Our Guest today on Talk Birdie To Me is James Watson, Senior Vice President of Production at LIV Golf, so a big gig!

James tells us some of the figures from LIV Adelaide, they are impressive. He talks about how they had a very short timeframe to get the first London event up, and it was only in Adelaide that he felt 'LIV had arrived'. We find out about James career, and how it led him to his current role with LIV, via Cricket Australia, Asian Tour Golf, and Tennis Australia. James talks about the graphics on screen during golf, and why he believes they are so important. He goes on to talk about what he calls the 'second screen experience' and the importance of this for fans.

Nick asks James about the drone tracer, and James explains how they developed this innovation at LIV.

Mark asks if James is happy with the LIV Adelaide product, and if they have more in the tank. He says that it is the best era for participation in 30-years, however that is not yet translating to viewership.

James tells us what it's like being in the LIV Production truck with 60 cameras to direct, he talks about the importance of having a tight team and great communication lines. James talks about how they use fan data to drive decisions on how they execute the coverage, and gives examples. He talks about the inspiration that LIV has taken from Formula One and The Australian Open tennis.

Mark asks about whether James has exposure the big boss Yasir, and how much exposure he has had to The Shark over the journey. He tells us what The Shark is like to work with. We ask James about whether there is a feeling that LIV and the PGA getting back together is imminent.

A fascinating chat with an Aussie who has a massive gig on a world scale.

We're live at Titleist and FootJoy HQ, we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and FootJoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

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A disclaimer: today we're using the Talk Birdie video gear for the first time. Audio goes up first, and video at 7pm the same day. Please bear with us, we're still learning how it works, what buttons do what, and the various camera angles. So the first few shows will be a bit rocky here and there - we will 100% screw some stuff up. If you see a camera shot pointing at the floor for 20 seconds you'll know why.!

Onto the pod. We start with Nick's report on Mount Lawley following the recent OCM makeover, Nick was in Perth for the weekend and had a run at the course, did he enjoy it?

LIV Adelaide, a wild success, looked great on TV, the crowds were huge, Mark has about ten people he knows who were there who said it was the best sporting event they've even been to. Mark talks about how the players have great stories, and attract crowds, which is what golf needs - big names. Nick didn't go this year, but he went two years ago and talks about the noise and vibe. We discuss the TV ratings and how they went.

Tiger, Adam Scott and Jay Monahan met with Trump, and Tiger made some comments following that meeting about a potential unification of the different parties.

Has Joaquin Niemann given away the location of The Australian Open? And what Aussie rising PGA star was seen deep in conversation with multiple LIV teams in Adelaide. The money is clearly attractive - Mark asks Nick if Alana would have allowed him to turn down that kind of money?

Torrey Pines. How excited about Ludvig Åberg is Marko? Pretty excited as it turns out. Nick and Mark discuss his performance, and Mark pops into the simulator to show us some examples of Ludvig's pre-shot routine. Apologies for the audio issue here, the mic in the simulator was playing up - we'll fix it for next week. Mark says Ludwig will be a Top 10 machine, and will win a major this year. Which leads to Marks Top 5 - golfers who he believes will win a major in 2025.

We have an update on the PING global opener. Nick is pumped as there were 3 PING players this weekend. Lots of feedback from the Wolfpack, keep it coming on socials, emails, carrier pigeons.

Mark asks Nick - what do you have to do to be considered a 'black belt golfer'? We hear a voicemail from listener Mark with a question on slow play. Nicks masterclass on is on Ludwig, and again apologies for the audio - we'll sort for next week.

Remember this episode will be on YouTube at 7pm Wednesday 19th, AEDST.

We're live at Titleist and Footjoy HQ, we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Damien was at LIV at the weekend and was following the group with Richard Bland, Charl Schwartzel, and Tyrell Hatton and had some comments after hearing our feedback pod on Monday where Wolfpack member Jenko asked about how players would deal with 'antics' from other pros.

We're coming from Titleist and Footjoy HQ, and we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've been getting lots of fantastic questions from listeners to the Talk Birdie To Me pod, and it's great fun running through them - so today, another feedback episode of the pod.

We start with a question from new listener Jenko, welcome to the Wolfpack Jenko! The comment is on an idea for the LIV/PGA compromise structure. Jenko also has a question about Tyrell Hatton's behaviour.

Lamb asks about the US pension for pro golfers, and how it works. Nick talks about his pension status from his time in America.

Peter wants to know what's going on with Karl Vilips and why he's not seen much tournament action from him.

Richard has a question for Nick and Mark about The Pews at Oakmont.

