.
[28:20] How AGS markets their products and approach to customer aquisition and retention.
[30:50] Colin askes about the most ambitious projects the AGS has designed and delivered.
[36:10] We learn the most exotic location that AGS has built a miniature golf course.

To learn more about Scott and Adventure Golf & Sports, check out their website.

You can also connect with Scott on his bio page.

                                        ______________________________________________

                                        ______________________________________________

Special Guest: Scott Lundmark, President of Adventure Golf & Sports.

Embracing a "Give First" Mindset to Successfully Start and Scale Business Ventures - Gary Guerrero Jr., Founder and CEO of Lag Shot Golf and Scratch Golf Academy

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 14:15:00 -0700

"One of my philosophies is to give as much away for free as I possibly can on the front end. The more you give away for free, the more you're going to get on the back end as far as currency and customer loyalty." - Gary Guerrero Jr., Founder and CEO of Lag Shot Golf and Scratch Golf Academy

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

"When we teach our coaches to go out and do marketing or increase their sales, I remind them that most business people hold back their best stuff. Their belief is "This is a closely guarded secret and you gotta pay me this if you want it." Now, that's one approach but I say, "hey, here's that secret man. I got more where that comes from." You're like "Wow, this guy's amazing" and then here, here's another secret. Here's another secret and another secret.

What happens is I'm building trust and an indebtedness from you to me. "Man, that Gary is so good, he's always helping me out. I just want to do something for him." Now, when I say, "hey, do you want to buy my thing?" customers say "yes, yes I do! I want to give you money because you've been helping me so much." And then the next thing I offer they go, "yeah, I want that too!" I don't need to hold back. I see people hold back too much. You need to give all you can up front and put your best foot forward."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Gary on our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters
[03:05] Gary's first golf experience and the person who introduced him to the game
[06:15] We learn how one of his products - Lag Shot Golf - has cut Gary's handicap from 9 to a 5
[07:45] Gary shares his entrepreneneurial backstory that starts with his first business at six years old
[14:20] With encouragement from his dying father, Gary launched GGG Marketing in 2010
[17:15] Switching his GGG business model from website design, SEO and marketing to coaching, Gary landed his first sport client with a tennis coach creating online training videos
[19:20] After meeting PGA instructor Adam Bazalgette, Gary switched his business model to solely focus on the golf industry
[20:55] How Gary's first golf venture "Golf Fanatics" set the foundation for the two successful businesses he currently runs
[22:45] We learn about the "Customer Value Ladder" that Gary applies to both Scratch Golf Academy and Lag Shot Golf
[28:00] Gary's "Give First" mindset and building community on Instagram with @golfentrepreneur
[35:25] The creation of execution of Scratch Golf Academy in 2015 and Lag Shot Golf in 2020
[40:10] Rapid prototyping and the product design process that led the commerialization of Lag Shot Golf

"I saw the gap in the market for a hittable swing trainer, and that was why we created Lag Shot Golf".
To learn more about Gary and Lag Shot Golf, check out their website.

You can also connect with Gary on his bio page.

                                        ______________________________________________

                                        ______________________________________________

Special Guest: Gary Guerrero Jr., Founder and CEO of Lag Shot Golf and Scratch Golf Academy.

Celebrating Over 25 Years in Golf Radio - Danielle Tucker, Creator and Host of The Golf Club Radio Show

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0700

"I'm not sure that I discovered it, but I let out the part of me that loves to communicate with people. The part of me that likes to talk and learn about people, places and things, what they do and incorporate some of the wisdom they have that I may not have even thought of."

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

"That's the beauty of people coming together and in radio it is minds working with minds. There's no physical interaction. There's no "I see you, you see me!" And there's triggers, things that happen that are Kismet. "Oh wow, you did that?", or "I never thought about that. That's very interesting!" Isn't that the beauty of the whole game?"

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Danielle on our Youtube Channel!

"You never know what you're going to come across on a golf course with people. You find out things about yourself through the game of golf like "God, give yourself a break!"

Episode Chapters
[02:30] We open the show with Danielle providing an overview of The Golf Club Radio Show
[04:50] Danielle shares her first ever golf experience and who introduced her to the game
[09:45] We learn how Danielle ended up in Hawaii by way of New York and London
[13:00] The early years of Danielle's journalism career in TV and radio that led to the opportunity to host a golf-themed show
[16:00] How the Golf Club Radio Show came into existence and the people that helped make it happen
[20:00] We learn about what motivates Danielle to energetically continue creating her weekly show after 25 years
[21:30] Colin and Danielle share stories about having fun and not taking golf so seriously when things aren't going well
[25:00] The disparity in prize money between The PGA and LPGA Tours are what they can learn from professional tennis
[26:10] Danielle talks about the challenges and the opportunities of being a women in the golf media living in Hawaii
[31:20] We talk about the power of surrounding yourself with positive people, which leads to a conversation about previous guest Claude Brousseau
[33:00] Danielle shares her perspective on how recovery from the devastating fire in Lahaina on Maui is impacting daily life, tourism and golf

To learn more about Danielle and listen to The Golf Club Radio Show, check out their website.

You can also connect with Danielle on her bio page.
______________________________________________

We want to thank our new partner inrange® for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!

inrange® is a radar-based ball-tracking company that enhances the driving range experience by offering the most engaging gameplay and precise ball-tracking on the market. From private clubs and standalone commercial ranges, to multi-storey “Big Box” entertainment venues and limited-flight ‘compact’ ranges, Inrange® creates unparalleled experiences for every type of player - and unleashes your business’ growth potential. They are also the only software in the world offering a bay vs bay link up feature - allowing large groups to play against one another in teams across the entire venue. To learn more check out www.inrangegolf.com.

                                        ______________________________________________

Special Guest: Danielle Tucker - Owner, Host and Producer of The Golf Club Radio Show.

The Healing Power of Golf For Kids - Kevin Corn, PGA Golf Professional

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 11:45:00 -0700

"It's my favourite day of the week. Every Wednesday afternoon I go to the hospital and spend two hours, however long the kids want to hit golf balls and teach the kids of all abilities how they can play, how they can hit golf balls, regardless of their medical condition. All the children at Ranken Jordan are medically complex. So we'll have kids coming in that are in hospital beds and wheelchairs and walkers. They are on ventilators, they've got feeding tubes, a little bit of everything and regardless of what they're facing they hit golf balls."...Kevin Corn - PGA Head Golf Professional and Pediatric Hospital Golf Program Creator

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

"You'll see them literally laying down in bed on their sides swinging. We've had the kids with severe burns to hands and arms and all over the body that don't have fingers. They still swing on their own holding the golf club. It's a very, very powerful afternoon and no better way to spend a day off than in there with the kids hitting golf balls and teaching them and helping them get better through golf."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Kevin on our Youtube Channel!

"Care Beyond The Bedside is the healthcare model at Ranken Jordan. They want kids out of bed. About 80% of the time that the kids are awake are spent outside their rooms. So they're out playing video games, golf, basketball, out on the rock climbing wall, out on the field or doing their therapy. That's where the Care Beyond The Bedside comes in. When you watch it in action it is absolutely incredible. Miracles are happening there daily. To see that every time I go in there and to be a small part of it is mind-blowing."

Episode Chapters
[01:45] Kevin shares how he was introduced to golf by his dad at the age of five and his path to becoming a PGA Teaching Professional.
[03:30] We get an overview of the golf program Kevin has put in place at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital and why Wednesday is his favourite day of the week.
[05:00] The origin story behid the program's creation and where Kevin drew inspiration from.
[09:00] Kevin shares stories of how the golf program has positively impacted the lives of the kids and their families.
[14:10] We hear some heartfelt stories from the parent's perspective of how Kevin's work has helped change lives and provided hope.
[16:00] Ranken Jordan's "Care Beyond The Bedside" model that keeps kids active, engaged and out of their rooms.
[18:00] How the Ranken Jordan golf program could and should be implemented at the 300+ Pediatric Hospitals across the US and Canada.
[20:00] How Kevin spends a typical Wednesday with the kids at "Ranken Jordan National GC".
[24:10] We explore what the future holds for Kevin and the golf program at Ranken Jordan.

"I put out a simple ask on social media and the next thing you know is when I need $1,000 to buy something I receive $4,000. Everybody is only too happy to help where they can. There also are small groups that donate the proceeds from their events to our golf program at Ranken Jordan. It's amazing how powerful this game can be and the amount of good it can do for people in so many different ways that we never thought of. But now that we see that golf in a pediatric hospital is a really good idea it opens up our eyes to many other opportunities."

To learn more about the impact Kevin is making at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, check out his weekly blog posts.

You can also connect with Kevin on his bio page.
______________________________________________
Big thanks to Golf Genius Software for supporting The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

                                        ______________________________________________

Special Guest: Kevin Corn - PGA Head Golf Professional and Pediatric Hospital Golf Program Creator.

The Rise of Golf in Uganda - Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of AFRIYEA Golf Academy

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:30:00 -0700

"I was trying to use my real life experience and what I went through when I was younger. I used some strategies of being in the same position as all those kids who come from families who do not have access into the game of golf. I did some research and discovered that there was a need for a golf academy to create a pathway for these kids to learn and play the game."... Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of The AFRIYEA Golf Academy

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

"If we are to make a difference in our communities in Uganda we need to build something that is going to create opportunities for anyone to take up golf. No matter the background or gender of these individuals, everyone must be in position to have a chance because golf is still a game that is dominated by older men."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Isaiah on our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters
[02:50] Isaiah shares when he was first introduced to golf and the person who invited him.
[04:50] How Isaiah transitioned from caddying to playing at the Toro Club in western Uganda.
[06:00] The "AHA moment" that led to the creation of The AFRIYEA Golf Academy.
[08:20] The current state of golf in Uganda and how Isaiah is working to change it.
[10:50] Early days of The AFRIYEA Golf Academy and how they attracted kids to join the program.
[14:20] Growth of The AFRIYEA Golf Academy since launching in 2020.
[16:45] Fundraising, partnerships, donations and equipment needs to make the academy sustainable.
[18:40] How The AFRIYEA Golf Academy is scaling across Uganda and into other African countries.
[20:10] Outreach programs, demonstrations and clinics that introduce golf to rural communities.
[22:15] The future for Ugandan golf: more courses, elite level players and career opportunites.
[23:40] Success stories from The AFRIYEA Golf Academy.
[25:15] Isaiah's thoughts and hopes for the future of Ugandan golf in 5/10/20 years time.

To learn more about the impact Isaiah has made positively impacting the lives of Ungandan kids, check out the AFRIYEA Golf Academy website.

You can also connect with Isaiah on his bio page.

"I was trying to use my real life experience, what I went personally through. I used some strategies to see if I was in the same position as all those kids from families who can't have access into the game of golf. I discovered there was a need to create a golf academy, create a pathway for these kids to play the game of golf. So if we are to make a difference in our community in Uganda, we need something that is going to create opportunity for everyone to play the game of golf. No matter their background, no matter the gender of these individuals everyone must be in position to have an opportunity. However, with creating the AFRIYEA Golf Academy we have been able to change the status quo and make a difference. It's now not only just bringing the people on the golf course, but for us we believe we can be in position to take the game where people are instead of bringing people where golf is."

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Special Guest: Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of AFRIYEA Golf Academy.

You Are The CEO of Your Life - Claude Brousseau, Director of Player Development at Wailea Golf Academy

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0700

"I live by investing 86,400 seconds per day to obtain the highest ROI possible on fulfillment and mindfulness. My purpose in this life is to make a difference in other people's lives". Claude Brousseau, PGA Master Professional and Director of Player Development at The Wailea Golf Academy joins host Colin Weston for an inspirational 40 minutes of conversation.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

"I can accomplish goals by avoiding negative thoughts. When things are not going well in golf or life, take the time to look at yourself in the mirror and say okay, you are the CEO of your life. You need to assume those responsibilities with the decision, and there is a price to be outside of your comfort zone, but that's where you realize your potential."

"I was able to go to the Dunhill tournaments and walk on both St. Andrews and Carnoustie the same day. So you can see why I'm so grateful and full of appreciation."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Claude on our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters
[02:30] Claude shares his first golf experience and the person who invited him to put a club in his hands.
[04:30] Claude discusses his days growing up in a small rural town in Quebec Canada and "First Life" as an ICU nurse in Florida.
[06:40] Claude's golf mini tour experience in Florida and how that lead to his teaching career.
[09:45] How Claude ended up in Maui and the supportive people who helped shape his approach to teaching.
[14:30] The lessons learned and experience acquired as a nurse that Claude applies to teaching his diverse group of students.
[16:50] Claude to elaborates on his approach to spending the 86,400 seconds that each day gifts us.
[19:30] We learn about a "Day in The Life" of Claude Brousseau.
[27:00] Claude talks about the influence that mentors such as business tycoon Anthony von Mandl have on his outlook on life.
[30:00] "Learn to listen, as opportunity sometimes knocks very softly"... Jackson Brown
[22:15] Claude's teaching philosophy and approach to golf learning, training and improvement.
[36:30] We learn what a personal teaching experience with Claude would look like.

To learn more about the impact Claude has made in 25+ years of teaching, check out the "Claude 4 Best Golf website.

You can also connect with Claude on his bio page.

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We want to thank our sponsor partner Golf Genius Software for helping support The ModGolf Podcast

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

                                        ______________________________________________

If you love golf, we have exclusive deals on golf gear and services that we use and support! We launched The ModGolf Pro Shop to offer you - our ModGolfers - 10-20% OFF exclusive discounts using promo code MODGOLF. We have curated a diverse selection of awesome brands like KINONA, deWiz Golf, ODIN Golf, Back2Basics Golf, Deuce and Project72Golf to help you play better and look great while doing it. CLICK TO SHOP AND SAVE.

Creating an Engaging Space For Like-minded Golfers - Paul McEldon, CEO at ClubFace-Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 09:45:00 -0700

Paul McEldon is the CEO of Clubface-golf.com which is a social network just about golf, for golf and only golf.

"I turned up at the golf club and I spoke to the general manager Steve and I said "how do I connect with other golfers in the golf club to arrange a game?" And his answer was perfect - perfectly bad but perfectly good. He said "Paul, take yourself in the car park. When you see somebody putting their bag in the car, don't speak to them because they finished. When you see them taking it out, go and have a word with them and ask if you can join them." I thought, "Wow, okay we're paying 3,000 pounds a year to be a member of a golf club. There has to be a better way for this to happen."... Paul McEldon

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

So I sat down with Steve and said to him, "how do you communicate with your members of the golf club" and he said "we send out weekly newsletters, we've got the notice boards everywhere, I walk through the bar two or three times".

I replied "that's all communicating AT". The question I asked was "how do you communicate WITH?" And as soon as I said, "how do you function with social media?" you could see his eyes glaze over. What dawned on me was that if the whole golf community of diverse yet like-minded people, could come to a place that was safe and relevant, would there be space for them? So that's when we created the first version of ClubFace-Golf.

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Paul on our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters
[03:00] Paul and Colin open the show talking about when they met up in person for the first time in London two weeks before recording the episode.
[04:10] Paul shares his first golf experience, which curiously involves a dog.
[06:10] Paul provides us with his professional background and experience that led up to the start of his entrepreneurial journey and the launch of ClubFace-Golf.
[08:40] Paul describes what ClubFace-Golf is, the value it creates for the users and why he is so passionate about this venture.
[13:30] Paul talks about the value of aligning yourself with investors and partners that embrace the vision of what you are creating.
[18:20] Paul shares the ClubFace-Golf growth and monetization strategy.
[20:20] Colin asks Paul how ClubFace-Golf strikes the balance between moderating the conversations and posts while not influencing the narative of the content.
[21:20] We learn about the size of the ClubFace-Golf community and the global breakdown on where users are.
[23:30] Paul shares the plan to scale the business model with the launch of ClubFace-Cricket, ClubFace-Football, ClubFace-Gyms and others.
[27:50] We hear about the importance of ensuring that ClubFace-Golf is a safe space with zero tolerance for abuse, bullying or derogatory behaviour.

