next on the tee

On this week’s episode, we kick things off with a visit from our good friend and Robert Morris University Men's Head Coach Steve Shingledecker. RMU is riding high on a wave of momentum, thanks to their men’s basketball team capturing the Horizon League Championship and making an impressive showing in the NCAA Tournament, where they pushed powerhouse Alabama to the limit in the first round. Steve shares what the energy has been like on campus during the team’s thrilling run, how that success is already paying dividends in the recruiting process, and how the evolving landscape of college athletics—including the transfer portal—is impacting mid-major programs like RMU. We dive into whether top talent from these schools is at risk of being poached annually by Power Five programs, turning everyone outside the SEC and Big Ten into a de facto minor league system.

Then, I’m joined by World Golf Hall of Famer David Graham. David had a stellar career both here in the U.S. and internationally after coming over from his native Australia. We reflect on his standout 1970 season, where he captured the Tasmania, Victorian, Thailand, and French Opens, and teamed up with Bruce Devlin to win the World Cup. We also revisit his major championship triumphs at the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open plus his home national championship at the Australian Open. David also offers his thoughts and memories about The Masters and what it was like to contend at The Open at St. Andrews. You won’t want to miss these incredible stories and insights from a true legend of the game.

In this special bonus episode of Next on the Tee, I’m honored to be joined by Dr. Russell Levenson. Russ recently retired after 32 years in ministry, most notably serving 17 years as Rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston—the largest Anglican/Episcopal congregation in North America. He’s a renowned theologian, author, and speaker who also developed a deep friendship with President George H.W. and First Lady Barbara Bush.

Russ talks about his inspiring new book, “In God’s Grip: What Golf Can Teach Us About the Bible,” with a foreword by the legendary Jim Nantz. We dive into the powerful spiritual and life lessons drawn from golf and how the swing philosophies of Ben Hogan intertwine with Biblical wisdom. From focusing on fundamentals to letting go of perfection, Russ explores how the mindset that helped Hogan master the game can also guide our spiritual journeys.

We also reflect on his close relationship with the Bush family, what heaven meant to them, and how the second half of the book—The Downswing—challenges our assumptions about God as a harsh judge, encouraging instead a perspective of grace, abundance, and purpose.

Plus, we talk Augusta, Oakmont, and Jim Nantz’s unforgettable first Masters call in 1986.

This conversation is full of insight, inspiration, and a few good swings of perspective. Whether you’re seeking more meaning in your game or your life, this is one you won’t want to miss.

In Part 2 of Episode 14, I’m joined by first-time guest Taylor Crosby, and trust me—you’re going to love this conversation. Taylor brings great energy to the show and an impressive resume, having worked alongside one of the greatest instructors of all time, Jim McLean.

Taylor is now teaching at one of the premier golf facilities in the world: The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee. We dive into what makes The Kingdom such a special place—from their PGA Tour-level fitting experience, to their on-site TaylorMade fitting trailer, and their cutting-edge studio and hitting bays. Unlike most fittings, at The Kingdom, you walk away with your custom-fit clubs the same day—ready to take down your weekend group right away.

Taylor also shares insights into the seven stunning golf courses at Reynolds Lake Oconee, each designed by a legendary architect. And if that’s not enough, he brings along some fantastic playing lessons and tips to help you lower your scores and improve your swing.

It’s a jam-packed segment with gear talk, game improvement tips, and plenty of laughs.

This Week on Next on the Tee, I'm joined by three incredible guests. In Part 1, I start with one of the game's all-time great instructors—Tom Patri. Not only is Tom a phenomenal teacher, he's also a fantastic player. Tom is sharpening his game for the Senior Florida Open, happening April 22–24 at Aberdeen Golf & Country Club in Boynton Beach, Florida. You'll hear how he dominated the course during his practice round for the qualifier, plus his thoughts on Rory McIlroy's win at The Players, J.J. Spaun’s valiant effort and willingness to face the media after falling short, perhaps something Collin Morikawa could take a lesson from.

