The ModGolf Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Golf Genius”

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!

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 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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 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.

The Bridge Between Sport and Fashion - Scott Davis, CEO of J.LINDEBERG North America

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:45:00 -0800

Okay, I'll admit it. I've been a huge J.LINDEBERG fan for over 20 years, so when I had the opportunity to connect with CEO Scott Davis I immediately asked him to share the company story on The ModGolf Podcast. Although we recorded as audio podcast, I couldn't help but wear my favourite JL biker jacket that is still in my outwear rotation. I hope you enjoy this fun episode with Scott as much as I love wearing that jacket!

Here are three key inspirational and informative takeaways that you will discover from the episode of The ModGolf Podcast featuring Scott Davis, CEO of J.LINDEBERG North America:

1 Embracing Innovation and Disruption: Scott emphasizes the importance of innovation in the apparel industry, particularly in golf fashion. He discusses how J.Lindeberg aims to disrupt the market by focusing on sophisticated designs that blend style with functionality. This commitment to innovation is not just about aesthetics; it involves using advanced materials and techniques, such as the self-cooling fabric derived from volcanic ash, to enhance performance on the golf course. This approach encourages you to think creatively and embrace change in your own endeavors.

2 Sustainability as a Core Value: The conversation highlights J.Lindeberg's commitment to sustainability, particularly through the use of recycled materials and natural fibers. Scott acknowledges the challenges in the textile industry regarding sustainability but emphasizes the brand's dedication to making incremental improvements. This focus on eco-friendly practices serves as a reminder for listeners about the importance of sustainability in their own businesses and the impact of consumer choices on the environment.

3 The Power of Community and Feedback: Scott shares how he actively seeks feedback from his family and friends, particularly his children, to understand the preferences of younger consumers. This practice of engaging with the community and valuing diverse perspectives is crucial for any brand's success. It encourages you to foster open communication and collaboration within your teams and networks, ensuring that they remain relevant and responsive to customer needs.

These takeaways not only provide insights into the fashion and golf industries but also inspire you to apply these principles in your own professional journey.

If you would like to connect with Scott, visit his bio page for contact information. To learn more about J.LINDEBERG 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: Scott Davis, CEO of J.LINDEBERG North America.

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.

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.

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: 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.

Fun is The Leading Message - Jay Karen, CEO at The NGCOA

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0700

"When you take those trend lines of the supply side of the American golf industry, it would not be surprising if 75 years from now we have 10,000 golf courses not 15,000, and we have 5,000 golf cafes like there are in South Korea. So if the future we will have a very different mix of supply of golf experiences in America."... Jay Karen, CEO at The NGCOA

Host Colin Weston speaks with return guest and friend of the show Jay Karen, CEO at The National Golf Course Owners Association to hear his take on how golf courses will navigate the upcoming decades as climate change, technology, entertainment and sustainable practices present new opportunities and challenges for the golf industry.

To watch our extended conversation, go to our ModGolf YouTube video with Jay at: https://youtu.be/INfpvwSLq8U

"It's in the DNA of the citizenry to keep those city golf courses as green spaces and not convert them to urban development. There's a protectionism towards not developing our existing city golf courses to keep them intact. For as many people who say we should shut these down, there are stronger voices that say "no, we should keep them open and here's why it because they are good for our communities".

Jay has been the CEO at The NGCOA National Golf Course Owners Association since 2015. Click on this link or the image below to learn more.

"I would call it The American Dream Story where a family had a golf course for 50 years and they sold it to developer for 10 times more than it's worth as an operating golf course. But the problem is from a supply and demand standpoint is those courses are closing down. So where is the affordable public golf going to be? Municipal golf courses are positioned perfectly to continue to be the place where everybody can play golf because they're near urban population centers".

If you would like to connect with Jay, visit his bio page for contact information. To learn more about the 2025 Golf Business Conference January 20-22 located at The PGA Show in Orlando, click on the image below.

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: Jay Karen - CEO, The National Golf Course Owners Association.

Finding Her Ikigai Through Golf - Lehua Wise, Director of Golf at Kohanaiki Golf Club

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 18:00:00 -0700

"Some of my members say, "Oh, I didn't start playing until after my career was over" and that's in their 50s or 60s. That makes it very hard to learn the game. So every little kid plays soccer, plays t-ball. Golf has to also be in that mainstream just to get the young ones in there as soon as possible. Doing what we can within our clubs, no matter their level skill or age to get them comfortable. Meaning we cover every skill, from different tee boxes, playing different games."

Host Colin Weston speaks with guest Lehua Wise to learn about her golf journey from top Hawaiian junior player, DI athlete, mini tour player to the 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. Lehua has found her Ikigai. Have you found yours yet? Check this book to learn more.

Lehua is the Director of Golf at Kohanaiki Private Club & Community on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Click on this link or the image below to learn more.

"Getting to know our membership on a deeper level where you have to know what do they want to do. Do they want more silly things, do they want more big things? Getting them to come out to the golf course. That's the biggest part of it. You can go and create these things, but if they don't come then it's not going to be worth it."

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

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: Lehua Wise - Director of Golf at Kohanaiki Private Club and Residential Community.

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.

"This Is Going To Change My Life!" - Jeff Nicholson with VertaCat Mobility Riders

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:30:00 -0700

"I have been involved with a lot of products over my life but this product is like no other. A year ago I didn't even know what an adaptive golf cart was. We have learned so much. We meet our prospects on the driving range where we adjust the seats, hook up the strapping and get them in and buckled in. They lift themselves up, grab a 7-iron and take a swing. When they connect they make eye contact with their friends and a smile comes on their face and they say "This is going to change my life!" I always get goosebumps and tears in my eyes. This is a blessing and we're just so thankful that we get to participate in it." ... Jeff Nicholson, Chief Marketing Officer with VertaCat

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.

VertaCat - The all-terrain mobility rider that elevates you into a standing position. Developed by a paraplegic athlete, VertaCat™ is loaded with state-of-the-art performance and safety features that you won’t find anywhere else.

Max Togisala's 2023 USGA Open Victory
Join us in congratulating Max Togisala on his victory in the Seated Impairment category at the 2023 USGA Adaptive Open. Max's achievement is truly inspirational and we are thrilled to celebrate this moment with you.

You can also find out more about Jeff on his bio page.

Want to learn about VertaCat, see some inspiring testimonials and even book a demo? Have a look at the VertaCat website for 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 Guest: Jeffrey Nicholson - Chief Marketing Officer with VertaCat.

Sharing an Attitude of Gratitude - Kevin Carpenter, The GratiDude / Grateful 4 Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:00:00 -0700

"Happiness isn't a circumstance of events and it's not a destination. Happiness is the journey and gratitude is something you can consciously choose all the time"... Kevin Carpenter, The GratiDude joins host Colin Weston for a masterclass on how to embrace a "give first" mindset to amplify your sense of purpose.

Kevin has founded Grateful For Golf (G4G) Inc. which provides recreation, mentorship, education and vocational training opportunities for at-risk youth. G4G educates young people about the recreational, career and personal development opportunities available through both the golf industry and the various modes of participating in the physical game of golf. G4G takes a startup approach with no added infrastructure or middle management.

Kevin has also created The GIFT Program... Gratitude, Intention and First Things (two things you're going to do befor the end of the day). Click on this link or the image below to learn more.

You can connect with Kevin, Grateful 4 Golf and The Quiet Caddy program on his bio page.

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: Kevin Carpenter, Coach, Teacher and The GratiDude / Grateful 4 Golf.

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.

Applying a Tech Startup Mindset To Innovate Golf Club Design - Brad Schweigert, PXG Chief Product Officer

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0800

"Bob Parsons had a real passion for challenging the status quo. We talked about how product was currently being designed, manufactured, distributed and marketed and believed that by doing things differently, we could figure out how to create a place in the market."

Mike Nicolette - who at that time worked for me at Ping - met Bob Parsons by chance playing nine holes of golf on a Friday afternoon. They had a good time and traded numbers afterwards and Bob would then call Mike all the time asking questions about golf equipment. Fast forward two years later, Bob had divested from GoDaddy and had an idea that he wanted to do something to change the golf industry.

Mike tried to talk Bob out of it because at that time in 2013 the golf industry had been flat and down for more than a decade. Bob told him to think about it and then Mike started to discuss the venture with me. At first I wasn't interested as Ping had been very good to me and I believed that I would retire there.

PXG is active on Instagram where you can see their staff pros, clubs, equipment and apparel in action.

Click on the image below to watch Colin's unboxing of PXG irons and hybrid that arrived after his club fitting experience on The ModGolf Youtube Channel! We'll be posting the full PXG fitting experience video at Haus of Golf in Vancouver very soon.

"I decided to go talk with Bob and after leaving that meeting I knew what I was going to do. It felt that if I said no that I would regret it for the rest of my life. It would be so hard to move on knowing that I passed up on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was a huge decision and a lot of people thought that I was crazy to leave Ping but I felt that I had to give it a go."

Episode Chapters
[01:50] Brad's first golf experience and who introduced him to the game
[03:00] How Brad's education as a Mechanical Engineer led him to a career in golf club design
[05:00] The creation of PXG and how Bob Parsons incentivized both Mike Nicolette and Brad to leave Ping to join his quest to make the world's best golf clubs.
[09:30] The culture Bob created around PXG by giving Brad and Mike an open budget and schedule to design and create great golf clubs.
[14:00] Brad discusses their iterative design process, rapid prototyping and mistakes made that lead to material and design breakthroughs.
[16:30] Colin and Brad take a deep dive into material elasticity and how that informs club impact, energy transfer and forgiveness.
[20:40] The different club lines that span the spectrum of 14 handicappers like Colin to PXG staff pros like Christina Kim (who was our guest on the previous episode!)
[24:00] We learn how Bob Parsons' experience as a rifleman in the Marine Corps has influence the club numbering at PXG.
[26:00] The culture at PXG that combines passion, fun and the entrepreneurial spirit.
[28:00] PXG's core philosophy and vision as they expand their product lines.
[30:30] The future for PXG and where they look to be in 10 years time as they expand their distrubution centers and fitting partners.
[33:00] Some of the PXG designs that didn't work out and what they learned from them.

You can also learn more about Brad on his bio page.

Want to check out the PXG clubs and fitting experience we talked about in this podcast episode? 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 Guest: Brad Schweigert - Chief Product Officer at PXG Parsons Xtreme Golf.

Working Through Trauma to Emerge More Resilient, Grateful and Happy - Christina Kim, LPGA Tour Pro

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 15:15:00 -0800

"Everybody has trauma, so being able to work through that has been huge for my golf game. Funnily enough I need to remember that I'm a person before I'm a golfer. I actually experienced this with my boyfriend Andrew where I felt the roots of my trauma being ripped from my toenails and being released and set free. I became okay with saying "this is what I went through, this is a life that I've lead". There's no judgment. There's no anger. No bitterness. This is something that has happened that I needed to confront and move through"

We also 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.

Christina is active on Instagram where you can follow her life experiences both on and off the course.

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Christina on our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters
[02:20] Christina's first ever golf experience as a kid and how she developed a passion for the game
[04:40] The influence Christina's dad had on her development as a young golfer
[09:50] Why Christina decided to turn pro at the age of 17
[12:00] Stories from Christina's first year as a pro in 2002
[15:30] How Colin met Christina at the 2023 CPKC Canadian Womens Open
[17:30] Christina's ability to cope with mental health issues to give her strength to face the day
[21:00] We share experiences of loss, grief and trauma that stem from unchecked mental health issues and how we both have been able to find meaning, joy and purpose in our lives
[24:00] A conversation around removing the stigma around mental health issues by helping others and allowing others to help us
[29:00] Christina's relationship with LPGA Medical Director Dr. Bruce Thomas, who she credits with "saving my life three times"
[36:00] "I am responsible for creating my own joy"
[39:30] Defining Christina's purpose and what is next for her in the years to follow after The LPGA Tour

"Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one"... Bruce Lee

Do you or someone you know struggle with anxiety, depression and/or thoughts of self-harm? Please do not feel like you or a loved one must suffer in silence as we are all connected. In the US and Canada you can speak with someone who deeply cares at the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline https://988lifeline.org

You can also learn more about Christina 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: Christina Kim - LPGA Tour Pro.

What Is Your Superpower? - Amy Bockerstette, I GOT THIS Foundation Ambassador and Down syndrome Golfer Advocate

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:30:00 -0800

On Jan. 29, 2019 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open’s Dream Day on the famous 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, Amy Bockerstette, who has Down syndrome, demonstrated to the golfing world what a determined athlete with self-confidence and a positive attitude can achieve.

While playing with PGA Tour players Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar during the Tuesday practice round, Amy hit the par 3 tee shot 117 yards into a greenside bunker, splashed her sand shot to within 8 feet of the pin, and made her par putt in front of a roaring crowd. The I GOT THIS Foundation was born out of this moment, which was captured on video and has since gone viral, receiving more than 54 million views on social media platforms.

Golf is a sport where everyone plays the same game on the same field. Their vision is that people with intellectual disabilities become included in those games.

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

When I mentioned Amy'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.

And thank you 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.

"I am strong, I am confident and I am proud to be happy. I am powerful and love my Power Pose!".... another Amy quote

Amy's dream foursome... Nick Jonas, Grant Gustin (The Flash) and Zac Efron (and PGA Tour pro and friend Gary Woodland)

Amy is active on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Amy and Joe Bockerstette on our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters
[02:40] Amy's introduction to golf, how old she was and who helped make it happen
[04:40] How The I GOT THIS Foundation was born from Amy's experience at The 2019 Phoenix WM Open
[08:00] Joe shares what happened after Amy made her amazing par at The Phoenix Open
[09:25] Amy and Joe talk about the friendship that blossomed with PGA Tour player Gary Woodland
[12:25] The decision to start and the effort needed to build The I GOT THIS Foundation
[15:35] Amy's superpowers and her speaking engagements in support of neurodiverse people
[18:15] Amy's "Superpower club", her favourite shot type and the most memorable shots she has hit
[20:40] Who's in Amy's "Dream Foursome" SPOILER Nick Jonas is one of them!
[22:00] Future goals and aspirations for Amy and The I GOT THIS Foundation
[25:50] How society has changed it's perception regarding what people like Amy can accomplish
[26:50] "Amy's Village" and the community surrounding her with support and encouragement

I GOT THIS Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, has a mission to promote golf instruction and playing opportunities for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

By providing golf instruction, playing opportunities, and organized events, they strive to teach people with neurodivergent abilities to play golf, paving the way for them to compete in leagues with typical peers, join high school teams, and enjoy the many social benefits of golf.

To learn more about Amy and The I GOT THIS Foundation, check out their website.

You can also connect with Amy on her bio page.

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

I'm excited to announce that I 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.

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

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

Special Guest: Amy Bockerstette, I GOT THIS Foundation Ambassador and Down syndrome Golfer Advocate.

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.

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

                                        ______________________________________________

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 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.

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.

Season 6 Wrap-up / Season 7 Preview

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 15:00:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 6 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our passionate team of content creators are feverishly working on your next twelve episodes for Season 7, which launches early January 2020. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how technology, entertainment experiences, 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 ten Season 6 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had over the past three months 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.

We're excited to announce our partnership with Golf Genius Software and look forward to telling you more about the elegant solutions they've created to simplify running golf tournaments. Go to https://www.golfgenius.com/ to learn more!

Our Season 6 guests were:

Episode 1
Professor Renée Mauborgne - Blue Ocean Strategy Co-author
Creating New Golf Markets That Make The Competition Irrelevant

Episode 2
Kevin Thistle - CEO of The PGA of Canada
Building Links That Welcome Newcomers To The Game

Episode 3
Tanelle Bolt - Founder, RAD Society / Adaptive Para-golfer
Finding a New Life and Purpose Through Golf

Episode 4
Dr. Roger Hawkes - Executive Director, The Golf and Health Project
Revealing The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Golf

Episode 5
Gina Rizzi - Principal, Radius Sports Group
Connecting Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sport

Episode 6
Larry Gilhuly - USGA Agronomist with the TEE IT FORWARD program
TEE IT FORWARD To Increase Enjoyment and Participation in Golf

Episode 7
Rich Katz - Founder and Principal, buffalo.agency
Making a Positive Statement About "The State of Golf"

Episode 8
Adam Heieck - CEO of Youth On Course
Growing The Game By Providing Youth Access To Affordable Golf

Episode 9
Azucena Maldonado - Founder of Latina Golfers Association
Transforming Latina Women's Lives Through Golf

Episode 10
Dale Merritt - CEO of Golfpay
Creating Frictionless Customer Experiences For Recreational Golfers

Special Guests: Adam Heieck - CEO of Youth On Course, Azucena Maldonado, Founder of The Latina Golfers Association, Dale Merritt - CEO of Golfpay, Dr. Roger Hawkes, Executive Director for The Golf & Health Project, Gina Rizzi - President of ARCUS Marketing Group and Principal of Radius Sports Group, Kevin Thistle - CEO, The PGA of Canada, Larry Gilhuly - USGA Agronomist and TEE IT FORWARD program advocate., Renée Mauborgne - Co-author of Blue Ocean Strategy and Blue Ocean Shift, Rich Katz - Katz Strategy, and Tanelle Bolt - Founder of The RAD Society and Adaptive Para-Golfer.

Season 5 Wrap Up / Season 6 Preview

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 00:45:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 5 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our passionate team of content creators are feverishly working on your next twelve episodes for Season 6, which launches on April 9. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how technology, entertainment experiences, 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 5 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had over the past three months 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.