To learn more about the impact Paul makes to support the golf-loving community, check out the ClubFace-Golf website.

You can also connect with Paul on his bio page.
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We want to thank Golf Genius Software for helping support The ModGolf Podcast!

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

                                        ______________________________________________

Special Guest: Paul McEldon, CEO at ClubFace-Golf.

The Quest to Amplify Fan Engagement - Preston Phillips, Sport & Entertainment Entrepreneur, Investor & Advisor

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0700

Colin met Preston Phillips on a HYPE Sports Innovation "Ask Me Anything" webinar and was so impressed with his genuine desire to help entrepreneurs and their companies that we had to invite him on the show to share his experiences with you.

"Through an investment bank that we created, we had the opportunity to work with some different leagues that helped them grow in various ways. I think it's great what cricket has been able to do to progress the sport and position the product to reach a larger, more diverse fan base. I would argue the same with rugby and how they changed their game over the course of the last 10-12 years with Rugby Sevens and brought it to The States. And we're seeing this in a number of other sports as well and golf is now learning from them."

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

"It goes back to the technology piece of what's happening next to elevate sport experience, creating the space for us to work with bite-size data to build, measure, analyse and decide what to lean into next. We can see things up close and really understand who the athletes are - get under the helmet, if you will. From a content creation side and ultimately where the media dollars are moving, AI, augmented reality and web3 allow for all these future opportunities to present themselves.

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Preston on our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters
[03:00] Preston shares his connection to playing golf and who introduced him to the game. Spoiler alert - his handicap is waaaay lower than Colin's. 😂
[04:40] Preston gives us an overview of what he does in the sport technology and fan experience space with WhiteRock and Cerro Capital.
[08:30] Colin asks Preston to share his thoughts on the LIV Golf / PGA Tour / PIF merger and what opportunities are there to enhance the fan experience.
[13:00] Preston and Colin discuss the value of team golf events, using the success of both cricket and rugby as validators of where pro golf should expand into.
[14:50] Preston tells us about a couple of ventures in the sport space that Cerro Capital has invested in, including Religion of Sports.
[18:30] Preston shares his thoughts on the future of "location-based sports", such at Rory and Tiger's TGL golf league created by TMRW Sports and The PGA Tour.
[20:40] Colin asks Preston how he believes golf can innovate more and which sports can golf learn from.
[27:00] We talk about the acsending value of women's sport leagues and franchises, along with the women-led companies that Preston supports.
[30:00] Preston and Colin talk about the popularity of mixed pro sport events with women and men competing together and the opportunity for pro golf to do more of it.
[31:30] We finish up asking Preston about where he seeing sport experience heading in 10-15 years time.

To learn more about the impact Preston makes to support Sport Tech startups, check out the Cerro Capital website.

You can also connect with Preston on his bio page.

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After testing the deWiz biofeedback swing analysis product we were so impressed with the results that we invited them to offer you an exclusive 10% OFF your purchase using promo code MODGOLF! CLICK TO SAVE on deWiz to see (and feel) lasting results in your swing tempo, length and path improvement.

Special Guest: Preston Phillips - Entrepreneur/Investor/Advisor with Whiterock and Cerro Capital.

SEASON 13 WRAP-UP / SEASON 14 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 16 May 2023 23:15:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 13 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 14, which launches early July 2023. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 13 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefully this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which ones you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 13 guests were:

Episode 1
John Simpson - Founder and Chairman - On Course Foundation
"Being disabled myself, I chatted with a few of the injured veterans and told them what had happened to me. I saw some of them looking back at me and I realized that golf was something they could do. That's when I thought, "if we could start a charity which teaches golf on a long-term basis with the idea of then getting them some form of employment within the golf and related industries, that if we could do that, that would be quite something". And that's where it all started." We open Season 13 with an inspirational conversation with John Simpson, Founder of On Course Foundation.
Click to listen >> MAKING A DIFFERENCE: SUPPORTING THE RECOVERY OF INJURED VETERANS THROUGH GOLF

Episode 2
Kat Ramirez - Founder of Golfing Buddy
"Golf is a great game to get to know people. That's why we go on the golf course with new people and spend four hours with them. It's because golfers really want to have a good time, instead of feeling like they're not good enough. So Golfing Buddy was created to empower people to find other people just like them to go play golf with."... Kat Ramirez, Founder of Golfing Buddy joins us to share how to successfully self-fund a startup as a side hustle.
Click to listen >> CONNECTING GOLFERS WITH LIKEMINDED PLAYING PARTNERS

Episode 3
Bob Winskowicz - Founder of SQAIRZ
Working for Arnold Palmer and having "The King" in your mentorship corner is one of many positive experiences that Bob Winskowicz - Founder of SQAIRZ - has as part of his secret sauce. Host Colin Weston learns about the influences that helped shape Bob's world view to become the entrepreneur and business leader that he is today.
Click to listen >> DO A COMMON THING IN AN UNCOMMON WAY

Episode 4
Nick Conrad - Founder of Twilight Golf Association
"I thought it wasn't crazy that you could pull together lots of strangers and create a golf league out of it. If I could allow those people that regularly fill out the tee sheet to create organized games, that really would resonate." Twilight Golf Association Founder Nick Conrad joins us to share how partnering with a technology company has turbocharged his startup.
Click to listen >> SCALING A GOLF STARTUP WITH PARTNERSHIPS

Episode 5
Lesley and Clare McMahon - Breaking the "grass ceiling" in the golf industry
Colin was invited to attend The NGCOA Canada Conference in Vancouver, where he sat down with the mother/daughter duo of Lesley and Clare McMahon to learn about the world of owning and operating a golf course. Lesley also shares her experience as the first female president of The National Golf Course Owner's Association Canada and Clare talks about the challenges and opportunities for women in the golf industry.
Click to listen >> BREAKING THE GRASS CEILING - A MOTHER/DAUGHTER DUO WHO ARE CHANGING THE GOLF LEADERSHIP LANDSCAPE

Episode 6
Ryan Engle - Founder of GOLF+
"My first virtual reality putt was 20-footer uphill with a left-to-right break. I hit it and put it 6 inches past the hole, burning the edge on the left. I thought, "Wow that felt exactly like hitting a putt." After that magical moment I said to the team "okay you know what, we're going to pivot 100% into VR." Ryan Engle, Founder and CEO of GOLF+ joins us to share how his love for writing code and playing golf led to the creation of the golf industry's leading VR gaming platform.
Click to listen >> PERSEVERANCE, PIVOTING AND THE ABILITY TO CONTINUOUSLY ADAPT

Episode 7
LIVE from the 2023 PGA Show with former guests Lydia Davies and Billy Brown
Colin returns to The PGA Show in Orlando and was ready to record a podcast but his guest no-showed! Not to worry, as Colin spots previous show guest Lydia Davies walking by and asks her to join him for a spontaneous chat about what's cool at the show. Minutes later another previous guest jumps in to take this fun-filled conversation to the next level.
Click to listen >> LIVE FROM THE 2023 PGA SHOW!

Episode 8
Jillian Foss - Founder of #LEGS
I thought, "what can we do to continue to lift up women towards leadership through golf?" because I believe the world would be a better place. So I set out to accomplish this mission and have some fun while we're at it. LEGS Ladies Executive Golf Society Founder Jillian Foss joins us to share how she combines her passion with a sense of purpose.
Click to listen >> NO RISK = NO FUN

Episode 9
Jewel Love - Society 61
"We know the golf industry has to be updated, the culture of it. To diversify that means you're willing to make changes that you never thought of making, to think differently and open up your mind in new ways." Jewel Love, Board Member and Advisor for Society 61 and The Society 61 Foundation joins us to share how their apparel brand acts as the platform to support young elite African American golfers.
Click to listen >> BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO CREATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF GOLF LEGENDS

Episode 10
Scott Stratten - Founder of UnMarketing
After experiencing Scott Stratten's inspirational keynote talk at the NGCOA Canada conference in Vancouver, host Colin Weston sits down with the creator of UnMarketing to learn how the golf industry can flourish by embracing the virtues of authenticity, integrity and community.
Click to listen >> YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK FOR YOU

Episode 11
Brian Esposito - Founder/CEO of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises
"I've been through hell and back, made every mistake you can think of and I'm honoured to share those experiences with the great companies that we get to work with." Brian Esposito, Founder/CEO of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises shares how he helps web3 sport and entertainment tech companies thrive and succeed.
Click to listen >> TIME IS OUR MOST PRECIOUS COMMODITY

Episode 12
Steve Madden - Co-Founder of Swingtweaks
"After playing for the first time five years ago, I grinded away at the range over 60 times that winter in stall 107 just hitting balls till my hands bled. I was addicted. I made a decision a few years ago that I wanted to create a lifestyle, or a job where I could golf and do my own thing tech-wise." Swingtweaks Co-Founder Steve Madden joins us to share entrepreneurial lessons learned in the golf industry.
Click to listen >> FIND CLARITY THROUGH ACTION
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Special Guests: Billy Brown - Founder and CEO The Golf Sanctuary LLC. 2x Amazon Best Selling Author, Real Estate Investor, and Entrepreneur, Bob Winskowicz - Founder of SQAIRZ, Brian Esposito - Founder and CEO, Esposito Intellectual Enterprises, Clare McMahon - MBA graduate and Golf Teaching Professional, Jewel Love - Board Member and Advisor with Society 61 and The Society 61 Foundation, Jillian Johnson - Founder of #LEGS - The Ladies Executive Golf Society ⛳️, John Simpson - Founder of On Course Foundation, Kat Ramirez, Founder of Golfing Buddy, Lesley McMahon - Past President at NGCOA Canada / GM at Balmoral Golf Course, Lydia Davies - Founder of The Osprey Collective and TeeMates Golf, Nick Conrad - Founder and General Manager of Twilight Golf Association, Ryan Engle, Founder and CEO of GOLF+, and Scott Stratten - The Creator of UnMarketing.

Find Clarity Through Action - Steve Madden, Co-Founder of Swingtweaks

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:15:00 -0700

Colin met Steve Madden at The 2023 PGA Show in Orlando and after hearing his entrepreneurial story over a couple of pints of Guinness we had to invite him on the show to share his experiences with you.

"Five years ago my ex-girlfriend's dad invited me for a round, so I played an 18 hole round at Mountainside golf course. The next day I went and played the par 3 course there which had the massive holes and I became addicted to golf that weekend. When I got back to Calgary, I played three or four rounds next week and then I joined a golf course for the remainder of the season. Once new golfers feel that awesome shot or they hit that really close approach, smash that driver or make a long putt, that addiction really hits you. I made a decision a few years ago that I wanted to create a lifestyle, or a job where I could golf and do my own thing tech-wise. I've had two apps now that revolve around golf and Swingtweaks is the second one."... Steve Madden, Co-Founder of Swingtweaks

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Episode Chapters
[03:00] Steve opens the show by sharing his level of play after picking up golf only a couple of years ago. Spoiler alert - his handicap is waaaay lower than Colin's. 😂
[04:20] Steve tells us how a rugby-playing lad from Ireland ended up becoming a tech entrepreneur in Calgary Canada by way of Vietnam.
[05:20] Colin asks Steve to share his first golf experience five years ago and who invited him to try the game.
[06:50] Steve gives us the "Elevator Pitch" for his latest golf venture Swingtweaks.
[09:10] Steve talks about the rise in popularity of golf lesson and training technology ventures such as Sportsbox.ai
[10:05] We learn the back story and AHA moment of Swingtweaks
[12:45] Steve shares business model, user experience, value proposition and customer profiles for Swingtweaks.
[16:40] Colin asks Steve to share how they came up with the name Swingtweaks and the concept of users purchasing "Tweaks".
[18:45] Steve talks about how Swingtweaks generates revenue and how they developed the pricing model cost per "Tweak".
[22:00] Colin asks about the Swingtweaks strategy to acquire new users, retain/engage existing ones and how they incentivize PGA teaching pros to join the platform.
[27:00] Steve shares some stories from satisfied users and the most unexpected places around the world that golfers are using Swingtweaks.
[28:30] We learn about the future plans for Swingtweaks and which markets, countries and languages they look to expand into next.
[30:50] Steve shares some positive user experiences and how they are building community on Instagram and Reddit.
[33:00] Steve offers you - our ModGolfers - 20% OFF your first Swingtweak using promo code MODGOLF.*
*(FYI we don't receive a commision if you buy one! 😎)

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Steve on our Youtube Channel!

To learn more and get 20% OFF your first Swingtweak using promo code MODGOLF, check out the Swingtweaks website.

You can also connect with Steve on his bio page.

                                        ______________________________________________

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Steve Madden - Co-Founder of Swingtweaks.

Time is Our Most Precious Commodity - Brian Esposito, Founder/CEO of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0700

Colin met Brian Esposito on a HYPE Sports Innovation "Ask Me Anything" webinar and was so impressed with his genuine desire to help entrepreneurs and their companies that we had to invite him on the show to share his experiences with you.

"I have a simple rule with what I build. When they're my companies it's my ass on the line, so it's my rules. But when they are other people's companies like the great startups that I get to work with its their vision, their passion. I'm there to support them and be a turnkey resource for whatever needs to be done, a utility player. I know what they need because I needed it for most of my career and I didn't have it. So it's very rewarding for me now to take all of my learning experiences and help guide these companies to success and be a complete soundboard and resource for them and keep it fun for them."

                                        ______________________________________________

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

______________________________________________

"I need to make sure that tech founders don't dilute themselves out of their own company. I tell them to get off this BS "raise money/run out of money/raise money/run out of money" hamster wheel because they can't be half pregnant. You're either out there, raising money or you're running your business. You can't do both at the same time. So I've been through hell and back, I made every mistake you can think of and I'm honoured and excited to share those experiences with the great companies that they get to work with."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Brian on our Youtube Channel!

Brian shared a couple of companies and products that Esposito Intellectual Enterprises invests in and advises on, including Virtual Stax. Virtual Stax allows fans to participate in the athlete's journey with blockchain verified digital trading cards.

To learn more, check out the Virtual Stax website.

You can also connect with Brian on his bio page, along with checking out the Esposito Intellectual Enterprises website.

Episode Chapters
[02:30] Brian opens the show by sharing his connectivity to golf and his first golf experience.
[04:20] Brian tells what he and his team have built with Esposito Intellectual Enterprises and what motivates him to help founders create sustainable businesses.
[08:30] Colin asks Brian to share his insights regarding the future of web3, blockchain, NFTs and cryptocurrency, using the company Devour (a web3 food ordering and delivery marketplace) as a case study.
[11:45] We learn about Brian's investment in Virtual Stax, where people can buy virtual playing card assets of athletes that are already famous or are just getting their careers off the ground.
[17:30] Brian describes how professional sport leagues and team are focusing on increasing fan engagement in a web3 environment, the learning curve they face and what is needed for them to succeed.
[20:45] Brian talks about his investment in Metasport Arena, where you create, trade, collect and play in the first sports and entertainment virtual world as part of a community competing to build the best city.
[27:00] Brian shares how he believes The PGA Tour, LIV Golf, The LPGA and golf entertainment venues can tap into the potential of web3 to engage both existing and new fans.
[30:30] Colin presses Brian to share his thoughts on LIV Golf - what they are doing right, what they got wrong and what they need to do to create a sustainable business.
[34:30] Brian describes how LIV - as a startup - has the ability to be nimble and quick in the creation of digital assets as compared to a "legacy company" like The PGA Tour.

Special Guest: Brian Esposito - Founder and CEO, Esposito Intellectual Enterprises.