Next up is a longtime friend from our Thursday Night Tailgate football show, former NFL defensive back Vencie Glenn. Vencie played for the Patriots, Chargers, Saints, Vikings, and Giants—and he’s just as popular in golf circles as he was on the football field. I share one of my favorite stories about walking Augusta National with him and how he introduced me to Phil Knight and Tiger’s mom. The golf world knows and loves this guy, and for good reason. We chat about former NFL players who excel at golf, and how Vencie honed his skills to become a ball hawk in the league, racking up 35 career interceptions.

Please come back for Part 2 of this week's show featuring the Next on the Tee debut of another Top Instructor in our game, Taylor Crosby. Taylor is a disciple of Jim McLean and is now teaching at The Kingdom at Reynold Lake Oconee. He's fantastic! You're going to really enjoy his stories plus the playing lessons he shared.

Thank you for pressing play on this week's show. I appreciate you!

In Part 2 of episode 13, I’m thrilled to welcome back one of my all-time favorite guests—acclaimed author and legendary golf TV producer, Keith Hirshland. Keith is not only one of the nicest people on the planet but also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to golf, television production, and life itself. We dive into his work with LIV Golf, where he leads their broadcasts, and discuss the great broadcast technology they've brought to the game including doing a tournament played under the lights in Riyadh. Keith shares the challenges of tracking the ball at night and introduces us to the newest addition to their broadcast team, Pat Perez. We also take a trip down memory lane as Keith reminisces about his role in launching The Golf Channel back in 1995 and his relationship with Arnold Palmer. Plus, Keith gives us an update on his latest book, a sequel to Song Girl, featuring the return of that intriguing CT Mascaro character. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with one of the best in the business!

This week on Next on the Tee, I’m thrilled to welcome three great friends to the show. I start things off in Part 1 with a player who I believe is one of the most underrated and underappreciated of the 21st century—Shaun Micheel. Most people remember Shaun for his incredible win at the 2003 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, but his career extends far beyond that. He finished runner-up to Tiger Woods at the 2006 PGA and even defeated Tiger in the first round of the Match Play Championship that same year. Beyond his playing career, Shaun offers incredible insight into the current state of both the professional and college golf scenes. We haven’t seen much of him on the Champions Tour recently, and unfortunately, there’s a heartbreaking reason why—you’ll hear all about it. He also weighs in on the shrinking number of Tour exemptions and the ongoing struggles the PGA Tour faces in marketing its players, given how much they’ve relied on Tiger Woods for the past 28 years.

Then, I’m joined by Top 100 Instructor Tom Stickney, who shares some fantastic playing lessons and short-game tips. In a fun twist, I recently discovered that not only did Shaun and I attend Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, but Tom is an alumnus as well! Tom has earned a Doctorate from The Golf Machine organization, a system that has had a major influence on the game. Shaun is a big believer in it, and Tom breaks down why more golfers should be paying attention to its principles. He also shares his expertise on how to fix a big slice or banana hook off the tee and offers short-game strategies from 100 yards in.

It’s a jam-packed episode with great stories, insights, and tips. Thank you so much for pressing play!

In Part 2 of Episode 12, I welcome back our resident mental game expert, Dr. Bob Winters, The Confidence Doctor. This month, Dr. Bob dives into the crucial role that your dominant eye plays—not just in your swing, but also in your overall confidence on the course. Get your notepads ready because he shares a couple of key insights you’ll want to remember.

Then, we wrap things up with our Resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri. TP gives us the inside scoop on some of his recent Instagram Live interviews, including conversations with our mutual good friend Damon Hack from The Golf Channel and his longtime pal Jimmy Roberts. And in a hilarious twist, TP must’ve been feeling nostalgic—because for the rest of our chat, he calls me Jimmy...not kidding, you’ll hear it for yourself. We also get into his thoughts on some hot topics in the game right now, like slow play and AimPoint green reading.

It’s a fun and insightful conversation, so stick around and let’s tee it up!

