Grilling At The Green

Steve Wheatcroft, an American professional golfer, visits with JT

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In the "After Hours" segment, Amanda answered more personal questions about music, food, and hypothetical scenarios.

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Host Jeff and guest Amanda Jacobs, a top amateur golfer from Portland, Oregon. Jeff and Amanda discussed her recent performance at the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship in New Jersey, where she reached the Sweet 16 before losing. They covered her preparation process for tournaments, including travel logistics and her mental approach to competitive golf. Amanda shared her equipment preferences, using Ping clubs and an Adele custom-fitted putter, and explained why she chose not to pursue professional golf despite opportunities like playing in the LPGA Portland Classic. The conversation also touched on her family's golfing background, her competitive rivalry with fellow amateur Laura Tennant, and her advice for young golfers about making the sport fun rather than pressured.

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I speak with Rick Ward, a former NFL punter who transitioned to a career as a golf fitter and instructor, and that transition and his fitting expertise is the central theme of our conversation. We discuss his NFL background, his severe knee injury and later knee replacements, and how those experiences influenced his approach to golf and coaching. Rick and I explain the value of one-on-one club fitting, the role of TrackMan data, and the need for correct loft, lie, and shaft selection tailored to the individual. We caution listeners about impersonal big-box fittings and sales incentives, and we outline practical factors to watch for when choosing a fitter or a golf ball. Rick describes his fitting work at Rock Creek and with Srixon and invites golfers to book fittings through rlwardfittings.com. We also address equipment trends, distance gains, and the importance of choosing proper tees and balls so the game remains enjoyable.

Links referenced in this episode:

• birdieball.com
• snellgolf.com
• rlwardfittings.com
• paintedhillsbeef.com

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I assert at the outset that equipment performance and transparent, data‑driven testing are paramount to achieving predictable results on the golf course. I explain that small factors such as dirt or grass in the grooves can change spin and create unexpected flyers, so we must keep clubs clean and check faces before shots. I describe how experienced testers can read club geometry to predict launch and spin, but we also caution against marketing claims that outpace relevant testing conditions. I emphasize that golfers should use launch monitors to learn their own club head speed, launch angle, and spin rate and to compare equipment under appropriate conditions. I note that modern simulators now reproduce ball flight well and are valuable for practice, social play, and home use, while arena formats like TGL need entertainment and personality to fully succeed. I recommend seeking mentors and doing regular equipment and swing checkups to improve steadily. We close by urging players to use data, maintain their gear, and play with intention.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Grilling at the Green After Hours
• Golf Labs
• Vaseline
• Revlon
• USGA (United States Golf Association)
• Golf Digest
• Spotify
• TGL
• Inside the NBA
• YouTube
• Netflix
• Coachella
• Pinehurst

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I assert that golf technology can overwhelm players, and that well designed tech should recede into the background so players can focus. We discuss how excessive devices produce paralysis by analysis and impair performance on the course. I emphasize that less is more while playing, and that data and devices are more appropriate during practice and fitting. We explain that proper club fitting typically yields more benefit than simply buying the most expensive gear, because fit reduces mental load and improves consistency. I note that golf ball selection matters most inside of 120 yards, and that urethane tour balls will more often hold the green on good shots. We recommend testing short game feel with a few balls and seeking a professional fitting if the game is important to you.

Links referenced in this episode:

• birdieball.com
• paintedhillsbeef.com
• snellgolf.com
• carsleygolf.com
• golflabs.com

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We focus on Tom Coyne's management of a golf course and his assertion that professional golf has become increasingly removed from everyday golfers. I describe how my father introduced me to golf and how links golf in Ireland changed my life. Tom argues against rolling the ball back and supports bifurcating equipment to protect the game for ordinary players. We discuss the current messy state of professional golf, its entertainment value, and the widening gap between elite earnings and weekend play. Tom shares personal details about books, music, retirement plans to play and read more, and a last meal choice of pizza. We close by urging listeners to play golf, enjoy the game, and be kind.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Painted Hills Natural Beef
• Charles Schwab
• United States Golf Association (USGA)
• Advil
• Rocco's Pizza

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I begin with the principal point: Tom Coyne took charge of a nearly one‑hundred‑year‑old nine‑hole course in Sullivan County and now co‑owns and operates the club. I speak with him about running daily operations, from mowing the fairways to managing payroll and the tiny pro shop. We describe how a new logo and merchandise became a vital revenue stream for the club. Tom outlines plans to add a driving range and a putting course to increase local access to golf and to revive the community. I also cover his editorial work with the Golfers Journal and his forthcoming book, Of Course Called Home. We invite listeners to learn more, buy a nonresident membership, or support the club through the website.

Links referenced in this episode:

• schwab.com
• birdieball.com
• langdonfarms.com
• paintedhillsbeef.com
• grillagrills.com

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This podcast episode delves into the complexities and nuances of contemporary golf, featuring a candid discussion with the esteemed Gary Van Sickle. We engage in a dialogue that traverses topics ranging from the evolution of golf media to the implications of player injuries, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by renowned golfer Tiger Woods. The conversation further illuminates the changing landscape of golf journalism, highlighting a perceived decline in substantive coverage and a shift towards entertainment-driven narratives. Additionally, we explore the contrasting dynamics within different golf tours, including the PGA Tour and the LPGA, and the implications of evolving media practices on audience engagement. Throughout our discourse, we aim to shed light on the intricate interplay between tradition and innovation within the realm of golf.

Links referenced in this episode:

• sportsillustrated.com
• thegolfshow2.0.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Golf World
• sportsillustrated.com
• TGL
• PGA Tour
• LPGA Tour

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The podcast episode delves into the current state of professional golf, emphasizing the recent evolution of the FedEx Cup and the implications of the PGA Tour's modifications. The hosts, Jeff Tracy and Gary Van Sickle, engage in a thoughtful dialogue regarding the perceived diminishing relevance of the FedEx Cup in the eyes of the average golf enthusiast. They articulate concerns that the tournament's structure has become overly convoluted, detracting from its excitement and accessibility. The duo further explores the broader ramifications of the PGA Tour's shift towards elevated events and its impact on traditional tournaments, posing critical questions about the sustainability of these changes in the long term.

Links referenced in this episode:

• birdieball.com
• sneldoffgolf.com
• paintedhillsbeef.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• LPGA
• Weston Kia
• Birdie Ball
• Snell Golf
• Kathy Bissell
• Costa Rica
• Liv
• FedEx
• PGA Tour
• Corn Ferry
• Painted Hills

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