You Don't Know What It's Like To Work For You - Scott Stratten, Creator of UnMarketing

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:30:00 -0700

"UnMarketing is my attempt to reduce hypocritical marketing, because I saw twenty years ago that people were interuptively marketing in a way they hated to be marketed to. I realized there had to be better ways than this "push and prey" mentality and instead choose a "pull and stay" mindset to authentically build community so that when people need your product or service they will unconditionally choose you."

Scott Stratten is the Creator of UnMarketing. He is one of the leading speakers/authors in the world when it comes to helping audiences embrace the age of disruption and look at business differently using the pillars of integrity, authenticity and community.

                                        ______________________________________________

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

______________________________________________

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Scott on our Youtube Channel!

🥊 COMPETE or ☮️ COEXIST. What should LIV Golf and The PGA Tour do?
Scott and host Colin Weston dig into the bitter rivalry between The PGA Tour and LIV Golf and explore the messaging behind their actions one year into the emergence of the upstart tour.

"So what is a stereotype in business and how can we be the opposite of it? Is it snooty? Is it privileged? Is it elitist? These are all the things have been said about golf. Is it white? Is it male? We either look at it and can deny this stuff or we can say, "okay so how do we break through that?" We look at who we are hiring and say, "how do we make the experience different?" You're not going to change the course for the most part. I'm not talking about changing how high or low you mow the grass or the pin position on the greens. I'm talking about the human experience and human-centric design. When you come to my golf course, when you walk into my Pro Shop, when you walk into the club and grab a bite on the turn, we're going to be so fricking happy to see you. We're going to be so into you for choosing our course over the nineteen thousand four hundred twenty five other ones, you're never going to look at another course again."

You can also connect with Scott on his bio page, along with checking out the UnMarketing website.

How do you create a marketing buzz that authentically represents your brand? Scott accomplished this 15 years ago when he shared his break up with long time relationship partner... The Toronto Maple Leafs. Check out Scott's fun, self-deprecating and poignant >> YouTube video.

Special Guest: Scott Stratten - The Creator of UnMarketing.

Breaking Down Barriers To Create The Next Generation of Golf Legends - Jewel Love / Society 61

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:45:00 -0800

"We are very clear and incredibly focused. We're not playing around because this is not a little thing. This is big in our minds and we are giving everything we have because we believe in and know that these young people, they deserve to see this industry in a way that we have not."... Jewel Love, Board Member and Advisor for Society 61 and The Society 61 Foundation

                                        ______________________________________________

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

______________________________________________

"We know the golf industry has to be updated, the culture of it. When saying they want to diversify, then that means that you're willing to make changes that you not ever thought of making. You're willing to think differently and open up your mind in different ways. We tend to be pretty straight at it and transparent. We're here to say this is about the next generation of Legends. We made a commitment to be in the game in that way. Not half in it, but all the way in it."

About Society 61...
Through the year 1960, a clause in the Pro Golfers Association (PGA) guidelines - Article III Section I - stated only Caucasian males 18 and older were eligible to receive their tour card. There were amazing men and women golfers from all cultures whose talents went unrecognized nationally until 1961, when African American golfer Charlie Sifford broke that color barrier by receiving his PGA card and opened the door for golfers of all ethnicities to officially compete on the tour.

THEIR MISSION
Society 61 is a clothing brand for golfers designed to honor the pioneers from the past who paved the way for the culturally diverse sport that golf is today. Society 61 was cultivated not only from a love of golf but also a love for our culture. Our company was named in homage to that barrier breaking year, 1961, and we launched our business in 2021 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of that historic moment. We combine traditional style with the modern look and feel of today's best sports materials and fabrics. We look forward to being your go-to clothier for everything golf and more.

I want more women out doing business on the golf course. I was in sales and calling on all these large organizations to find that there were hardly any female CEOs. I thought, "what can we do to continue to lift up women towards leadership through golf?" Because I think the world would be a better place, but my natural tendency is towards fun. So my goal: why don't we try and do this and accomplish this mission but have some fun while we're at it.

You can also connect with Jewel on her bio page, along with checking out the Society 61 website.

Special Guest: Jewel Love - Board Member and Advisor with Society 61 and The Society 61 Foundation.

NO RISK = NO FUN - Jillian Johnson, Founder of #LEGS, The Ladies Executive Golf Society

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 08:30:00 -0800

"Perfection is the opposite of GO!"... Jillian Johnson - #LEGS Ladies Executive Golf Society

My first job in Jacksonville was caddying at Sawgrass and woman I met at the club said, "I really want to learn how to golf". But you're not going to go out on your own and practice putting. You wouldn't go out on a range if you have no idea what you're doing and no clubs. So figured I might as well start something for all levels. Whether you are a Collegiate golfer or someone who has never touched a club before, the vision was to create an experience where women could really experience the magic that happens on the golf course in a female friendly way.
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Jillian on our Youtube Channel!

"If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen"

"How do I want to be remembered? As the insurance lady or for doing something cool and different that makes a positive impact in women's lives?"

"I want more women out doing business on the golf course. I was in sales and calling on all these large organizations to find that there were hardly any female CEOs. I thought, "what can we do to continue to lift up women towards leadership through golf?" Because I think the world would be a better place, but my natural tendency is towards fun. So my goal: why don't we try and do this and accomplish this mission but have some fun while we're at it."

You can also connect with Jillian on her bio page, along with checking out the #LEGS website.

Episode Chapters
[04:00] Jillian provides us with an overview of #LEGS Ladies Executive Golf Society.
[06:20] Jillian shares the "AHA moment" that led to the creation of #LEGS.
[07:30] We learn about the people that encouraged Jillian to take the entrepreneurial leap.
[10:00] "It all started with a flyer and a sticker!" We hear about the first #LEGS pilot event in South Florida that helped inform the business model.
[12:50] "Perfection is the opposite of GO." Jillian shares how she applied The Lean Startup approach to #LEGS.
[15:30] Jillian talks about getting over the fear of failure and embracing a mindset of growth and curiousity as an entrepreneur.
[17:00] "So what do women really want from golf?" We learn where Jillian drew inspiration from to create the #LEGS experience.
[21:40] Colin asks Jillian how #LEGS attracts and onboards non-golfing women like his wife.
[28:40] Jillian discusses the #LEGS growth plan for creating chapters in every state of the US.
[31:30] Jillian shares some inspiring #LEGS member success stories.
[34:00] Colin asks how women listening can learn about starting a #LEGS chapter in their community.
[36:10] Jillian talks about the future for #LEGS and the launch of thier upcoming "Swinging To Success" series.
[38:30] Jillian explains the benefits #LEGS offers for golf courses, women golfers and sponsor partners.

Special Guest: Jillian Johnson - Founder of #LEGS - The Ladies Executive Golf Society ⛳️.

LIVE From The 2023 PGA Show!

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0800

Wow, what a week in Orlando at The PGA Show! Colin met up with old friends, met plenty of new ones and found some time to squeeze in a couple of ModGolf Podcast recording sessions. It was great to see the golf industry back in full force! 💥⛳️💥

What do you do when you get stood up for a live podcast recording session? Rather than pack up and move on, Colin walked out on the exhibitor floor that resulted in an accidental collision with previous show guest Lydia Davies. This encounter led to a spontaneous, fun conversation about how Lydia's startup Teemates has expanded into Teamates and the rise of pickleball. They also talked about entrepreneurship and the innovation ecosystem/sport tech scene in Houston Texas, along with what they saw as the most interesting products/companies from the over 800 exhibitors at The PGA Show.

But that's not all! Billy Brown - previous guest and Founder of The Golf Sanctuary - suddenly drops by to talk some nonsense with Lydia and Colin.

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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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Find out more about Billy Brown and The Golf Sanctuary by listening to his full ModGolf Podcast episode.

Want to learn more about Lydia and Teamates? You can also connect through her bio page, along with watching our previous conversation on The ModGolf YouTube channel.

We had a full four days at The PGA Show attending Demo Day on the Tuesday, followed by three days at The Orange County Convention Center. Tons of golf industry conversations, relevations, inspirations and validations is what The PGA Show is all about!

Special Guests: Billy Brown - Founder and CEO The Golf Sanctuary LLC. 2x Amazon Best Selling Author, Real Estate Investor, and Entrepreneur and Lydia Davies - Founder of The Osprey Collective and TeeMates Golf.

Perseverance, Pivoting and The Ability to Continuously Adapt - Ryan Engle, Founder and CEO of GOLF+

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 17:15:00 -0800

Ryan Engle's love for golf started at age 11 after watching the movie Happy Gilmore. Fast forward almost two decades later finds Ryan combining his love for computer science, writing code and golf to become the Founder and CEO of GOLF+, who are leaders in VR golf with a mission to grow the game by making it more accessible.

"My first virtual reality putt was 20-footer uphill with a left-to-right break. I hit it and put it 6 inches past the hole, burning the edge on the left. I thought, "Wow that felt exactly like hitting a putt." After that magical moment I said to the team "okay you know what, we're going to pivot 100% into VR."

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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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"I spent a lot of time building out this putting physics model that felt very accurate. I ended up having a 3D model of hole seven at Pebble Beach, so I took Tiger's four putts from the US Open, set them up so the flag and his starting point were in the same spots. This made you think, "I'm going to stand in the shoes of Tiger and hit his putts!" I took the handheld controller that weighs a couple of ounces and I found a bike clamp and I clamped it to my putter. I'm holding my putter in virtual reality and when I move it I see the virtual putter moving exactly the same way."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Ryan on our Youtube Channel!

"The Oculus Quest VR headset was a gamechanger as it was a standalone product that didn't need to be connected to a computer".

To learn more, check out GOLF+ for the Meta Quest. https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2412327085529357/

You can also connect with Ryan on his bio page, along with checking out the GOLF+ VR website.

Episode Chapters
[02:40] Ryan shares his first golf experience and the movie that made his fall in love with the game.
[06:20] Ryan talks about the WORST job he ever had and what he positively learned from it.
[09:00] Ryan tells us how he got into the golf business and his first golf startup venture.
[15:00] Ryan and Colin discuss the challenges that entrepreneurship presents, and the difficult decisions one has to make when deciding whether to continue grinding on what you are creating or to pivot and build something else.
[17:45] Ryan describes the Oculus Quest headset that redefined the virtual reality landscape and how it is a gamechanger for GOLF+.
[23:00] Colin and Ryan talk about the importance of timing when launching a product, along with the other factors that make for a successful startup venture.
[25:30] Ryan shares the power of partnerships and how they added value to their collaboration with Topgolf.
[31:00] Colin puts on his investor hat to ask Ryan about the GOLF+ revenue model and who their users are.
[35:40] Ryan talks about the size of the VR gaming market, the projected future growth and the demographics of their users.
[39:00] Ryan shares how GOLF+ incorporates various player modes so that the experience applies to both beginner and accomplished golfers.

Special Guest: Ryan Engle, Founder and CEO of GOLF+.

Breaking The Grass Ceiling - A Mother/Daughter Duo Who Are Changing The Golf Leadership Landscape

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0800

"When I was offered the position as the NGCOA Canada President I took it because they believed I was the right person for the job and I just happen to be female."... Lesley McMahon - General Manager, Balmoral Golf Course

"I want to see golf as a safer place for women where they truly feel that they are equals in this industry and it's not just a man's game anymore." Clare McMahon - MBA Grad and Golf Teaching Professional

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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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"I have always preached that we are in the entertainment business and golf just happens to be the plate we serve it up on. That's it. If you don't have that joyful feeling with your staff and make it fun, then they're not going to then ooze fun to your customers. If things go sideways, we know what we're going to do. But the rest of time, let's have some fun, sell some beer, play some golf and bring joy into people. With COVID, golf was a respite for people. We got people back into the game that had left and new golfers in. We're in such a good position right now that the sky's the limit and we need to really start capitalizing on that."

Episode Chapters
[02:20] Lesley opens by describing Balmoral Golf Course in Red Deer Alberta, which her farming family has owned since her grandfather built and opened it in 1963.
[04:30] Clare talks about growing up in a “golf family” and her early days as a junior competitive player.
[06:40] Lesley discusses the number of women in golf industry leadership positions and the work that needs to be done to make it more equitable.
[08:30] Clare describes the unfortunately negative experience she had to endure at the golf course she worked at after graduating from college.
[11:55] Lesley shares the positive outcomes from The NGCOA Canada conference and the conversations around customer and staff engagement.
[16:10] Clare tells us about her next steps as a golf teaching professional and the positive changes the club she works at has made to improve the culture and work environment.
[21:10] Lesley talks about her path to becoming the first female president of NGCOA Canada and the value of organization provides for course owners.
[29:40] Lesley shares the golf startups venture she is developing that helps improve the experience for women golfers and industry workers.
[33:20] Colin talks about company culture and the Simon Senek video shown at the conference that demonstrates the impact of poor leadership on staff members.
[35:45] Lesley talks about how they create a positive, inclusive culture and work environment at Balmoral Golf Course to improve staff engagement.
[28:32] Nick shares how and why Twilight Golf Association became part of Golf Genius Software and the value of this partnership.
[39:45] Both Clare and Lesley share their future vision of where the golf industry needs to evolve in order to be more inclusive and equitable.

You can also connect with Lesley and Clare on their bio pages, along with checking out the Balmoral Golf Course website.

Special Guests: Clare McMahon - MBA graduate and Golf Teaching Professional and Lesley McMahon - Past President at NGCOA Canada / GM at Balmoral Golf Course.

Scaling a Golf Startup With Partnerships - Nick Conrad, Founder of Twilight Golf Association

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:15:00 -0800

"I quickly realized that golf is a great equalizer sport where people with different ages and skill levels can all coexist on the course at the same time. No matter if you're a really skilled player or a new beginner, everyone's always working on something and has that common thread of constant improvement."... Twilight Golf Association Founder Nick Conrad

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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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"I thought it wasn't crazy that you could pull together lots of strangers and create a league out of it. That it didn't have to always be based on gender or senior groups or for players of a certain skill level, which is how fragmented most leagues are. That it really can work just like public golf. If could you allow those people that regularly fill out the tee sheet to create organized games, that really would resonate. At the most fundamental level Twilight Golf is taking the folks who normally want to play during their available hours and trying to structure it where there can be a reason to keep them coming back."

Episode Chapters
[02:16] Nick shares how he was introduced to the game and describes his first golf experience.
[06:48] Colin asks Nick "what was the WORST job you ever had and what positives did you take away from it?"
[09:50] Nick' gives us the "elevator pitch" for Twilight Golf Association of what they do and why they do it.
[15:00] Nick shares the origin story of Twilight Golf Association and the "AHA moment" that led to creating their first pilot program.
[20:50] We learn how Nick got buy-in from golf courses to partner with Twilight Golf and the value proposition he offered them.
[23:48] Nick tells us about their pricing model and the befenits Twilight Golf members receive by being part of their community.
[28:32] Nick shares how and why Twilight Golf Association became part of Golf Genius Software and the value of this partnership.

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Nick on our Youtube Channel!
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You can also connect with Nick on his bio page, along with checking out the Twilight Golf Association website.

Special Guest: Nick Conrad - Founder and General Manager of Twilight Golf Association.

Do a Common Thing In an Uncommon Way - Bob Winskowicz, Founder of SQAIRZ

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 17:30:00 -0800

"When Ely Callaway created the Big Bertha and Karsten Solheim created the Ping irons, they went to work on a driver and an iron that had perimeter weighting. And when they got done, the club looked the way it did because that's the way perimeter weighting looked. It wasn't the other way around. They didn't worry about the fact that this Big Bertha was an oversized metal wood that looked like a snow shovel with no hosel and then the iron looked like something that an alien designed. They had something that was radically different, but they could back it up with performance and they didn't worry about the looks. The looks was secondary to performance. Match it up with a quote from Booker T Washington, which is to "Do a common thing in an uncommon way". So when you mix those two things together and that's where SQAIRZ came from." - Bob Winskowicz, Founder of SQAIRZ
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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"A gentlemen I once worked for called me up and said "Bob I want you to work with me in the golf industry". He invited me to attend The PGA Show in 1995 and once I walked in it was like entering golf heaven. I was overwhelmed. I left there and said to him " I don't care what you pay me - I'm in! I want to work for you!". From that day on I never looked back."

