The Golf Insiders

The Golf Insiders

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The Golf Insiders episodes

  • 04/10/13 The Golf Insiders
    Holly G is joined by Jeff Shain, PGA Tour.com, in the studio while Rich Bianco calls in to start the Show from Augusta National. Rich talks about being at the Hallowed Grounds of Augusta and experiencing everything Masters Week. Lot of people out for practice rounds -- nearly 50,000 watching.
    Gary Smits from Florida Times Union also calls in from the Masters to talk about the Par 3 contest that went on today. Ended in a 3 way tie and eventually won by Ted Potter Jr. Gary talks about the odds makers have Tiger at 7-2 and McIlroy at 12-1.
    Brian Hewitt, Global Golf Post Editor, calls in from Orlando to talk to Holly and Jeff Shain about his thoughts on the Masters. Since Global Golf Post is international, Holly has Brian go down the list of hot players country by country. He favors McIlroy and McDowell. Doesn't think Luke Donald's first major will be at the Masters.
    He really likes Adams Scott and is his second choice after Tiger. He really likes how the tournament has set up for Adam Scott. No Australian has won the Masters, Greg Norman has come the closest.
    Doesn't think Angel Cabrera and Sergio will do well. Cabrera since he hasn't played well lately and Sergio might have overplayed prepping for the Masters. Global Golf Post is publishing daily during the Masters.
    Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, wraps up the show talking to Holly and Jeff from Augusta. About 100 people from the Golf Channel are there covering the Masters. Holly talks to Todd about Tiger Wood's numbers not statistically boding well for him headed into the Masters compared to last year. But Todd points out that he only had one win last year and this year he had 5 already. He's holding more trophies and has the confidence.
    Phil Mickelson's Frankenwood has a lot of workability and almost the same length of the Driver. Tianlang Guan Is the Youngest Player Ever to Compete at Masters Tournament.
    Todd goes over the American picks, Keegan Bradley is high on Todd's radar. Keegan is much more prepared for his second Masters and gets a lot of advice from Phil Mickelson. Bubba turned in his green jacket a couple weeks ago and Todd says he is hungry again for another title.
    Jeff likes either Tiger, Phil Justin Rose to win the Masters and Holly's picks are Justin Rose or Adam Scott to win.
    37 min
  • 04/03/13 The Golf Insiders
    Holly G and Rich B are in the studio talking all things golf.
    Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to kick off the show. Bob and Holly review D.A. Points' win at the Shell Houston Open as well as how well Rory McIlroy played. Bob also discussed the upcoming Masters and the play of McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Charles Schwartzel. Bob also covered the top players that have not won a major including Justin Rose, Brandt Snedeker, Ian Poulter and Luke Donald.
    Jay Golden, PGA Tour pro from Winter Pines Golf Club in Winter Park called in to discuss the art of shotmaking.  The trio talked about Bubba Watson's great shot from the trees at the Masters last year.
    Jeff Shain, PGA Tour.com, also talked about the upcoming Masters as well as other things golf.
    Terrie Purdhum, Publisher, Florida Golf Central Magazine, called in to wrap up the show. She and Holly talked about the great event at the Errol Estate Golf & Country Club in Apopka, Fla., as well as the magazine's 14th Anniversary.
    45 min
  • 03/27/13 The Golf Insiders
    After 5 days of Golf at Bay Hill and some at Windermere for the Tavistock Cup, Rich B and Holly G are in the studio.  The two talk about the freak storm that ran right over Bay Hill with gusts over to 65 mph and a lot of uprooted trees. Tiger Woods picked up his 77th win and 8th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
    Holly has some of Tiger Woods press conference audio from Bay Hill. Tiger talks about the significance of winning at Bay Hill and what it means to him personally. Tiger also talks about how close he is to getting back to where he was a couple of years ago. "I'm almost there," he said.
    His putting has come around after a few quick lessons from Steve Stricker and now he looks forward to Augusta.
    Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to talk to the duo about Bay Hill, the tournament and the storm. Bob talks about having Tiger back in form makes golf that much better to watch and it is good for the game.  Not that he will always win, but he is putting well enough and playing well enough to win every time, according to Harig. Sean Foley really has Tiger dialed in. Bob talks about how great players fine tune their game as they get older to compensate for power lost.
    Team Albany wins on first hole of the playoff at Tavistock Cup after Ian Poulter sunk his putt. The Golf Insiders gave away a 10th Anniversary Collectors edition Tavistock Cup.
    Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in to discuss Bay Hill. Todd was actually back at the station just in case something happened with the weather.
