The ModGolf Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Pga Of America”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brad Thompson - Founder & Creator, Black Hole Golf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Listen to this full episode with Jonathan to discover:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

During this episode you will discover these inspiring takeaways:

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

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

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

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

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

Quotable Moments from Alex:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Special Guest: Alex Prasad - CEO at V1 Sports.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Season 17 Wrap-up / Season 18 Preview

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

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

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

Our Season 17 guests were:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaways you will discover on this episode are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PGA of America's New Headquarters Campus in Frisco Texas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If You Don't Love It Don't Do It - Barney Adams, Founder of Adams Golf and CEO, Breakthrough Golf Technology

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0700

"In my mind, you don't design golf clubs, you design clubs for hitting a particular shot"... Barney Adams, Founder of Adams Golf Tight Lies Fairway Woods and CEO, 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 episodes provides you with lessons learned, key takeaways and nuggets of wisdom from one of golf's most successful entrepreneurs. Enjoy!

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

I recently launched our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! By joining you will get access to exclusive live weekly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

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

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

"I had made the decision: "I'm all in!" We inherited desks with the company purchase and we owned this metal building in a field. So I grabbed a desk, opened the lower left-hand drawer and it was full of paper. The top page was a Demand Notice and it turned out that the employees had not paid any bills and had squandered all the income. Not only did I not have the money I thought I had to get started, I was six figures in the hole at 5:30 in the morning. That was my opening day.

And I tell people that story because if you're not a nut case, passionate, over the top, you've got no chance. Then I thought "okay, how do we get a handle on this?" I'm going to write a letter to the people I owe money to tell them what happened and that I'm going to pay them but just not now. That was the first week of starting my own business." ... Barney Adams, Founder of Adams Golf and CEO, Breakthrough Golf Technology

A Bit About Barney
Barney started Adams Golf in 1988. He specialized in custom fitted golf clubs. The company rapidly expanded after the explosive success of the Tight Lies Fairway Woods. Adams Golf was selected as Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. Barney also received the Ernie Sabayrac Award for lifetime contribution to the golf industry by the PGA of America. Barney served as Chairman of the Board of Adams Golf until June 2012 when Taylor Made purchased the company.

He an avid golfer and fisherman and active with two charities, The Ryan Foundation and Folds of Honor. Adams book, The WOW Factor, is an insiders look at the golf industry and offers business advice to entrepreneurs.

Barney has always had the unique ability to see what is missing in golf equipment. He started Breakthrough Golf Technology after seeing that no significant innovation has been made putter shafts for decades.

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

Want to learn about Breakthrough Golf Technology and their innovative shaft designs? Have a look at the BGT website for more.

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

British Columbia Golf's main goal 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.

Special Guest: Barney Adams, Founder of Adams Golf and CEO, Breakthrough Golf Technology.

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.

The Quest to Amplify Fan Engagement - Preston Phillips, Sport & Entertainment Entrepreneur, Investor & Advisor

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0700

Colin met Preston Phillips on a HYPE Sports Innovation "Ask Me Anything" webinar and was so impressed with his genuine desire to help entrepreneurs and their companies that we had to invite him on the show to share his experiences with you.

"Through an investment bank that we created, we had the opportunity to work with some different leagues that helped them grow in various ways. I think it's great what cricket has been able to do to progress the sport and position the product to reach a larger, more diverse fan base. I would argue the same with rugby and how they changed their game over the course of the last 10-12 years with Rugby Sevens and brought it to The States. And we're seeing this in a number of other sports as well and golf is now learning from them."

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

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

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

"It goes back to the technology piece of what's happening next to elevate sport experience, creating the space for us to work with bite-size data to build, measure, analyse and decide what to lean into next. We can see things up close and really understand who the athletes are - get under the helmet, if you will. From a content creation side and ultimately where the media dollars are moving, AI, augmented reality and web3 allow for all these future opportunities to present themselves.

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

Episode Chapters
[03:00] Preston shares his connection to playing golf and who introduced him to the game. Spoiler alert - his handicap is waaaay lower than Colin's. 😂
[04:40] Preston gives us an overview of what he does in the sport technology and fan experience space with WhiteRock and Cerro Capital.
[08:30] Colin asks Preston to share his thoughts on the LIV Golf / PGA Tour / PIF merger and what opportunities are there to enhance the fan experience.
[13:00] Preston and Colin discuss the value of team golf events, using the success of both cricket and rugby as validators of where pro golf should expand into.
[14:50] Preston tells us about a couple of ventures in the sport space that Cerro Capital has invested in, including Religion of Sports.
[18:30] Preston shares his thoughts on the future of "location-based sports", such at Rory and Tiger's TGL golf league created by TMRW Sports and The PGA Tour.
[20:40] Colin asks Preston how he believes golf can innovate more and which sports can golf learn from.
[27:00] We talk about the acsending value of women's sport leagues and franchises, along with the women-led companies that Preston supports.
[30:00] Preston and Colin talk about the popularity of mixed pro sport events with women and men competing together and the opportunity for pro golf to do more of it.
[31:30] We finish up asking Preston about where he seeing sport experience heading in 10-15 years time.

To learn more about the impact Preston makes to support Sport Tech startups, check out the Cerro Capital website.

You can also connect with Preston on his bio page.

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After testing the deWiz biofeedback swing analysis product we were so impressed with the results that we invited them to offer you an exclusive 10% OFF your purchase using promo code MODGOLF! CLICK TO SAVE on deWiz to see (and feel) lasting results in your swing tempo, length and path improvement.

Special Guest: Preston Phillips - Entrepreneur/Investor/Advisor with Whiterock and Cerro Capital.

Find Clarity Through Action - Steve Madden, Co-Founder of Swingtweaks

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:15:00 -0700

Colin met Steve Madden at The 2023 PGA Show in Orlando and after hearing his entrepreneurial story over a couple of pints of Guinness we had to invite him on the show to share his experiences with you.

"Five years ago my ex-girlfriend's dad invited me for a round, so I played an 18 hole round at Mountainside golf course. The next day I went and played the par 3 course there which had the massive holes and I became addicted to golf that weekend. When I got back to Calgary, I played three or four rounds next week and then I joined a golf course for the remainder of the season. Once new golfers feel that awesome shot or they hit that really close approach, smash that driver or make a long putt, that addiction really hits you. I made a decision a few years ago that I wanted to create a lifestyle, or a job where I could golf and do my own thing tech-wise. I've had two apps now that revolve around golf and Swingtweaks is the second one."... Steve Madden, Co-Founder of Swingtweaks

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Episode Chapters
[03:00] Steve opens the show by sharing his level of play after picking up golf only a couple of years ago. Spoiler alert - his handicap is waaaay lower than Colin's. 😂
[04:20] Steve tells us how a rugby-playing lad from Ireland ended up becoming a tech entrepreneur in Calgary Canada by way of Vietnam.
[05:20] Colin asks Steve to share his first golf experience five years ago and who invited him to try the game.
[06:50] Steve gives us the "Elevator Pitch" for his latest golf venture Swingtweaks.
[09:10] Steve talks about the rise in popularity of golf lesson and training technology ventures such as Sportsbox.ai
[10:05] We learn the back story and AHA moment of Swingtweaks
[12:45] Steve shares business model, user experience, value proposition and customer profiles for Swingtweaks.
[16:40] Colin asks Steve to share how they came up with the name Swingtweaks and the concept of users purchasing "Tweaks".
[18:45] Steve talks about how Swingtweaks generates revenue and how they developed the pricing model cost per "Tweak".
[22:00] Colin asks about the Swingtweaks strategy to acquire new users, retain/engage existing ones and how they incentivize PGA teaching pros to join the platform.
[27:00] Steve shares some stories from satisfied users and the most unexpected places around the world that golfers are using Swingtweaks.
[28:30] We learn about the future plans for Swingtweaks and which markets, countries and languages they look to expand into next.
[30:50] Steve shares some positive user experiences and how they are building community on Instagram and Reddit.
[33:00] Steve offers you - our ModGolfers - 20% OFF your first Swingtweak using promo code MODGOLF.*
*(FYI we don't receive a commision if you buy one! 😎)

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

To learn more and get 20% OFF your first Swingtweak using promo code MODGOLF, check out the Swingtweaks website.

You can also connect with Steve on his bio page.

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

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

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

Special Guest: Steve Madden - Co-Founder of Swingtweaks.

Time is Our Most Precious Commodity - Brian Esposito, Founder/CEO of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0700

Colin met Brian Esposito on a HYPE Sports Innovation "Ask Me Anything" webinar and was so impressed with his genuine desire to help entrepreneurs and their companies that we had to invite him on the show to share his experiences with you.

"I have a simple rule with what I build. When they're my companies it's my ass on the line, so it's my rules. But when they are other people's companies like the great startups that I get to work with its their vision, their passion. I'm there to support them and be a turnkey resource for whatever needs to be done, a utility player. I know what they need because I needed it for most of my career and I didn't have it. So it's very rewarding for me now to take all of my learning experiences and help guide these companies to success and be a complete soundboard and resource for them and keep it fun for them."

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

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

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

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"I need to make sure that tech founders don't dilute themselves out of their own company. I tell them to get off this BS "raise money/run out of money/raise money/run out of money" hamster wheel because they can't be half pregnant. You're either out there, raising money or you're running your business. You can't do both at the same time. So I've been through hell and back, I made every mistake you can think of and I'm honoured and excited to share those experiences with the great companies that they get to work with."

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

Brian shared a couple of companies and products that Esposito Intellectual Enterprises invests in and advises on, including Virtual Stax. Virtual Stax allows fans to participate in the athlete's journey with blockchain verified digital trading cards.

To learn more, check out the Virtual Stax website.

You can also connect with Brian on his bio page, along with checking out the Esposito Intellectual Enterprises website.

Episode Chapters
[02:30] Brian opens the show by sharing his connectivity to golf and his first golf experience.
[04:20] Brian tells what he and his team have built with Esposito Intellectual Enterprises and what motivates him to help founders create sustainable businesses.
[08:30] Colin asks Brian to share his insights regarding the future of web3, blockchain, NFTs and cryptocurrency, using the company Devour (a web3 food ordering and delivery marketplace) as a case study.
[11:45] We learn about Brian's investment in Virtual Stax, where people can buy virtual playing card assets of athletes that are already famous or are just getting their careers off the ground.
[17:30] Brian describes how professional sport leagues and team are focusing on increasing fan engagement in a web3 environment, the learning curve they face and what is needed for them to succeed.
[20:45] Brian talks about his investment in Metasport Arena, where you create, trade, collect and play in the first sports and entertainment virtual world as part of a community competing to build the best city.
[27:00] Brian shares how he believes The PGA Tour, LIV Golf, The LPGA and golf entertainment venues can tap into the potential of web3 to engage both existing and new fans.
[30:30] Colin presses Brian to share his thoughts on LIV Golf - what they are doing right, what they got wrong and what they need to do to create a sustainable business.
[34:30] Brian describes how LIV - as a startup - has the ability to be nimble and quick in the creation of digital assets as compared to a "legacy company" like The PGA Tour.

Special Guest: Brian Esposito - Founder and CEO, Esposito Intellectual Enterprises.

You Don't Know What It's Like To Work For You - Scott Stratten, Creator of UnMarketing

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:30:00 -0700

"UnMarketing is my attempt to reduce hypocritical marketing, because I saw twenty years ago that people were interuptively marketing in a way they hated to be marketed to. I realized there had to be better ways than this "push and prey" mentality and instead choose a "pull and stay" mindset to authentically build community so that when people need your product or service they will unconditionally choose you."

Scott Stratten is the Creator of UnMarketing. He is one of the leading speakers/authors in the world when it comes to helping audiences embrace the age of disruption and look at business differently using the pillars of integrity, authenticity and community.

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

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

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

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

🥊 COMPETE or ☮️ COEXIST. What should LIV Golf and The PGA Tour do?
Scott and host Colin Weston dig into the bitter rivalry between The PGA Tour and LIV Golf and explore the messaging behind their actions one year into the emergence of the upstart tour.

"So what is a stereotype in business and how can we be the opposite of it? Is it snooty? Is it privileged? Is it elitist? These are all the things have been said about golf. Is it white? Is it male? We either look at it and can deny this stuff or we can say, "okay so how do we break through that?" We look at who we are hiring and say, "how do we make the experience different?" You're not going to change the course for the most part. I'm not talking about changing how high or low you mow the grass or the pin position on the greens. I'm talking about the human experience and human-centric design. When you come to my golf course, when you walk into my Pro Shop, when you walk into the club and grab a bite on the turn, we're going to be so fricking happy to see you. We're going to be so into you for choosing our course over the nineteen thousand four hundred twenty five other ones, you're never going to look at another course again."

You can also connect with Scott on his bio page, along with checking out the UnMarketing website.

How do you create a marketing buzz that authentically represents your brand? Scott accomplished this 15 years ago when he shared his break up with long time relationship partner... The Toronto Maple Leafs. Check out Scott's fun, self-deprecating and poignant >> YouTube video.

Special Guest: Scott Stratten - The Creator of UnMarketing.

Breaking Down Barriers To Create The Next Generation of Golf Legends - Jewel Love / Society 61

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:45:00 -0800

"We are very clear and incredibly focused. We're not playing around because this is not a little thing. This is big in our minds and we are giving everything we have because we believe in and know that these young people, they deserve to see this industry in a way that we have not."... Jewel Love, Board Member and Advisor for Society 61 and The Society 61 Foundation

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

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

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

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"We know the golf industry has to be updated, the culture of it. When saying they want to diversify, then that means that you're willing to make changes that you not ever thought of making. You're willing to think differently and open up your mind in different ways. We tend to be pretty straight at it and transparent. We're here to say this is about the next generation of Legends. We made a commitment to be in the game in that way. Not half in it, but all the way in it."

About Society 61...
Through the year 1960, a clause in the Pro Golfers Association (PGA) guidelines - Article III Section I - stated only Caucasian males 18 and older were eligible to receive their tour card. There were amazing men and women golfers from all cultures whose talents went unrecognized nationally until 1961, when African American golfer Charlie Sifford broke that color barrier by receiving his PGA card and opened the door for golfers of all ethnicities to officially compete on the tour.

THEIR MISSION
Society 61 is a clothing brand for golfers designed to honor the pioneers from the past who paved the way for the culturally diverse sport that golf is today. Society 61 was cultivated not only from a love of golf but also a love for our culture. Our company was named in homage to that barrier breaking year, 1961, and we launched our business in 2021 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of that historic moment. We combine traditional style with the modern look and feel of today's best sports materials and fabrics. We look forward to being your go-to clothier for everything golf and more.