Episode Chapters
[02:18] Bob shares being introduced to the game and his first golf experience.
[04:50] Colin asks Bob "what was the WORST job you ever had and what positives did you take away from it?"
[06:35] Bob's early professional work expience in the consumer goods sector and how that set the stage for a career shift into the golf industry.
[10:40] Bob tells the story of joining The Arnold Palmer Golf Company and the impact that "The King" had on his entrepreneurial endeavours.
[15:30] We learn about how outside influences like the creation of the Callaway Big Bertha driver shaped Bob's design philosophy for SQAIRZ.
[21:30] Bob tells us the exciting news about the next sport outside of golf that SQAIRZ is entering the high-performance shoe market.
[30:30] Bob shares his approach to empowering his team to embrace a culture of continuous learning, experimentation and innovation.

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Bob on our Youtube Channel!

"I have the privledge of being around Arnold Palmer and one time I presented a new set of irons we were ready to launch and The King said to me "what is in it for the consumer?" I stumbled because I focused on the look of the clubs. We lost sight of how they benefited the golfer. So once I launched a shoe company I always asked the question "What's in it for the consumer?"

You can also connect with Bob on his bio page, along with checking out the SQAIRZ website.

Special Guest: Bob Winskowicz - Founder of SQAIRZ.

Connecting Golfers With Likeminded Playing Partners - Kat Ramirez, Founder of Golfing Buddy

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 17:30:00 -0800

"They did not make me feel like I was part of our foursome. I felt like the outsider who wasn't good enough. It's bad enough that women already feel like they're not worthy in the golf world. If you have one bad experience, you're never gonna go back. You're not." - Kat Ramirez, Founder of Golfing Buddy
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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"Why would you allow yourself to be compromised or up against something like that? Golf is a great game to get to know people. That's why people go on the golf course and get to know other people and spend four hours with that person. It's because they want to get to know them and really have a good time, not to be feeling like you're not good enough. So Golfing Buddy was created to empower people to find other people just like them to go play golf with."

Golfing Buddy was created for a couple of reasons:

• to help Women, Minorities, Veterans and Juniors play more golf without feeling intimidated at the course by being uncomfortably paired with people they don’t want to play with.
• to help people like Kat's boyfriend find other golfers to play golf with so they can play more golf with fun, likeminded people.
• to help golf facilities get more people paired up to play at their course with the type of people they want to play with.

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Kat on our Youtube Channel!

"It was a summer weekend in Midwest Milwaukee and fabulous outside, but I had to get a project done I couldn't get out and play. My boyfriend wanted to get out and play so badly. He called all of his buddies but no one could get out to join him for a round. He was pouting and moping around the house and I felt really bad for him so I said, "hey wouldn’t it be awesome if we had an app or website where you could find a golfing buddy?" And BING BING BING Golfing Buddy was born!"

You can also connect with Kat on her bio page, along with checking out the Golfing Buddy website.

Special Guest: Kat Ramirez, Founder of Golfing Buddy.

Making a Difference: Supporting The Recovery of Injured Veterans Through Golf - John Simpson, Founder of On Course Foundation

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 12:00:00 -0800

"I was golfing and one of the chaps I was playing with asked me if I'd come and speak to some of his people. He worked at Headley Court which is the British Military Rehabilitation Center. This was in 2009, at the height of what was going on in Afghanistan. When I went in there and saw how many young people - some with horrendous injuries - I just thought "I'm in a great position working in the game and can help in some way". - John Simpson, Founder - On Course Foundation

The On Course Foundation supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel and veterans through golf. The Foundation's mission is to build confidence and self-belief in their members through golf skills and employment events, and set them on the path to meaningful full-time employment opportunities in the golf industry.
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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"Being disabled myself, I had a chat with a few of the injured veterans there and described what had happened to me. I saw some of them looking back at me and I realized that golf was something they could do. And that's when I thought, "if we could start a charity which teaches golf on a long-term basis, with the idea of then getting them in some form of employment within the golf and related industries, that if we could do that, that would be quite something". And that's where it all started."

At the 18 minute mark John shares two inspirational stories of how On Course Foundation has positively impacted the lives of injured servicepeople.

‘’It initially gave me confidence that I can achieve again, taught me a new skill and has given me the drive and motivation back that I had lost following my illness. It has given me competition back that I thrive for and also a continual aim. I feel comfortable around OCF members and the worries of disfigurement and scarring disappear along with any apprehension of being judged by others."
Kate Surman - On Course Foundation beneficiary

"The most important thing is when a woman or man looks you in the eye and says 'The On Course Foundation saved me", it's very powerful stuff".

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with John on our Youtube Channel!

"And this is what On Course Foundation is all about. We give them the joy of playing golf and all that goes with it, but then to work in the industry and rediscover a sense of purpose and to show your family that you can meaningfully contribute by providing a salary, that's how these heroes reintegrate back into society."

At the 22 minute mark John tells us about The Simpson Cup, their flagship event where the competitors involved in the are all beneficiaries of On Course Foundation UK and their sister Foundation in the USA. It is an annual tournament and fundraiser between teams of 13 injured Service personnel and veterans from the UK and their American counterparts.

The Ryder Cup style tournament showcases the unique position of golf as one of the few sports where players of all skills and abilities can play together on a level playing field, because of the official golf handicap system.

You can also connect with John on his bio page, along with checking out the On Course Foundation US or On Course Foundation UK websites.

Special Guest: John Simpson - Founder of On Course Foundation.

SEASON 12 WRAP-UP / SEASON 13 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 12:15:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 12 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 13, which launches early December 2022. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 12 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefullly this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which ones you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 12 guests were:

Episode 1
Jordan Lunetta - Co-Founder of ODIN Golf
"We have big ambitions to take ODIN to golfers across the globe. We have a vision of building a platform for the everyday golfer." Jordan Lunetta, Co-Founder of ODIN Golf opens Season 12 to share how they are creating a golf-loving tribe by living their company tagline: "Go Balls Out. Always!"
Click to listen >> BUILDING AN ENGAGING PLATFORM FOR THE EVERYDAY GOLFER

Episode 2
Donnie Dotson - Founder and CEO at Carry Golf Investments
"These potential investors didn't know the players 48 hours earlier and were high fiving them saying "we'll be following along and cheering for you guys!" My goal now is to be able to bottle up that experience and scale it, so we can help a lot more golfers but also bring a lot more fans closer to the game." Donnie Dotson joins us to share how he's applying tech startup lessons learned to elite athletes.
Click to listen >> APPLYING A TECH INVESTOR MINDSET TO SUPPORT "EARLY STAGE" GOLF ATHLETES

Episode 3
Cooper Sherwin - Co-Founder and Head of Community at LinksDAO
"We knew right off the bat that we wanted to bring value to NFT holders, not where it was lottery based where maybe five folks would get a trip to The Masters. We wanted to make sure that we had benefits across the board in an equitable way. Cooper Sherwin shares how LinksDAO uses web3 and the value of NFTs to reimagine the golf club membership experience.
Click to listen >> HARNESSING WEB3 TO REIMAGINE THE MODERN GOLF CLUB EXPERIENCE

Episode 4
Matt Reagan - Founder and CEO at Operation 36 Golf Co-Founder
"We created this cool environment to test group programming with kids and try to figure out what works to make it fun, but also make sure they are getting better and turning into golfers." Matt Reagan shares how they looked at youth sports like martial arts to create a multi-levelled teaching program that is both effective and fun.
Click to listen >> BUILDING A SCALABLE BUSINESS THAT INTRODUCES 1,000,000 NEW GOLFERS TO THE GAME

Episode 5
Jess McAlister - Co-Founder of Digital Golf Collective
"With where technology and society is going, it's an adapt or die situation as we are currently seeing in the golf industry today. As severe crazy golf fans and experts in our professional space, we felt we can positively disrupt while loving and respecting the industry and sport we love so much." - Jess McAlister joins us to share how they passionately created the golf influencer space.
Click to listen >> BUILDING A WOMEN-LED COMPANY THAT POSITIVELY DISRUPTS THE GOLF INDUSTRY

Episode 6
Ty DeLavallade - Founder and President of Deuce
"I realized that when building a company, you're really building a tribe. Creating a support group of people around you who are proud to wear the hat because it's cool brand. They wear it because of the quality and how it makes them feel. Whatever their motivation, I'm okay with that." Ty DeLavallade joins us to share the wins and the setbacks that define his entrepreneurial journey.
Click to listen >> RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE NEW CURRENCY

Episode 7
Nick Longley - Co-Founder of Inrange Golf
"Once we understood that our business is helping other businesses succeed, things really took off" - Nick Longley joins us to share their design process that led to creating engaging digital games to heighten the traditional driving range experience for both customers and owners.
Click to listen >> USING CUSTOMER FEEDBACK TO DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL VALUE

Episode 8
Billy Brown - Founder and CEO of The Golf Sanctuary
"November of 2019, I was in a pain med coma from a shoulder surgery wiping drool off my face from the codeine and thought... Golf Sanctuary. If I could go marry real estate and golf, how cool would that be?" Billy Brown joins us to share how he harnessed the Law of Supply and Demand to create a members-only off-course experience that appeals to his love for food, drinks and golf.
Click to listen >> REDEFINING THE GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Episode 9
Eileen Jurczak - Founder and CEO of Xonic Golf
"All of my personal and professional experiences in finance, engineering and golf have come together. It's quite fantastic that they culminate into what I'm doing in the Sport Tech startup space today." Eileen Jurczak joins us to share what she learned about entrepreneurship on the stock exchange trading floor and so much more on this episode of The ModGolf Podcast.
Click to listen >> ENTREPRENEURIAL LESSONS LEARNED ON THE TRADING FLOOR

Episode 10
Markus Westerberg - Co-Founder of deWiz
"Golf provides a North Star to define what success means to you and to appreciate the journey. You have to truly love the game, whether it's the game of entrepreneurship or the game of golf. And when you do that, I believe you will end up in good places." Markus Westerberg joins host Colin Weston to share the value of doing uncomfortable things, the power in collaborating with curious, positive people and so much more on this engaging episode of The ModGolf Podcast.
Click to listen >> COMBINING HIS LOVE OF GOLF AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Episode 11
Brett Jaffee - Caddy Time Co-Founder
"Sometimes golfers need a competitive caddy, but also for senior play, junior play, woman's play. Caddies are a terrific bridge to the golf facility." Brett Jaffee joins us to share how a lifetime in entrepreneurship led to the successful creation of their startup.
Click to listen >> BUILDING A BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS GOLFERS, CADDIES AND CLUBS

Episode 12
Laura Diaz - The LPGA's Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion (with guest host Dr. Greta Anderson)
"If you can see it, you can be it". If I can see somebody that looks like me, if there is that representation then I know I can get into this sport, or I can see a career in it." Our guest host Dr. Greta Anderson sits down with Laura Diaz who shares insights gathered starting from her first swing growing up in Puerto Rico.
Click to listen >> HOW A SIMPLE INVITATION BECOMES A POWERFUL WAY TO GROW GOLF

Special Guests: Billy Brown - Founder and CEO The Golf Sanctuary LLC. 2x Amazon Best Selling Author, Real Estate Investor, and Entrepreneur, Brett Jaffee - Co-Founder of Caddy Time, Cooper Sherwin - Co-Founder and Head of Community at LinksDAO, Donnie Dotson - Founder and CEO of Carry Golf Investments, Eileen Jurczak - Founder and CEO of Xonic Golf, Guillermo Heredia, Managing Director Global Brands, Metaverse & Blockchain at HYPE Sports Innovation, Jess McAlister - Founder of Digital Golf Collective, Jordan Lunetta - Co-Founder of ODIN Golf, Laura Diaz, Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion at The LPGA, Markus Westerberg, Co-Founder of deWiz, Matt Reagan, Co-Founder at Operation 36 Golf, Nick Longley - Co-Founder at Inrange® Golf, and Ty DeLavallade - Founder and President of Deuce.

How a Simple Invitation Becomes a Powerful Way To Grow Golf - Laura Diaz, Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion With The LPGA

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 11:15:00 -0700

"If we go back in history, systemically with PGA of America's "Caucasian Only Clause" that was in effect till 1960, which was not that long ago. So if you look at that, you really didn't see that many black, brown, Hispanic people in the game. Fast forward to me growing up, people still didn't have that representation. I'm a big believer in "If you can see it, you can be it" right. If I can see somebody that looks like me, if I have that representation that I can get into this sport, or I can see a career in it." - Laura Diaz, Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion With The LPGA
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"I've always thought of golf as a game of invitation, because when I hear stories of whether it's women, or colleagues who've taken up the game it's always like, "oh, my husband plays. So, I eventually played". Or my dad played, which is my case and we played golf. I asked my mom a couple years ago. "Why don't you play golf"? And she said, because nobody ever invited me. To me that was heartbreaking because my mom was an athlete, but she let golf be something that my dad and my brother and I did separately."

"I have become a lot more self-aware about being that person that invites others because we do get clicky. You have your foursome that you play with on the weekends. You like it because you all play fast, you know everybody's game. Which is great. I love that about golf. But if we can be more self-aware and intentional about inviting someone that doesn't look like you or inviting someone that you might think, "Hey this person might not want to go". This person might be looking for an invitation. The invite part I think is important."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Laura and Greta on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Laura on her bio page, along with checking out the LPGA Foundation website.

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Attention all you fabulous women golfers - we are partnering with our good friends at KINONA Sport to offer 20% OFF your purchase using promo code MODGOLF! CLICK TO SAVE on tops, shorts, pants, skirts, dresses, skorts, jackets, vests and accessories!

Special Guest: Laura Diaz, Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion at The LPGA.

Building a Bridge That Connects Golfers, Caddies and Clubs - Brett Jaffee, Co-Founder of Caddy Time

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 11:45:00 -0700

"Caddies are wonderful for golf and yet only available one percent or less of the time. To the everyday golfer like myself, caddies were never offered to me. No matter what your reason for playing golf, a caddy enhances it." - Caddy Time Co-Founder Brett Jaffee
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"Sometimes golfers need a competitive caddy, but also there are huge benefits to enhance the experience for senior's play, junior play, woman's play and beginner golfers. Caddies are a terrific bridge to the golf facility."

"Talking to golfers, course operators and caddies led us to create an instrument where people could connect with the golf-savvy community. Professional and recreational golfers would be able to add a caddy to any golf outing that they chose and that's where Caddy Time came from. Where Caddy Time adds value is as an on-demand caddy platform that delivers the highest quality caddy to whatever that golfer needs."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Brett on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Brett on his bio page, along with checking out the Caddy Time website.

Special Guest: Brett Jaffee - Co-Founder of Caddy Time.

Combining His Love of Golf and Entrepreneurship - Markus Westerberg, Co-Founder of deWiz

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 10:30:00 -0700

"I can only do so much and I am happy to let in anyone who can help us and who knows their area of expertise better than me. There's no ego motivation here. We just want to help golfers get better, grow the company and reach out to more golfers. We have the love of the game and that's our driving force. I think that's a strength that we have, the strength to know what we don't know and not have the vanity of trying to show something else." - deWiz Co-Founder Markus Westerberg
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"I started that round with an incredible start and have learned through experience not to then play conservatively in order to protect a good score. Hitting "pause" and trying to get off the golf course by making pars is the wrong mindset. If you do that you are sure to make bogeys so I knew I had to push myself. So I kept pushing and pushing into that "Zone of Discomfort", didn't bail on myself throughout the round and gave myself a chance to shoot 59 with a putt on 18. I'm really proud of that round as it was a magically exhilarating experience."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Markus on our Youtube Channel!