    Todd feels that Tiger is the best closer in the game of golf.  He has already done it three times this year after having a lead going into the final round. Todd also talks about Rickie Fowler and how he needs to grow and learn from his missteps. He had the opportunity on the final day at 16 to draw close to Tiger and unfortunately put it in the water. Todd also talks about Phil Mickelson missing the cut. As the golf world turns toward Augusta, the trio talk about who needs to step it up at the Shell Houston Open in order to be prepared for Augusta. Bubba is the defending Masters Champion and Todd feels that his length off the tee helps him tremendously at Augusta.
    Steve Stricker has played well in the few tournaments that he has played in not finishing outside the top 5 in any of them.
    Jay Golden, PGA teaching pro Winter Pines Park, calls in and talks to Holly about how wind affects putting. The way Tiger said it did at Bay Hill. Jay said to Hit a low draw when playing into the wind.
    45 min
  • 03/20/2013 The Golf Insiders
    Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio talking Florida Swing.  This show is sponsored by Barberpolegolf.com, manufacturers of world-class solid brass putters. The duo take time out to salute Arnold and Winnie Palmer and all the events surrounding this week's tournament. The win gets him into the Masters and many other great tournaments.
    Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in from the Bay Hill press center to start of the show talking about Kevin Streelman's first PGA Tour win at the Tampa Bay Championship.  Boo Weekley playing Aldila's latest RIP iron shafts posted his best finish of the season in second place. Both Justin Leonard and Sergio Garcia both played well this tournament too.
    A lot of focus this week at Bay Hill is on Tiger Woods who is playing well of late and has won there 7 times. He went from 58 to number 2 in the world golf ranking last year in a seven months. Bob feels that it is remarkable that Tiger is on the cusp of becoming #1 again after everything that he has been through including 4 different swing coaches. After the Bridgestone in 2010 where he played so poorly, he got with Sean Foley and began his trek back to the top. The only other player to win as many tournaments as Tiger in the past year, 5, is Rory McIlroy.
    Bob spoke to Tiger about The Masters and not winning at the Masters since 2005. Tiger wants to win all the majors and Bob feels that maybe last year Tiger wanted it too much.
    Darren Decarlo, the Perfect Golf Club owner, and PGA Professional and teaching professional, calls in to talk about marshaling at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am.   Darren feels that Tiger is the odds on favorite to win at Bay Hill.  Holly and Darren discuss Tiger's swing change since he has been with Sean. Darren bases his picks off the Pro-Am and these players played well at the Pro-Am Wednesday, like Brandt Snedeker, Tiger, Ernie Els.
    Gary Smits, Florida Times Union, calls in from Bay Hill to speak with Rich and Holly G. Breaking News reports that Yani Tseng missed her Pro-Am time Wednesday and got kicked out of the tournament this week. The two also talk about Tom Watson giving back one of the 4 Captain's picks for the 2014 Ryder Cup.  Watson feels that it is a great thing that there is one more spot that could earn the spot now. 3 of the last 4 major winners are in the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week, minus McIlroy. Palmer said that he was disappointed that Rory did not come to his tournament.
    Holly G and Rich B gave away two tickets to the caller who can identify how many times Tiger has won at Bay Hill.
    Jeff Shain, PGA Tour.com, calls in to wrap up the show and talks about the injury to Brandt Snedeker muscle pull.  Brandt did well at the Pro Am Wednesday at Bay Hill, second place which is not bad for coming off the "injured reserve."  Jeff talks about the shape of the golf course and how the rain has helped it.  Jeff is anxious to see how Boo Weekley will fair this week.  The last two tournaments he finished 8th and then 2nd.
    45 min
  • 03/13/13 The Golf Insiders
    Holly G and Rich B are in the studio talking the Florida Swing, sponsored by Barber Pole Golf.  Holly and Rich get right into Tiger's win at the WGC Cadillac at Doral.
    Jeff Shain, PGA Tour.com, calls in to talk about the upcoming tournament in Tampa at the Copperhead Course. Jeff talks about the Copperhead's snake pit being the 4th toughest holes to close on last year. The trio talk about Luke Donald's finish at Doral. Donald was last year's winner at Innisbrook for the Tampa Bay Championship.
    Jeff talks about the LPGA Tour and the upcoming RR Donnelly Founder's Cup. Natalie Gulbis has been sidelined with Malaria after the LPGA swing through Asia.  Paula Creamer was a part of a 5-car accident there but is getting better.
