Flagstick Podcast

On this episode, we dive into the invaluable lessons learned from tournament golf and gear up for one of the absolute biggest weeks on the sports calendar: the 154th Open Championship.

We tee off the Front Nine with a comprehensive look at a number of tournaments. We break down the historic Ontario Women’s Amateur at eQuinelle, which marked the first time in its 111-year history that the prestigious event has traveled this far east. We celebrate Brooke Henderson’s spectacular playoff finish at the Amundi Evian Championship, which has vaulted her back to thirteenth in the world rankings. Finally, we reflect on our experiences at the Flagstick Shootout, using the tournament to explore the deeper pillars of competitive golf, the socialization, the competition, and the overall experience, while giving listeners a sneak peek at our print upcoming issue.

After the turn, in the Back, we shift our focus across the pond to Southport, England, for the return of the Open Championship to the iconic, towering sand dunes of Royal Birkdale for the first time since Jordan Spieth’s wild, chaotic victory in 2017. With over three hundred thousand spectators expected to set attendance records, we discuss how the course is playing incredibly firm and fast. We unpack the massive and controversial architectural renovations completed by Mackenzie & Ebert, and detail how Birkdale defends itself through flat fairways, brutal dunes, and unpredictable winds rather than complex putting greens, highlighting the critical closing tretch. To close out the show, we analyze how the world's best, including a few English golfers, will match up against this legendary links test as they chase the final major of the season.

This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

The peak of the golf season has officially arrived for northern players, and this week's episode of the Flagstick Podcast is packed with regional tournament updates and essential strategic advice. Hosts Jeff and Scott catch up on a busy summer schedule, highlighting a massive slate of regional and provincial events including the highly anticipated Flagstick Shootout.

Transitioning from the PGA of Ottawa Pro-Pro at Buckingham, the guys dive deep into the ultimate golfer's challenge: how to successfully play and score well on a golf course you have never seen before. The Back Nine discussion focuses heavily on eliminating the mental pressure of "blind" tournament play. Jeff and Scott share personal anecdotes alongside practical advice on traditional and new-age ways to prepare to play a course unknown to you.

This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

Grab your headphones and pull up a chair; it’s time for a wide-open mailbag episode of the Flagstick Podcast

Jeff and Scott kick things off with a rapid-fire breakdown of the latest local golf news. They recap the recent weather issues throwing a wrench into regional course maintenance, share firsthand updates from their own recent rounds, and dive into the electric atmosphere at Trillium Wood for the record-setting 5th anniversary of the Endless Summer Long Drive Championship.

Then, the boys swing into the main event: The Flagstick Mailbag. Jeff and Scott tackle a massive stack of listener-submitted questions covering the entire spectrum of the game.

Inside the Mailbag:

Gear Talk: Hybrids vs long irons; new club heads vs new shafts - just a few of the topics.

The Travel Itinerary: Planning the ultimate golf buddy trip without losing your mind, or breaking your body.

From the Pro Tours: Are too many majors in a short period of time and does that make them lose their appeal?

The Mental & Physical Grind: Practical advice on how to navigate those brutal stretches where your swing completely deserts you.

The Frequent Flyer Dilemma: “Is wearing golf shoes on a plane a problem?"(Yes, we actually try to solve this).

Whether you're looking for gear advice, trip inspiration, swing therapy, or just a laugh for your drive to the course, this episode has you covered.

This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

Two juicy topics dominates this episode - the new look PGA TOUR for 2028 and the battle by Wyndham Clark to win the U.S. Open.

We dig into plenty of narratives from the recently completed U.S. Open, including how Wyndham Clark prevailed for his second major win, overcoming Shinnecock Hills but also many among the crowds who were combative towards him. Did he deserve the win and the abuse, or is there something to be learned from the week for all?

We also discuss the approved new changes for the PGA TOUR for 2028, including the details shared, how they will work for players, fans, and sponsors, and what the implications may be for events like the RBC Canadian Open.

This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

In this packed episode, we recap a memorable week at the RBC Canadian Open and look ahead to the year's toughest test in golf: the U.S. Open at historic Shinnecock Hills.

First, we dive into the incredible, emotional victory by Bud Cauley at TPC Toronto. After years of grueling recovery from a devastating 2018 car crash, Cauley fired a brilliant final-round 65 to secure his maiden PGA Tour title in his 239th start. We take you through the win and how the story played out. Plus, we highlight the local flavor of the week, discussing the heavy Canadian presence in contention that kept the home crowd roaring all weekend long.

Then, we shift our focus to the year's third men's major championship. The U.S. Open is headed back to the wide, wind-swept, and punishing layout of Shinnecock Hills. We preview everything you need to know about the upcoming week, tracking the major player storylines, analyzing the historic course setup, and defining the precise skill sets, from immense driving accuracy to a razor-sharp short game, required to survive the ultimate test in golf.