I want more women out doing business on the golf course. I was in sales and calling on all these large organizations to find that there were hardly any female CEOs. I thought, "what can we do to continue to lift up women towards leadership through golf?" Because I think the world would be a better place, but my natural tendency is towards fun. So my goal: why don't we try and do this and accomplish this mission but have some fun while we're at it.

You can also connect with Jewel on her bio page, along with checking out the Society 61 website.

Special Guest: Jewel Love - Board Member and Advisor with Society 61 and The Society 61 Foundation.

NO RISK = NO FUN - Jillian Johnson, Founder of #LEGS, The Ladies Executive Golf Society

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 08:30:00 -0800

"Perfection is the opposite of GO!"... Jillian Johnson - #LEGS Ladies Executive Golf Society

My first job in Jacksonville was caddying at Sawgrass and woman I met at the club said, "I really want to learn how to golf". But you're not going to go out on your own and practice putting. You wouldn't go out on a range if you have no idea what you're doing and no clubs. So figured I might as well start something for all levels. Whether you are a Collegiate golfer or someone who has never touched a club before, the vision was to create an experience where women could really experience the magic that happens on the golf course in a female friendly way.
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

______________________________________________

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

"If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen"

"How do I want to be remembered? As the insurance lady or for doing something cool and different that makes a positive impact in women's lives?"

"I want more women out doing business on the golf course. I was in sales and calling on all these large organizations to find that there were hardly any female CEOs. I thought, "what can we do to continue to lift up women towards leadership through golf?" Because I think the world would be a better place, but my natural tendency is towards fun. So my goal: why don't we try and do this and accomplish this mission but have some fun while we're at it."

You can also connect with Jillian on her bio page, along with checking out the #LEGS website.

Episode Chapters
[04:00] Jillian provides us with an overview of #LEGS Ladies Executive Golf Society.
[06:20] Jillian shares the "AHA moment" that led to the creation of #LEGS.
[07:30] We learn about the people that encouraged Jillian to take the entrepreneurial leap.
[10:00] "It all started with a flyer and a sticker!" We hear about the first #LEGS pilot event in South Florida that helped inform the business model.
[12:50] "Perfection is the opposite of GO." Jillian shares how she applied The Lean Startup approach to #LEGS.
[15:30] Jillian talks about getting over the fear of failure and embracing a mindset of growth and curiousity as an entrepreneur.
[17:00] "So what do women really want from golf?" We learn where Jillian drew inspiration from to create the #LEGS experience.
[21:40] Colin asks Jillian how #LEGS attracts and onboards non-golfing women like his wife.
[28:40] Jillian discusses the #LEGS growth plan for creating chapters in every state of the US.
[31:30] Jillian shares some inspiring #LEGS member success stories.
[34:00] Colin asks how women listening can learn about starting a #LEGS chapter in their community.
[36:10] Jillian talks about the future for #LEGS and the launch of thier upcoming "Swinging To Success" series.
[38:30] Jillian explains the benefits #LEGS offers for golf courses, women golfers and sponsor partners.

Special Guest: Jillian Johnson - Founder of #LEGS - The Ladies Executive Golf Society ⛳️.

Scaling a Golf Startup With Partnerships - Nick Conrad, Founder of Twilight Golf Association

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:15:00 -0800

"I quickly realized that golf is a great equalizer sport where people with different ages and skill levels can all coexist on the course at the same time. No matter if you're a really skilled player or a new beginner, everyone's always working on something and has that common thread of constant improvement."... Twilight Golf Association Founder Nick Conrad

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

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

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

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"I thought it wasn't crazy that you could pull together lots of strangers and create a league out of it. That it didn't have to always be based on gender or senior groups or for players of a certain skill level, which is how fragmented most leagues are. That it really can work just like public golf. If could you allow those people that regularly fill out the tee sheet to create organized games, that really would resonate. At the most fundamental level Twilight Golf is taking the folks who normally want to play during their available hours and trying to structure it where there can be a reason to keep them coming back."

Episode Chapters
[02:16] Nick shares how he was introduced to the game and describes his first golf experience.
[06:48] Colin asks Nick "what was the WORST job you ever had and what positives did you take away from it?"
[09:50] Nick' gives us the "elevator pitch" for Twilight Golf Association of what they do and why they do it.
[15:00] Nick shares the origin story of Twilight Golf Association and the "AHA moment" that led to creating their first pilot program.
[20:50] We learn how Nick got buy-in from golf courses to partner with Twilight Golf and the value proposition he offered them.
[23:48] Nick tells us about their pricing model and the befenits Twilight Golf members receive by being part of their community.
[28:32] Nick shares how and why Twilight Golf Association became part of Golf Genius Software and the value of this partnership.

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

You can also connect with Nick on his bio page, along with checking out the Twilight Golf Association website.

Special Guest: Nick Conrad - Founder and General Manager of Twilight Golf Association.

Do a Common Thing In an Uncommon Way - Bob Winskowicz, Founder of SQAIRZ

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 17:30:00 -0800

"When Ely Callaway created the Big Bertha and Karsten Solheim created the Ping irons, they went to work on a driver and an iron that had perimeter weighting. And when they got done, the club looked the way it did because that's the way perimeter weighting looked. It wasn't the other way around. They didn't worry about the fact that this Big Bertha was an oversized metal wood that looked like a snow shovel with no hosel and then the iron looked like something that an alien designed. They had something that was radically different, but they could back it up with performance and they didn't worry about the looks. The looks was secondary to performance. Match it up with a quote from Booker T Washington, which is to "Do a common thing in an uncommon way". So when you mix those two things together and that's where SQAIRZ came from." - Bob Winskowicz, Founder of SQAIRZ
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"A gentlemen I once worked for called me up and said "Bob I want you to work with me in the golf industry". He invited me to attend The PGA Show in 1995 and once I walked in it was like entering golf heaven. I was overwhelmed. I left there and said to him " I don't care what you pay me - I'm in! I want to work for you!". From that day on I never looked back."

Episode Chapters
[02:18] Bob shares being introduced to the game and his first golf experience.
[04:50] Colin asks Bob "what was the WORST job you ever had and what positives did you take away from it?"
[06:35] Bob's early professional work expience in the consumer goods sector and how that set the stage for a career shift into the golf industry.
[10:40] Bob tells the story of joining The Arnold Palmer Golf Company and the impact that "The King" had on his entrepreneurial endeavours.
[15:30] We learn about how outside influences like the creation of the Callaway Big Bertha driver shaped Bob's design philosophy for SQAIRZ.
[21:30] Bob tells us the exciting news about the next sport outside of golf that SQAIRZ is entering the high-performance shoe market.
[30:30] Bob shares his approach to empowering his team to embrace a culture of continuous learning, experimentation and innovation.

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

"I have the privledge of being around Arnold Palmer and one time I presented a new set of irons we were ready to launch and The King said to me "what is in it for the consumer?" I stumbled because I focused on the look of the clubs. We lost sight of how they benefited the golfer. So once I launched a shoe company I always asked the question "What's in it for the consumer?"

You can also connect with Bob on his bio page, along with checking out the SQAIRZ website.

Special Guest: Bob Winskowicz - Founder of SQAIRZ.

Connecting Golfers With Likeminded Playing Partners - Kat Ramirez, Founder of Golfing Buddy

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 17:30:00 -0800

"They did not make me feel like I was part of our foursome. I felt like the outsider who wasn't good enough. It's bad enough that women already feel like they're not worthy in the golf world. If you have one bad experience, you're never gonna go back. You're not." - Kat Ramirez, Founder of Golfing Buddy
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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"Why would you allow yourself to be compromised or up against something like that? Golf is a great game to get to know people. That's why people go on the golf course and get to know other people and spend four hours with that person. It's because they want to get to know them and really have a good time, not to be feeling like you're not good enough. So Golfing Buddy was created to empower people to find other people just like them to go play golf with."

Golfing Buddy was created for a couple of reasons:

• to help Women, Minorities, Veterans and Juniors play more golf without feeling intimidated at the course by being uncomfortably paired with people they don’t want to play with.
• to help people like Kat's boyfriend find other golfers to play golf with so they can play more golf with fun, likeminded people.
• to help golf facilities get more people paired up to play at their course with the type of people they want to play with.

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

"It was a summer weekend in Midwest Milwaukee and fabulous outside, but I had to get a project done I couldn't get out and play. My boyfriend wanted to get out and play so badly. He called all of his buddies but no one could get out to join him for a round. He was pouting and moping around the house and I felt really bad for him so I said, "hey wouldn’t it be awesome if we had an app or website where you could find a golfing buddy?" And BING BING BING Golfing Buddy was born!"

You can also connect with Kat on her bio page, along with checking out the Golfing Buddy website.

Special Guest: Kat Ramirez, Founder of Golfing Buddy.

Making a Difference: Supporting The Recovery of Injured Veterans Through Golf - John Simpson, Founder of On Course Foundation

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 12:00:00 -0800

"I was golfing and one of the chaps I was playing with asked me if I'd come and speak to some of his people. He worked at Headley Court which is the British Military Rehabilitation Center. This was in 2009, at the height of what was going on in Afghanistan. When I went in there and saw how many young people - some with horrendous injuries - I just thought "I'm in a great position working in the game and can help in some way". - John Simpson, Founder - On Course Foundation

The On Course Foundation supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel and veterans through golf. The Foundation's mission is to build confidence and self-belief in their members through golf skills and employment events, and set them on the path to meaningful full-time employment opportunities in the golf industry.
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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"Being disabled myself, I had a chat with a few of the injured veterans there and described what had happened to me. I saw some of them looking back at me and I realized that golf was something they could do. And that's when I thought, "if we could start a charity which teaches golf on a long-term basis, with the idea of then getting them in some form of employment within the golf and related industries, that if we could do that, that would be quite something". And that's where it all started."

At the 18 minute mark John shares two inspirational stories of how On Course Foundation has positively impacted the lives of injured servicepeople.

‘’It initially gave me confidence that I can achieve again, taught me a new skill and has given me the drive and motivation back that I had lost following my illness. It has given me competition back that I thrive for and also a continual aim. I feel comfortable around OCF members and the worries of disfigurement and scarring disappear along with any apprehension of being judged by others."
Kate Surman - On Course Foundation beneficiary

"The most important thing is when a woman or man looks you in the eye and says 'The On Course Foundation saved me", it's very powerful stuff".

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

"And this is what On Course Foundation is all about. We give them the joy of playing golf and all that goes with it, but then to work in the industry and rediscover a sense of purpose and to show your family that you can meaningfully contribute by providing a salary, that's how these heroes reintegrate back into society."

At the 22 minute mark John tells us about The Simpson Cup, their flagship event where the competitors involved in the are all beneficiaries of On Course Foundation UK and their sister Foundation in the USA. It is an annual tournament and fundraiser between teams of 13 injured Service personnel and veterans from the UK and their American counterparts.

The Ryder Cup style tournament showcases the unique position of golf as one of the few sports where players of all skills and abilities can play together on a level playing field, because of the official golf handicap system.

You can also connect with John on his bio page, along with checking out the On Course Foundation US or On Course Foundation UK websites.

Special Guest: John Simpson - Founder of On Course Foundation.

SEASON 12 WRAP-UP / SEASON 13 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 12:15:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 12 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 13, which launches early December 2022. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 12 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefullly this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which ones you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 12 guests were:

Episode 1
Jordan Lunetta - Co-Founder of ODIN Golf
"We have big ambitions to take ODIN to golfers across the globe. We have a vision of building a platform for the everyday golfer." Jordan Lunetta, Co-Founder of ODIN Golf opens Season 12 to share how they are creating a golf-loving tribe by living their company tagline: "Go Balls Out. Always!"
Click to listen >> BUILDING AN ENGAGING PLATFORM FOR THE EVERYDAY GOLFER

Episode 2
Donnie Dotson - Founder and CEO at Carry Golf Investments
"These potential investors didn't know the players 48 hours earlier and were high fiving them saying "we'll be following along and cheering for you guys!" My goal now is to be able to bottle up that experience and scale it, so we can help a lot more golfers but also bring a lot more fans closer to the game." Donnie Dotson joins us to share how he's applying tech startup lessons learned to elite athletes.
Click to listen >> APPLYING A TECH INVESTOR MINDSET TO SUPPORT "EARLY STAGE" GOLF ATHLETES

Episode 3
Cooper Sherwin - Co-Founder and Head of Community at LinksDAO
"We knew right off the bat that we wanted to bring value to NFT holders, not where it was lottery based where maybe five folks would get a trip to The Masters. We wanted to make sure that we had benefits across the board in an equitable way. Cooper Sherwin shares how LinksDAO uses web3 and the value of NFTs to reimagine the golf club membership experience.
Click to listen >> HARNESSING WEB3 TO REIMAGINE THE MODERN GOLF CLUB EXPERIENCE

Episode 4
Matt Reagan - Founder and CEO at Operation 36 Golf Co-Founder
"We created this cool environment to test group programming with kids and try to figure out what works to make it fun, but also make sure they are getting better and turning into golfers." Matt Reagan shares how they looked at youth sports like martial arts to create a multi-levelled teaching program that is both effective and fun.
Click to listen >> BUILDING A SCALABLE BUSINESS THAT INTRODUCES 1,000,000 NEW GOLFERS TO THE GAME

Episode 5
Jess McAlister - Co-Founder of Digital Golf Collective
"With where technology and society is going, it's an adapt or die situation as we are currently seeing in the golf industry today. As severe crazy golf fans and experts in our professional space, we felt we can positively disrupt while loving and respecting the industry and sport we love so much." - Jess McAlister joins us to share how they passionately created the golf influencer space.
Click to listen >> BUILDING A WOMEN-LED COMPANY THAT POSITIVELY DISRUPTS THE GOLF INDUSTRY

Episode 6
Ty DeLavallade - Founder and President of Deuce
"I realized that when building a company, you're really building a tribe. Creating a support group of people around you who are proud to wear the hat because it's cool brand. They wear it because of the quality and how it makes them feel. Whatever their motivation, I'm okay with that." Ty DeLavallade joins us to share the wins and the setbacks that define his entrepreneurial journey.
Click to listen >> RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE NEW CURRENCY

Episode 7
Nick Longley - Co-Founder of Inrange Golf
"Once we understood that our business is helping other businesses succeed, things really took off" - Nick Longley joins us to share their design process that led to creating engaging digital games to heighten the traditional driving range experience for both customers and owners.
Click to listen >> USING CUSTOMER FEEDBACK TO DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL VALUE

