Flagstick Podcast

Jeff and Scott are back for the second year of the Flagstick Podcast.

On this episode we welcome Tomo Bystedt, a key creator in the TaylorMade Golf team, who shares deep details about the creation and introduction of the new Stealth 2 line of drivers, fairways, and rescue clubs.

He addresses the design challenges and opportunities, the "unicorns" in the new product line, and gives us the scoop on initial reactions to the clubs by the top touring pros in the world.

We discuss the slew of new equipment flooding the market, why or why not you should be purchsing them, and dbanter about product cycles in golf in comparison to the auto industry.

We also share some news about the 2023 Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo, and welcome a new show sponsor.

All things 2022 are on are mind as Jeff and Scott finish up the season with a look back.

We delve into some late-season Canadian golf stories before turning our focus on some key events that took place in 2022. the big stories, the stand-out moments, and the things that set a foundation for 2023.

Come join us, have a few laughs, and reminisce about the season that was.

With the holiday season upon us we thought we'd talk about golf gifts this week, but not only in the traditional way. Yes, we'll bring you some suggestions on gifts for the people in your lives, but we also challenge ourselves and consider what we might want to give to some of the top pro golfers in the game today. It makes for a fun segment, escpecially when you have to consider a gift for Tiger Woods or Brooke Henderson!

As always, we have plenty of regional and Canadian golf news to discuss, Product Watch has us diving in for a look at some Jordan golf shoes, and on the Lesson Tee, Kevin and Jake Haime have a look at the movement of the knees in the full swing and what we can all learn to do better, or less of.

The boys are back after several weeks of challenges but that just means there is plenty to talk about.

In this episode we discuss the surprise induction into the Ottawa Valley Golf Hall of Fame for Joe McLean, the announcement of Mike Weir as the International Team Presidents Cup Captain in 2024, as well as sharing some memories from 2007 when it was last held at Royal Montreal Golf Club.

We chat about the recent spectacular play by Eastern Ontario's Kurtis Barkley in Dubai and Australia on the G4D Tour, and take a look at the season that was for Smith Falls' Brooke Henderson. That includes a summary of her first 200 events as part of the Rolex World Rankings.

Lastly, we consider the lengthening of the 13th hole at the Augusta National Golf Club and how it may change The Masters going forward.

In the Lesson Tee with Kevin Haime, he and Jake Haime discuss the flex in the trail knee during the full swing, and in Product Watch we have a look at the latest milled putters from Cleveland Golf.

Big news broke this week with word that the PGA TOUR Canada is returning to the Ottawa, Canada area in 2023 with the Commissionaires Ottawa Open Eagle Creek. We explore the three decade history of tour events at Eagle Creek (and in Ottawa) and talk about the opportunities and challenges ahead.

In Product Watch we review a new book on the Math, Science, and Data in golf today as summarized by broadcaster Will Haskett in his latest book, while Kevin and Jake Haime take us to the Lesson Tee to explore ways to promote better balance in your swing.

On the back 9 we dive into one of our latest Twitter polls on what age people took up the game of golf. We also share some of the stories they told us about how they came to play the sport.

We're back after an unanticipated break but that means we have all the more to talk about.

The outdoor golf season seems to hanging on in Eastern Ontario and we chat about why some golf courses are not staying open for more golf. We highlight some recent awards for regional golf people and wrap up some of the latest results for collegiate golfers from the area.

We take a look at the recently announced plans for the 2023 Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo as well as others across Canada, and ponder the staffing gaps among the professional staff at many golf clubs.

In Product Watch we discuss a new option in the Project X shaft family, while Kevin and Jake Haime show us more insight derived from looking at the golf swing in 3D.

With the golf season beginning to wind down in our part of Canada we take a big portion of this show to talk about what lies ahead for many of those who play the sport in the region, transitioning to indoor golf play, practice, and training. We talk about the evolution of indoor golf, how you might want to start if you plan to train this winter, and even some ideas on simple things you can do to keep your skills sharp.

On the Lesson Tee, Kevin and Jake Haime take a look at a simple way to improve your lower body movement in the full swing, and in Product Watch we spotlight a golf shoe that is ideal for late Fall golf.

We also bring you news on where some of the top Canadian pros are teeing it up this week, who won the 2022 PGA of Ottawa Awards, and discuss the passing of an LPGA winner who played out of Canada for a time, something many were unaware of.

Fall Golf is in full swing and while the competitive golf season is coming to close in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, there is still news from the secondary school, college, and pro golf ranks.

We wrap up the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour Ping Challenge Cup from the Hylands Golf Club. As Captains of the two sides, Jeff and Scott have the ultimate in perspectives. Even more so for Scott his year who played for points at the Hylands Golf Club.

In our Back Nine this week, we bring you an intyerview with Sarah Marai, the Global Product Manager for adidas Golf that Scott recorded last week in Whistler, British Columbia at their Fleece Fairways global product launch.

On the Lesson Tee, Kevin Haime shows you a simple drill to help you get your lower body moving better in the downswing of your full swing, and in the Product Watch we preview a 2023 rain jacket from Galway Bay.

It's a big week in golf with the return of the Presidents Cup and we take some time to preview the event, including what we like about it, what we are watching for this week, who we'd like to pair up with ourselves for a match, and what the future of this event might be.

On the Front Nine there is no shortage of Eastern Ontario golf news to catch up on, including updates from the Flagstick Two-Ball Championship. the OVGA, the PGA of Ottawa, the Gordon Cup, and news on junior and college players from the region finding sucess around North America.

Jake Haime joins us to show how you can improve your driving and we take a look at a training aid for putting that you can use indoors and outdoors.

Fall Golf is nearly upon us so rather than ignore the topic and the potential end of the golf season in part of the world, we are embracing it with a Back Nine discussion about the topic. We share what we like and don't like about golf at this time of year, adjustments golfers should make with their equipment, and highlight some golf courses in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec that provide a scenic backdrop at this time of year.

In the Front Nine we wrap up the Ottawa Valley Golf Association Intersectionals, the final Race to the Capital One Cup standings for the PLAY Golf Junior Tour, and look ahead to the Flagstick Two-Ball Championship.

In the Lesson Tee with the Kevin Haime Golf School, Jake Haime show you how to improve your pitch shots with the help of a hanger, and we also have a glance at the new golf shoe lines from ECCO Golf.

This episode is brought to you by PING Golf Canada with segment sponsorship by Greensmere G&CC, Metcalfe GC, Golf Sim Gurus, and the Kevin Haime Golf School.