In this compelling episode of The ModGolf Podcast, host Colin Weston sits down with Kay McMahon, a true force of nature in the golf world. Kay is a member of the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame, an LPGA Elite Top 50 Best Teacher, a PGA member, the President of Women in the Golf Industry (WIGI) , and the creator of the revolutionary Golf 8.5 teaching system.

From her humble beginnings putting on a homemade three-hole golf course built by her innovative father in their cul-de-sac (complete with a lemonade stand that taught her entrepreneurship at age five), to playing in three U.S. Opens and working alongside Arnold Palmer at Ironwood Country Club for a decade, Kay's journey is nothing short of remarkable.

But this conversation isn't just a trip down memory lane - it's a masterclass in challenging the status quo, building inclusive communities, and reimagining how we teach and experience the game of golf. Whether you're a frustrated golfer stuck at the same handicap for years, a golf industry professional, or someone who cares about making the sport more welcoming to everyone, this episode will leave you inspired and armed with actionable insights.

Three Key Takeaways you'll discover:

1. The Golf 8.5 System: Why "Simple" Beats "Complicated" Every Time
Discover why traditional golf instruction has been teaching the setup positions in the wrong order for decades, and how Kay's breakthrough system - built on cognitive learning principles and "chunking" - can help you retain 300% more of what you learn. You'll learn why there are only four things to do before the swing and four-and-a-half things during it, and how this approach can shave 15-25 seconds off every shot (that's a half-hour round!) while dramatically improving your consistency.

2. The Power of Connection: How WIGI is Amplifying Women's Voices in Golf
Learn how the Women in The Golf Industry organization, founded in 2001 by 11 pioneering women, has become a vital network for connecting resources, mentorship, and opportunities across all facets of the golf industry - from tour professionals and golf architects to media members and entrepreneurs. Kay shares how the organization embraces a two-way mentoring model where seasoned professionals and young newcomers learn from each other, and why having a unified voice matters in an industry where women represent only 5-10% of professionals.

3. Confronting Golf's Uncomfortable Truths: The Callaway/Good Good Controversy and Beyond
In the wake of the controversial Callaway and Good Good video that sparked industry-wide outcry, Kay offers her thoughtful perspective on the "unacceptable undercurrent culture" that still exists in golf. Rather than simply condemning, she advocates for recognizing these moments as opportunities to change the conversation, ask "what were they thinking?" and work toward building a more inclusive, respectful sport for everyone, while acknowledging the many men who are supportive allies in this effort.

💬 Inspiring Quotes from Kay McMahon

"I said, 'I'm really sorry that all the members keep talking to you and interrupting how you practice.' And he looked at me very closely in the eye and said, 'Just remember the reason that you and I are here is because there are fans.'"
— Kay sharing a life-changing lesson from Arnold Palmer about humility and gratitude

"We never get to where we are alone. I ended by saying, and guess what? I just spun The Game of Life again and I ended up on the Hall of Fame."
— Kay reflecting on her Hall of Fame speech, where she honored the many women who mentored and supported her journey

"Keep your head up because it's all in the attitude, and I promise your scores will come down."
— Kay's signature advice to golfers everywhere

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

Episode Chapters

00:14 Welcome to ModGolf: Host Colin Weston introduces Kay McMahon
01:16 Kay's First Golf Experience: How her father built a golf course in the cul-de-sac
04:30 An Overview of Women in the Golf Industry (WIGI): Mission, history, and impact
09:00 International Reach and Mentorship: How WIGI connects women globally
12:45 The Callaway/Good Good Controversy: Kay's perspective on the industry's response
18:30 Partnerships That Matter: How WIGI collaborates with Women's Golf Day and other organizations
22:00 Becoming a PGA Professional: Kay's journey through nine qualifying schools and three U.S. Opens
25:44 Stories of Arnold Palmer: Lessons in humility, ethics, and treating people right
27:43 Influential Women in Kay's Life: Shirley Spork, Pat Lang, and the "Game of Life"
29:54 Making Golf More Inclusive: What clubs get wrong and how to fix it
32:30 The Golf 8.5 System Explained: Four setup positions, four-and-a-half swing thoughts
37:12 Closing Thoughts and Final Advice: "Keep your head up"