Episode 8
Billy Brown - Founder and CEO of The Golf Sanctuary
"November of 2019, I was in a pain med coma from a shoulder surgery wiping drool off my face from the codeine and thought... Golf Sanctuary. If I could go marry real estate and golf, how cool would that be?" Billy Brown joins us to share how he harnessed the Law of Supply and Demand to create a members-only off-course experience that appeals to his love for food, drinks and golf.
Click to listen >> REDEFINING THE GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Episode 9
Eileen Jurczak - Founder and CEO of Xonic Golf
"All of my personal and professional experiences in finance, engineering and golf have come together. It's quite fantastic that they culminate into what I'm doing in the Sport Tech startup space today." Eileen Jurczak joins us to share what she learned about entrepreneurship on the stock exchange trading floor and so much more on this episode of The ModGolf Podcast.
Click to listen >> ENTREPRENEURIAL LESSONS LEARNED ON THE TRADING FLOOR

Episode 10
Markus Westerberg - Co-Founder of deWiz
"Golf provides a North Star to define what success means to you and to appreciate the journey. You have to truly love the game, whether it's the game of entrepreneurship or the game of golf. And when you do that, I believe you will end up in good places." Markus Westerberg joins host Colin Weston to share the value of doing uncomfortable things, the power in collaborating with curious, positive people and so much more on this engaging episode of The ModGolf Podcast.
Click to listen >> COMBINING HIS LOVE OF GOLF AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Episode 11
Brett Jaffee - Caddy Time Co-Founder
"Sometimes golfers need a competitive caddy, but also for senior play, junior play, woman's play. Caddies are a terrific bridge to the golf facility." Brett Jaffee joins us to share how a lifetime in entrepreneurship led to the successful creation of their startup.
Click to listen >> BUILDING A BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS GOLFERS, CADDIES AND CLUBS

Episode 12
Laura Diaz - The LPGA's Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion (with guest host Dr. Greta Anderson)
"If you can see it, you can be it". If I can see somebody that looks like me, if there is that representation then I know I can get into this sport, or I can see a career in it." Our guest host Dr. Greta Anderson sits down with Laura Diaz who shares insights gathered starting from her first swing growing up in Puerto Rico.
Click to listen >> HOW A SIMPLE INVITATION BECOMES A POWERFUL WAY TO GROW GOLF

Special Guests: Billy Brown - Founder and CEO The Golf Sanctuary LLC. 2x Amazon Best Selling Author, Real Estate Investor, and Entrepreneur, Brett Jaffee - Co-Founder of Caddy Time, Cooper Sherwin - Co-Founder and Head of Community at LinksDAO, Donnie Dotson - Founder and CEO of Carry Golf Investments, Eileen Jurczak - Founder and CEO of Xonic Golf, Guillermo Heredia, Managing Director Global Brands, Metaverse & Blockchain at HYPE Sports Innovation, Jess McAlister - Founder of Digital Golf Collective, Jordan Lunetta - Co-Founder of ODIN Golf, Laura Diaz, Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion at The LPGA, Markus Westerberg, Co-Founder of deWiz, Matt Reagan, Co-Founder at Operation 36 Golf, Nick Longley - Co-Founder at Inrange® Golf, and Ty DeLavallade - Founder and President of Deuce.

How a Simple Invitation Becomes a Powerful Way To Grow Golf - Laura Diaz, Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion With The LPGA

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 11:15:00 -0700

"If we go back in history, systemically with PGA of America's "Caucasian Only Clause" that was in effect till 1960, which was not that long ago. So if you look at that, you really didn't see that many black, brown, Hispanic people in the game. Fast forward to me growing up, people still didn't have that representation. I'm a big believer in "If you can see it, you can be it" right. If I can see somebody that looks like me, if I have that representation that I can get into this sport, or I can see a career in it." - Laura Diaz, Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion With The LPGA
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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"I've always thought of golf as a game of invitation, because when I hear stories of whether it's women, or colleagues who've taken up the game it's always like, "oh, my husband plays. So, I eventually played". Or my dad played, which is my case and we played golf. I asked my mom a couple years ago. "Why don't you play golf"? And she said, because nobody ever invited me. To me that was heartbreaking because my mom was an athlete, but she let golf be something that my dad and my brother and I did separately."

"I have become a lot more self-aware about being that person that invites others because we do get clicky. You have your foursome that you play with on the weekends. You like it because you all play fast, you know everybody's game. Which is great. I love that about golf. But if we can be more self-aware and intentional about inviting someone that doesn't look like you or inviting someone that you might think, "Hey this person might not want to go". This person might be looking for an invitation. The invite part I think is important."

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Laura and Greta on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Laura on her bio page, along with checking out the LPGA Foundation website.

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Attention all you fabulous women golfers - we are partnering with our good friends at KINONA Sport to offer 20% OFF your purchase using promo code MODGOLF! CLICK TO SAVE on tops, shorts, pants, skirts, dresses, skorts, jackets, vests and accessories!

Special Guest: Laura Diaz, Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion at The LPGA.

Building a Bridge That Connects Golfers, Caddies and Clubs - Brett Jaffee, Co-Founder of Caddy Time

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 11:45:00 -0700

"Caddies are wonderful for golf and yet only available one percent or less of the time. To the everyday golfer like myself, caddies were never offered to me. No matter what your reason for playing golf, a caddy enhances it." - Caddy Time Co-Founder Brett Jaffee
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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"Sometimes golfers need a competitive caddy, but also there are huge benefits to enhance the experience for senior's play, junior play, woman's play and beginner golfers. Caddies are a terrific bridge to the golf facility."

"Talking to golfers, course operators and caddies led us to create an instrument where people could connect with the golf-savvy community. Professional and recreational golfers would be able to add a caddy to any golf outing that they chose and that's where Caddy Time came from. Where Caddy Time adds value is as an on-demand caddy platform that delivers the highest quality caddy to whatever that golfer needs."

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

You can also connect with Brett on his bio page, along with checking out the Caddy Time website.

Special Guest: Brett Jaffee - Co-Founder of Caddy Time.

Combining His Love of Golf and Entrepreneurship - Markus Westerberg, Co-Founder of deWiz

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 10:30:00 -0700

"I can only do so much and I am happy to let in anyone who can help us and who knows their area of expertise better than me. There's no ego motivation here. We just want to help golfers get better, grow the company and reach out to more golfers. We have the love of the game and that's our driving force. I think that's a strength that we have, the strength to know what we don't know and not have the vanity of trying to show something else." - deWiz Co-Founder Markus Westerberg
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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 started that round with an incredible start and have learned through experience not to then play conservatively in order to protect a good score. Hitting "pause" and trying to get off the golf course by making pars is the wrong mindset. If you do that you are sure to make bogeys so I knew I had to push myself. So I kept pushing and pushing into that "Zone of Discomfort", didn't bail on myself throughout the round and gave myself a chance to shoot 59 with a putt on 18. I'm really proud of that round as it was a magically exhilarating experience."

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

"We launched about a year ago and today and we are now 14 employees in the company. I'm not saying that we built deWiz all by ourselves. We are team players. I know some things and I don't know a lot of other things". I know golf and I've learned a lot about tech. I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology, which ties in very good to deWiz."

You can also connect with Markus on his bio page, along with checking out the deWiz website.

"Golf is an individual sport but no single tour golfer is out there alone. There is a family behind them, friends, a manager and multiple coaches that make up the team. So to suceed, you have to be able to handle your team regarding the physical, mental, financial and logistical challenges that arise. Golf is a brutal game and it's a game about managing mistakes. Looking at a professional golf career, you have more failures than successes and that gives you a thick skin that builds up your resilience. Golf gives you a North Star to define what success means to you and to appreciate the journey. You have to truly love the game, whether it's the game of entrepreneurship or the game of golf. And when you do that, I believe you will end up in good places."

Special Guest: Markus Westerberg, Co-Founder of deWiz.

Entrepreneurial Lessons Learned on The Trading Floor - Eileen Jurczak, Founder and CEO of Xonic Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:30:00 -0700

"At that point in my life I was working on the trading floor for many years with BMO and had been introduced to artificial intelligence in the financial realm. Not in sports but AI nonetheless. The two came together and I said "wait a second, I wonder if there's a product here? I wonder if we can bring together AI and this passion for golf? That would be a dream come true if I could start a golf related business!". That's where the seed of the idea came. There has been a lot of work and learning since then, but that was the AHA moment for Xonic Golf." - Eileen Jurczak, Founder and CEO of Xonic Golf
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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

"A lot of people don't know this about the scock exchange trading floor. While it's in a large financial institution, it's a very entrepreneurial atmosphere with dozens of small businesses being run by a handful of people. We're responsible for wearing multiple hats in each of these businesses to market it, to grow it, to manage the finances. You're doing everything and you're working hard! The idea of "Hey, we want your ideas, bring them to the table" fosters that innovative entrepreneurial mindset. I'm using all the skills and experience that I've built up my entire life and career. It's incredible."

You can also connect with Eileen on her bio page, along with checking out the Xonic Golf website.

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Eileen is passionate about giving back to the community and has founded and built a successful not-for-profit company that addresses the need for youth financial services education. Established in 2015, the Bay Street Deconstructed workshops have now reached over 10,000 Grade 10 students across Canada, with a priority of reaching students with diverse cultural backgrounds in less affluent areas, helping all students to be better prepared for their futures.

Special Guest: Eileen Jurczak - Founder and CEO of Xonic Golf.

Redefining The Golf Club Membership Experience - Billy Brown, Founder and CEO of The Golf Sanctuary

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0700

"When demand is greater than supply, there is a business opportunity. I found one in The Golf Sanctuary".

"So the idea has been floating around my head for six or seven years. What got me with the simulators when I played Hilton Head or one of those courses it's like, "oh this is cool". But what they did was they threw me into this imaginary world. I went, "oh my God, you've got to be kidding me. We're playing like Machu Picchu, and all sorts of crazy stuff is happening". That I got my juices flowing because I don't know how to hit this shot over a dragon. I've never practiced that shot! We're on top of a thousand foot cliff, never done that before but now I'm interested. I bet other people like this." - Billy Brown, Founder and CEO of The Golf Sanctuary in Nashville Tennessee
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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"November of 2019, I was in a pain med coma from a shoulder surgery wiping drool off my face from the codeine and thought... Golf Sanctuary. If I could go marry real estate and golf, how cool would that be?"

"People that play golf, they don't have time anymore because it takes too damn long. What if I could use the enhanced simulator experience in a business? How do I execute this, how do you monetize it?"

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Billy on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Billy on his bio page, along with checking out the Golf Sanctuary website.

                                        ______________________________________________

On this episode Billy references two books that have influenced and helped shape his entrepreneurial "Give First" mindset: "The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg and John David Mann, and "Failing Forward" by John C. Maxwell.

Special Guest: Billy Brown - Founder and CEO The Golf Sanctuary LLC. 2x Amazon Best Selling Author, Real Estate Investor, and Entrepreneur.

Using Customer Feedback To Deliver Exceptional Value - Nick Longley, Co-Founder at Inrange

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 09:15:00 -0700

"Within 15 minutes of showing a driving range owner a video of what it could be they said, "Right, yeah, we're in. We'll happily be your early adopter". And once they came on as early adopters we spent hours and hours of time on the range, interviewing people showing them designs, showing them prototypes and getting push back." - Nick Longley, Co-Founder at Inrange Golf
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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"We got to the point with our first mobile implementation that we had to run competitions just to get people to even log in and play it. But what Declan the owner of Greenwich said to me early on was, "I'm not interested in this mobile thing. I want screens and I want games". And over time we realized that people don't like paying for apps, but put a beautiful touchscreen in their bay with this fantastic augmented training experience and they will happily pay a premium to play and they'll feel like it's for free."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Nick on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Nick on his bio page, along with checking out the Inrange website.

                                        ______________________________________________

On this episode Colin and Nick discuss the concept of the Technology Adoption Curve and where Inrange Golf currently sits on it.

Nick also references "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" by Nir Eyal, which is a book that has helped Inrange develop their game and experience design strategy.

Special Guest: Nick Longley - Co-Founder at Inrange® Golf.

Relationships Are The New Currency - Ty DeLavallade - Founder and President of Deuce

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 13:00:00 -0700

"I challenged myself and said, "I may not have all the financial capital to do it, but I have teeth to cut in the steak and I have the resources and access to the golf industry because I've been in golf for twelve years now". I can figure something out." - Ty DeLavallade - Founder and President of Deuce
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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"I did some research to find out what other black-owned businesses are there out there. To be fair, I didn't find any. I decided that night was I going to call it Deuce and did not know what the logo was going to look like, but I wanted to somehow leave a legacy for my son. I've called him Deuce since he was three. It's a cool name. What I realized was that when you're building a company, you're really building a tribe. You're really building a support group around you of people who are proud to wear the hat because it's cool brand. They wear it because of the quality. Whatever it is, I'm okay with that."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Ty on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Ty on his bio page, along with checking out The Deuce Am Tour (which I hope to be at mid-September for the LA stop!) and Deuce Cares https://deuceamtour.com/deuce-cares/

Special Guest: Ty DeLavallade - Founder and President of Deuce.

Sponsored By:

Zencastr: Connect your business to a new audience with Zencastr’s Podcast Marketplace!

Building a Women-Led Company That Positively Disrupts The Golf Industry - Jess McAlister, Founder of Digital Golf Collective

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 22:15:00 -0700

"When we say positively disrupt, we want to show that there are alternative ways of doing things when it comes to being creative and marketing to today's consumer, fan, as well as the industry. And with both of us being experts in our space, we knew that our brains coming together could ultimately do that."
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I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

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"Especially coming into a space that is truly based on tradition, we wanted to respect that. So we use positively disrupt because we're both severe crazy golf fans, love what is there and what it's based on. But with where technology and society are going, it's kind of an adapt or die situation as we are currently seeing in the industry today. And we felt we can positively disrupt while loving and respecting the sport we love so much and fighting to ensure women athletes get what they truly deserve."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Jess on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Jess and Digital Golf Collective? Visit their website to learn how they are creating effective developmental programs and technology to introduce and guide anyone in playing the game of golf.

You can also connect with Jess on her bio page.

Special Guest: Jess McAlister - Founder of Digital Golf Collective.

Sponsored By:

Zencastr: Connect your business to a new audience with Zencastr’s Podcast Marketplace!

Building a Scalable Business That Introduces 1,000,000 New Golfers to The Game - Matt Reagan, Co-Founder at Operation 36 Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 14:00:00 -0700

Getting good at golf is hard. Figuring out how to make it fun and engaging for kids is even harder. As Matt Reagan and his Operation 36 Co-Founder Ryan Dailey looked to solve this problem over 12 years ago, they saw how other sports - especially martial arts like Taekwondo and Karate - would progress through levels of mastery by testing students once they had acquired the necessary skills. The result was creating a 10 Division, variable distance gameplay format where students need to shoot 36 over nine holes in order to graduate up to the next level. Listen in as Matt shares the startup journey of Operation 36 Golf.
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"We got three kids to sign up and join the program and that was how the concept started. And then we'd say "oh crap, what do we do with them every week? How do we show they're improving, what do we teach? How should we be testing them and show parents they're getting better? How do we make it fun every step of the way?"

