The Golf Insiders

Rich Bianco is joined in the studio by Jay Golden, teacher, entertainer and PGA Pro at Winter Park Pines, on the day before the Masters. Holly G is on location in Augusta.

Holly kicks off the show calling in from the Masters and talks about the conditions there as well as the storm that cancelled the Par 3 event.

The guys are joined in studio with former PGA Professional Fred Gibson. Fred offers golf lessons in the Central Florida area. www.golfwithfred.com 407-808-6561. Fred also stresses the importance of club fitting.

Todd Lewis from the Golf Channel phones in from Augusta and talks about some of the changes made to the course.

Jeff Shain from the Orlando Sentinel calls in from the Augusta to talk about the wet conditions to start the Masters.  Jeff talks about comments made by Luke Donald and Lee Westwood prior to the Masters. The chances for them and others. Close to 10 other players than Tiger and Rory McIlroy.

Tony Leodora, Golf Talk Live, calls in from Augusta to wrap up the show talking about the man from Seattle who won 4 tickets to the Masters and had his dog eat his tickets. Tony talks about his conversation with Jim Furyk's father.

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in studio talking about all things golf. The duo starts off talking Arnold Palmer Invitational and Tiger's win.

Jeff Shain, Orlando Sentinel, calls in to start the show to talk about Tiger's play and win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.How the Florida Swing has gone so far and the notable wins. Jeff also talks to Holly about the LPGA Tour, Yani Tseng and her three wins already this year as the ladies head into the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Holly and Rich were at Tiger Wood's press conference just after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational and has the audio for the Golf Insider's listeners.

Holly also brings up the fact that Sean Foley who works in the Orlando area has a pretty good stable of top players in Hunter Mahan, Justin Rose and Tiger Woods.

Golf Channel's Jason Sobel calls in to talk to the duo about Tiger and his success this past week and what he has gone through over the past two years. Holly and Jason talk "Tigermania" and how the past three months have been in golf and heading into the Masters. Phil Mickleson, Luke Donald, Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan and Tiger have all won.

Dr Bob Winters, calls in to wrap up the show talking about Hank Haney's book and the controversy surrounding some of his comments. The trio talk about confidentiality between player and coach.  Dr Bob finishers talking about Tiger and his putting on Sunday.

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in studio talking about all things golf.

Brian Hewitt, editor of Global Golf Post, talks to Holly and Rich about some of the key European players who have skipped the Arnold Palmer Invitational, especially Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald, the number 1 and number 2 players in the world. Brian also talks about special invitations to Majors and the hope that Ernie Els can get one for the Masters.

Todd Lewis calls in from the Golf Channel to the Holly and Rich B about Bay Hill and Tiger Woods and his preparations for the Masters and his injuries. Todd also talks about Tiger's past two years and all that he is trying to rebuild. Todd also talks about other player's chances.

ESPN.com's Bob Harig talks to the Golf Insiders from the press room at Bay Hill. Bob talks about Tiger tweaking his back on the front nine and some of his injuries in the past and now that he is 35 years old. Bob also talks about Ernie Els and how well he played at the Transitions but was not able to putt well. Bob also talks about the golf courses here in Florid this year and how some Tour players are playing them.

Dr Bob Winters, putting guru, calls in to talk about Ernie Els' putting woes and  the stress that surrounded his undoing in the final few holes at the Transitions Championship. Dr Bob talks about putting. www.drbobwinters.com

Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Shane calls in from Bay Hill to wrap up the Show.  Jeff and the team talk about Ernie Els and what he needs to do to get into the Masters. He has to win at Bay Hill or in Texas the following week. Jeff picks Bubba Watson and Robert Garrigus potential to win this week.

Rich Bianco is joined in the studio by Jay Golden . Jay, PGA Professional at Winter Park Pines, is in for Holly G. The duo opens the show talking about Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy becoming Number 1 in the world.

Bob Harig, EPSN.com, calls in from Doral to talk to Rich and Jay.  Donald Trump has purchased Doral and it remains to be seen if the name of the TPC stays the same. There are plans to overhaul the course next year.

The Top 24 players will be playing with one another in pairs of three at the World Golf Championships - Cadillac Championship on Thursday and Friday. No. 1, 2 and 3 will be paired Rory will be joined by Luke Donald and Lee Westwood and then 4-6, and so on. The trio talks about the fact that the WGC events may be taking away from the normal PGA events since it takes the top 50 players in the world. Bob feels that maybe this is Tiger’s week for a win.

Jeff Shain, Orlando Sentinel, calls in to talk to Rich and Jay about the Florida Swing. As the players prepare for the Masters. Jeff worked for 12 years at the Miami Herald is back in his old stomping grounds. Jeff talks about Trump’s purchase of Doral of $150 Million. Jeff feels that Rory and Tiger, Nick Watney or Lee Westwood should do well this week.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in to talk to the duo about coming to the Golf Channel. Most may not know that Todd sang the National Anthem at a few of the Magic games in the past when he was the sports anchor for a local radio station. And that Todd used to be in a band that opened for REM.

Todd talks about his interview opportunities with some of the players over the years and some of the questions that Tiger gets asked and how he handles it. Mainly the issue about not answering questions about his book in a recent press conference. The question was that Tiger had mentioned that he had thought about leaving golf and becoming a Navy Seal.

Mary Bryan former CBS sportscaster, now the assistant coach for the UCF Knights, calls in to wrap up the show. Mary shares the recent success of the Knights and how they have gone from 100 from the start of the season to 34th now. Mary also teaches at Grand Cypress. Mary catches listeners up on the LPGA.