This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

On the show this week, we take you behind the scenes of the 2026 Flagstick Academy Series video shoot at Casselview Golf Club. We detail exactly what goes into creating the series, what you can expect from the upcoming content, and how you can use these insights to elevate your game and have more fun on the course.

Next, we break down the latest action from the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour, and share our firsthand insights from being on the ground at the 77th Eastern Provinces Championship and the Golf Ontario Women’s Match Play Championship.

Finally, on the Back Nine, all eyes are on the 2026 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. We preview the field—highlighting the superstars, the rising contenders, and the hometown Canadians—and explain why every golf fan needs to tune into the action in Caledon. Plus, we debate how the course will play this year compared to 2025’s rain-soaked event, and whether it will serve as the perfect tune-up for next week's U.S. Open. To wrap things up, we pull back the curtain on the massive logistics required to choose a host venue for a tournament of this scale, and why even some of the most beloved courses get ruled out.

This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

In Episode #173 of the Flagstick Podcast, hosts Jeff and Scott welcome listeners with updates on local golf news and a review of the COBRA PUMA Spring Open at Casselview.

After recounting a scary, game-aborting incident during Scott's Sunday round dubbed "a noodle to the noodle," the hosts dive into a nostalgic feature on regional "Ghost Courses." Sparked by a recent magazine delivery, they reflect on the loss of numerous Eastern Ontario and Outaouais courses that have closed since 1996, including tracks like Glen Lawrence, Nationview, and Kanata, and discuss how these closures impact the local community.

Switching to the Back Nine, the show previews the 81st U.S. Women’s Open, running from June 4–7, 2026, at the historic Riviera Country Club. Playing at 6,699 yards as a par 71, this marks Riviera's first time hosting the women's major before it takes the stage for the 2028 Olympics. The hosts highlight key storylines for the 156-player field, including Sweden's Maja Stark attempting a rare title defense and a strong four-player Canadian contingent led by Brooke Henderson and 17-year-old phenom Anna Huang.

They conclude by discussing how fan familiarity with Riviera's iconic layout will enhance the television viewing experience as players compete for massive major exemptions and the historic trophy.

This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

It’s a busy show this week, following the first delivery of a print edition of Flagstick Golf Magazine in six years. We discuss the process of bringing the magazine back to print, the people involved, and the reactions we received following its return. We also share observations from our travels across Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais, where we visited nearly 100 golf facilities during distribution.

We also take a quick look at the start of the 2026 Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour season and discuss the official announcement that the 2027 CPKC Women’s Open will be played at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

On the Back 9, Jodie Jenkins joins us for a feature interview to discuss Endless Summer, the world-class long drive championship and pro-am event that will take place in Belleville, Ontario, in less than a month.

This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

In this episode, hosts Jeff Bauder and Scott MacLeod catch up on early-season golf plans, including Jeff's recent visit to the grand opening of Archies Golf TopTracer Range. They also follow up on the heavy listener response to their previous golf etiquette segment, debating whether the responsibility for player education falls on local associations, courses, or peers.

The Front Nine shifts focus to local competition with a full recap of the 14th Flagstick Open Amateur Championship presented by TaylorMade Canada & Levelwear. The hosts break down the tournament conditions, player responses, and the course's most critical stretches—including the daunting "Rideau Triangle." Ultimately, Brendan Kuffner of the Royal Ottawa Golf Club captured the title with a stellar 66-70 (-8) performance, holding off runner-up Hudson Turcotte by two strokes.

On the Back Nine, the conversation heads to Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania for a breakdown of the 2026 PGA Championship. The hosts recap a historic major finish where England’s Aaron Rai shot a brilliant, bogey-free 65 on Sunday—highlighted by a massive 68-foot birdie putt on the 17th—to secure a three-shot victory and his first Wanamaker Trophy. They review the leaderboard push from chasers like Jon Rahm, Alex Smalley, and Justin Thomas, while noting the brutal course conditions that caused pre-tournament favorites like Bryson DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland to miss the cut.

Finally, the guys wrap up the show with an inside look at Flagstick’s highly anticipated return to physical print, discussing the logistics behind the process and when readers can expect to grab a copy.

This episode is presented by GolfPEI, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

This episode focuses on the idea of respect in golf - how it shows up, and where it may be slipping. The discussion explores a perceived decline in respect at golf courses, whether toward the course itself, player behaviour during rounds, or interactions with staff.

The conversation highlights key areas where this issue is emerging and considers why it may be happening at a time when the game is experiencing growth. What does disrespect look like in a golf setting? Is it learned behaviour, a reflection of broader societal trends, or part of the game’s evolution?

The episode also examines why respect remains an essential part of golf and how the sport can foster a stronger culture around it. Overall, it’s a multi-faceted discussion aimed at prompting reflection on the future of golf - and what players and stakeholders want that future to look like.

This episode is presented by GolfPEI, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos