From his first nervous steps at the 1991 Masters to launching a premium media company dedicated to golf's business landscape, Jimmy shares the lessons learned from a career that's covered every major sporting event on the planet. Whether you're an aspiring broadcaster, a golf industry professional, or simply someone who loves a great story, this episode is your backstage pass to one of sport's most respected voices.

Three key takeaways that you'll discover:

✅ The Power of Curiosity Over Stats Jimmy reveals that his entire career was built not on memorizing statistics, but on genuine curiosity about people. His advice? "God gave us two ears and one mouth" so listen more because everyone has a story worth telling.

✅ Golf is a $250 Billion/year Global Ecosystem With more golf courses in America than McDonald's restaurants and 130 million "golf engaged" Americans, Jimmy explains why he and co-founder Fred Bucher launched Big Swing Media to cover the business side of the game that's been largely overlooked.

✅ Storytelling is About Making People Care From his days at ABC Sports learning from legendary producer Roone Arledge, Jimmy shares the foundational principle of great storytelling: educate your audience and give them a reason to connect emotionally with the subjects you cover.

Inspiring Quotes from Jimmy Roberts:

"Everybody's got a story. The heart of storytelling is to educate people and give them a reason to care. Give them a reason to identify, give them a reason to root."

"If there was such a thing as YouTube back then, I'd probably be either waiting tables or selling insurance right now because there'd be evidence of my incompetence. I was really fortunate to learn on the job and make a lot of mistakes in obscurity."

"We're not broadcasters, we're narrowcasters. We've identified our little lane where there's a lot of white space, and we're colouring in some of the lines."

Episode Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
Colin sets the stage for this special Season 19 finale conversation with broadcasting legend Jimmy Roberts.

01:01 - The Origin Story Jimmy shares his golf journey - from parents who introduced him to the game to maintaining a "comfortable somewhere in the 80s" handicap. He reveals the three things that make golf truly special: beautiful places, connection with people, and the joy of playing the game for a lifetime.

03:43 - The Breakthrough Moment
The remarkable story of how a cold call to ABC's Wide World of Sports at age 18 launched a legendary career. Jimmy recounts pestering legendary producer Ned Steckle and landing his first gig covering the 1976 NCAA lacrosse championship.

08:40 - Finding Golf
Why Jimmy strategically "planted a flag" in golf coverage at ESPN in the early 1990s - and how Tiger Woods' arrival proved to be the perfect timing that turbocharged Jimmy's storytelling career.

10:02 - First Masters Memories
Jimmy's unforgettable 1991 Masters experience: showing up overwhelmed, finding comfort with Dave Marr, and the surreal moment Byron Nelson pretended to know him. "There was no way he had any idea who I was, but that's more a story about who Dave Marr was."

12:49 - Playing Augusta National
Insider details on the Monday media lottery, playing the course, and what television doesn't capture - especially the dramatic elevation changes and the true challenge of those legendary greens.

16:05 - Augusta's Digital Innovation
How the Masters leads the industry by asking "how do we make this the best it can be?" rather than "how much does it cost?" Jimmy shares insights on working with Augusta's digital committee, chaired by Comcast's Brian Roberts.

16:42 - The Art of Storytelling
Jimmy's approach to journalism: be curious, ask more questions than you answer, and always remember that "everybody's got a story." He traces the lineage of "up close and personal" features to Roone Arledge's Olympic coverage.

19:28 - Big Swing Media Origins
The founding story of Jimmy's digital media company, sparked by the surprising fact that there are more golf courses in America than McDonald's restaurants - and a $250 billion annual global industry with virtually no dedicated media coverage.

21:51 - Celebrity Golf and Growth
Jimmy discusses guests like Steph Curry, Jack Nicklaus, and Delta CEO Ed Bastian. He shares insights on why celebrity events like the American Century Championship resonate. "They're like us. We all share this game."

29:03 - The Business of Golf
How Big Swing Media targets the "CEO hour" on Golf Channel, reaching the 450 of 500 Fortune 500 CEOs who play golf. The focus on leadership, culture, and the business side of the game.

34:15 - Diversity and the Future
The fastest-growing golf segments: young women and people of colour. Jimmy highlights stories like Five Iron Golf co-founder Nora Dunn and Stanford women's golf coach Anne Walker, whose program has won three of the last five national championships.

38:23 - Where to Find Jimmy
Big Swing Media's footprint: The Big Swing podcast on YouTube, the Golf Channel show (Tuesdays at 7 AM ET), and the Golf Business Intelligence Brief newsletter twice weekly.

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Connect with Jimmy and Big Swing Media:

• Big Swing Media News: BigSwingMedia.News

• The Big Swing Podcast: Available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms

• On The Golf Channel: The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts airs Tuesdays at 7 AM ET

We want to thank Golf Genius Software for presenting this episode and 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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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.