Episode Highlights:

• How Topgolf and competitors like Drive Shack and Flying Tee have created gamified hospitality experiences that appeal to both golfers and non-golfers to help spearhead what Chris refers to as "Golf's Renaissance".

• Chris and Colin discuss Simon Sinek's TEDx talk "Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Action" and how golf industry leaders would benefit from aligning their organizational culture with this mindset. You can watch Simon Sinek's YouTube video >> here

• How the UNLV mantra of "Differnt. Daring. Diverse." has helped create an inclusive and purpose-driven culture at The PGA Golf Management University Program.

• Discussing the ways golf looks to innovate and maintain its long term sustainability without disrupting the traditions of the game.

• How The Major Series of Putting in Las Vegas not only levels the competitive playing field between men and women, it also serves as a test lab for the development of "skills-based gaming".

• Chris shares his excitement for the opening of their new Center for PGA Golf Management, named in honor of their golf coach Dwaine Knight.


"People don't buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it"... Simon Sinek

If you or one of your high school age children are interested in learning more about The PGA Golf Management Program at UNLV, have a look at their Facebook page and website

Special Guest: Dr. Christopher Cain, Ph.D., PGA, CHE, Director, PGA Golf Management University Program at UNLV.

Now in its third year, #TheLinksAtPetco has grown in both size and sophistication. Callaway keeps raising the bar on player engagement and experience to make this a truly unique event that serves as a platform to help grow the game and give back to the community through their charity partnerships.

This YouTube video covers the 2016 #TheLinksAtPetco experience.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwkDcT_GAD0

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 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.

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

Episode Highlights include:
01:52 - 03:14 Nate gives us an overview of The Links At Petco Park.
03:20 - 04:24 We learn the gameplay format and experiential qualities offered at #TheLinksAtPetco
04:51 - 08:40 Nate walks us through the player's "Day at Petco Park" experience and Callaway's "Grow The Game" initiatives.
08:52 - 10:35 The progression and growth in popularity as The Links At Petco Park enters its third year.
11:10 - 13:49 The charity platform #TheLinksAtPetco creates, which supports Callaway's desire to give back to the local San Diego community.
14:18 - 18:48 Nate tells the "AHA Moment" story of how The Links At Petco Park came to be.
18:48 - 21:48 Colin and Nate discuss Callaway's company culture that supports innovation and the startup mindset.
21:48 - 24:52 Nate's "Intrapreneur" role at Callaway and culture of trust that allows people to take risks in a safe and supportive environment.
24:53 - 28:14 How Callaway has applied "Lean Startup Methodologies" https://leanstartup.co/ over three years to eliminate or alter what hasn't worked and enhance the elements that have.
28:15 - 32:06 Callaway's dilemma to scale #TheLinksAtPetco up to a multi-stadium offering across the US or to focus on making this annual event experience the best in market.
32:07 - 34:41 Colin refers to Simon Sinek's TEDx talk "Start With Why" to explore the Callaway culture that motivates them to connect with their customer and help grow the game.
34:42 - 36:43 How The Links At Petco Park encourages beginners to participate by creating a fun, non-intimidating environment that everyone can enjoy.

Special Guest: Nate Adelman - Marketing Manager at Ogio and Callaway Golf.

An accomplished product development engineer and global operations leader, Dave changed his trajectory with a sudden awareness that he had the hunger and capability to create a new global economy from his idea.

A.G.E (Alternative Golf Experiences) are setting a new standard for how people will engage with golf. These solutions will socialize the golf experience in ways previously not considered, breaking down traditional barriers to entry.

Technology will play a significant role in the success of new and innovative golf endeavors, and NextLinks (www.nextlinks.com) was formed to develop software and hardware solutions required to deliver success, both indoors and outdoors.

This YouTube video is a good place to learn more about NextLinks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYVqLw8BdL4

On this episode Dave and Colin talk about:
• finding "Product Market Fit" by listening to your customers to reveal where you can add real value.
• "Pivoting" your business offering as you travel along your startup journey. Dave made the difficult but informed decision regarding which products to build and which ones to abandon, as he discusses the shift from building the entire entertainment experience with REALiTEE http://realiteegolf.com/ to focusing on the technology platform with NextLinks.
• Finding an idea that's so core to you that gives you that sense of purpose. They talk about Simon Sinek's famous TED Talk "Start With Why" and how is has influenced them both professionally and personally. If you haven't seen this YouTube video, we highly recommend it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA
• Dave refers to how the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill has shaped his approach to business. Here's a link to a PDF version of the book: https://archive.org/details/ThinkAndGrowRichPDF
• The concepts of "Lean Startup Methodologies" and creating a "Minimum Viable Product" or MVP are discussed as they apply to NextLinks as a way to build better products and services. To learn more, check out https://leanstartup.co/

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 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.

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

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

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

Special Guest: Dave Shultz - Founder & CEO of NextLinks / REALiTEE Golf.