    Tavistock Cup teams were named Tuesday. Rosters are similar to last year, but with Isleworth lost a few members including Tiger Woods who now is on Team Albany. Two more teams are joining the Cup for a total of 6.  Oak Tree and Primland. Charles Howell III is anchoring the Oak Tree National team along with Rickie Fowler, Bob Tway and Scott Verplank. Team Primland is represented by Fred Couples, Bill Haas, Jay Haas and Webb Simpson.
    Florida Golf Central is celebrating its 14th anniversary of Florida Golf Central, the Florida swing, the rebirth of Errol Estate Golf & Country Club, and the launch of the Lee Westwood Golf School in Orlando with drinks and appetizers. Tuesday, March 19 from 5-8 p.m. at Errol Estate Golf and CC 355 Errol Parkway, Apopka.
    Todd Lewis, the Golf Channel, calls in and talks with Holly and Rich about Tiger's win. Todd feels that Tiger is playing the best golf he's played in the past five years. Todd also talks about Sean Foley, Tiger's swing coach, and how well Tiger is doing now after all the criticism they both took after leaving Hank Haney. Tiger has 76 PGA Tour wins with four different swings.  Hunter Mahan and Justin Rose also work with Foley.
    Rich B's tip: If you want to start a new golfer out in the game start at the hole and work backward to the driver. Start with a short putt and then chipping and so on.
    Sean Foley endorses PSP Golf's The Little One.
    "I never look at it for a win for me because I don't hit any shots, or put in the practice rounds, I look at my self as coach," Sean Foley. He feels that Tiger is the Greatest Player of All times at the age of 37. Foley feels that his key to helping his "students" succeed is giving them access to their abilities.
    Sean feels that in 2013 we can measure now what we use to guess about with the technology that is out there. i.e. 3D analyzers, launch monitors and radar tracking devices, etc.
    54 min
  • 03/03/13 The Golf Insiders
    Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio for this abbreviated version of The Golf Insiders brought to you by Barber Pole Golf.
    Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in from the press center at Doral to talk about the upcoming WGC-Cadillac Championship.  Bob and Holly discuss Rory McIlroy walking off the course before the end of his round. Rory apologized to the media this morning and said that he was wrong to have quit no matter what the reason. Bob talks in his article about Rory being able to release a valve of pressure that has built up with being number one.
    Michael Thompson wins the Honda Classic after only being a pro since 2011. This is by far his best finish of the year and had missed 3 of 4 cuts this year and the other tourney finished at the bottom. Bob said that Michael shows that he likes to play tough courses, Olympic and now at the Honda Classic.
    Geoff Olgivie had a great showing at the Honda Classic enough to get him into the WGC event this week. He finished 51st in the world in 2012 that kept him out of the WGC events.
    Jeff Babineau, Golfweek Editor, calls in to talk to the Golf Insiders from Doral. Golfweek's Brad Klein did a feature with Donald Trump about all the renovations that will be going on at Doral (6-month makeover) after this week's WGC-Cadillac Championship. Jeff also comments on Rory's press conference and feels that McIlroy did the right thing. The duo talk about how Rory's equipment change has affected his  game along with the huge contract he signed with Nike.
    21 min
  • The Golf Insiders 02/27/13
    Holly G and Rich B are back in the studio to kick off the Florida Swing.  After a brief hiatus, The Golf Insiders now comes to listeners live Wednesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. on Clear Channel Radio AM 740 The Game.
    The duo talk the WGC Accenture Match play event and the quick exit from both Tiger and Rory McIlroy. Rich B talks about Rory changing equipment which is very hard for players. Holly and Rich also cover the eventual winner Matt Kuchar and the final pairings.
    The Golf Insiders welcomes back Bob Harig, ESPN.com. Bob talks about the busy first two months of golf and the first 8 wins were by Americans, similar to last year. Bob and Holly discuss the putter anchor ban which is the hottest story in golf.  Bob states that a lot of people including the PGA Tour are against the ban. Whether the PGA would institute its own rule and go against the USGA Rules of Golf? Several of the last Major tournament winners anchored their putter.
    Jeff Shain, PGATour.com, calls in and talks to the team about what has been going on in the world of golf.  Covering the WEB.COM Tour as well as certain aspects about the game as well as coverage for the Back9 Network. Jeff and Holly talk about the Honda Classic which is growing into one of the biggest turnouts on Tour after the Majors and the WGC events. The Honda is sandwiched in between two WGC events with the top players in the world competing in them.
    Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, wraps up the hour quickly covering the upcoming Honda Classic and the buzz on what is happening in the golf world on The Golf Channel and around the country. McIlroy has yet to play the weekend in 2013 or break 80 as well as the anchoring ban.
    45 min
  • 09/26/2012 The Golf Insiders