About Kay McMahon

Kay McMahon is a pioneering figure in the golf industry with a career spanning over four decades. She is:

• A member of the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame
• An LPGA Elite Top 50 Best Teacher
• A PGA member
• President of Women in the Golf Industry (WIGI)
• Creator of the Golf 8.5 teaching system
• Founder of EduKaytion Golf (a clever play on her name and her passion for education)
• Former National President of the LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals
• Played in 3 USGA Women’s Opens and competed in nine LPGA qualifying schools
• Worked alongside Arnold Palmer at Ironwood Country Club in Palm Desert, California for 10 years

Connect with Kay McMahon & WIGI

• Women in the Golf Industry (WIGI) : womeninthegolfindustry.com
• Join WIGI: Look for the "Join" button on the website
• Junior Membership: Only $25/year for teenagers (and can be waived if needed)
• Contact Kay directly: president@womeninthegolfindustry.com or kay@edukaytiongolf.com
• EduKaytion Golf and Golf 8.5: edukaytiongolf.com

We want to thank Big Swing Media for presenting this episode and supporting Season 20 of The ModGolf Podcast!

Anyone can tell you what happened in golf. The Big Swing Golf Business Intelligence Brief tells you why it matters, and what’s coming next. Twice a week, Big Swing delivers original reporting and expert analysis of the money, trends, technology and personalities reshaping the game. It’s essential reading for anyone who works in, invests in or cares about the future of golf. ModGolf listeners receive a special first-year rate with code MODGOLF26. Visit BigSwingMedia.news to subscribe.

About The ModGolf Podcast: Host Colin Weston speaks with entrepreneurs, innovators, disruptors, and influencers shaping the future of the game and business of golf. Now in Season 20 with nearly 300 episodes produced since 2017.

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Special Guest: Kay McMahon - President of Women in the Golf Industry (WIGI) and creator of the Golf 8.5 teaching system.

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Chapters
02:05 Introduction and Show Background
Colin Weston introduces Adam Scully as the host and producer of Golf Talk Canada on TSN. The show covers PGA Tour events and broadcasts on both television and podcast formats.

08:41 Adam Scully's Career Journey
Adam details his progression from TSN intern in 2011 to his current role, including his transition to hosting during COVID-19. He describes how the show evolved from a 30-minute recap show to multiple hours of weekly content.

14:03 Masters Tournament Experience
Adam shares his first Masters experience in 2023, describing the unique aspects of Augusta National, including the strict no-phone policy and the distinctive white sand bunkers. He details the Monday practice round experience and the media lottery system.

27:08 Canadian Golf Course Recommendations for your next amazing golf trip
Adam highlights top public golf courses in the Toronto area, including Eagles Nest, TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Cobble Beach Resort, and Black Bear Ridge, providing detailed descriptions of each venue's unique characteristics. Colin also offers up his top golf course picks on the Canadian west coast to consider for your next golf vacation, ranging from world class courses around Vancouver, Whister, The Okanagan and Vancouver Island. You can check out Golf Talk Canada's list of "Top 50 Canadian Golf courses HERE.

33:17 Future Plans and Industry Trends
Adam discusses Golf Talk Canada's plans for 2025, including more on-course content and YouTube presence. He mentions the anticipated PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger and predicts a strong year for Rory McIlroy.

Action Items
31:38 Adam and team to continue coverage of the anticipated PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger developments
34:16 Adam plans to expand Golf Talk Canada's content with more on-course matches and YouTube presence in 2025
41:48 Colin Weston proposes future golf rounds with Adam either in Toronto or Vancouver

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, you can watch our video version on The ModGolf YouTube channel for our weekly ModGolf LIVE Show. Click on this link or the image below to watch our video.

If you would like to connect with Adam, visit his bio page for contact information. To learn more about Golf Talk Canada click on the image below to visit their website.

We want to thank our friends at Golf Genius Software for presenting this episode of 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.

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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.

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