"The first five years of our existence we worked on building the program and trying to figure that out. We'd sit down before class, plan for an hour and a half and then kids would show up. We'd run it and say "well that sucked, let's try it again!" and then we would experiment with different ideas. So we had this pretty cool environment where we were just testing group programming with kids and trying to figure out what works to make it fun, but also make sure they are getting better and turning into golfers. And then showing parents, who are the ones signing the kids up for the program, that this is working."

Want to learn more about Matt and Operation 36 Golf? Visit their website to learn how they are creating effective developmental programs and technology to introduce and guide anyone in playing the game of golf.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Matt on our Youtube Channel!

You can also connect with Matt on his bio page.

Operation 36 takes the traditional model and flips it on its head. All new players begin on the course. Instead of starting at the tee box, they play from 25 yards away from the hole. Once the player shoots par (36) from 25 yards, they back up to 50 yards, and so on, until they are shooting even par (36) from the full tee box. It’s timely, it’s fun, and it provides step by step improvement.

Special Guest: Matt Reagan, Co-Founder at Operation 36 Golf.

Harnessing web3 To Reimagine The Modern Golf Club Experience - Cooper Sherwin, Co-Founder and Head of Community at LinksDAO

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 12:45:00 -0700

"Being an NFT member of this community automatically and from the beginning has brought value, even before we acquire the golf course, That's our North Star. We're still heading there. But the team is working really hard to continue forging these partnerships because everyone we talked to in the golf world is really excited about what we're doing".... Cooper Sherwin, Co-Founder and Head of Community at LinksDAO
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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"It's been really positive the responses we've gotten. Folks who are excited about new technology, about new approaches to the game and about building the sport of golf have been very receptive to what we're creating."

So what does the DAO is LinksDAO mean? It stands for a "Decentralized Autonomous Organization" and Cooper nicely explains it around the 10 minute mark of this episode.

Want to learn more about Cooper and LinksDAO? Visit their website to see how LinksDAO is engaging a global community of thousands of golf enthusiasts to create the modern golf and leisure club.

You can learn more about and connect with Cooper on his bio page. Cooper just attended the 2022 NFT NYC conference, which you can check out at https://www.nft.nyc

Special Guest: Cooper Sherwin - Co-Founder and Head of Community at LinksDAO.

Sponsored By:

Zencastr: Connect your business to a new audience with Zencastr’s Podcast Marketplace!

Applying a Tech Investor Mindset to Support "Early Stage" Golf Athletes - Donnie Dotson, Founder and CEO of Carry

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 13:15:00 -0700

"I was thrilled and inspired to see that we had people going from almost complete strangers to forming meaningful bonds over golf. And my goal is to be able to somehow bottle up that experience and scale it, so we can help a lot more golfers but also bring a lot more fans closer to the game."
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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"We played The Cradle and Number Two at Pinehurst, we played, followed by a wonderful dinner in Donald Ross' backyard for the Monday night closing event. There was a moment where two of our players who are on the Korn Ferry Tour had to leave as dinner was wrapping up because they had an early flight to their next event. Potential investors were standing up, clapping, a bit of a standing ovation, high fives and saying "hey, we're rooting for you guys, we're cheering you on, will be following along!" They didn't know who these players were other than by name 48 hours earlier and that was cool to see.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Donnie on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Donnie and Carry Golf Investments? Visit their website to see how Carry Golf Investments is taking a tech startup venture capitalist approach to funding and supporting elite athletes.

You can learn more about and connect with Donnie on his bio page.

Special Guest: Donnie Dotson - Founder and CEO of Carry Golf Investments.

Building an Engaging Platform For The Everyday Golfer - Jordan Lunetta, Co-Founder of ODIN Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 17 May 2022 16:45:00 -0700

"We're on the course one day and we're not having a great round. We're donating to the lake and the forest. We look at each other and say, "Why aren't we losing our own golf balls? Why are we losing golf balls of brands that are old?" They're stuffy and they don't speak to us as digital natives. We are the next generation of golfers who are the rebel rousers in a good way, who are consuming things in much different ways. And given the four of us built and scaled tech companies we said "before we do anything, what are our ambitions?" And we have big ambitions to take ODIN to golfers across the globe. We have a vision of building a platform for the everyday golfer."
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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"Why are we using expensive gear from old, stuffy brands that don’t really speak to us? So what the old stuffy incumbent brands are doing for the PGA Tour, we're doing for everyone else. That's our sweet spot in the market, which is really exciting." Jordan shares how they apply a tech startup approach to disrupt the traditional golf product space, are early adopters experimenting with NFTs and much more.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Jordan on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Jordan and ODIN Golf? Visit their website to see how ODIN is putting their fun, irreverent spin on golf balls, apparel and community building experiences. You can also learn more about the ODIN Founding Membership NFTs at https://futureofgolf.co.

You can learn more about and connect with Jordan on his bio page.

Special Guest: Jordan Lunetta - Co-Founder of ODIN Golf.

SEASON 11 WRAP-UP / SEASON 12 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 13:30:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 11 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 12, which launches early June 2022. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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

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If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 11 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefullly this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which ones you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 11 guests were:

Episode 1
Deborah Smith - Prosthetics Entrepreneur and Adaptive Athlete (with guest host Dr. Greta Anderson)
Click to listen >> EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH ADAPTIVE GOLF

Episode 2
Chris Kallmayer - Co-CEO at Golf Genius Software
Click to listen >> FOSTER INNOVATION AND GROWTH BY LISTENING TO CUSTOMER NEEDS

Episode 3
Jeremy Callahan - aka "The App Man", Co-Founder and CTO at Golf BPM
Click to listen >> THE 2022 GOLF APP REVIEW EPISODE

Episode 4
Lydia Davies - Founder and CEO at TeeMates Golf
Click to listen >> CREATING THE "LINKEDIN FOR GOLFERS"

Episode 5
Mark Mattingly - EVP at Landscapes Golf Management
Click to listen >> WHAT YOU WANT SITS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HARD

Episode 6
Charlie Klaus (SPARK Golf) and Patrick Farris (EUFOREIA Golf)
Click to listen >> CONVERSATIONS FROM THE 2022 PGA SHOW

Episode 7
Jim Beatty - Executive Director, African American Golfer's Digest
Click to listen >> TAKING A POSITION TO HELP CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE

Episode 8
Guillermo Heredia - Managing Director with HYPE Sports Innovation
Click to listen >> HOW THE METAVERSE AND NFTS WILL AMPLIFY GOLF FAN ENGAGEMENT

Episode 9
Alyson Ramsey Johnson - CEO at Gilly Group and Co-Founder at White Tee Partners
Click to listen >> CREATING PHENOMENAL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES THROUGH GOLF

Episode 10
Jim Plumb - Co-Founder and FORE! SIXTY
Click to listen >> BUILDING COMMUNITY AS A "SENIOR-PRENEUR"

Episode 11
Tom Naramore - CEO at D3Golf.com
Click to listen >> TURNING A $3 WEEKLY GOLF BUDDY BET INTO A SCALEABLE BUSINESS VENTURE

Episode 12
Steve Tooshkenig - Golf Teaching Professional and Inspirational Indigenous Speaker
Click to listen >> CREATING A SUSTAINABLE GOLF FUTURE THROUGH THE "SEVENTH GENERATION PRINCIPLE"

Special Guests: Alyson Ramsey Johnson - CEO at Gilly Group, Co-Founder of White Tee Partners, Charlie Klaus - Co- Founder and CEO at Spark Golf, Chris Kallmeyer, CEO at Golf Genius Software, Deborah Smith - Adaptive Athlete and Prosthetic Resources Consultant, Guillermo Heredia, Managing Director Global Brands, Metaverse & Blockchain at HYPE Sports Innovation, Jeremy Callahan - a.k.a. The App Man, Jim Beatty, Executive Editor with African American Golfer’s Digest, Jim Plumb, Co-Founder of FORE! SIXTY, Lydia Davies - Founder of The Osprey Collective and TeeMates Golf, Mark Mattingly - Executive Vice President at Landscapes Golf Management, Patrick Farris - Euforeia Golf Co. Founder / CEO, Steve Tooshkenig, CPGA Golf Professional and Inspirational Indigenous Speaker, and Tom Naramore - CEO at D3Golf.com.

Turning a $3 weekly golf buddy bet into a scaleable business venture - Tom Naramore, CEO at D3Golf.com

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0700

"There is a standard side game that many people play called the Nassau bet. There's a wager on the front nine, a separate wager on the back nine and then you add them both together in match play and whoever wins the most holes wins the overall. So it's three separate bets. Craig and I used to play a dollar-dollar-dollar game. That's what we would call it on the first hole. He'd walk up, look at me and say "dollar-dollar-dollar?" and I'd respond "Absolutely!"
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Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

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

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"I had software clients out golfing at the same time that (my now Co-Founder) Craig had financial clients out and we serendipitously wound up at the same restaurant. He saw me, walked up and said, "hey, we should have been able to play our dollar-dollar-dollar game on two different courses" and I snap answered him and said, "Man, I can build that, that's a mobile app. No problem!" ...Tom Naramore, CEO at D3Golf.com

"I met a gentleman by the name of Peter Meng and he spent half an hour showing me his tech. Afterwards all I said to him was, "What do you think about a virtual wallet in a mobile app, two guys playing golf either on the same or different courses? They play, the app does all the math and then the app sends the money to the winner." And that's all I said to him. 24 hours later he called me back. He wrote a business plan, a technical road map for me, a basic marketing plan and voila, the company was started."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Tom on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Tom and D3Golf? Visit their website to see how D3Golf has created the mobile app for monetary side games on your local golf course or remotely with players around the country.

You can learn more about and connect with Tom on his bio page.

We want to thank our sponsor partner Golf Genius Software for helping support The ModGolf Podcast

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

Special Guest: Tom Naramore - CEO at D3Golf.com.

Building Community as a "Senior-preneur" - Jim Plumb, Co-Founder of FORE! SIXTY

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 21:15:00 -0700

"We were going to call the company FORE! FIFTY, but we did a lot of surveys and 50 year olds still think they're 20, but 60 year olds are realistic. That's why we want to cater to that crowd of 60 and over."... Jim Plumb, Co-Founder of FORE! SIXTY

FORE! SIXTY is a unique online community dedicated to enhancing the game for golfers sixty and over with age-relevant information, videos and a wide selection of curated value offerings on golf equipment, natural, anti-inflammatory pain relief and Sun Smart UPF50 sun protection apparel.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Jim on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Jim and FORE! SIXTY? Visit their website to see how they are creating an engaging community for senior golfers.

"We've all failed at times and built up businesses. We understand the economics behind it so we're not afraid to go after new products, investigate new areas. I love the entrepreneurial world and am looking at other things that I want to do beyond this business. You never know what's going to come up next, but you always got to keep your doors open and keep looking for that good opportunity."

You can learn more about and connect with Jim on his bio page.

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

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

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

Special Guest: Jim Plumb, Co-Founder of FORE! SIXTY.

Sponsored By:

Zencastr: Click on the discount link for 30% off a Zencastr Professional account using the promo code THEMODGOLFPOD. Promo Code: THEMODGOLFPOD

Creating Phenomenal Customer Experiences Through Golf - Alyson Ramsey Johnson, CEO at Gilly Group and Co-Founder at White Tee Partners

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 18:00:00 -0700

"I always knew I wanted to be a boss. I didn't know of what but I had that calling to want to help brands and businesses, create these phenomenal experiences for their customers through golf, whether that was sponsorship activation, hospitality or promoting their brands. So I knew I needed to get more of a differentiator for myself in the golf industry, especially as a woman."

"I knew I had the itch to do it. I just needed to get more experience under my belt. So when I launched Gilly Group I took all my favorite experiences, I left behind HR Communications, the ice cream socials, the investor relations and never looked back. Honestly it's really been my greatest joy to do this because I love working in golf. I love the people that I know and it's just a lot of fun to bring that to the end consumer."

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

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

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

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Alyson on our Youtube Channel!

We're excited to announce that our very own podcasting platform, Zencastr has become a new sponsor of the show! Click on the discount link for 30% off a Zencastr Professional account using the promo code THEMODGOLFPOD.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.
Zencastr: It’s time to share your story!

Want to learn more about Alyson and Gilly Group? Visit their website to see how Alyson and her team deliver marketing strategy, business development, sports marketing and sponsorship activation solutions for their golf industry clients.

On the podcast Alyson discussed the value of finding a likeminded partner with a complimentry skill set when starting a new business venture. She co-founded White Tee Partners with good friend LeslieAnne Wade, where they deliver awareness and exposure to products, brands, leagues, and talent within the golf space using rich storytelling and engaging content while utilizing their extensive network within the golf industry.

Click on the image below to learn more about White Tee Partners.

You can learn more about and connect with Alyson on her bio page.

Special Guest: Alyson Ramsey Johnson - CEO at Gilly Group, Co-Founder of White Tee Partners.

Sponsored By:

Zencastr: Click on the discount link for 30% off a Zencastr Professional account using the promo code THEMODGOLFPOD. Promo Code: THEMODGOLFPOD

How The Metaverse and NFTs Will Amplify Golf Fan Engagement - Guillermo Heredia, Managing Director at HYPE Sports Innovation

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 17:00:00 -0800

The Metaverse. NFTs. Blockchain. Cryptocurrency. Web 3.0
You have probably heard some or all of these terms over the past couple of years and may scratch your head in bewilderment as one of your friends tries to explain them to you. After listening to this episode you will be enlightened by the insights from our guest Guillermo Heredia, who is the Global Brands, Metaverse & Blockchain Managing Director at HYPE Sports Innovation.

"The Metaverse. It's not like different Metaverses, it is one Metaverse like there is one internet and then you have different platforms. The Australian Open replicated the grounds in Decentraland and you could see and enter the Rod Laver Arena and see all the sponsors. You could go to the shop, you had some gamification around but they were not the only ones. The NFL did it for the Super Bowl and they created an area in Roblox wherre they had a store. They again have ramification, you could see all the brands and the clubs that are in the NFL. So it is a new way for fans to interact with the brands and with the sport properties. So you have endless opportunities."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Guillermo on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Guillermo and HYPE Sports Innovation? Visit their website to see how HYPE has become the Global Sports Tech Arena with over 100 top sports brands, clubs, and federations as partners.