    Host Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio on the eve of the Ryder Cup.

    Bob Harig from ESPN.com calls in from Medinah to talk about the atmosphere surrounding the Ryder Cup. A lot of people are there on Tuesday and Wednesday have shown up in droves to pack the stands and line the fairways to watch practice.

    Holly and Bob talk about the fact that a lot of the European players are widely known in the U.S. due to the fact that some live here in the U.S. or just their notoriety on the Tour. Bob discusses that in the past the U.S. players have been unable to make key putts against their opponents.

    Rich and Bob also talk about the idiosyncrasies of best ball and four ball that shows up in Ryder Cup competition. Your style of play changes depending upon your partner. You have to know your partner well and be able to hit shots when you need to. Bob feels that the key comes down to putting. The team that does that the best wins.

    Brian Hewitt from Global Golf Post calls in from Medinah to talk about the Ryder Cup. Brian lived 30 years in the Chicago area and knows the courses well. Bob also talks about how many fans have shown up so early to support the competition.  It’s like the World Series and Super Bowl put together. Bob talks about Davis Love III’s approach with the team. The rough at Medinah Number 3 is almost like no rough at all the way that Davis Love has set up the course to “favor” the Americans. Two most important players Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods that need to play well. The main characteristic that both of them benefit from is no rough like Augusta where both have played well. Brian feels that players with the best Ryder Cup records are on the other side playing for the best are on the European side.

    Jeff Shain, Orlando Sentinel, calls in from Medinah to talk about the pairings for the Ryder Cup and how that will affect each team. Jeff feels that the infusion of young players on the U.S. will help bring energy to that team. Holly and Jeff talk about possible weak links on the European team. Kaymer’s game has dropped off going from number 1 in the world and dropping out of the Top 20. Jeff feels that Nicloas Colsaerts will help the European Team. The trio also talks about the presence of the late Seve Ballesteros will be at the first Ryder Cup since his passing. Jeff points out that anyone with a hot putter has a chance to be a hero at the Ryder Cup.