Brad is unhappy with the PGA and GA and not a a fan of TGL

Mark heard the episode where Nick and Mark spoke about the Two Ball Worst Ball format, and gave it a crack - he reports in on how he went.

And we finish with a song from Marko - inspired by Jenko's question. Jenko this song, if it is no good, is your fault - you are risking a ban for a month if it goes pear-shaped.

We're coming from Titleist and Footjoy HQ, and we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A slightly different voicemail today from Mark at The National. Mark has asked Nick and Mark a question, which we will answer on the pod - but we'd love your input on ideas to address the specific issue Mark is asking about on the course when he is playing.

Have a listen to the voicemail from Mark, and let us know on socials if you have a suggestion for Mark.

We're coming from Titleist and Footjoy HQ, and we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Valentines Day feedback pod today where we run through a bunch of comments and questions from the Wolfpack.

We start with Pete on the phone asking about what he can do to increase his clubhead speed.

Then some feedback from Luke who has a whack for Dan and a correction for Nick.

Glenn asks whether Cheltenham Golf Club is in trouble with Victoria Golf Club sniffing around.

After the turn, we get our first product review - Mike reviews a FootJoy product....is it a positive review? Of course it is.

Justin wants to know why Royal Melbourne has not had an Australian Open for 34 years, and has an opinion on the timing of the event.

And we wrap up with comments from Robert on the evolution of golf equipment over the years, which he feels has gone too far.

We're coming from Titleist and Footjoy HQ, and we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave from Sydney heard us discussing the Royal Sydney renovation, and left us a voicemail with some news and info on another reno in Sydney that he reckons will be a cracker when it's done.

We're coming from Titleist and Footjoy HQ, and we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Massive week in golf as always, so much to talk about. We kick off the show, unfortunately, by Mark singing happy birthday to the Shark. Just what Greg would have wanted....an out of tune birthday song.

However after that Mark plays some audio of Brandel Chamblee talking about the discussions between the PGA and Trump this week. Leads to a chat about what it might mean for a unified game, and with Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland just having returned from Saudi Arabia, and a media conference scheduled by GA at LIV Adelaide this Thursday .... is there news on the horizon ? It does seem as though there may be, and we discuss what it may be about - and what we hope it is about. We have no idea, so we're just speculating.

Nick says that he has heard a rumour the Australian Open's Women's tournament will be held in Western Australia which he's excited about. He also mentions the the 'pace of play' policy coming in from the LPGA.

More LIV chat - the night tournament in Riyadh had no spectators and was, according to Nick and Mark, arguably LIV's worst event - and they're about to swing into their best event, LIV Adelaide.

Mark reads out the comments tour pro Marcus Fraser said on ABC Radio about the Australian Open.

Changes coming to the Monday Qualifier structure in some tournaments ....are Nick and Mark happy about this? Mark talks us through the remarkable performance of Will Chandler, the Monday Qualifier who beat Scottie Scheffler by 6. We discuss some of the great Monday Qualifier stories. And this inspires Nick's Top 5.

Wolfpacker Greg calls on the hotline with a question about governments and their support of other sports, but not golf to the extent he feels could be provided.

Plenty of feedback today to run through and during feedback Nick gives his tip for the Aussie he reckons might go all the way at Torrey Pines. We're checking our Betr app as we speak to suss the odds.

Then a voicemail comes in from Jon with a fun question for Nick and Mark.

We've had movement on the disaster that is the PING global intro music...thanks to a couple of wolfpackers. Watch this space.

And Marks masterclass is inspired by Thomas Detry after his great performance in Scottsdale at the weekend.

We're coming from Titleist and Footjoy HQ, and we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul from Melbourne had a listen to the bonus episode of Talk Birdie To Me yesterday with Michael Medway from Golf NSW, and left us a voicemail after hearing it with his thoughts.

We're coming from Titleist and Footjoy HQ, and we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we have a chat with the Chairman of Golf NSW Michael Medway about their support program for younger golfers on their journey into the big league.

He talks about the players they are supporting, and talks about Corey Lamb in particular and why they are investing in him. he tells us how the arrangements are structured, how the funding is released, the non-financial support they provide.

Michael also talks about what they have done with their prize money and payments for players in tournaments.

Michael explains why Golf NSW are separate to the national body, and why he has no desire to 'hand the keys' to Golf NSW to Golf Australia. He comments that his member clubs would 'revolt' if they did, and one of issues he sees is that Golf Australia is 'not run by golf people'. Michael says that the Golf Australia board is 'narrow-sighted' in their treatment of The Australian Open, and goes on to say that he wants to protect NSW events from what has happened to many other state opens saying that the Vic Open is a 'shadow of its' former self'.

We're coming from Titleist and Footjoy HQ, and we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.