One example of golf entering the Metaverse is GOLF+, where you can play an immersive round of 18 holes, putting competitions or experience TopGolf in a virtual reality environment. Click on the image below to learn more about GOLF+.

Web 3.0 represents the next iteration or phase of the evolution of the web/Internet and potentially could be as disruptive and represent as big a paradigm shift as Web 2.0. Web 3.0 is built upon the core concepts of decentralization, openness, and greater user utility.

You can learn more about and connect with Guillermo on his bio page.

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

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

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

Special Guest: Guillermo Heredia, Managing Director Global Brands, Metaverse & Blockchain at HYPE Sports Innovation.

Taking a Position To Help Create Positive Change - Jim Beatty, Executive Editor with African American Golfer’s Digest

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 20:30:00 -0800

At The 2022 PGA Show in Orlando I had the opportunity to reconnect with Jim Beatty at The Diversity and Inclusion Forum, which he was co-hosting. Jim Beatty wears several hats, including Executive Editor for the African American Golfer’s Digest (www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com), President of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures (www.jimbeattygolfventures.com) and Chair of The We Are Golf, Recreational Play Subcommittee, Diversity Task Force (www.wearegolf.org).

"I'm fueled by the fact that so many people came before me like Charlie Sifford, Lee Elder, Althea Gibson, Teddy Rhodes, Renée Powell. What they had to endure makes what I'm doing just not that hard. It's time consuming true, but I have to take the next steps and recognize the great people. People that came before me - both black and white - that stood up, took a position, maintained it and created change."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Jim on our Youtube Channel!

Jim is also the founder and organizer of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum. This is a multi-day event held to promote the business and economic opportunities for African Americans in the $84 Billion Golf Industry.

To learn more about and to register for the 2nd annual EXPO August 27-31 2022 in Charlotte NC, visit their website.

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

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

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

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

Special Guest: Jim Beatty, Executive Editor with African American Golfer’s Digest.

What You Want Sits On The Other Side of Hard - Mark Mattingly, EVP at Landscapes Golf Management

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 11:15:00 -0800

"At the green grass level we recognize that we have to make a conscious effort to make others feel welcome. That was one of the things that I believe we missed in the 90s. We made a lot of hard golf courses, a lot of challenging facilities, but we didn't really create a safe place for people that were new to the game to come in feel welcome who didn't understanding etiquette or even where to begin. A lot of those things that cause people embarrassment we are able to address early on and doing that to create safe ways for them to learn the game, making them feel like they belong as they make their way from the putting green to the range and ultimately for just one hole or two holes at a time until they get comfortable. Give them ways to have success and feel welcome at the facility from the very beginning."

Friend of the show Rich Katz - Founder of Katz Strategy - takes on the guest host duties to lead a fast-paced, informative, entertaining, practical and educational conversation with Mark Mattingly, Executive Vice President at Landscapes Golf Management.

"If you're going to get into the golf business, you need to love seeing other people get that spark in their eye and really have joy in experiencing this great game. And if you love to do that, you'll go the extra mile to provide that programming and on-boarding. All of these technology solutions have all been developed to help people better understand and fall in love with the game the way that I have. So that is what I think is most important. "

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Mark on our Youtube Channel!

A PGA Professional since 1994, Mark has served as a General Manager, Regional Manager and Regional Operations Executive for private and public facilities alike with a strong emphasis on business-building programming and membership growth. As part of the Landscapes team, Mark is centrally located in Indiana where he also served on the Indiana PGA Board of Directors for three consecutive terms (2005 – 2012) during which time he chaired committees dedicated to education, scholarships, Special Olympics and growth of the game initiatives.

To learn more about Landscapes Unlimited, visit their website to see how they has grown over the past forty years from one man with a pipe wrench and a pickup truck, to four industry leading companies dedicated to delivering golf industry expertise.

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

Special Guest: Mark Mattingly - Executive Vice President at Landscapes Golf Management.

Foster Innovation and Growth by Listening To Customer Needs - Chris Kallmeyer, Co-CEO at Golf Genius Software

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 17:15:00 -0800

Chris Kallmeyer, Co-CEO at Golf Genius Software joins us to share how the company continues to expand their product offerings through a simple success formula: earn the trust of existing customers by observing how they operate, asking what their biggest pain points are and serving their unmet needs.

Chris provides valuable insights to how they "future proof" the business, such as diversifying their revenue model by "white-labelling" software products to larger organizations, aquire companies that strategically compliment their product portfolio and building partnerships with industry players like The USGA and Golf Canada to help amplify their reach. He also shares how Golf Genius Software's culture of innovation allows them to simultaneously enhance existing products while bringing new enterprise products to the golf marketplace.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Chris on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about Chris and Golf Genius Software? Visit their website to see how Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries.

You can learn more about Chris on his bio page.

Show Notes and Chris Quotes
"We believe that it's never been more important for golf professionals to have tools that save them time and help them deliver great experiences to golfers. That's where we come in to the picture. So that's really the growth part of it. Of the pandemic the question then becomes retention. How do you keep these folks engaged? That really comes down to what type of experience is the golf course delivering. You get folks out there for a league or for nine holes or a practice session. What brings the back, what's going to turn them into golfers for life? What's going to turn them into folks that are going to play say 10, 15, 20 or more rounds of golf a year because that's really the name of the game."

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

Empowering People With Disabilities Through Adaptive Golf -Deborah Smith, Prosthetics Entrepreneur and Adaptive Athlete

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 22:00:00 -0800

"I work as an entrepreneur with my own business, focusing on thought leaders in the prosthetic industry, specifically small startups who are bringing new technologies to the forefront to help people like myself with limb difference. I am one of two million people in the United States who lives with limb difference - in my case it's a below the knee amputation that I had six years ago. For me, using a prosthesis has empowered my life and I want to bring that same opportunity to others like myself."... Deborah Smith, Prosthetics Entrepreneur and Adaptive Athlete

"I survived a fatal accident when I was 19, which changed my life in the blink of an eye. I went from running every day, dancing and golfing to fighting in order to ever walk again. Looking back, the understanding that I needed to put the time and work in and I wasn't going to see any results right away certainly helped me as I was recovering from my accident because I was disabled and disfigured from it."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Deborah on our Youtube Channel!

"In the United States alone there are 61 million adults living with some form of physical disability that impacts their daily activities and the majority of them are women. There are two million people in the US who have limb difference, for example an amputation like myself. Those numbers grow by 500 amputations that are performed in the United States every day. "

Deborah is a mentor with the amputee Coalition of America and with Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago, the top rehab facility in the country for the last 30 years. Visit their website to see how the first-ever “translational” research hospital where clinicians, scientists, innovators and technologists work together in the same space, applying research in real time to physical medicine and rehabilitation.

You can learn more about Deborah on her bio page.

Deborah is currently involved in several entrepreneurial endeavours and one that she discusses is her work with PSYONIC, creators of the world's first touch sensing bionic hand. Learn more at the Psyonic website.

"The beauty of golf is that it is available to us from a young age through an older age, through ability and disability. I am a perfect example of the opportunities that golf provides."

To connect with Deborah...
Website: https://www.deborahsmith.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/2deborahsmith/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/2deborahsmith/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/2deborahsmith/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/2deborahsmith

Special Guest: Deborah Smith - Adaptive Athlete and Prosthetic Resources Consultant.

SEASON 10 WRAP-UP / SEASON 11 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 21:00:00 -0800

That's a wrap for Season 10 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 11, which launches early January 2022. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 10 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefullly this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which one you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 10 guests were:

Episode 1
Kelly Hunt - Founder of GolfHers (with guest host Dr. Greta Anderson)
Click to listen >> INSPIRING WOMEN TO BUILD A CAREER IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY

Episode 2
Matt Fisher - Creator of the Mr. Short Game YouTube Channel
Click to listen >> EMBRACING A “GIVE FIRST” ATTITUDE TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

Episode 3
Bryan Crawford - RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director
Click to listen >> THE COURAGE TO INNOVATE DURING TUMULTUOUS TIMES

Episode 4
Tom Cox - Co-Founder and DEO of Golfballs.com
Click to listen >> HOW TO TURN YOUR "AHA MOMENT" INTO A SCALEABLE BUSINESS VENTURE

Episode 5
Lisa O'Hurley - CEO and Founder of LOHLA SPORT
Click to listen >> LOOKING OUTSIDE THE GOLF BOX TO BUILD A PREMIUM GOLF BRAND

Episode 6
Tommy Southworth - President and COO of Southworth Development
Click to listen >> PIVOTING YOUR BUSINESS MODEL TO UNLOCK NEW CUSTOMER VALUE

Episode 7
Ron Powers - Head of Swing Suite Division at Full Swing Simulators
Click to listen >> MASTERING THE ART OF "NIMBLE AMNESIA"

Episode 8
Chris Noble - PGA of America Manager for Nextgengolf's National High School Golf Association
Click to listen >> SWING YOUR SWING AND PLAY YOUR GAME

Episode 9
Marc Simon - Event Vice President at PGA Golf Exhibitions
Click to listen >> TRANSFORMING THE GOLF EVENT BUSINESS DURING TUMULTUOUS TIMES

Episode 10
Jeehae Lee - Co-Founder and CEO of Sportsbox.ai
Click to listen >> THE JOURNEY FROM PRO ATHLETE TO SPORT TECH ENTREPRENEUR

Episode 11
Agustín Pizá - Founder and Architect at Pizá Golf Design
Click to listen >> HARNESSING THE POWER OF DESIGN TO REINVENT GOLF EXPERIENCES

Episode 12
Arjun Chowdri - Chief Innovation Officer with The PGA of America
Click to listen >> LOOKING OUTSIDE GOLF TO INNOVATE THE INDUSTRY AND GAME

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

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

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

Special Guests: Agustín Pizá - Founder and Architect with Pizá Golf Design, Arjun Chowdri - Chief Innovation & Administrative Officer at The PGA of America, Bryan Crawford - RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director with Golf Canada, Chris Noble - Nextgengolf’s National High School Golf Association Manager, Jeehae Lee - Co-Founder and CEO at Sportsbox.ai, Kelly Hunt - Founder of GolfHers, Lisa O'Hurley - Founder and CEO of LOHLA SPORT, Marc Simon - Event Vice President for PGA Golf Exhibitions / RX Reed Exhibitions, Matt Fisher, Creator of The Mr. Short Game YouTube channel, Ron Powers - Head of Swing Suite Division at Full Swing Simulators, Tom Cox - Founder & CEO of Golfballs.com, and Tommy Southworth - President and COO of Southworth Development.

Looking Outside Golf To Innovate The Industry And Game - Arjun Chowdri, Chief Innovation Officer with The PGA of America

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 15:30:00 -0800

On our final Season 10 episode, Arjun Chowdri joins us to share where the PGA of America is and where they are going. We learn about the design process and status of their new headquarters in Frisco Texas, the future of enhanced golf fan engagement through sport wagering, how his work with the IPL professional cricket Indian Premier League has helped shape the opportunities he sees in the golf industry and much more!

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Arjun on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about the innovative initiatives The PGA of America is spearheading? Visit their websites to find a coach and see how they are fostering change in how the game is perceived and the access under-represented communities are receiving to participate in this $84 billion/year industry.

The PGA of America: https://www.pga.com
PGA REACH: https://www.pgareach.org
PGA WORKS: https://www.pgareach.org/pgaworks
PGA HOPE: https://www.pgareach.org/services/military
NextGenGolf: https://nextgengolf.org
PGA Jr. League: https://www.pgajrleague.com

You can learn more about Arjun on his bio page.

Show Notes and Arjun Quotes
"My role is everything that's growth-oriented for the organization. So that includes International, technology Investments and acquisitions. We do have this effort and Innovation fund and the idea goes central to our mission: Grow the game and serve our members."

"There are a lot of technologies and services and Innovations in other industries that can really help the golf industry. They tend not to come either because they just don't think about us or they tend to come ten years late. So we're out there, knocking on their doors and saying, "think about us, there is a business to be had and we're going to help you knock down some of the walls of complexity."

Special Guest: Arjun Chowdri - Chief Innovation & Administrative Officer at The PGA of America.

Transforming The Golf Event Business During Tumultuous Times - Marc Simon, Event Vice President at PGA Golf Exhibitions

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 18:30:00 -0700

"Often at a big company there's not that culture of trying new ideas. But if you imbrace innovation, fail fast during the effort and you learn from it, that could be the next great big success. So it's really, really important from a cultural perspective to think more entrepreneurial, to take more risks and then to celebrate those successes along with those failures.".... Marc Simon on The ModGolf Podcast

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Marc on our Youtube Channel!
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Want to learn more about The PGA Show and RX Global? Visit their websites for information and pre-registration for The 2022 PGA Merchandise Show in January 25-28 2022 in Orlando.

You can learn more about Marc on his bio page.

Show Notes and Marc Quotes
"The PGA Merchandise Show really focuses on three different areas: The one to one connections, some kind of marketplace for exhibitors, being able to showcase their goods and services and then the educational piece and then trying to improve those elements through time, while also offering something experiential to keep people connected and engaged."

"COVIID forced us to be more entrepreneurial while a lot of times big corporations are not. We definitely had to think fast and we definitely had to take a lot more risk and not be afraid to fail."

PGA of America and PGA Golf Exhibitions Provide Update on 2022 In-Person PGA Show Enhancements
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (August 19, 2021)
PGA Golf Exhibitions, in partnership with the PGA of America, is progressing with previously announced PGA Show initiatives to refresh and grow the 69th annual flagship event, January 25-28 2022 in Orlando. Event and programming enhancements focus specifically on powering face-to-face business connections, spotlighting innovations and prioritizing product experiential education, sourcing and transactions. PGA Golf Exhibitions and the PGA of America will continue to closely monitor and implement health and safety standards, based on CDC guidelines, local public health guidance and host venue protocols, to support a safe and comfortable experience at the 2022 PGA Show.

“With feedback from industry stakeholders, we are reimagining various aspects of the PGA Show to build the businesses of exhibitors and attendees through programs which will enhance product experiences and learning, buying opportunities and face-to-face connections,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon. “Following the successful conclusion of the recent in-person buying and education summit held Aug. 9-10 in Las Vegas, we are optimistic about providing an elevated PGA Show experience while prioritizing the health and well-being of our guests. We look forward to an exciting 2022 PGA Show where the golf industry reunites, celebrates rising consumer engagement and works together for the continued growth of golf.”