Our Season 5 guests were:

Episode 1
Joanne Cloak / Founder and CEO of JoFit
Empowering Her Team To Reach Their Creative Potential

Episode 2
Jared Williams / The Golf USA Team Coalition
Embracing Technology and Diversity to Create a Bright Future For Golf

Episode 3
Mike Zisman / CEO of Golf Genius
Sharing A Passion For Building Elegantly Simple Solutions to Solve Complex Problems

Episode 4
Dogu Taskiran / CEO of Stambol Studios
How Virtual Reality Will Influence The Future of Golf

Episode 5
Steve Rosen / General Manager of Indian Wells Golf Resort
Re-imaging Golf Experiences With "Shots In The Night"

Episode 6
Gia Bocra Liwski / Founder of Golf Experiences for Her
The Emergence of The Golf Industry "Mompreneur"

Episode 7
Dale Jackson / Canadian member of The USGA/R&A Joint Rules Committee
Revealing The Process Behind Creating The New Rules of Golf

Episode 8
Marc Simon / Event Vice President of PGA Golf Exhibitions for Reed Exhibitions
Creating The Innovation Lab For The Golf Industry

Episode 9
PGA Merchandise Show Recap - Part 1
Featuring Aimee Cho, HYPE Sports Innovation and The Global Golf Innovation Competition

Episode 10
PGA Merchandise Show Recap - Part 2
Featuring Latina Golfers Association Founder Azucena Moldenado and Tagmarshal Co-Founder/CEO Bodo Sieber

Episode 11
Matt Pringle / The USGA's Senior Director of Research, Science & Innovation
Creating a "Lean Startup" Culture At The USGA

Episode 12
Laurence Applebaum / CEO of Golf Canada
Creating Golf Moments That Matter

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

Special Guests: Azucena Maldonado, Founder of The Latina Golfers Association, Bodo Sieber, Co-Founder and CEO of Tagmarshal, Chris Månsson - Founder & CEO of Kinexit, Dale Jackson - Past Joint Rules Committee Member to rewrite of the New Rules of Golf 2019, Dave Shultz - Founder & CEO of NextLinks / REALiTEE Golf, Dogu Taskiran - CEO of Stambol Studios, Fabio Peral - Founder & CEO of GOLFBOO, Gia Bocra Liwski - Founder of Golf Experiences for Her, Ilan Hadar - Partner & CEO at HYPE Sports Innovation, Joanne Cloak - CEO and Founder, JoFit, Jon Claffey - Vice President of Marketing for Tour Edge Golf, Laurence Applebaum - CEO, Golf Canada, Marc Simon - Event Vice President for PGA Golf Exhibitions / RX Reed Exhibitions, and Mike Zisman - CEO, Golf Genius Software.

Building Elegantly Simple Solutions to Solve Complex Problems - Mike Zisman / CEO of Golf Genius (052)

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 17:00:00 -0800

Mike Zisman founded Golf Genius after a long career in information technology, starting with the creation of Soft-Switch in 1979, which was one of the very first companies to participate in the electronic mail industry. On this episode of The ModGolf Podcast we learn how Mike combines his love of golf with his passion for IT to help revolutionize the golf industry.

The number of entrepreneurial insights Mike crammed into this episode is truly phenomenal. Here's our Top 10 list of what we're calling "Mike's Nuggets of Wisdom":

“There’s a difference between building software and building software products. Software products rely on customer self-sufficiency if they want to scale and make money”.
“What I love about the cloud is the elasticity, the scalability".
“You have to listen very carefully to your customer because they usually have excellent ideas”.
“When you look in the code and there is ‘if the customer equals ‘x’ do this, that is the death of you. You end up with this mish mash of spaghetti code”.
“Great leaders always simplify” (actually a General Colin Powell quote!)
“We are constantly working on the user experience by reducing complexity”.
“Elegance is a simple solution to a complex problem. Not a complex solution to a complex problem.”
“You will never be as smart as all your customers put together”.
“We’re totally virtual, we live on Zoom and Skype for collaboration and sit on top of all these other software products. If we had to do this all this stuff alone it wouldn’t be very productive. Today you don’t have to do any of that. You can focus 100% of your energy on the business problem you are trying to solve.”
“Someone will always come up your tailpipe” referencing Clayton Christiansen’s The Innovators Dilemma of how competitors solve a simpler problem for a smaller market that you’re not interested in.

Michael referenced The Trough of Disillusionment" as one of five stages on Gartner Group's "Hype Cycle", which is a graphical representation of the stages a technology goes through from conception to maturity and widespread adoption. You can find out more about the technology Hype Cycle here.

To learn more about Golf Genius, check our their website and YouTube Channel.

Special Guest: Mike Zisman - CEO, Golf Genius Software.