"We launched about a year ago and today and we are now 14 employees in the company. I'm not saying that we built deWiz all by ourselves. We are team players. I know some things and I don't know a lot of other things". I know golf and I've learned a lot about tech. I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology, which ties in very good to deWiz."

You can also connect with Markus on his bio page, along with checking out the deWiz website.

"Golf is an individual sport but no single tour golfer is out there alone. There is a family behind them, friends, a manager and multiple coaches that make up the team. So to suceed, you have to be able to handle your team regarding the physical, mental, financial and logistical challenges that arise. Golf is a brutal game and it's a game about managing mistakes. Looking at a professional golf career, you have more failures than successes and that gives you a thick skin that builds up your resilience. Golf gives you a North Star to define what success means to you and to appreciate the journey. You have to truly love the game, whether it's the game of entrepreneurship or the game of golf. And when you do that, I believe you will end up in good places."

Special Guest: Markus Westerberg, Co-Founder of deWiz.

Entrepreneurial Lessons Learned on The Trading Floor - Eileen Jurczak, Founder and CEO of Xonic Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:30:00 -0700

"At that point in my life I was working on the trading floor for many years with BMO and had been introduced to artificial intelligence in the financial realm. Not in sports but AI nonetheless. The two came together and I said "wait a second, I wonder if there's a product here? I wonder if we can bring together AI and this passion for golf? That would be a dream come true if I could start a golf related business!". That's where the seed of the idea came. There has been a lot of work and learning since then, but that was the AHA moment for Xonic Golf." - Eileen Jurczak, Founder and CEO of Xonic Golf
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Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Eileen on our Youtube Channel!

"A lot of people don't know this about the scock exchange trading floor. While it's in a large financial institution, it's a very entrepreneurial atmosphere with dozens of small businesses being run by a handful of people. We're responsible for wearing multiple hats in each of these businesses to market it, to grow it, to manage the finances. You're doing everything and you're working hard! The idea of "Hey, we want your ideas, bring them to the table" fosters that innovative entrepreneurial mindset. I'm using all the skills and experience that I've built up my entire life and career. It's incredible."

You can also connect with Eileen on her bio page, along with checking out the Xonic Golf website.

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Eileen is passionate about giving back to the community and has founded and built a successful not-for-profit company that addresses the need for youth financial services education. Established in 2015, the Bay Street Deconstructed workshops have now reached over 10,000 Grade 10 students across Canada, with a priority of reaching students with diverse cultural backgrounds in less affluent areas, helping all students to be better prepared for their futures.

Special Guest: Eileen Jurczak - Founder and CEO of Xonic Golf.

Redefining The Golf Club Membership Experience - Billy Brown, Founder and CEO of The Golf Sanctuary

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0700

"When demand is greater than supply, there is a business opportunity. I found one in The Golf Sanctuary".

"So the idea has been floating around my head for six or seven years. What got me with the simulators when I played Hilton Head or one of those courses it's like, "oh this is cool". But what they did was they threw me into this imaginary world. I went, "oh my God, you've got to be kidding me. We're playing like Machu Picchu, and all sorts of crazy stuff is happening". That I got my juices flowing because I don't know how to hit this shot over a dragon. I've never practiced that shot! We're on top of a thousand foot cliff, never done that before but now I'm interested. I bet other people like this." - Billy Brown, Founder and CEO of The Golf Sanctuary in Nashville Tennessee
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"November of 2019, I was in a pain med coma from a shoulder surgery wiping drool off my face from the codeine and thought... Golf Sanctuary. If I could go marry real estate and golf, how cool would that be?"

"People that play golf, they don't have time anymore because it takes too damn long. What if I could use the enhanced simulator experience in a business? How do I execute this, how do you monetize it?"

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Billy on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Billy on his bio page, along with checking out the Golf Sanctuary website.

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On this episode Billy references two books that have influenced and helped shape his entrepreneurial "Give First" mindset: "The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg and John David Mann, and "Failing Forward" by John C. Maxwell.

Special Guest: Billy Brown - Founder and CEO The Golf Sanctuary LLC. 2x Amazon Best Selling Author, Real Estate Investor, and Entrepreneur.

Using Customer Feedback To Deliver Exceptional Value - Nick Longley, Co-Founder at Inrange

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 09:15:00 -0700

"Within 15 minutes of showing a driving range owner a video of what it could be they said, "Right, yeah, we're in. We'll happily be your early adopter". And once they came on as early adopters we spent hours and hours of time on the range, interviewing people showing them designs, showing them prototypes and getting push back." - Nick Longley, Co-Founder at Inrange Golf
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"We got to the point with our first mobile implementation that we had to run competitions just to get people to even log in and play it. But what Declan the owner of Greenwich said to me early on was, "I'm not interested in this mobile thing. I want screens and I want games". And over time we realized that people don't like paying for apps, but put a beautiful touchscreen in their bay with this fantastic augmented training experience and they will happily pay a premium to play and they'll feel like it's for free."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Nick on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Nick on his bio page, along with checking out the Inrange website.

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On this episode Colin and Nick discuss the concept of the Technology Adoption Curve and where Inrange Golf currently sits on it.

Nick also references "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" by Nir Eyal, which is a book that has helped Inrange develop their game and experience design strategy.

Special Guest: Nick Longley - Co-Founder at Inrange® Golf.

Relationships Are The New Currency - Ty DeLavallade - Founder and President of Deuce

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 13:00:00 -0700

"I challenged myself and said, "I may not have all the financial capital to do it, but I have teeth to cut in the steak and I have the resources and access to the golf industry because I've been in golf for twelve years now". I can figure something out." - Ty DeLavallade - Founder and President of Deuce
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"I did some research to find out what other black-owned businesses are there out there. To be fair, I didn't find any. I decided that night was I going to call it Deuce and did not know what the logo was going to look like, but I wanted to somehow leave a legacy for my son. I've called him Deuce since he was three. It's a cool name. What I realized was that when you're building a company, you're really building a tribe. You're really building a support group around you of people who are proud to wear the hat because it's cool brand. They wear it because of the quality. Whatever it is, I'm okay with that."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Ty on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Ty on his bio page, along with checking out The Deuce Am Tour (which I hope to be at mid-September for the LA stop!) and Deuce Cares https://deuceamtour.com/deuce-cares/

Special Guest: Ty DeLavallade - Founder and President of Deuce.

Sponsored By:

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Building a Women-Led Company That Positively Disrupts The Golf Industry - Jess McAlister, Founder of Digital Golf Collective

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 22:15:00 -0700

"When we say positively disrupt, we want to show that there are alternative ways of doing things when it comes to being creative and marketing to today's consumer, fan, as well as the industry. And with both of us being experts in our space, we knew that our brains coming together could ultimately do that."
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"Especially coming into a space that is truly based on tradition, we wanted to respect that. So we use positively disrupt because we're both severe crazy golf fans, love what is there and what it's based on. But with where technology and society are going, it's kind of an adapt or die situation as we are currently seeing in the industry today. And we felt we can positively disrupt while loving and respecting the sport we love so much and fighting to ensure women athletes get what they truly deserve."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Jess on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Jess and Digital Golf Collective? Visit their website to learn how they are creating effective developmental programs and technology to introduce and guide anyone in playing the game of golf.

You can also connect with Jess on her bio page.

Special Guest: Jess McAlister - Founder of Digital Golf Collective.

Sponsored By:

Zencastr: Connect your business to a new audience with Zencastr’s Podcast Marketplace!

Building a Scalable Business That Introduces 1,000,000 New Golfers to The Game - Matt Reagan, Co-Founder at Operation 36 Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 14:00:00 -0700

Getting good at golf is hard. Figuring out how to make it fun and engaging for kids is even harder. As Matt Reagan and his Operation 36 Co-Founder Ryan Dailey looked to solve this problem over 12 years ago, they saw how other sports - especially martial arts like Taekwondo and Karate - would progress through levels of mastery by testing students once they had acquired the necessary skills. The result was creating a 10 Division, variable distance gameplay format where students need to shoot 36 over nine holes in order to graduate up to the next level. Listen in as Matt shares the startup journey of Operation 36 Golf.
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"We got three kids to sign up and join the program and that was how the concept started. And then we'd say "oh crap, what do we do with them every week? How do we show they're improving, what do we teach? How should we be testing them and show parents they're getting better? How do we make it fun every step of the way?"

"The first five years of our existence we worked on building the program and trying to figure that out. We'd sit down before class, plan for an hour and a half and then kids would show up. We'd run it and say "well that sucked, let's try it again!" and then we would experiment with different ideas. So we had this pretty cool environment where we were just testing group programming with kids and trying to figure out what works to make it fun, but also make sure they are getting better and turning into golfers. And then showing parents, who are the ones signing the kids up for the program, that this is working."

Want to learn more about Matt and Operation 36 Golf? Visit their website to learn how they are creating effective developmental programs and technology to introduce and guide anyone in playing the game of golf.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Matt on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Matt on his bio page.

Operation 36 takes the traditional model and flips it on its head. All new players begin on the course. Instead of starting at the tee box, they play from 25 yards away from the hole. Once the player shoots par (36) from 25 yards, they back up to 50 yards, and so on, until they are shooting even par (36) from the full tee box. It’s timely, it’s fun, and it provides step by step improvement.

Special Guest: Matt Reagan, Co-Founder at Operation 36 Golf.

Harnessing web3 To Reimagine The Modern Golf Club Experience - Cooper Sherwin, Co-Founder and Head of Community at LinksDAO

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 12:45:00 -0700

"Being an NFT member of this community automatically and from the beginning has brought value, even before we acquire the golf course, That's our North Star. We're still heading there. But the team is working really hard to continue forging these partnerships because everyone we talked to in the golf world is really excited about what we're doing".... Cooper Sherwin, Co-Founder and Head of Community at LinksDAO
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"It's been really positive the responses we've gotten. Folks who are excited about new technology, about new approaches to the game and about building the sport of golf have been very receptive to what we're creating."

So what does the DAO is LinksDAO mean? It stands for a "Decentralized Autonomous Organization" and Cooper nicely explains it around the 10 minute mark of this episode.

Want to learn more about Cooper and LinksDAO? Visit their website to see how LinksDAO is engaging a global community of thousands of golf enthusiasts to create the modern golf and leisure club.

You can learn more about and connect with Cooper on his bio page. Cooper just attended the 2022 NFT NYC conference, which you can check out at https://www.nft.nyc

Special Guest: Cooper Sherwin - Co-Founder and Head of Community at LinksDAO.

Sponsored By:

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Applying a Tech Investor Mindset to Support "Early Stage" Golf Athletes - Donnie Dotson, Founder and CEO of Carry

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 13:15:00 -0700

"I was thrilled and inspired to see that we had people going from almost complete strangers to forming meaningful bonds over golf. And my goal is to be able to somehow bottle up that experience and scale it, so we can help a lot more golfers but also bring a lot more fans closer to the game."
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I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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"We played The Cradle and Number Two at Pinehurst, we played, followed by a wonderful dinner in Donald Ross' backyard for the Monday night closing event. There was a moment where two of our players who are on the Korn Ferry Tour had to leave as dinner was wrapping up because they had an early flight to their next event. Potential investors were standing up, clapping, a bit of a standing ovation, high fives and saying "hey, we're rooting for you guys, we're cheering you on, will be following along!" They didn't know who these players were other than by name 48 hours earlier and that was cool to see.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Donnie on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Donnie and Carry Golf Investments? Visit their website to see how Carry Golf Investments is taking a tech startup venture capitalist approach to funding and supporting elite athletes.

You can learn more about and connect with Donnie on his bio page.

Special Guest: Donnie Dotson - Founder and CEO of Carry Golf Investments.

Building an Engaging Platform For The Everyday Golfer - Jordan Lunetta, Co-Founder of ODIN Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 17 May 2022 16:45:00 -0700

"We're on the course one day and we're not having a great round. We're donating to the lake and the forest. We look at each other and say, "Why aren't we losing our own golf balls? Why are we losing golf balls of brands that are old?" They're stuffy and they don't speak to us as digital natives. We are the next generation of golfers who are the rebel rousers in a good way, who are consuming things in much different ways. And given the four of us built and scaled tech companies we said "before we do anything, what are our ambitions?" And we have big ambitions to take ODIN to golfers across the globe. We have a vision of building a platform for the everyday golfer."
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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"Why are we using expensive gear from old, stuffy brands that don’t really speak to us? So what the old stuffy incumbent brands are doing for the PGA Tour, we're doing for everyone else. That's our sweet spot in the market, which is really exciting." Jordan shares how they apply a tech startup approach to disrupt the traditional golf product space, are early adopters experimenting with NFTs and much more.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Jordan on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Jordan and ODIN Golf? Visit their website to see how ODIN is putting their fun, irreverent spin on golf balls, apparel and community building experiences. You can also learn more about the ODIN Founding Membership NFTs at https://futureofgolf.co.

You can learn more about and connect with Jordan on his bio page.

Special Guest: Jordan Lunetta - Co-Founder of ODIN Golf.

SEASON 11 WRAP-UP / SEASON 12 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 13:30:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 11 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 12, which launches early June 2022. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 11 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefullly this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which ones you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 11 guests were:

Episode 1
Deborah Smith - Prosthetics Entrepreneur and Adaptive Athlete (with guest host Dr. Greta Anderson)
Click to listen >> EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH ADAPTIVE GOLF

Episode 2
Chris Kallmayer - Co-CEO at Golf Genius Software
Click to listen >> FOSTER INNOVATION AND GROWTH BY LISTENING TO CUSTOMER NEEDS

Episode 3
Jeremy Callahan - aka "The App Man", Co-Founder and CTO at Golf BPM
Click to listen >> THE 2022 GOLF APP REVIEW EPISODE

Episode 4
Lydia Davies - Founder and CEO at TeeMates Golf
Click to listen >> CREATING THE "LINKEDIN FOR GOLFERS"

Episode 5
Mark Mattingly - EVP at Landscapes Golf Management
Click to listen >> WHAT YOU WANT SITS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HARD

Episode 6
Charlie Klaus (SPARK Golf) and Patrick Farris (EUFOREIA Golf)
Click to listen >> CONVERSATIONS FROM THE 2022 PGA SHOW

Episode 7
Jim Beatty - Executive Director, African American Golfer's Digest
Click to listen >> TAKING A POSITION TO HELP CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE

Episode 8
Guillermo Heredia - Managing Director with HYPE Sports Innovation
Click to listen >> HOW THE METAVERSE AND NFTS WILL AMPLIFY GOLF FAN ENGAGEMENT

Episode 9
Alyson Ramsey Johnson - CEO at Gilly Group and Co-Founder at White Tee Partners
Click to listen >> CREATING PHENOMENAL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES THROUGH GOLF

Episode 10
Jim Plumb - Co-Founder and FORE! SIXTY
Click to listen >> BUILDING COMMUNITY AS A "SENIOR-PRENEUR"

Episode 11
Tom Naramore - CEO at D3Golf.com
Click to listen >> TURNING A $3 WEEKLY GOLF BUDDY BET INTO A SCALEABLE BUSINESS VENTURE

Episode 12
Steve Tooshkenig - Golf Teaching Professional and Inspirational Indigenous Speaker
Click to listen >> CREATING A SUSTAINABLE GOLF FUTURE THROUGH THE "SEVENTH GENERATION PRINCIPLE"

Special Guests: Alyson Ramsey Johnson - CEO at Gilly Group, Co-Founder of White Tee Partners, Charlie Klaus - Co- Founder and CEO at Spark Golf, Chris Kallmeyer, CEO at Golf Genius Software, Deborah Smith - Adaptive Athlete and Prosthetic Resources Consultant, Guillermo Heredia, Managing Director Global Brands, Metaverse & Blockchain at HYPE Sports Innovation, Jeremy Callahan - a.k.a. The App Man, Jim Beatty, Executive Editor with African American Golfer’s Digest, Jim Plumb, Co-Founder of FORE! SIXTY, Lydia Davies - Founder of The Osprey Collective and TeeMates Golf, Mark Mattingly - Executive Vice President at Landscapes Golf Management, Patrick Farris - Euforeia Golf Co. Founder / CEO, Steve Tooshkenig, CPGA Golf Professional and Inspirational Indigenous Speaker, and Tom Naramore - CEO at D3Golf.com.