Current enhancements planned for the 2022 PGA Show include:

• Creating a new PGA of America Hub on the Show Floor inside the main Central Lobby entrance of the Orange County Convention Center. Attendees will enter to a full-scale golf activation area featuring a PGA Frisco 2022 Opening preview; “Make Golf Your Thing” campaign programming; PGA Professional coaching demonstrations; golf industry programs; a PGA Professional lounge; PGA Career Services and activations for Association initiatives and business partners.

• Reimagining the Equipment Test Center to feature technology enhancements on the indoor driving range, while relocating the practice putting green and the former short game test area nearby the Equipment Test Center to create one centralized golf product testing and experiential space.

• Emphasizing clubfitting education during the event’s traditional demo day, in partnership with PGA Magazine. Clubfitting programming, education, vendors and range-side content will be added, and the event will move forward with the new name of PGA Show Demo and Fitting Day, the world’s largest professional demo and fitting education event.

• Re-organizing educational offerings, in partnership with the PGA of America and the Association of Golf Merchandisers, to prioritize PGA Professional and golf buyer time with exhibitors during Show floor hours. The 2022 educational programs will be scheduled with less overlap during Show Floor hours, and most Show Week education programs will be available virtually after the event.

• Implementing enhanced sustainability measures with the host facility and service vendors, reducing the Show’s carbon footprint, and highlighting industry and exhibitor sustainability initiatives.

Relocating the fashion buyer lounge, and the annual fashion show, to a more prominent Apparel Hall setting for easy access to peer meetings and networking.

• Enhancing technology access on site and integrating digital platforms to positively impact product discovery, testing and purchasing, educational access, registration and planning/logistics.

• Continuing the focus on health and well-being practices during all PGA Show Week events.
Exhibitor participation is on track with the 2020 in-person PGA Show and media partners of the PGA Show and the PGA of America are set to return to the PGA Show Floor. Additionally, attendees can expect a return of popular PGA Show partners, pavilions, and programming, including the AGM Golf Retail Conference, NGCOA Golf Business Conference, PGA Member Business Center, New Product Zone, Inventors Spotlight exhibitor pavilion, live fashion show, golf travel pavilion, Adaptive Golf Center and the TPI Golf Fitness, Wellness & Instruction pavilion and stage.

Additional details on enhancements will continue to be announced leading up to the 2022 PGA Show. Event details and early registration information is available at www.PGAShow.com.

About PGA Golf Exhibitions
The PGA Show, PGA Buying & Education Summit and PGA Show Connects are organized in partnership by PGA Golf Exhibitions and the PGA of America. Since its inception in 1954, the PGA Show has grown into the largest annual business event for the global golf industry. Regional PGA Show Buying & Education Summits and the PGA Show Connects digital platform connect the industry year-round and drive business leading up to the annual PGA Show. Learn more at PGAShow.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Contacts:
PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions/Media: Sherry Major, smajor@reedexpo.com
PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions/Exhibitors: Greg Scott, gscott@reedexpo.com
PGA of America/Media: Michael Abramowitz, mabramowitz@pgahq.com

Special Guest: Marc Simon - Event Vice President for PGA Golf Exhibitions / RX Reed Exhibitions.

Swing Your Swing and Play Your Game - Chris Noble, PGA of America Manager for NextGenGolf's National High School Golf Association

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700

"We love the fact that there are players who are different races, different nationalities, different cultures, backgrounds, sexual orientation, and gender identities too. I identify as a gay male, but I'm much more than that. Being able to be myself and have some of that awareness because I know when I was in high school, I would have loved to see anybody, whether it's somebody running a tournament I was playing in or a PGA or LPGA Tour player, who is out, living their life and being who they truly are. So we're able to let these teens know that it's okay to be yourself and swing your swing and play your game."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Chris on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about NexGenGolf and The National High School Golf Association? Visit their website to see how they are creating community for young golfers - both competitively and just for fun.

You can learn more about Chris on his bio page.

Special Guest: Chris Noble - Nextgengolf’s National High School Golf Association Manager.

Embracing A “Give First” Attitude To Build A Successful Business - Matt Fisher, The Mr. Short Game YouTube channel

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0700

"There was a point where I had to turn down freelance jobs. My last job was with Disney where I was making YouTube videos and that's when I realized this is what I need to be doing when I'm not working. About a year and a half later I'm at a point where I was thinking I need to let the other work go so I can this can grow. That was really tough because financially we were scraping by. Finally my YouTube channel was right on the cusp and I told my wife Jenny "here's the numbers showing where it's gone the last couple of months. If I let go of all my freelance work this could really take off". So that was a scary point but I had to go for it."

Golf YouTuber Matt Fisher, creator of Mr. Short Game

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Matt on our Youtube Channel!

Looking to improve your game around the green? Check out Matt's Mr. Short Game YouTube channel to experience his unfiltered energy and helpful tips.

You can learn more about Matt 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

Show Notes and Matt Quotes
"My approach to video creation has three components: I want to give something for free, whether it be a tip or a drill. I want it to be entertaining because I hate to be bored. Lastly I want people to connect and get to know me so we can build a community together."

"I'm not not going to mention somebody just because they don't pay me. I'll showcase good people and products all the time. Something I've learned along the way is just be giving first. Do expect or try to get stuff because the right things will come along. The universe has a way of giving back if you're a giving person. But if you're greedy or stingy, forget it. Nothing good is going to happen"

"I had to do stuff at my house and put a big net in my backyard. I just did what I had to do, which is the entrepreneurial mindset. I had no money and had sold all my camera equipment and was shooting videos on my iPhone. I'm in my yard, it's LA in the valley, 100 degrees outside and my phone is overheating so much that I had to put it in the freezer every 20 minutes, come back and finish the shot. That's how I started so I know what it takes to grind it out. Believe me, I want to be best golf YouTuber out there but I'm not going to build it at all costs. That's not part of the equation. What is part of the equation is how many friends and positive community can we build along the way."

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

Inspiring Women To Build a Career In The Golf Industry - Kelly Hunt, Founder of GolfHers

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 14:30:00 -0700

To open Season 10 of The ModGolf Podcast we are shaking things up by doing something we've been planning for awhile. And that thing is to have Colin step aside from the microphone so that a guest host can take over the controls of the ship. On this episode former guest Dr. Greta Anderson takes over the hosting duties for an engaging conversation with GolfHers Founder Kelly Hunt to learn about her golf entrepreneurship journey to inspire women to build a career in the golf industry.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Kelly on our Youtube Channel!

Want to learn more about GolfHers or apply for their scholarship that helps women transition into the golf industry? Visit their website for more information. https://www.golfhers.net/

You can learn more about Kelly on her bio page.

Show Notes and Kelly Quotes
"When you're starting out, it's not the most lucrative job as you probably know, but it is the most rewarding career I think I could have. The fact that you can change lives with the game of golf and you need to pursue that. This is your calling and you're going to make a really big difference, so believe in yourself have confidence and go after it as much as you can because that's where I find myself. I have no regrets about my journey so far and I'm just so excited to be at a young age and know that GolfHers will help grow the game through more women participating. Being in the golf industry is exactly what I was meant to do."

Special Guest: Kelly Hunt - Founder of GolfHers.

SEASON 9 WRAP-UP / SEASON 10 PREVIEW

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:30:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 9 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 10, which launches mid-August 2021. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 9 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefullly this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below.

Our Season 9 guests were:

Episode 1
Dr. Greta Anderson - Founder of Dr. Greta Golf
BUILDING A BUSINESS THAT HELPS PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE WITH GOLF

Episode 2
James Cronk - Co-Founder of Golf Industry Guru
UNDERSTANDING CUSTOMER NEEDS TO CREATE VALUE FOR THE GOLF INDUSTRY

Episode 3
Kathy Erikson - Creator and Owner, The Shortgame Place
CREATING A BUSINESS MODEL THAT MAKES GOLF ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE

Episode 4
Mike Yagley - VP of Innovation at COBRA PUMA Golf
THE JOURNEY TO CREATE THE WORLD’S FIRST 3D PRINTED PUTTER

Episode 5
Andy Walker - Director of The UGA Academy and Player Development
BUILDING THE WAKANDA FOR YOUNG BLACK GOLFERS

Episode 6
Bodo Sieber - CEO of Tagmarshal
DISRUPTING THE MARKET BY SOLVING CUSTOMER PAINS AND PROBLEMS

Episode 7
Charlie Watson - CEO of Tiidal Gaming and Lazarus Esports
CREATING NORTH AMERICA'S FIRST ESPORTS GOLF COMPETITION EVENT

Episode 8
Eric Sedransk - Founder, Member For A Day
INNOVATING IN THE GOLF NONPROFIT SPACE TO HELP CHARITIES FLOURISH

Episode 9
Martin Wyeth - Founder and CEO at Power Tee
ENTREPRENEURIAL LESSONS LEARNED OVER 25 YEARS OF CONSTANTLY INNOVATING

Episode 10
Shelia Finney - Senior Director of Membership Programs at The GCSAA
THE "ACCIDENTAL AGRONOMIST" WHO BECAME A GOLF INDUSTRY CONNECTOR

Episode 11
Keith Stewart - Writer and ESPN Radio Show Host
THE PGA PROFESSIONAL WHO BECAME THE “DIRECTOR OF FUN”

Episode 12
Dick Zokol - CEO and Founder of of MindTRAK Golf
LESSONS LEARNED ON THE PGA TOUR TO RAISE YOUR MENTAL PERFORMANCE

We're proud to have Golf Genius Software as one of our show sponsor partners and look forward to telling you more about the elegant solutions they create to simplify running golf tournaments. Go to https://www.golfgenius.com/ to learn more!

Special Guests: Andy Walker - Director, UGA Academy & Player Development, Bodo Sieber, Co-Founder and CEO of Tagmarshal, Charlie Watson, CEO at Tiidal Gaming & Lazarus Esports, Dick Zokol - CEO and Founder of MindLink Golf, Dr. Greta Anderson - Founder of Dr. Greta Golf and LPGA Teaching Professional, Eric Sedransk - Founder and CEO at Member For A Day, James Cronk - Co-Founder & President, Golf Industry Guru, Kathy Erikson, Owner/Creator/Designer of The Short Game Place, Keith Stewart - Golf Radio Show Host, Writer and Media Personality, Martin Wyeth - Founder & CEO at Power Tee, Mike Yagley - VP of Innovation and AI at COBRA Golf, and Shelia Finney - Senior Director of Member Programs at The GCSAA.

Lessons Learned On The PGA Tour To Raise Your Mental Performance - Dick Zokol, CEO and Founder of MindTRAK Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 08:30:00 -0700

"For the first six months during my PGA Tour rookie year I couldn't make a cut and I'm getting all wound up. I knew I was playing well but my hyperactive mind was causing so much anxiety. I listened to music to calm down with a Sony Walkman so I thought "why don't I listen to it on the golf course?" Nicknamed "Disco Dick" after playing a 1982 PGA Tour event wearing a Sony Walkman, two-time tour winner Dick Zokol joins us to share how listening to music on course to calm his hyperactive mind were the seeds that led to the creation of MindTRAK Golf.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Dick on our Youtube Channel!

Want to give MindTRAK Golf a try? Download it from the Apple App Store for free. Android version coming soon.

You can learn more about Dick on his bio page.

Show Notes and Dick Quotes
"My first year on the PGA Tour, like most rookies I felt really uncomfortable. I got there thinking "oh my God, I have my PGA Tour card but now what am I going to do?" I'm amongst Jack Nicklaus and Freddie Couples, Arnold Palmer and there's Lee Trevino. For six months I couldn't make a cut and I'm getting all wound up. I knew I was playing well but my hyperactive mind was causing so much anxiety. I listened to music to calm down with a Sony Walkman so I thought "why don't I listen to it on the golf course?" which was a dangerous proposition.

The next week was Milwaukee so I put the Walkman in my bag and was playing with Larry Mize. 100 yards from the clubhouse I put the headphones on and Larry yells "Look at Disco Dick!" So I've got the rock and roll going and I'm coming down the 18th fairway seven under par and I'm so comfortable. I'm in my own little world listening to music and it's effortless. I led the tournament after the first round all the way up to the last hole on Sunday. This was a monumental discovery learning what music did to me.

At that moment I realized "Wow, this game is psychological because the only thing that has changed is how I thought". I can't physically compete with Fred Couples, but from a mindfulness perspective I can compete if I perform mentally. Now looking back at it, those were the seeds that led to the creation of MindTRAK Golf."

Special Guest: Dick Zokol - CEO and Founder of MindLink Golf.

The PGA Professional Who Became The “Director of Fun” - Keith Stewart, ESPN Radio Show Host

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 14:15:00 -0700

Want to learn how to master the art of saying NO, along with the value of focusing on your strengths rather than weakness? ESPN 920 Radio Show Host, Writer and Media Personality Keith Stewart joins us for a high-energy conversation that spans the spectrum from humourous storytelling and community building to an approach to life that shapes his business methodology.

Want to hear Keith in action on The ProShow With Keith Stewart? Listen in every Friday at 3pm ET at https://920espnnewjersey.com/listen-live/

You can learn more about Keith on his bio page.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Keith on our Youtube Channel!

Show Notes and Keith Quotes
"The WHY statement I developed was " I want to change the way people view the game of golf". Sounds like a lot, but as a PGA Pro I started local at my club and I took on the title of The Director of Fun. I didn't want to be stuffy as the Director of Golf. People need to show up at the club to enjoy themselves, relax and have a good time. Next thing you know, I'm on the board of The New Jersey PGA and I'm growing a national network of PGA golf professionals and I'm writing and making presentations."

"The natural progression of things is that I went to a larger medium as I got better and better at my craft. So here I am today hosting a radio show for over three years where we talk about the pop culture of golf, the innovators and all the cool things going on in the sport. The golf world is really growing and is becoming so much more engaging. It reminds me of when I was a kid just getting involved with golf, knowing nothing about it and everything was new to me. Now it feels new all over again and it's a lot of fun."

Special Guest: Keith Stewart - Golf Radio Show Host, Writer and Media Personality.

The "Accidental Agronomist" Who Became A Golf Industry Connector - Shelia Finney, Senior Director of Member Programs at The GCSAA

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 19 May 2021 22:00:00 -0700

Shelia Finney, Senior Director of Member Programs at The GCSAA joins us to share the engaging programs they are leading that encourage more women and young people to consider careers in the golf industry.

"The First Green Program is a fantastic way to get kids out on a golf course, show them the game, show them the career opportunities and show them that golf courses are not evil places. They are actually really great places with environmental integrity and loads of wildlife all around the course. So one, you're introducing them to the game and two, you're introducing them to the career path and if nothing else you're at least informing them that golf courses are great environment custodians and positive community members".

You can learn more about The GCSAA and connect with Shelia on her bio page.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Shelia on our Youtube Channel!