    57 min
  • 09/19/2012 The Golf Insiders
    Holly G and Rich B are in the studio talking all things golf. They kick off the show talking about the Tour Championship with Bob Harig, ESPN.com. A lot of different possibilities, except for the top 5 in the standings. If McIlroy, Tiger, Watney, Mickelson or Snedeker wins, then they would win the FedEx Cup.
    Holly G and Bob talk about how all of the members of the Ryder Cup team are at the Tour Championship.  Bob makes the point that players who are competing in the Ryder Cup tee off on Friday with the same pressure as you would have if you were in a final Sunday. If you are in a Sunday final, you played well enough on the first three days to get into the final. For the Ryder Cup, you start off with that pressure.
    The three talk about the Tiger vs. Rory rivalry and if Tiger feels any intimidation. Bob likes Phil to win the FedEx Cup. He feels that Phil is playing really well right now and has played well in Atlanta.
    Holly and Rich are joined by Marty Perlmutter, President of the Leaderboard of Miami, to talk about an upcoming charity golf tournament to benefit the Greater Orlando Children's Miracle Network. The 10th Annual McLane Foodservice Golf Tournament will be Sept 29 at Falcon's Fire. Register at www.mclanecharitygolftournament.net or show up at 7:30 a.m. for an 8:30 tee off. $150 per person. The golf tournament annually raises money for the Children's Miracle Network and the Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando. The scramble golf tournament will include a skills challenge for all players, a live auction, helicopter ball drop and a couple of unique on-course games.
    Jeff Shain, Orlando Sentinel, calls in from East Lake to talk to the Golf Insiders about the course in Atlanta and the transformation of the area. Jeff also talks about the potential possibilities for any of the 30 participants.
    Jeff also talks to Holly about the Women's Open Championship and how well Paula Creamer and Jiyai Shin have played the past couple weeks. Shin won and Creamer finished 3rd. The two had played the week before in a 9 hole playoff that Shin won on Monday.
    Todd Lewis calls in to wrap up the show. Holly and Todd talk about the Freddy Couples being selected to the Hall of Fame and Steve Stricker named 2012 Payne Stewart Award recipient at East Lake. Todd likes Luke Donald.
    48 min
  • 08/29/12 The Golf Insiders
    Rich Bianco is in the studio with special guest Peter Kessler, "The Voice of Golf". The show is joined in progress as the two are talking about Watney's success and the FedEx Cup playoffs.
    Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to join the discussion about the FedEx Cup Playoffs with Rich and Peter. Bob's point is that Nick Watney is taking advantage of his win at the Barclays, the only win this season. His best finish prior to that was 8th, but now he is right there in the mix with all the golfers who have played well all year. Fair or not? That's the way the FedEx Cup is set up for now.
    Bob also brings up the point if people are expecting too much of Tiger with all that he has been through?  His age, his injuries, his personal life. He is back to second in the standings and if you take away the name Tiger Woods, everyone else would be a major success story.
    Rich B and Bob talked about the upcoming Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston, Norton, Mass. Adam Scott is Bob Harig's pick.
    Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in to talk about the Ryder Cup and Europe's team. The duo talks about Gary Woodland's success last year and didn't qualify for the Top 125 this year as he has been battling injuries. Todd feels that he will get healthy and come back strong in 2013. Todd talks about the Deutsche Bank Championship and how it differs from Beth Page and it may be the easiest course of the four in the FedEx Cup Playoffs this year.
    Jeff Shain, Orlando Sentinel, calls in to talk to the duo about the LPGA and the Tour's youngest winner, 15 year old Lidia Ko from New Zealand who was born is South Korea. Peter brings up the point that Suzanne Petterson has not dominated the Tour like one would think she could with all of her abilities. Jeff also talks about Watney's success and the rest of the FedEx Cup.
    Chris King, communications director for marketing cooperative Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, calls in from the World Golf Amateur's 19th Hole to wrap up the show and update the status of the weather and how the tournament has been going at the tournament. The 29th Annual Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship features approximately 3,100 players.
    57 min

About The Golf Insiders

From the publisher's feed

The Golf Insiders, hosted by Holly G Geoghegan, features a mix of fun and intelligent golf talk from inside the ropes of the PGA and LPGA Tour. The show features a weekly line-up of the nation’s top, award-winning golf reporters and journalists from ESPN, Golf Channel, Golfweek, and more!