Creating a Sustainable Golf Future Through The "Seventh Generation Principle" - Steve Tooshkenig, CPGA Golf Professional and Inspirational Indigenous Speaker

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 12:00:00 -0700

"Walk in that good way, helping and sharing your journey so those before you can smile."
Steve Tooshkenig, CPGA Golf Professional and Inspirational Indigenous Speaker
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"The opportunity that we have right now is to understand the importance in what we do in life collectively. When we see something and want to see it succeed, we know that those people that are supposed to be sitting in that Circle will come and sit down. They may just listen for a little while and they made you say, "Hey, you know what? I feel a little awkward sitting here" and that's okay. We've been sitting like that for the last 150 years."

Visit Steve's website to learn more about the impactful work he does to support Indigenous youth through golf.

"Walking in a good way is following our seven sacred teachings: wisdom, honesty, courage, bravery, love, respect and humility. We are given a responsibility to share our talents to help others".

You can learn more about and connect with Steve on his bio page and by emailing him at steve@stgolf.com

Walking in a Good Way
I want to thank Curtis Gillespie for introducing me to Steve after I read his July 2021 SCOREGolf article "Walking in a Gold Way". This inspiring article featuring Stephen W. Tooshkenig, Jesse Smith and Steve Styres was selected as the FIRST Indigenous cover story in the history of SCOREGolf magazine. This Issue can be found at www.scoregolf.com to learn why golf is more than a pastime for Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Special Guest: Steve Tooshkenig, CPGA Golf Professional and Inspirational Indigenous Speaker.

Turning a $3 weekly golf buddy bet into a scaleable business venture - Tom Naramore, CEO at D3Golf.com

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0700

"There is a standard side game that many people play called the Nassau bet. There's a wager on the front nine, a separate wager on the back nine and then you add them both together in match play and whoever wins the most holes wins the overall. So it's three separate bets. Craig and I used to play a dollar-dollar-dollar game. That's what we would call it on the first hole. He'd walk up, look at me and say "dollar-dollar-dollar?" and I'd respond "Absolutely!"
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"I had software clients out golfing at the same time that (my now Co-Founder) Craig had financial clients out and we serendipitously wound up at the same restaurant. He saw me, walked up and said, "hey, we should have been able to play our dollar-dollar-dollar game on two different courses" and I snap answered him and said, "Man, I can build that, that's a mobile app. No problem!" ...Tom Naramore, CEO at D3Golf.com

"I met a gentleman by the name of Peter Meng and he spent half an hour showing me his tech. Afterwards all I said to him was, "What do you think about a virtual wallet in a mobile app, two guys playing golf either on the same or different courses? They play, the app does all the math and then the app sends the money to the winner." And that's all I said to him. 24 hours later he called me back. He wrote a business plan, a technical road map for me, a basic marketing plan and voila, the company was started."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Tom on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Tom and D3Golf? Visit their website to see how D3Golf has created the mobile app for monetary side games on your local golf course or remotely with players around the country.

You can learn more about and connect with Tom on his bio page.

We want to thank our sponsor partner Golf Genius Software for helping support The ModGolf Podcast

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Special Guest: Tom Naramore - CEO at D3Golf.com.

Building Community as a "Senior-preneur" - Jim Plumb, Co-Founder of FORE! SIXTY

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 21:15:00 -0700

"We were going to call the company FORE! FIFTY, but we did a lot of surveys and 50 year olds still think they're 20, but 60 year olds are realistic. That's why we want to cater to that crowd of 60 and over."... Jim Plumb, Co-Founder of FORE! SIXTY

FORE! SIXTY is a unique online community dedicated to enhancing the game for golfers sixty and over with age-relevant information, videos and a wide selection of curated value offerings on golf equipment, natural, anti-inflammatory pain relief and Sun Smart UPF50 sun protection apparel.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Jim on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Jim and FORE! SIXTY? Visit their website to see how they are creating an engaging community for senior golfers.

"We've all failed at times and built up businesses. We understand the economics behind it so we're not afraid to go after new products, investigate new areas. I love the entrepreneurial world and am looking at other things that I want to do beyond this business. You never know what's going to come up next, but you always got to keep your doors open and keep looking for that good opportunity."

You can learn more about and connect with Jim on his bio page.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Jim Plumb, Co-Founder of FORE! SIXTY.

Sponsored By:

Zencastr: Click on the discount link for 30% off a Zencastr Professional account using the promo code THEMODGOLFPOD. Promo Code: THEMODGOLFPOD

Creating Phenomenal Customer Experiences Through Golf - Alyson Ramsey Johnson, CEO at Gilly Group and Co-Founder at White Tee Partners

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 18:00:00 -0700

"I always knew I wanted to be a boss. I didn't know of what but I had that calling to want to help brands and businesses, create these phenomenal experiences for their customers through golf, whether that was sponsorship activation, hospitality or promoting their brands. So I knew I needed to get more of a differentiator for myself in the golf industry, especially as a woman."

"I knew I had the itch to do it. I just needed to get more experience under my belt. So when I launched Gilly Group I took all my favorite experiences, I left behind HR Communications, the ice cream socials, the investor relations and never looked back. Honestly it's really been my greatest joy to do this because I love working in golf. I love the people that I know and it's just a lot of fun to bring that to the end consumer."

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Alyson on our Youtube Channel!

We're excited to announce that our very own podcasting platform, Zencastr has become a new sponsor of the show! Click on the discount link for 30% off a Zencastr Professional account using the promo code THEMODGOLFPOD.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.
Zencastr: It’s time to share your story!

Want to learn more about Alyson and Gilly Group? Visit their website to see how Alyson and her team deliver marketing strategy, business development, sports marketing and sponsorship activation solutions for their golf industry clients.

On the podcast Alyson discussed the value of finding a likeminded partner with a complimentry skill set when starting a new business venture. She co-founded White Tee Partners with good friend LeslieAnne Wade, where they deliver awareness and exposure to products, brands, leagues, and talent within the golf space using rich storytelling and engaging content while utilizing their extensive network within the golf industry.

Click on the image below to learn more about White Tee Partners.

You can learn more about and connect with Alyson on her bio page.

Special Guest: Alyson Ramsey Johnson - CEO at Gilly Group, Co-Founder of White Tee Partners.

Sponsored By:

Zencastr: Click on the discount link for 30% off a Zencastr Professional account using the promo code THEMODGOLFPOD. Promo Code: THEMODGOLFPOD

How The Metaverse and NFTs Will Amplify Golf Fan Engagement - Guillermo Heredia, Managing Director at HYPE Sports Innovation

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 17:00:00 -0800

The Metaverse. NFTs. Blockchain. Cryptocurrency. Web 3.0
You have probably heard some or all of these terms over the past couple of years and may scratch your head in bewilderment as one of your friends tries to explain them to you. After listening to this episode you will be enlightened by the insights from our guest Guillermo Heredia, who is the Global Brands, Metaverse & Blockchain Managing Director at HYPE Sports Innovation.

"The Metaverse. It's not like different Metaverses, it is one Metaverse like there is one internet and then you have different platforms. The Australian Open replicated the grounds in Decentraland and you could see and enter the Rod Laver Arena and see all the sponsors. You could go to the shop, you had some gamification around but they were not the only ones. The NFL did it for the Super Bowl and they created an area in Roblox wherre they had a store. They again have ramification, you could see all the brands and the clubs that are in the NFL. So it is a new way for fans to interact with the brands and with the sport properties. So you have endless opportunities."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Guillermo on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Guillermo and HYPE Sports Innovation? Visit their website to see how HYPE has become the Global Sports Tech Arena with over 100 top sports brands, clubs, and federations as partners.

One example of golf entering the Metaverse is GOLF+, where you can play an immersive round of 18 holes, putting competitions or experience TopGolf in a virtual reality environment. Click on the image below to learn more about GOLF+.

Web 3.0 represents the next iteration or phase of the evolution of the web/Internet and potentially could be as disruptive and represent as big a paradigm shift as Web 2.0. Web 3.0 is built upon the core concepts of decentralization, openness, and greater user utility.

You can learn more about and connect with Guillermo on his bio page.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Guillermo Heredia, Managing Director Global Brands, Metaverse & Blockchain at HYPE Sports Innovation.

Taking a Position To Help Create Positive Change - Jim Beatty, Executive Editor with African American Golfer’s Digest

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 20:30:00 -0800

At The 2022 PGA Show in Orlando I had the opportunity to reconnect with Jim Beatty at The Diversity and Inclusion Forum, which he was co-hosting. Jim Beatty wears several hats, including Executive Editor for the African American Golfer’s Digest (www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com), President of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures (www.jimbeattygolfventures.com) and Chair of The We Are Golf, Recreational Play Subcommittee, Diversity Task Force (www.wearegolf.org).

"I'm fueled by the fact that so many people came before me like Charlie Sifford, Lee Elder, Althea Gibson, Teddy Rhodes, Renée Powell. What they had to endure makes what I'm doing just not that hard. It's time consuming true, but I have to take the next steps and recognize the great people. People that came before me - both black and white - that stood up, took a position, maintained it and created change."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Jim on our Youtube Channel!

Jim is also the founder and organizer of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum. This is a multi-day event held to promote the business and economic opportunities for African Americans in the $84 Billion Golf Industry.

To learn more about and to register for the 2nd annual EXPO August 27-31 2022 in Charlotte NC, visit their website.

You can also learn more about Jim on his bio page.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Jim Beatty, Executive Editor with African American Golfer’s Digest.

Conversations From The 2022 PGA Show - Charlie Klaus (Spark Golf) and Patrick Farris (Euforeia Golf)

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 17:30:00 -0800

It's been two long years since I last attended The PGA Show in Orlando and although I was apprehensive about getting on a plane from Vancouver with the Omicron variant still swirling around us, I'm glad I made the decision to go. After hundreds of Zoom video calls over the past 24 months has pushed me to the point of burnout, reconnecting with old golf industry friends and meeting some new ones face to face was exactly the medicine my spirit needed.

While I was there I was granted access to The PGA Golf Shows Media Center to record a pair of podcast conversations with Euforeia Golf Co. Founder Patrick Farris and Spark Golf CEO Charlie Klaus. Rather than release these as separate episodes, I decided to give you two engaging conversations for the price of one!

Want to read about the recap of my eight days in Orlando and takeaways from golf's biggest industry event?
Then check out my blog post!

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Charlie Klaus on our Youtube Channel!

Spark Golf is a network of 9-hole, social golf leagues organized to be casual and fun. They make it easy for co-ed players of all skill levels to play golf. They’re showing the world that life is better with golf, and golf is better when it lightens up. Their mission is to invite everyone, regardless of skill, to play a more social and relaxed version of golf in their local communities. And believe in growing golf where many before have failed. First played in 2018, they've built the Spark app which automates all league operations including: registration, payment, handicaps, live scoring, player-to-player messaging and more. In 2022 more than 1,000 courses will host Spark Golf across North America. Find a league and play Spark Golf at a course near you!

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Patrick Farris on our Youtube Channel!

Euforeia was formed as a paradise for freethinkers, outsiders, and good-time subscribers. This convergence of minds created a culture rooted in self-expression, adventure, and the endless journey that is golf. It is this culture and passion that is the soul of who we are, fueling the ingenuity and creativity that goes into every detail of what we make. Their mission is to usher in a new era of golf by obliterating boundaries in order to pave a way for youth culture to rise and expand the game.

To learn more about Euforeia Golf, visit their website to see how a brand based in action sports that was created for the underground golfers of the world aims to grow the game from the outside.

Special Guests: Charlie Klaus - Co- Founder and CEO at Spark Golf and Patrick Farris - Euforeia Golf Co. Founder / CEO.

What You Want Sits On The Other Side of Hard - Mark Mattingly, EVP at Landscapes Golf Management

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 11:15:00 -0800

"At the green grass level we recognize that we have to make a conscious effort to make others feel welcome. That was one of the things that I believe we missed in the 90s. We made a lot of hard golf courses, a lot of challenging facilities, but we didn't really create a safe place for people that were new to the game to come in feel welcome who didn't understanding etiquette or even where to begin. A lot of those things that cause people embarrassment we are able to address early on and doing that to create safe ways for them to learn the game, making them feel like they belong as they make their way from the putting green to the range and ultimately for just one hole or two holes at a time until they get comfortable. Give them ways to have success and feel welcome at the facility from the very beginning."

Friend of the show Rich Katz - Founder of Katz Strategy - takes on the guest host duties to lead a fast-paced, informative, entertaining, practical and educational conversation with Mark Mattingly, Executive Vice President at Landscapes Golf Management.

"If you're going to get into the golf business, you need to love seeing other people get that spark in their eye and really have joy in experiencing this great game. And if you love to do that, you'll go the extra mile to provide that programming and on-boarding. All of these technology solutions have all been developed to help people better understand and fall in love with the game the way that I have. So that is what I think is most important. "

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Mark on our Youtube Channel!

A PGA Professional since 1994, Mark has served as a General Manager, Regional Manager and Regional Operations Executive for private and public facilities alike with a strong emphasis on business-building programming and membership growth. As part of the Landscapes team, Mark is centrally located in Indiana where he also served on the Indiana PGA Board of Directors for three consecutive terms (2005 – 2012) during which time he chaired committees dedicated to education, scholarships, Special Olympics and growth of the game initiatives.

To learn more about Landscapes Unlimited, visit their website to see how they has grown over the past forty years from one man with a pipe wrench and a pickup truck, to four industry leading companies dedicated to delivering golf industry expertise.

You can also learn more about Mark on his bio page.

Special Guest: Mark Mattingly - Executive Vice President at Landscapes Golf Management.

Creating The "LinkedIn for Golfers" - Lydia Davies, Founder and CEO of TeeMates

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 21:15:00 -0800

"I get ideas in my head all the time for different things I could create. My husband traveled a lot and is a social butterfly, always playing golf with random people. So he kept sending me pictures of himself on the golf course and I was like, "why are you playing alone?" I thought this was so sad because he loves talking with and hanging out with people."

"So I told him "Wouldn't it be cool if while you were in Mexico City you could go on an app and it would show you all the other guys in your area that are available to play golf. Then you could click on them and invite them to come and play with you. You'd meet all these awesome new people and have this great experience. He thought it was a good idea so I put my head down and started doing all the framework for it, researching how to make it. And once I start something, I am going to see it through to the end, no matter what!"

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Lydia on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Lydia and TeeMates Golf? Visit their website to see how TeeMates allows you to connect with people who share the same passion for golf.

You can learn more about Lydia on her bio page.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Lydia Davies - Founder of The Osprey Collective and TeeMates Golf.

The 2022 Golf App Review Episode - with Jeremy "The App Man" Callahan

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 16:00:00 -0800

Looking to improve your swing without taking a lesson? Want to track your on-course shot-by-shot performance? How can Virtual Reality and The Metaverse enhance your golf experience? Jeremy "The App Man" Callahan joins us to provide his insights and top picks in three different golf app categories.

Jeremy breaks down his Best Golf Aps picks into three categories:
• Teaching / Game Improvement
• On-Course Shot Tracking
• Virtual and Augmented Reality / The Metaverse

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with The App Man on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Jeremy and Golf BPM? Visit their website to learn how picking the genre of music you practice to finds the beat and time that best suits your personal swing goals.

You can learn more about Jeremy on his bio page.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Jeremy Callahan - a.k.a. The App Man.

Foster Innovation and Growth by Listening To Customer Needs - Chris Kallmeyer, Co-CEO at Golf Genius Software

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 17:15:00 -0800

Chris Kallmeyer, Co-CEO at Golf Genius Software joins us to share how the company continues to expand their product offerings through a simple success formula: earn the trust of existing customers by observing how they operate, asking what their biggest pain points are and serving their unmet needs.