On this episode of Next on the Tee, I'm joined by Ben Helmrath, VP of Merchandising at PGA Tour Superstore and Team Coordinator for the Atlanta Drive of the TGL League. Ben is deeply involved in team strategy, working alongside Captain Justin Thomas to set match-day lineups plus helps layout all the winning scenarios for when they should throw the Hammer. He takes us behind the scenes at SoFi Stadium, giving us a look at what really goes into a team’s preparation and what it's like down on the floor. Plus, with golf simulators becoming more and more affordable, Ben shares insights on how owning one might now be within reach for all of us.

Then, mkaing his Next on the Tee debut is Champions Tour Pro Wes Short Jr. His longtime friend and Next on the Tee favorite, Bob Estes suggested that Wes would make a great guest, and boy was he right. Wes has an inspiring career—after years of grinding, he earned his PGA Tour card in 2004 at the age of 40, won his first event a year later in Las Vegas, and even qualified for his first U.S. Open at 52 years of age. His story proves that persistence pays off and we should never give up on our dreams.

It’s a great lineup with insights, inspiration, and plenty of great stories, so thank you tuning in!

On this special bonus segment of Next on the Tee, I welcome back PGA Tour winner Bob Byman for a deep dive into some of the most defining moments of his career. With it being Arnold Palmer Invitational week on the PGA Tour, Bob takes us back to his victory at Bay Hill in 1979, reflecting on what it meant to win a tournament so closely connected to his college mentor, Arnold Palmer. As a Wake Forest alum who played on an Arnold Palmer scholarship, Bob shares personal stories about his relationship with The King and how Palmer’s influence shaped his career.

We also revisit Bob’s impressive performances at The Open Championship, including his debut at St. Andrews in 1978, where he finished T17 alongside legends like Seve Ballesteros and Tom Weiskopf. The following year at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, he was in contention heading into the final round before finishing T7 in a tournament that saw Seve claim his first major title. Bob gives us a behind-the-scenes look at those experiences, the challenges of links golf, and what it was like competing on golf’s biggest international stage.

His victory at Bay Hill also earned him a spot in the 1979 Masters, where he got his first taste of Augusta National. Bob walks us through that unforgettable experience, from the pressure of teeing it up at golf’s most revered venue, playing a practice round with Jack Nicklaus, to the lessons he took away from his first major start at Augusta.

From Bay Hill to St. Andrews to Augusta, Bob Byman has been part of some incredible golf history. Don’t miss this conversation filled with career-defining moments, legendary names, and stories that every golf fan will appreciate.

In this episode of Next on the Tee, we’re joined by 2019 Charles Schwab Cup Champion Scott McCarron, as he gears up for the new season. Scott shares insights into his current health and the state of his game as he prepares for another competitive year. We also discuss the accessibility and visibility challenges the Champions Tour faces, despite the exceptional talent and fan engagement from its players. We explore why the PGA Tour seems to treat the Champions Tour as an afterthought and how that might change when Tiger Woods turns 50 and potentially joins the field.

Scott reflects on his leadership role within the Tour, offering his perspective on the upcoming changes to the PGA Tour in 2026, including the reduction of full-time Tour cards and the impact of LIV Golf’s emergence has had on player earnings.

We then take a deep dive into Scott’s impressive record at the Senior PGA Championship, a tournament where he’s consistently performed well, and discuss his chances at Congressional Country Club this year. He also reflects on his past successes in Atlanta, where he has multiple victories at TPC Sugarloaf, and how playing on a course with such great memories impacts his confidence.

In a fun hypothetical, Scott answers the question: if he could turn back time, regain peak health, and take one more shot at a title—where would it be? Finally, we switch gears to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the 1980 Miracle on Ice, one of the greatest moments in sports history. Scott shares his thoughts on whether it stands as the greatest sporting event of his lifetime or if another moment holds that top spot.

Tune in for a compelling conversation covering everything from the Champions Tour’s future to unforgettable sports moments with one of golf’s most respected voices, Scott McCarron.