Special Guest: Shelia Finney - Senior Director of Member Programs at The GCSAA.

Entrepreneurial Lessons Learned Over 25 Years Of Constantly Innovating - Martin Wyeth, Founder & CEO at Power Tee

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 13 May 2021 13:00:00 -0700

"The first 15 or 20 times I thought of the concept behind Power Tee while learning to play golf, I did some base calculations on cost of fabrication, installation and maintenance. I looked at the driving ranges in my area and thought Power Tee would be an expensive piece of equipment that wouldn't work financially. So I kept pushing the idea away until I came up with the revenue model of charging a penny a ball and instal the system free of charge that I started to like it."

Founder & CEO Martin Wyeth joins us to share his three decades long entrepreneurial journey that led to the creation of Power Tee.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Martin on our Youtube Channel!

Want to see Power Tee in action? Check out their website and short demo video:

Special Guest: Martin Wyeth - Founder & CEO at Power Tee.

Innovating In The Golf Nonprofit Space To Help Charities Flourish - Eric Sedransk, Founder of Member For A Day

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:00:00 -0700

In May of 2020 Eric Sedransk created a charity golf auction in support of New York City Local Restaurants and Hospital Workers effected by COVID-19. What started out as a way to give back, resulted in over $100,000 raised in seven days, equating to over 10,000 meals for frontline workers.

This overwhelmingly positive response inspired Eric to launch Member for A Day; the world’s leading golf nonprofit fundraising platform. Their clients include the American Cancer Society, Various First Tee chapters, The Ray Bourque Foundation, The Steve Smith Family Foundation, Amanda Balionis / Puppies & Golf, and many more.

They've since raised over $1,000,000 for a variety of amazing nonprofits through once in a lifetime rounds of golf in less than a year.

You can learn more about Member For A Day and connect with Eric on his bio page.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Eric on our Youtube Channel!

Show Notes and Eric Quotes
"I received hundreds of messages from people from all around the world thanking me and wanting to donate additional rounds. It was a movement. It was less the total number and more the response from people that made me realize that something is here. I've hit on an emotional element within human beings that works. Then very fortuitously - which a lot of the past eight months have been - a couple of golf industry writers had been following our story on social media and asked if they could interview me.

Next thing you know I was written up in bunch of golf magazines and The New York Post did an article on our story and we got a decent amount of press. After that over 20 non-profits reached out saying "you were so successful doing this for COVID, can you help us with cancer, social services and youth golf?" and on and on and on. I said "I think so!" and we figured out a scalable model that could work and spun it up into a platform called Member For a Day".

Special Guest: Eric Sedransk - Founder and CEO at Member For A Day.

Disrupting The Market By Solving Customer Pains and Problems - Bodo Sieber, CEO of Tagmarshal

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -0700

"We are tackling a huge traffic problem on golf courses that impacts both the player experience and revenue opportunities for owners and operators." Tagmarshal Co-Founder and CEO Bodo Sieber joins us to share his entrepreneurial journey and how they create innovative solutions to reduce on-course traffic jams.

A German national with an extensive understanding of design thinking, user experience and process optimization, Bodo has honed his applied data science expertise during more than a decade in the field.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Bodo on our Youtube Channel!

Learn more about Bodo on his bio page.

You can learn more about Tagmarshal by visiting their website

Show Notes and Bodo Quotes
"Because golf is so traditional, we realized that if we can really make a mark, prove ourselves and provide a solution that works, the sky is the limit. The market is ready for disruption and it's asking for and needing to do things differently than the way they've been done for decades. After launching in 2014 we realized our home markets of Europe and South Africa were too small, so we decided that if we were really going to do this let's jump in the deep end. So we showed up at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show with our MVP product to learn what are people saying, what are they asking, what are their needs and what is their response to the system we are building. Two months later we received a call from an American golf club called Erin Hills and the rest is history".

"Slow pace of play continued to be a key negative experience factor for golfers and course operators. No one was building technology-led solutions to relieve this pain point, so we did."

Special Guest: Bodo Sieber, Co-Founder and CEO of Tagmarshal.

Building The Wakanda For Young Black Golfers - Andy Walker, Director of The UGA Academy & Player Development

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 18:00:00 -0700

Former PGA Tour player Andy Walker is now passionately giving back to the game he loves. As Director of The United Golfers Association (or UGA) Academy and Player Development, Andy is committed to giving young black men and women the opportunity to flourish both as professional players and industry leaders.
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Established almost 100 years ago in 1925, the UGA is still pushing to prepare young Black Golfers to achieve success on the many Professional Tours. The UGA Golf Academy is designed to prepare them mentally, physically and professionally to compete as Future Tour Players and Golf Professionals throughout the world.

The United Golfers Association (UGA) was a group of African American golfers who operated a separate series of professional golf tournaments for Blacks during the era of racial segregation in the United States. It was started in 1925 with the collaboration of several golfers who saw the need for a organized effort to increase golf amongst themselves. Many talented golfers such as Ted Rhodes, Bill Spiller, Pete Brown, Renee Powell, Lee Elder, Charlie Sifford, Willie Brown Jr, Althea Gibson, Jim Thorpe, Jim Dent, Ann Gregory, and Howard Wheeler started their careers as members of UGA.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Andy on our Youtube Channel!

Learn more about Andy on his bio page.

You can learn more about The United Golfers Association by visiting their website

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Show Notes and Andy Quotes
"I don't know if it's been thrust upon me, but a it's a great privilege of mine to work with the young black players behind me. There's been a few of us inside the ropes so now it's time for us to lift those ropes up and help the others behind us. We're going to train these players at a bricks and mortar facility in Florida that I call The Wakanda For Golf that will be the most state-of-the-art facility in the world to learn this game at the highest level. Resources that include biomechanics and short game area to learn how to score develop emotionally, physically and mentally."

"As well we will introduce players of African decent to the industry because not all of them are going to play on tour. We want to flood the industry with qualified professionals that go into the management side of the game, or golf architecture, club design, agronomy. All the different opportunities with the PGA and on The PGA Tour."

"At an early age you don't know any different. You don't learn about race and colour until it's told to you. As I got a bit older, when I'm 14, 15 years old and I'm one of the best players in the country, the questions started to come. "Pop, why didn't I get picked to be on that team when I won the scoring title and more tournaments than anyone else?" This is where my dad started talking to my about race, privilege, inequities and equality. I remember playing in a qualifier tournament in Houston, I shoot 69 or 70 and I'm 14 years old and while I wait for my dad to pick me up. Some members of the club walk by a guy hands me his bag thinking I was a caddie. That was one of the first times where I faced it blatantly and I started to get pissed off. I always used that as motivation, not as a discouragement or a reason to quit. I was always like "you know what, I'm going to take these clubs and beat your ass with them!" I used it as encouragement to push forward."

Special Guest: Andy Walker - Director, UGA Academy & Player Development.

Creating a Business Model That Makes Golf Accessible to Everyone - Kathy Erikson, The Short Game Place

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0700

After the sudden passing of her beloved husband Mike three years ago, Kathy Erikson made a life-changing decision: dedicate her energy to crate a golf experience that appeals to everyone, year round, 24 hours a day. We sit down with Kathy Erikson to learn about the passion that drives her to create an indoor golf arena that started with an AHA moment almost thirty years ago.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Kathy on our Youtube Channel!

Learn more about Kathy on her bio page.

Want to learn more about The Short Game Place? Check them out at https://theshortgameplace.com

Are you a golf course owner or operator struggling with the complexities of running tournaments? Do you want to spend less more running them while increasing revenue and profit margins? Check out our friends at Golf Genius to learn how they can help make the magic happen. >> https://www.golfgenius.com/

Special Guest: Kathy Erikson, Owner/Creator/Designer of The Short Game Place.

Understanding Customer Needs To Create Value For The Golf Industry - James Cronk, Co-Founder of Golf Industry Guru

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 22:00:00 -0800

"I'm pretty good at dreaming stuff up, but more importantly you need to be able to execute, to make stuff happen." We sit down with Golf Industry Guru Co-Founder James Cronk to learn how his team puts the customer first to create new value in a traditional market space.

Want to learn more about Golf Industry Guru? Check them out at https://www.golfindustryguru.com/

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with James on our Youtube Channel!

Show Notes and James Quotes...
After trying out of the University of British Columbia golf team (and unfortunately not making it), James met legendary Canadian golf icon Jack McLaughlin who helped jumpstart his golf industry career. After university James focused on acting, theatre and managing restaurants before deciding he wanted to apply the skills and knowledge gained in these professions to the golf industry.

James relied on the book "What Color Is Your Parachute?" by Richard N. Bolles https://www.parachutebook.com/ to help shape his golf career path, which led him to seek employment with one of the best industry people in Canada: Tim Tait, who is the Head Professional at The Marine Drive Golf Club.

"I was attracted to the culture of golf. I was attracted to being outside and the fact that the golf industry has so many facets that make every day different."

"I came to the conclusion that a lot of people are in the golf industry because they love to play golf. Not many people are in it because they want to run it like a business. I saw this as an opportunity to fill that gap."

Special Guest: James Cronk - Co-Founder & President, Golf Industry Guru.

Building a Business That Helps People Fall In Love With Golf - Dr. Greta Anderson, Founder of Dr. Greta Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0800

"We are making progress but there definitely are a lot of areas that we need to do more work. It's implied bias. I'm continuously saddened by the number of people - especially women of colour - who land at my lesson tee. Often times it is a return to golf after a bad experience that happened a decade or two ago and for whatever reason they have decided to give it one more shot and they found me".

To open Season 9, host Colin Weston is joined by LPGA Teaching Professional Dr. Greta Anderson - Founder of Dr. Greta Golf - to learn how she applies her PhD in Higher Learning and voracious curiosity to help students understand the WHY.

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To learn more about Dr. Greta, check out her bio page and Instagram @drgretagolf

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Dr. Greta on our Youtube Channel!

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Show Notes and Greta Quotes...
"Apart from the collateral damage of the pandemic itself, it was a great year from my perspective to focus on the client. Because golf served as an outlet, as a stress reliever for a new adventure when other adventures weren't available, it serves as so many things for so many people last year that i really felt that it forced me to up my game. So this past season was one of my best ever. It was exciting to introduce so many people to golf, to reintroduce so many people to golf and for so many people who decided that golf was going to be their jam. They really want to get good at it and learn more about it beyond just hitting the ball. That's exciting to me. I love when people want to learn golf. I feel like a big part of my job is kind of like Love Connection. It's my job to help people fall in love with golf."

"Golf is a beautiful sport in many ways but I also saw how difficult it is to learn golf. The interesting things that really fortified my desire to build this business as a very good golfer from the right side of the ball, was when I began this journey and committed to learning and starting all over again as a left handed golfer. I had to forget what I knew and start over. I got rid of all my right handed equipment and went to a golf store with my dad and bought beginner clubs and started from scratch. I was shocked by the lack of enthusiasm that several instructors who I visited with had. I was told a couple of times "you're probably not going to be that good anymore!". Like who says that? It was once I met an unbelievable instructor that things changed. I was struggling to get consistent ball-first contact and get the ball into the air. I told her my intentions and she didn't bat an eye and said "yeah, we can make that happen!".

"We are making progress but there definitely are a lot of areas that we need to do more work. It's implied bias. I'm continuously saddened by the number of people - especially women of colour - who land at my lesson tee. I always like to learn their history. Everyone's story is so interesting to me. I think that's the social scientist in me. I just love the human stories. But I also like to narrow in and understand where they are coming from in golf. Often times it is a return to golf after a bad experience that happened a decade or two ago and for whatever reason they have decided to give it one more shot and they found me. That makes me so happy but I'm always so sad hearing these stories because they could have been enjoying this great game for twenty years! But because you ran into a jerk, had a bad experience or you were purposely excluded from the golf network at the law firm or wherever they work. There are so many forces in place that have discouraged people of colour from getting involved in the game. It works on many people. Fortunately there are increasing numbers who are saying "no, that looks like fun and like something I want to try". Whether it's purely for fun or they realize that golf is a great business tool. Any number of those factors but that's really one of the driving forces that gets on my nerves. I don't like being the exception on the course.

"What I saw was a lot of people really wanting to move the golf needle, but many people want to understand how to move their needle. Most golfers that I work with now know that I'm very big on the WHY. It's not just what and how I say, but why I say it. I want to create an informed student who is a great golf citizen. I do not want you be dependent on me although yes, that's what I'm here for as a professional to help you refine and build your skill set but I want you to most importantly be an informed golfer. So as a passionate educator, just an if I was coaching at the collegiate level or teaching first grade, I'm the same way on the lesson tee. Excellence in education is significant because I am passionate about growing the game. Here's what I know: golf is way more fun and you're more likely to stay engaged in this great sport if you have some skills".

"I sensed that I was missing the breakthrough because often times, teachers and coaches it's more about what they're telling you to do and not questioning and not searching for the WHY. I always need to understand the why. I'll walk to the ends of the earth for you if I understand why. Every learner does not require that, but many do and many don't realize how helpful the why is. That's just my philosophy and my approach. I probably say that a hundred times every day on the lesson tee, but I feel it's so important that I want you to understand why. Why is the ball flying like that? Why is the ball hooking to the left or right? Not just "It is and that's disappointing for you", let me help you make the connection of the laws of ball flight. It's physics, it's nothing personal. The club just isn't doing what it needs to do".

Special Guest: Dr. Greta Anderson - Founder of Dr. Greta Golf and LPGA Teaching Professional.

Season 8 Wrap-up / Season 9 Preview

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0800

That's a wrap for Season 8 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our passionate team of content creators are currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 9, which launches February 19 2021. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our ten Season 8 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefullly this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below.

Our Season 8 guests were:

Episode 1
Terry Koehler - Edison Golf Chairman and Director of Innovation
Applying 40 Years of Golf Entrepreneurship to Innovate Wedge Design

Episode 2
Malcolm Scovil - Founder of Imagine Golf
Building Educational and Entertaining Content For Passionate Consumers

Episode 3
Kat and Is Shee - "The Shee Sisters" Social Media Golf Influencers
Harnessing a Love For Golf To Fuel Their Entrepreneurial Hustle

Episode 4
Robert Sereci - GM/COO at Medinah Country Club
Applying a Startup Mindset To Innovate Club Experiences

Episode 5
Reid Fowler - PGA Fantasy & Betting Analyst for DraftKings
Powering PGA Tour Fan Engagement To Expand Tournament Viewership

Episode 6
Scott Moore - Golf Product Manager for Garmin International
How a Human-Centered Design Approach Leads To Innovate Golf Products

Episode 7
David Grieshaber - Chief Information Officer at Gamerz Golf
Creating The Next Generation of Golf Entertainment Experiences

Episode 8
Charles Dillahunt - The PGA of America's Strategic Adjunct to the Chief Executive and Chief People Officers
Breaking Down Barriers in Golf by Engaging The Unengaged

Episode 9
Nick Steiner - Founder, Back2Basics Golf
Building Resiliency by Expressing Gratitude and Celebrating The Small Wins

Episode 10
Alissa Kacar - Social Media Host @NewLadyGolfer
Sharing Stories From Her Journey as a New Golfer

Episode 11
Broderick Higby - Creator of Golf AI and The Golf AI App
How Artificial Intelligence Makes Golf Improvement Accessible For Everyone

Episode 12
Tadd Fujikawa - Pro Golfer and LGBTQ+ Spokesperson
Finding Happiness and Balance in Both Golf and Life

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: Alissa Kacar - Instagram Golf Influencer @newladygolfer and beginner golfer, Broderick Higby - Creator of Golf AI, Charles Dillahunt - PGA of America’s Strategic Adjunct To The CEO and CPO / VenderMatch / JobMatch, David Grieshaber - CIO at Gamerz Golf, Is Shee - Golf Entrepreneur and YouTube/Instagram Influencer, Malcolm Scovil - Founder, TLDR and Imagine Golf, Nick Steiner - Founder, Back2Basics Golf, Reid Fowler - DraftKings PGA Fantasy Sports & Betting Analyst, Robert Sereci - GM / COO at Medinah Country Club, Scott Moore - Product Manager at Garmin International, Tadd Fujikawa, Pro Golfer and LGBTQ+ Spokesperson, and Terry Koehler - Chairman / Director of Innovation at Edison Golf Company.

Breaking Down Barriers In Golf By Engaging The Unengaged - Charles Dillahunt, The PGA of America

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 10:30:00 -0800

"My biggest hope for the golf industry is that it one day grows to be more representative of the population of the world, and that it openly welcomes and serves members of all communities and from all walks of life equally and inclusively."

Charles Dillahunt joins us to share how The PGA of America is working to break down barriers to entry for not only playing golf but to participate as a business supplier within the golf industry. “That’s something that I don’t think a lot of people have and if more people took the time to be a mentor, be more than just a manager or a boss. Be a friend and care for people, specifically minorities and under-represented audiences in the business world. I think that is one of the best ways to break down barriers. Share the knowledge and influence that you’ve gained over 30+ years and once the older generation does that, younger people like me are going to be ahead of the game. I believe that will only lead to much more innovation in the game of golf."

Are you part of a minority / veteran / women / disabled peoples owned business that would like to participate in PGA Championship events? Go to https://pgaimpact.org/vendor-inclusion/ to see the qualification requirements and apply. You can also email them at inclusion@pgahq.com to start the conversation.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Charles on our Youtube Channel!

During this episode Charles mentioned his connection to both Sandy Cross - The PGA of America’s Chief People Officer - and Radius Sports Founder Gina Rizzi. I had the pleasure of speaking to both Sandy and Gina on previous episodes, so I also included the links for those if you’d like to hear about the impactful work these dynamic women are spearheading in the golf space.

Gina Rizzi's episode >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/066-gina-rizzi
Sandy Cross' episode >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/030-sandy-cross

Special Guest: Charles Dillahunt - PGA of America’s Strategic Adjunct To The CEO and CPO / VenderMatch / JobMatch.

BONUS Episode: Season 3 Wrap Up / Season 4 Preview

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 15 May 2018 17:30:00 -0700

We finished up Season 3 a couple of weeks ago and our team is working hard developing the next twelve episodes for Season 4, which launches on May 29. Looking back at Season 3, we consider this engaging batch of episodes to be the turning point for The ModGolf Podcast.

We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how technology, entertainment experiences, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building combine and intersect to shape the future of golf.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our 12 Season 3 episodes, here’s a recap of the great conversations I had over the past three months.

Our Season 3 guests were:

Episode 1
Sal Syed / Arccos Golf CEO and Co-Founder
Harnessing Big Data, Machine Learning and AI to Create a Paradigm Shift in Golf Game Improvement

Episode 2
Dean Reinmuth / The "Dean of Golf"
Stories From Four Decades Passionately Dedicated To Golf Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Episode 3
Dr. Michael Cooper / Chairman of the GOLF 20/20 Diversity Task Force
Transforming The Golf Industry to Align With a Changing World

Episode 4
Pete Charleston / GolfLogix Co-Founder and President
Empowering All Golfers To Read Greens Like A Pro

Episode 5
Sandy Cross, Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion for The PGA of America
"You're Invited!" Growing Golf With the Power of Diversity and Inclusion

Episode 6
Alex Myers / Golf Digest Senior Writer and Host of The Grind
Expanding Golf's Fanbase by Not Taking The Game So Seriously

Episode 7
Pascal Stolz / CEO of eGull Pay
Creating the Uber of The Golf Industry

Episode 8
YuChiang Cheng / President, Topgolf Media
Telling Impactful Stories That Build Community Beyond Golf

Episode 9
Tajma Brown and Rechel Mabee, PGA WORKS and PGA REACH
Attracting and Nurturing Diverse Talent To Ensure a Strong Future For The Golf Industry

Episode 10
Dave Cavossa / Founder & CEO of CaddieNow
Harnessing Technology to Transform One of Golf's Great Traditions

Episode 11
Dr. Christopher Cain / Director, PGA Golf Management University Program at UNLV
Creating A Golf Education Culture That Is Different, Daring and Diverse

Episode 12
Dennis Riedel / Co-Founder of Chef's Cut Real Jerky
Transforming a Golf Course Friendship Into A Deliciously Innovative Business Model

Special Guests: Alex Myers - Golf Digest Senior Writer and host of The Grind, Dave Cavossa - Founder and CEO of CaddieNow, Dean Reinmuth - The Dean of Golf / Swing Coach, Dennis Riedel - Co-Founder of Chef's Cut Real Jerky, Dr. Christopher Cain, Ph.D., PGA, CHE, Director, PGA Golf Management University Program at UNLV, Dr. Michael Cooper - Chairman of the GOLF 20/20 Diversity Task Force, Pascal Stolz - CEO of eGull Inc., Pete Charleston - GolfLogix Co-Founder and President, Rachel Melendez Mabee - PGA WORKS Program Specialist with The PGA of America, Sal Syed: Co-Founder and CEO, Arccos Golf, Sandy Cross - Chief People Officer at The PGA of America, Tajma Brown - PGA WORKS Fellowship Intern, and YuChiang Cheng - President, Topgolf Media.

Harnessing Technology to Transform One of Golf's Great Traditions - Dave Cavossa / CaddieNow (035)

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 22:45:00 -0700

Dave Cavossa could have played it safe. He had a very successful professional career that would have carried him comfortably into retirement. But Dave's unrelenting desire to create something impactful gave him the courage to step outside his comfort zone, act on an opportunity and begin his entrepreneurial journey. This journey led to the creation of CaddieNow, a technology-based "Uber for Caddying" that aligns with a largely untapped, on-demand, young, mobile labour force.

CaddieNow is dedicated to bringing caddies (loopers) back to the game and giving every golfer the option of taking a caddie at every course. CaddieNow enables everyone to "Play Like the Pros," exercise more, and help employ and grow the game with the crucial 14-20 year-old demographic.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Dave's love of golf and experience caddying as a young adult that have both informed and inspired the creation of CaddieNow.

• How CaddieNow has created a Blue Ocean Strategy that looks outside the golf industry for a business roadmap that opens up an uncontested market space.

• CaddieNow's ability to build a three-sided marketplace, solving problems and creating opportunities for golf course operators, golfers and on-demand caddies.

• How CaddieNow embraced The Lean Startup Methodology when they launched in 2016 by starting with a "Minimal Viable Product" in the Washington DC golf market. After their first year of using the build/test/measure/learn feedback loop of validated learning, CaddieNow refined and enhanced their product offering before scaling up to over 100 golf courses nationwide in 2017. CaddieNow will more than double the number of golf courses offering their on-demand caddie booking service in 2018, positioning themselves to scale across the 15,000 golf courses in the US.

You can watch The CaddieNow Explainer YouTube video >> here

Special Guest: Dave Cavossa - Founder and CEO of CaddieNow.

PGA WORKS - Attracting Diverse Talent To Ensure a Strong Future For The Golf Industry (034)

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 12:00:00 -0700

Twelve months ago Tajma Brown knew nothing about golf. Now she is poised to dedicate her professional career to the game she has quickly grown to love. Through PGA REACH - which is the charitable foundation of the PGA of America - The PGA WORKS Fellowship proactively recruits and hires recent college graduates from diverse backgrounds like Tajma for one year paid internships.

Under the guidance of Program Specialist Rachel Mabee, the PGA WORKS mission is to establish a deep bench of diverse talent who are prepared to ascend to key employment industries in the game and business of golf. Starting with two Fellows in 2017, PGA WORKS looks to scale up in 2018 to place interns in at least eight of the 41 PGA Sections. Their goal is to eventually have PGA WORKS Fellowship programs in all 41 PGA Sections across the US, acting as a catalyst to start reshaping the $70 billion/year golf industry to look more like America does.

Tajma shares her story as a sports business professional who currently works for the Middle Atlantic PGA of America as their inaugural PGA WORKS Fellow. As a Fellow, she works with the junior golf department coordinating tournaments, assists with communication efforts for the office, but most importantly she engages with the community to inspire and encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to consider golf as both a recreational pursuit and career option.

As Rachel Mabee mentioned in this episode, if you are or know someone like Tajma who is a recent college graduate with a passion for sports, there is still time to apply for the 2018 PGA WORKS Fellow positions. Go to www.pgareach.org to apply now.

Links to topics we discussed in this episode:

The mission of PGA REACH is to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse populations through the game of golf.

PGA WORKS, including a wonderful video showcasing Tajma's journey.

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

Special Guests: Rachel Melendez Mabee - PGA WORKS Program Specialist with The PGA of America and Tajma Brown - PGA WORKS Fellowship Intern.

Why Diversity and Inclusion Matters - Sandy Cross, Chief People Officer at The PGA of America

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 23:00:00 -0800

After 20 years into her career at The PGA of America with roles including player development and women's initiatives, Sandy Cross gathered the insights to realize in order to grow the game, golf needed to embrace all the dimensions of difference beyond gender. Sandy took an entrepreneurial approach to the opportunity, successfully pitching a corporate transformation that embeds diversity and inclusion along all lines of their business.

As Chief People Officer, Sandy tenaciously works to educate, train, promote and implement the need for the $85 billion/year golf industry to change its operating philosophy and the way it conducts business.

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

On this episode of The ModGolf Podcast, Sandy Cross speaks with host Colin Weston about:

• how The PGA of America is working to build diversity and inclusion into the fabric of the golf industry. Watch Sandy's Golf Channel interview to learn more: http://www.golfchannel.com/video/pga-americas-cross-talks-diversity-inclusion-golf/

• PGA REACH, their charitable foundation with the mission to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. You can learn more at: https://pgareach.org/

• The PGA WORKS Fellowship, which aspires to be the most valuable entry-level employment opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds to garner experience in all facets of the golf industry. You can learn more at: https://pgareach.org/services/pgaworks/

• PGA HOPE, which is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The Hero video, featuring Jack Nicklaus, highlights the positive impact that PGA HOPE has on the lives of our Military Veterans: https://pgareach.org/services/pgahope/

Sandy Cross, The PGA of America and PGA REACH on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandyCross and https://twitter.com/PGAREACH
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PGAcom/ and https://www.facebook.com/PGAREACH/

Special Guest: Sandy Cross - Chief People Officer at The PGA of America.

Inclusive Team Experiences That Connect Young Adult Golfers - Kris Hart / Nextgengolf

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 08:15:00 -0700

Live Life. Play Golf. This is the philosophy Nextgengolf passionately applies to their mandate to grow golf in the 18 to 39 year old US market sector.

Nextgengolf originated as a Boston-based affordable golf membership program for recreational college students called CollegeGolfPass, which helped make golf more affordable for college students. The company expanded nationwide after merging with The National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) in 2013. In the first year of the merger, the company started 100+ new club golf programs and supported over 10,000 student golfers.

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

Over the next two years college golfers kept coming to them saying “thanks for all the help in college”, but kept asking “what do I do now?” after graduating. CollegeGolfPass and NCCGA rebranded as Nextgengolf in January 2014, knowing they could help graduating college golfers. As a result, in 2014 they developed the Nextgengolf City Tour which provides team-based golfing opportunities for young adults in their 20’s and 30’s near major cities.

Between the NCCGA and City Tour, Nextgengolf is the leading entity for golfers in their 20’s and 30’s in the US. At the core of their organization they run great golf tournaments and are in the golf experience business. Beyond running great events, they work hard to provide meaningful content and information to young adults and the golf industry at large. Nextgengolf does not focus on the best golfers, rather they support “the rest” and care about the future sustainability of golf.

This YouTube video explains what Nextgengolf does and why they do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB-tC6B3hBE

In this episode we discuss how in six years Nextgengolf has created a solution that responds to the pain points facing young golfers and their desire to get involved in an engaging, inclusive, team-based golf tournament format. Topics include:

• The history behind and the inspiration that motivated Kris Hart to create Nextgengolf.
• The National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA), an event platform to grow and support the college student golf community.

• The creation of CityTour, summer golf tournament team events for 20-39 year olds. https://nextgengolf.org/city-tour/

• The power of strategic partnerships the help move your startup forward. Nextgengolf national partner Srixon http://www.srixon.com/ and Cleveland Golf http://www.clevelandgolf.com/ along with supporting partners 18 Birdies https://18birdies.com/ Oxford https://www.oxford.co/ and Golf Channel http://www.golfchannel.com/ help provide the resources and promotional reach to grow their audience.

• Kris' desire to give back to the game he loves by taking personal responsibility to help grow golf. Kris co-chairs the Millennial Task Force for the golf industry, along with speaking engagements at the PGA Merchandise Show each January and providing thought leadership through the Nextgengolf blog. http://blog.nextgengolf.org/

• Nextgengolf's mandate to create the future of golf by innovating to align with contemporary lifestyles while respecting the proud traditions of the game.

Golf Digest wrote a very informative article on the NCCGA called "The laid-back, but competitive world of college club golf". http://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-laidback-but-competitive-world-of-college-club-golf

You can find out more about Nextgengolf and be part of the conversation on social media. Twitter https://twitter.com/nextgolfer Instagram @nextgengolfclub and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nextgengolfclub/

Special Guest: Kris Hart - Co-Founder & CEO, Nextgengolf.