Chris provides valuable insights to how they "future proof" the business, such as diversifying their revenue model by "white-labelling" software products to larger organizations, aquire companies that strategically compliment their product portfolio and building partnerships with industry players like The USGA and Golf Canada to help amplify their reach. He also shares how Golf Genius Software's culture of innovation allows them to simultaneously enhance existing products while bringing new enterprise products to the golf marketplace.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Chris on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Chris and Golf Genius Software? Visit their website to see how Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries.

You can learn more about Chris on his bio page.

Show Notes and Chris Quotes
"We believe that it's never been more important for golf professionals to have tools that save them time and help them deliver great experiences to golfers. That's where we come in to the picture. So that's really the growth part of it. Of the pandemic the question then becomes retention. How do you keep these folks engaged? That really comes down to what type of experience is the golf course delivering. You get folks out there for a league or for nine holes or a practice session. What brings the back, what's going to turn them into golfers for life? What's going to turn them into folks that are going to play say 10, 15, 20 or more rounds of golf a year because that's really the name of the game."

Special Guest: Chris Kallmeyer, CEO at Golf Genius Software.

Empowering People With Disabilities Through Adaptive Golf -Deborah Smith, Prosthetics Entrepreneur and Adaptive Athlete

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 22:00:00 -0800

"I work as an entrepreneur with my own business, focusing on thought leaders in the prosthetic industry, specifically small startups who are bringing new technologies to the forefront to help people like myself with limb difference. I am one of two million people in the United States who lives with limb difference - in my case it's a below the knee amputation that I had six years ago. For me, using a prosthesis has empowered my life and I want to bring that same opportunity to others like myself."... Deborah Smith, Prosthetics Entrepreneur and Adaptive Athlete

"I survived a fatal accident when I was 19, which changed my life in the blink of an eye. I went from running every day, dancing and golfing to fighting in order to ever walk again. Looking back, the understanding that I needed to put the time and work in and I wasn't going to see any results right away certainly helped me as I was recovering from my accident because I was disabled and disfigured from it."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Deborah on our Youtube Channel!

"In the United States alone there are 61 million adults living with some form of physical disability that impacts their daily activities and the majority of them are women. There are two million people in the US who have limb difference, for example an amputation like myself. Those numbers grow by 500 amputations that are performed in the United States every day. "

Deborah is a mentor with the amputee Coalition of America and with Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago, the top rehab facility in the country for the last 30 years. Visit their website to see how the first-ever “translational” research hospital where clinicians, scientists, innovators and technologists work together in the same space, applying research in real time to physical medicine and rehabilitation.

You can learn more about Deborah on her bio page.

Deborah is currently involved in several entrepreneurial endeavours and one that she discusses is her work with PSYONIC, creators of the world's first touch sensing bionic hand. Learn more at the Psyonic website.

"The beauty of golf is that it is available to us from a young age through an older age, through ability and disability. I am a perfect example of the opportunities that golf provides."

To connect with Deborah...
Website: https://www.deborahsmith.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/2deborahsmith/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/2deborahsmith/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/2deborahsmith/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/2deborahsmith

Special Guest: Deborah Smith - Adaptive Athlete and Prosthetic Resources Consultant.

SEASON 10 WRAP-UP / SEASON 11 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 21:00:00 -0800

That's a wrap for Season 10 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 11, which launches early January 2022. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 10 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefullly this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which one you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 10 guests were:

Episode 1
Kelly Hunt - Founder of GolfHers (with guest host Dr. Greta Anderson)
Click to listen >> INSPIRING WOMEN TO BUILD A CAREER IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY

Episode 2
Matt Fisher - Creator of the Mr. Short Game YouTube Channel
Click to listen >> EMBRACING A “GIVE FIRST” ATTITUDE TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

Episode 3
Bryan Crawford - RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director
Click to listen >> THE COURAGE TO INNOVATE DURING TUMULTUOUS TIMES

Episode 4
Tom Cox - Co-Founder and DEO of Golfballs.com
Click to listen >> HOW TO TURN YOUR "AHA MOMENT" INTO A SCALEABLE BUSINESS VENTURE

Episode 5
Lisa O'Hurley - CEO and Founder of LOHLA SPORT
Click to listen >> LOOKING OUTSIDE THE GOLF BOX TO BUILD A PREMIUM GOLF BRAND

Episode 6
Tommy Southworth - President and COO of Southworth Development
Click to listen >> PIVOTING YOUR BUSINESS MODEL TO UNLOCK NEW CUSTOMER VALUE

Episode 7
Ron Powers - Head of Swing Suite Division at Full Swing Simulators
Click to listen >> MASTERING THE ART OF "NIMBLE AMNESIA"

Episode 8
Chris Noble - PGA of America Manager for Nextgengolf's National High School Golf Association
Click to listen >> SWING YOUR SWING AND PLAY YOUR GAME

Episode 9
Marc Simon - Event Vice President at PGA Golf Exhibitions
Click to listen >> TRANSFORMING THE GOLF EVENT BUSINESS DURING TUMULTUOUS TIMES

Episode 10
Jeehae Lee - Co-Founder and CEO of Sportsbox.ai
Click to listen >> THE JOURNEY FROM PRO ATHLETE TO SPORT TECH ENTREPRENEUR

Episode 11
Agustín Pizá - Founder and Architect at Pizá Golf Design
Click to listen >> HARNESSING THE POWER OF DESIGN TO REINVENT GOLF EXPERIENCES

Episode 12
Arjun Chowdri - Chief Innovation Officer with The PGA of America
Click to listen >> LOOKING OUTSIDE GOLF TO INNOVATE THE INDUSTRY AND GAME

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guests: Agustín Pizá - Founder and Architect with Pizá Golf Design, Arjun Chowdri - Chief Innovation & Administrative Officer at The PGA of America, Bryan Crawford - RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director with Golf Canada, Chris Noble - Nextgengolf’s National High School Golf Association Manager, Jeehae Lee - Co-Founder and CEO at Sportsbox.ai, Kelly Hunt - Founder of GolfHers, Lisa O'Hurley - Founder and CEO of LOHLA SPORT, Marc Simon - Event Vice President for PGA Golf Exhibitions / RX Reed Exhibitions, Matt Fisher, Creator of The Mr. Short Game YouTube channel, Ron Powers - Head of Swing Suite Division at Full Swing Simulators, Tom Cox - Founder & CEO of Golfballs.com, and Tommy Southworth - President and COO of Southworth Development.

Looking Outside Golf To Innovate The Industry And Game - Arjun Chowdri, Chief Innovation Officer with The PGA of America

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 15:30:00 -0800

On our final Season 10 episode, Arjun Chowdri joins us to share where the PGA of America is and where they are going. We learn about the design process and status of their new headquarters in Frisco Texas, the future of enhanced golf fan engagement through sport wagering, how his work with the IPL professional cricket Indian Premier League has helped shape the opportunities he sees in the golf industry and much more!

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Arjun on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about the innovative initiatives The PGA of America is spearheading? Visit their websites to find a coach and see how they are fostering change in how the game is perceived and the access under-represented communities are receiving to participate in this $84 billion/year industry.

The PGA of America: https://www.pga.com
PGA REACH: https://www.pgareach.org
PGA WORKS: https://www.pgareach.org/pgaworks
PGA HOPE: https://www.pgareach.org/services/military
NextGenGolf: https://nextgengolf.org
PGA Jr. League: https://www.pgajrleague.com

You can learn more about Arjun on his bio page.

Show Notes and Arjun Quotes
"My role is everything that's growth-oriented for the organization. So that includes International, technology Investments and acquisitions. We do have this effort and Innovation fund and the idea goes central to our mission: Grow the game and serve our members."

"There are a lot of technologies and services and Innovations in other industries that can really help the golf industry. They tend not to come either because they just don't think about us or they tend to come ten years late. So we're out there, knocking on their doors and saying, "think about us, there is a business to be had and we're going to help you knock down some of the walls of complexity."

Special Guest: Arjun Chowdri - Chief Innovation & Administrative Officer at The PGA of America.

Harnessing The Power of Design to Reinvent Golf Experiences - Agustín Pizá, Founder and Architect at Pizá Golf Design

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 11:30:00 -0800

For more than two decades, Agustin (Augie) Pizá, the Director and Founder of Pizá Golf, has challenged golf norms and redefined golf facilities with award-winning designs. He has worked with legends of the game and his world class developments attracted interest to design a total indoor golf entertainment experience.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Augie on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Pizá Golf Design? Visit their website to see how they are passionately generating successful and profitable golf architecture projects.

You can learn more about Agustín on his bio page.

Show Notes and Augie Quotes
"Eventually when I graduated from architecture, I said "why can't I mix in golf?" So every afternoon I went to practice golf and then I got it. Now I understood the nature of it and the patience of it. I got the 360° of the golf course - the trees, the atmosphere, the freshly cut grass. I started to feel it and that was my sign to fuse my two passions: architecture and sports through golf architecture. And since then, I haven't looked back."

Special Guest: Agustín Pizá - Founder and Architect with Pizá Golf Design.

The Journey From Pro Athlete To Sport Tech Entrepreneur - Jeehae Lee, Co-Founder and CEO of Sportsbox.ai

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 09:30:00 -0700

"Along the way there have been a lot of ups and downs. Being a professional athlete is not easy and especially in an individual sport like golf where you are forced to be entrepreneurial. You have to pay for all of your travel, your caddies, all the expenses and try to earn a living net positive at the end of the year."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Jeehae on our Youtube Channel!

Want to give Sportsbox.ai a try? Check it out on their website. Contact them for an invite to download the app (iOS only for now, Android version coming soon). An account is accessible if you receive an invite from them or one of their coaches.

You can learn more about Jeehae on her bio page.

Show Notes and Jeehae Quotes
"But in the end I decided hey, I had this great experience on The LPGA and LET Tours, made some great friends out there, but don't think this is where I want to end up. I decided to take what I learned and apply it to a business venture."

"I'm the kind of person who for better or worse doesn't think too hard about whether it's all going to be a perfect outcome. I just trust myself enough to say I'll dive in and if it works great, if it doesn't, it'll still be a great experience and I'll figure it out. Hopefully, it set me up for success in what I'm doing now."

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Jeehae Lee - Co-Founder and CEO at Sportsbox.ai.

Transforming The Golf Event Business During Tumultuous Times - Marc Simon, Event Vice President at PGA Golf Exhibitions

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 18:30:00 -0700

"Often at a big company there's not that culture of trying new ideas. But if you imbrace innovation, fail fast during the effort and you learn from it, that could be the next great big success. So it's really, really important from a cultural perspective to think more entrepreneurial, to take more risks and then to celebrate those successes along with those failures.".... Marc Simon on The ModGolf Podcast

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Marc on our Youtube Channel!
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Want to learn more about The PGA Show and RX Global? Visit their websites for information and pre-registration for The 2022 PGA Merchandise Show in January 25-28 2022 in Orlando.

You can learn more about Marc on his bio page.

Show Notes and Marc Quotes
"The PGA Merchandise Show really focuses on three different areas: The one to one connections, some kind of marketplace for exhibitors, being able to showcase their goods and services and then the educational piece and then trying to improve those elements through time, while also offering something experiential to keep people connected and engaged."

"COVIID forced us to be more entrepreneurial while a lot of times big corporations are not. We definitely had to think fast and we definitely had to take a lot more risk and not be afraid to fail."

PGA of America and PGA Golf Exhibitions Provide Update on 2022 In-Person PGA Show Enhancements
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (August 19, 2021)
PGA Golf Exhibitions, in partnership with the PGA of America, is progressing with previously announced PGA Show initiatives to refresh and grow the 69th annual flagship event, January 25-28 2022 in Orlando. Event and programming enhancements focus specifically on powering face-to-face business connections, spotlighting innovations and prioritizing product experiential education, sourcing and transactions. PGA Golf Exhibitions and the PGA of America will continue to closely monitor and implement health and safety standards, based on CDC guidelines, local public health guidance and host venue protocols, to support a safe and comfortable experience at the 2022 PGA Show.

“With feedback from industry stakeholders, we are reimagining various aspects of the PGA Show to build the businesses of exhibitors and attendees through programs which will enhance product experiences and learning, buying opportunities and face-to-face connections,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon. “Following the successful conclusion of the recent in-person buying and education summit held Aug. 9-10 in Las Vegas, we are optimistic about providing an elevated PGA Show experience while prioritizing the health and well-being of our guests. We look forward to an exciting 2022 PGA Show where the golf industry reunites, celebrates rising consumer engagement and works together for the continued growth of golf.”

Current enhancements planned for the 2022 PGA Show include:

• Creating a new PGA of America Hub on the Show Floor inside the main Central Lobby entrance of the Orange County Convention Center. Attendees will enter to a full-scale golf activation area featuring a PGA Frisco 2022 Opening preview; “Make Golf Your Thing” campaign programming; PGA Professional coaching demonstrations; golf industry programs; a PGA Professional lounge; PGA Career Services and activations for Association initiatives and business partners.

• Reimagining the Equipment Test Center to feature technology enhancements on the indoor driving range, while relocating the practice putting green and the former short game test area nearby the Equipment Test Center to create one centralized golf product testing and experiential space.

• Emphasizing clubfitting education during the event’s traditional demo day, in partnership with PGA Magazine. Clubfitting programming, education, vendors and range-side content will be added, and the event will move forward with the new name of PGA Show Demo and Fitting Day, the world’s largest professional demo and fitting education event.

• Re-organizing educational offerings, in partnership with the PGA of America and the Association of Golf Merchandisers, to prioritize PGA Professional and golf buyer time with exhibitors during Show floor hours. The 2022 educational programs will be scheduled with less overlap during Show Floor hours, and most Show Week education programs will be available virtually after the event.

• Implementing enhanced sustainability measures with the host facility and service vendors, reducing the Show’s carbon footprint, and highlighting industry and exhibitor sustainability initiatives.

Relocating the fashion buyer lounge, and the annual fashion show, to a more prominent Apparel Hall setting for easy access to peer meetings and networking.

• Enhancing technology access on site and integrating digital platforms to positively impact product discovery, testing and purchasing, educational access, registration and planning/logistics.

• Continuing the focus on health and well-being practices during all PGA Show Week events.
Exhibitor participation is on track with the 2020 in-person PGA Show and media partners of the PGA Show and the PGA of America are set to return to the PGA Show Floor. Additionally, attendees can expect a return of popular PGA Show partners, pavilions, and programming, including the AGM Golf Retail Conference, NGCOA Golf Business Conference, PGA Member Business Center, New Product Zone, Inventors Spotlight exhibitor pavilion, live fashion show, golf travel pavilion, Adaptive Golf Center and the TPI Golf Fitness, Wellness & Instruction pavilion and stage.

Additional details on enhancements will continue to be announced leading up to the 2022 PGA Show. Event details and early registration information is available at www.PGAShow.com.

About PGA Golf Exhibitions
The PGA Show, PGA Buying & Education Summit and PGA Show Connects are organized in partnership by PGA Golf Exhibitions and the PGA of America. Since its inception in 1954, the PGA Show has grown into the largest annual business event for the global golf industry. Regional PGA Show Buying & Education Summits and the PGA Show Connects digital platform connect the industry year-round and drive business leading up to the annual PGA Show. Learn more at PGAShow.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Contacts:
PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions/Media: Sherry Major, smajor@reedexpo.com
PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions/Exhibitors: Greg Scott, gscott@reedexpo.com
PGA of America/Media: Michael Abramowitz, mabramowitz@pgahq.com

Special Guest: Marc Simon - Event Vice President for PGA Golf Exhibitions / RX Reed Exhibitions.

Swing Your Swing and Play Your Game - Chris Noble, PGA of America Manager for NextGenGolf's National High School Golf Association

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700

"We love the fact that there are players who are different races, different nationalities, different cultures, backgrounds, sexual orientation, and gender identities too. I identify as a gay male, but I'm much more than that. Being able to be myself and have some of that awareness because I know when I was in high school, I would have loved to see anybody, whether it's somebody running a tournament I was playing in or a PGA or LPGA Tour player, who is out, living their life and being who they truly are. So we're able to let these teens know that it's okay to be yourself and swing your swing and play your game."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Chris on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about NexGenGolf and The National High School Golf Association? Visit their website to see how they are creating community for young golfers - both competitively and just for fun.

You can learn more about Chris on his bio page.

Special Guest: Chris Noble - Nextgengolf’s National High School Golf Association Manager.

Mastering The Art of "Nimble Amnesia" - Ron Powers, Head of Swing Suite Division at Full Swing Simulators

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 23:15:00 -0700

“Out of adversity comes opportunity”... Benjamin Franklin
"A virtue never tested is no virtue at all"... Billy Bragg

What do the photocopier and golf simulator business have in common? Guest Ron Powers connects the dots on this episode of The ModGolf Podcast.

Our very first ModGolf Podcast episode guest back in May 2017 was Ron Powers, who was at the time Chief Digital Officer at Topgolf. Ron joins host Colin Weston again to update us on the last four years of his entrepreneurial journey - from the euphoric high of scaling a new business unit to the crushing low of having it completely shut down by a global pandemic - and how they successfully reimagined a business in order to save it.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Ron on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Full Swing Simulators and Topgolf Swing Suite? Visit their website to see their portfolio of golf entertainment and training products.

You can learn more about Ron on his bio page.

Show Notes and Ron Quotes
"The future of gambling is Skills-Based Gaming, where you can place a bet on the outcome of your own golf shot performance. I see the evolution of skill gaming and the power of multiple networks coming into play where the user profile, the interconnectivity and the skill gaming components will change the dynamic dramatically."

"I don't think that I'm a particularly patient person but instead have a case of "Nimble Amnesia". I try a lot of things, set certain expectations on what I'm looking to achieve and if it fails I forget about it. Then I move on to the next one."

"So about the middle of July after a lot of sleepless nights, I woke up on a Friday evening just in a cold sweat panic. What is going on? How do I save the business? And I thought, "Gosh, if I could bundle this up and get it out from underneath Topgolf. Is there a way that I could sell this business perhaps to Ryan and allow him to operate it?" He's got the resources. He's got the expertise. He certainly knows the simulator space. It's his technology after all. So I called Ryan that Saturday morning and we crafted a wacky plan to sell the business to Full Swing and let them operate it and then we shared in the revenue that was generated from the current installations. Then we share in the revenue of any new installs. Topgolf liked the fact that we could keep the brand alive, maintain the same level of service and there would be a healthy revenue stream coming out of it and that's what we ended up doing."

Special Guest: Ron Powers - Head of Swing Suite Division at Full Swing Simulators.

Pivoting Your Business Model To Unlock New Customer Value - Tommy Southworth, President and COO of Southworth Development

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 10:45:00 -0700

"My childhood friend and I came back together into the company two years ago, with this generational change in mind and have been able to partner together to take this portfolio of communities, this incredible company and the values it represents and shine a new lens on it with significantly different backgrounds than traditional golf course developers."

Want to learn more about Southworth Development and the communities they create? Visit their website to see the portfolio of properties.

You can learn more about Tommy on his bio page.

Show Notes and Tommy Quotes
"We're familiar with the business, I grew up in it. We waited tables here and cut the greens here growing up, but to be able to go spend our time in consulting and finance and come back and look at this portfolio and try to think about where we want to move it to, that's been the challenge and the opportunity. That's what I live and breathe right now. Experiencing a magical memory, something very social, something new. The direction we're trying to steer the ship in is creating great memories and new experiences."

Special Guest: Tommy Southworth - President and COO of Southworth Development.

Looking Outside The Golf Box To Build A Premium Golf Brand - Lisa O'Hurley, CEO and Founder of LOHLA SPORT

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0700

"When COVID hit, GOLFINO hit on some hard times because they had 30 freestanding stores that all of a sudden closed down. They ended up selling the brand and it affected all of us, I was getting phone calls like crazy from the country clubs from the members asking "What's going on with GOLFINO and how can we get it?" Sitting over dinners with my husband it dawned on me that you know, what, if you were ever going to create a lady's premium golf brand, now is the time, because there was all of a sudden a hole in the marketplace. And that hole is what I created! I was fortunate that I still had the sales team and customers who trusted me. So I had a lot of pieces to the puzzle that I had unknowingly been working on for seven years not knowing exactly that it would translate into LOHLA SPORT."

Want to learn more about LOHLA SPORT? Check out their website to see how Lisa and her team bring premium European-designed sporting fashion to North American women.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Lisa on our Youtube Channel!

You can learn more about Lisa on her bio page.

Show Notes and Lisa Quotes
In one of the most unique sponsorships in sports marketing history, LOHLA SPORT partnered with Stefan Wilson and Andretti Autosport for the 2021 Indianapolis 500. Lisa shares how one of her race car loving investors made this valuable marketing opportunity happen.

After a 10 year career at GOLF CHANNEL, Lisa began the US business of GOLFINO, turning her love for golf fashion into her profession. After 7 years with GOLFINO, Lisa began LOHLA SPORT in June 2020 to continue to bring premium European-designed sporting fashion to the United States. Lisa strives to bring on-trend designs (with a touch of LA flair) to those who live a country club, resort or traveling lifestyle. Lisa lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, John (Seinfeld's J. Peterman), their son Will and two dogs, Lucy and Charlotte.
Lisa@LohlaSport.com

How To Turn Your "AHA Moment" Into A Scaleable Business Venture - Tom Cox, Co-Founder & CEO of Golfballs.com

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 18:15:00 -0700

"My AHA moment came when I met with the guys diving for lost golf balls in the lakes at the course I was managing, followed by our website developer for the golf club. I thought "what if I combine the divers to provide the product and the web developers to build an e-commerce platform to start selling used golf balls online?" That was the launch in 1995 that set the foundation for golfballs.com. We took our hobby and turned it into a minimum viable business and it has continued to grow annually since then."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Tom on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about GolfBalls.com customization capabilities?
Check out their website.

You can learn more about Tom on his bio page.

Show Notes and Tom Quotes
"I'm an unlikely entrepreneur as my parents worked in government so I thought that was my destiny. A friend got me a job at a country club, giving me the opportunity to hang out with and learn from business owners and entrepreneurs which activated this dormant entrepreneurial gene inside of me. Those encounters gave me the confidence and inspiration that led to embracing an entrepreneurial mindset."

This episode is brought to you by Golf Canada and the Golf Canada App - connecting you with an engaging digital platform from coast to coast. The Golf Canada app allows golfers to track their scores, manage their on-course experience and identify areas to improve their game. The app is a powerful tool that goes well beyond the handicap reporting and score posting system, as it connects golfers to their friends as well as over 1,400 golf courses across Canada. Download the app for free on either The App Store or Google Play. and visit their website at golfcanada.ca to become a member of our national golf community.

Special Guest: Tom Cox - Founder & CEO of Golfballs.com.

Entrepreneurial Lessons Learned Over 25 Years Of Constantly Innovating - Martin Wyeth, Founder & CEO at Power Tee

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 13 May 2021 13:00:00 -0700

"The first 15 or 20 times I thought of the concept behind Power Tee while learning to play golf, I did some base calculations on cost of fabrication, installation and maintenance. I looked at the driving ranges in my area and thought Power Tee would be an expensive piece of equipment that wouldn't work financially. So I kept pushing the idea away until I came up with the revenue model of charging a penny a ball and instal the system free of charge that I started to like it."

Founder & CEO Martin Wyeth joins us to share his three decades long entrepreneurial journey that led to the creation of Power Tee.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Martin on our Youtube Channel!

Want to see Power Tee in action? Check out their website and short demo video:

Special Guest: Martin Wyeth - Founder & CEO at Power Tee.

Innovating In The Golf Nonprofit Space To Help Charities Flourish - Eric Sedransk, Founder of Member For A Day

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:00:00 -0700

In May of 2020 Eric Sedransk created a charity golf auction in support of New York City Local Restaurants and Hospital Workers effected by COVID-19. What started out as a way to give back, resulted in over $100,000 raised in seven days, equating to over 10,000 meals for frontline workers.

This overwhelmingly positive response inspired Eric to launch Member for A Day; the world’s leading golf nonprofit fundraising platform. Their clients include the American Cancer Society, Various First Tee chapters, The Ray Bourque Foundation, The Steve Smith Family Foundation, Amanda Balionis / Puppies & Golf, and many more.

They've since raised over $1,000,000 for a variety of amazing nonprofits through once in a lifetime rounds of golf in less than a year.

You can learn more about Member For A Day and connect with Eric on his bio page.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Eric on our Youtube Channel!

Show Notes and Eric Quotes
"I received hundreds of messages from people from all around the world thanking me and wanting to donate additional rounds. It was a movement. It was less the total number and more the response from people that made me realize that something is here. I've hit on an emotional element within human beings that works. Then very fortuitously - which a lot of the past eight months have been - a couple of golf industry writers had been following our story on social media and asked if they could interview me.

Next thing you know I was written up in bunch of golf magazines and The New York Post did an article on our story and we got a decent amount of press. After that over 20 non-profits reached out saying "you were so successful doing this for COVID, can you help us with cancer, social services and youth golf?" and on and on and on. I said "I think so!" and we figured out a scalable model that could work and spun it up into a platform called Member For a Day".

Special Guest: Eric Sedransk - Founder and CEO at Member For A Day.

Creating North America's First Esports Golf Competition Event - Charlie Watson, CEO of Tiidal Gaming & Lazarus Esports

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0700

Competitive Esports tournaments for baseball, hockey, basketball and football have been rising in popularity but golf has yet to join the party. Until now. Charlie Watson, CEO of Tiidal Gaming and Lazarus Esports join us to discuss The #VIRLShowdown, which is North America's first competitive Esports Golf Event.

Want to enter but don't live on Vancouver Island? The #VIRLShowdown is the first of what will be many larger scale tournaments that Lazarus Esports will be rolling out, so your chance to participate will be coming soon!

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Charlie on our Youtube Channel!

You can learn more about Lazarus Esports and connect with Charlie on his bio page.

The #VIRLShowdown finals took place on May 3rd 2021 and we are excited to be part of future Golf Esports tournaments!

You can find out more about Lazarus Esports by visiting their website

Show Notes and Charlie Quotes
"Gaming has that massive ability to heal and to bring people together. That is what this event and eSports is all about. There are no limits, there is no bounds. I can play with someone in Asia, Africa, South America or someone that is just down the road from me and that's the power of gaming and eSports.'

"You see livestreams that have 700,000 viewers just for their three hour broadcasts, so it's just phenomenal to see what's happening in our industry. I've been in this industry for twelve years now and in many ways I feel like I'm late to it, but the great thing is there's so much creation and innovation happening so you're absolutely not late joining the party. We have a lot of room in the sandbox for people to come in and play."

"Adopting the creative play and the freedom of expression of eSports will take an older demographic game like golf and bring it towards a younger audience. That will increase the user base, viewership, content creation, social marketing, the word of mouth and really start to get kids excited about golf again."

About Lazarus
Lazarus Esports “LZR” is Canada’s first established esports team in 2010. They are a professional esports and entertainment organization dedicated to industry growth, developing the Canadian market, fostering amateurs to compete at the highest level & supporting professional gamers and content creators at the highest level for greater success.

LZR is currently ranked 1st in Canada, 10th in North America and 29th in the world for esports earnings and was also the highest earning team at the Fortnite World Cup in New York winning $3.45M USD and holds two Guinness World Records.

For more information, please visit lazarus.gg or it’s parent company, tiidal.gg

Special Guest: Charlie Watson, CEO at Tiidal Gaming & Lazarus Esports.

Disrupting The Market By Solving Customer Pains and Problems - Bodo Sieber, CEO of Tagmarshal

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -0700

"We are tackling a huge traffic problem on golf courses that impacts both the player experience and revenue opportunities for owners and operators." Tagmarshal Co-Founder and CEO Bodo Sieber joins us to share his entrepreneurial journey and how they create innovative solutions to reduce on-course traffic jams.

A German national with an extensive understanding of design thinking, user experience and process optimization, Bodo has honed his applied data science expertise during more than a decade in the field.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Bodo on our Youtube Channel!

Learn more about Bodo on his bio page.

You can learn more about Tagmarshal by visiting their website

Show Notes and Bodo Quotes
"Because golf is so traditional, we realized that if we can really make a mark, prove ourselves and provide a solution that works, the sky is the limit. The market is ready for disruption and it's asking for and needing to do things differently than the way they've been done for decades. After launching in 2014 we realized our home markets of Europe and South Africa were too small, so we decided that if we were really going to do this let's jump in the deep end. So we showed up at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show with our MVP product to learn what are people saying, what are they asking, what are their needs and what is their response to the system we are building. Two months later we received a call from an American golf club called Erin Hills and the rest is history".

"Slow pace of play continued to be a key negative experience factor for golfers and course operators. No one was building technology-led solutions to relieve this pain point, so we did."

Special Guest: Bodo Sieber, Co-Founder and CEO of Tagmarshal.

Innovating Golf Like a Lean Startup - Keith Pelley, CEO of The DP World Tour

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 15 May 2017 23:30:00 -0700

Keith Pelley took the courageous leap to leave his professional comfort zone as President of Rogers Media to accept a new challenge as CEO of The DP World Tour. Keith's bold vision redefines the DP World Tour as being golf entrepreneurs and disruptors, while respecting the history and traditions of this great game.

In this episode we discuss The DP World Tour's innovations, experiments and initiatives such as:

• Golf Sixes: A two day, six hole tournament format with two player teams representing twelve countries. #GolfSixes @golfsixes http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2017/tournamentid=2017036/news/newsid=326672.html

• The strategies which The DP World Tour as an organization and Keith as a leader are implementing to engage and inspire staff members in order to build an entrepreneurial culture.

• The Rolex Series, which Keith considers to be "One of the most initiatives in The European/DP World Tour's 45-year history". Not only do these eight tournaments have a minimum $7mil USD prize purse to attract the world's top players, but they will be innovating by providing "significantly enhanced, high-end content", "significantly increased production budgets for both broadcast and digital content creation and distribution", along with "enhanced on-site interactive engagement and experiences for both players and fans". Simply put, " All resources for each Rolex Series tournament will be magnified". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpjWYwS_fvc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2d5zc-uSbY and http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/rolexseries/index.html

More information on Keith's hiring as CEO of The DP World Tour.... http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=253763.html

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Keith Pelley - CEO of The DP World Tour.

Welcome to The ModGolf Podcast!

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 01:15:00 -0700

The ModGolf Podcast talks with golf's top influencers, entrepreneurs, innovators and disruptors about their vision and solutions to re-imagine, transform and grow the game. Host Colin Weston explores the future of golf through conversations with the visionaries and influencers that are shaking up the sport. Thanks for joining us and please subscribe to our newsletter for your chance to win golf products we love in our latest #ModGolfGiveaway contest!

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

I recently launched our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! By joining you will get access to exclusive live weekly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

We'd love to hear from you! Have any ideas or guests you'd like to hear on future episodes? Email me at colin@modgolfpodcast.com to start the conversation.

Want to listen to our most downloaded episode? That would be our conversation with Blue Ocean Strategy co-author Professor Renée Mauborgne! Click to listen in.

CREATING NEW GOLF MARKETS THAT MAKE THE COMPETITION IRRELEVANT - RENÉE MAUBORGNE / BLUE OCEAN STRATEGY

Special Guests: Jared Solomon, CEO and Co-Founder of Five Iron Golf and Renée Mauborgne - Co-author of Blue Ocean Strategy and Blue Ocean Shift.