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio talking about the dramatic finish of the Northern Trust Open. Bill Haas beat Phil Mickleson in a playoff. Sergio Garcia also did well to finish 4th.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, kicks off the show talking about the finish at the Northern Trust Open. Thought that Phil should have left himself with 100 yards because he is one of the best from that distance in on the PGA Tour.  But he chose to hit 3 Wood and the rest is history.

Holly and Bob talk about the early success of Phil and how that may help him heading into the Masters. They also talk about Keegan Bradley’s success at the Northern Trust Open and a great start at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship is underway today.  The WGC is set up completely off the world rankings with the top 64 players. Minus two players who chose not to compete but both are replaced.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in to the show to talk to Holly and Rich about the excitement of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. How Wednesday and Thursday matches are so exciting.  Todd feels that the Europeans are more experienced with match play and that may be why the last two years the winners have been from Europe. Todd talks about the short game and great putters are favored at this match play event. You can check out Todd on The Golf Channel or online at www.golfchannel.com

Both Bob Harig and Todd Lewis both pick Charles Schwartzel as one of the players to be in the finals. Follow Bob at espn.go.com/golf/

Jeff Shain from the Orlando Sentinel talks to the duo about the WGC.  They also talk to Jeff about the upcoming Florida Swing and the Honda Classic having Tiger Woods for the first time. You can follow Jeff at www.OrlandoSentinel.com or you can Tweet him @jeffshain.

Holly talks to GolfSmith’s Dan Watkins about some of the new products that have just come out like the new adjustable clubs which are selling well. TaylorMade’s RocketBallz, Callaway, Cobra, etc. Also big are the new things are the forged wedges. GolfSmith also offers custom fitting.

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio talking about the finish 0f the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Championship.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to kickoff the show and talks to the team about Phil Mickleson’s win at the AT&T Pebble Beach. The up and down nature of Phil’s game made it surprising how he came back on Sunday. The fact that he was playing Tiger was an added bonus even though Tiger was in the hunt Sunday morning but ended up finishing 9 back. Bob talks about how Tiger drives the sport and nothing evokes interest like Tiger. Bob shares that the event was the highest rated golf event at Pebble in the past 15 years. “None of the stuff that Phil might have picked up from Butch Harmon about Tiger doesn’t help him unless he makes the shots, and he did.”

Big Ten Match Play Championship, hosted by The Concession Golf Club in Sarasota, Fla., was recently won by Northwestern for the third year in a row.

Jeff Shain, Orlando Sentinel, joins the duo and talks about Jessica Korda’s win on the LPGA Tour.  Jeff talks about the young players who are making a name for themselves on the LPGA Tour. Jeff also talks about Corey Pavin’s win on the Champions Tour and his incredible shot on No 14 to save par.  The Florida Swing on the PGA Tour is right around the corner with the tune up to the Masters.

Vartan Kupelian from PGA Tour.com and Global Golf Post calls in and discusses Tiger’s Sunday downfall and the bigger issue of Tiger’s game … his mental game.  Vartan feels that it’s not just ball striking abilities or putting that is his problem. Tiger used to dominate everyone and his aura enabled him to win. Players feared his abilities and now they don’t.  On the flip side Phil Mickleson is playing some of the best golf that he’s played in a long, long time.

Todd Lewis, the Golf Channel, wraps up the show talking about the Sunday dual between Tiger and Phil. The Golf Channel’s coverage Sunday early coverage was the most watched of any event on the Golf Channel.  Todd feels that Tiger is searching for the confidence that he had a huge amount of before. Todd comments on the fact that Phil now has 40 wins and feels that it is going to be a long time before someone will match that mark.

Holly G calls in from The Concession Golf Club in Sarasota, Fla. while Rich Bianco handles the show from the studio. The Concession, Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in association with Tony Jacklin, is hosting the Big Ten Match Play Championship Feb 10th and 11th. The event will broadcasted on Big Ten.

ESPN.com’s Bob Harig calls in from Pebble Beach to talk about Tiger’s return for his first event on the PGA Tour of the season. Bob reports that the 3 courses the players are playing on this week at Pebble Beach are in great shape and Tiger is playing in this event for the first time in 10 years. Tiger’s iron play is been pin high which is what he is looking for and what Bob feels put Tiger in position to win at Abu Dhabi. Bob also commented on the fact that Tiger has not played enough competitive golf and the more he plays, the better he will get.  Tiger is teamed with Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo and is a scratch golfer, which should help Tiger and let him focus on his game.

Love him or hate him, with Tiger back on the Tour, ticket sales have been up 30%.

Phoenix Open is unique and that is how 515,000 show up.  Bob said that they are prepared for it and that the community is involved and embrace the event.

Collegiate Reporter Asher Wildman from Golfweek is with Holly G at The Concession Golf Club talking about the Big Ten Match Play tournament that starts tomorrow.  Asher talks about recent PGA Tour winner Kyle Stanley and the fact that he knows him pretty well and how Kyle prepares for a tournament and how badly he wanted to win.  Asher feels that the young 20 something year olds are poised to win and it should be no surprise to anyone who follows the game.

Asher says that UCLA, the lady’s defending collegiate champion, is so deep that they lost players to the LPGA Tour. He feels Texas is definitely the team to beat on the men’s side.  Asher also feels that anything can happen though in Match Play .

UCF has two new recruits and is probably the favorite to win Conference USA for the men’s division. Check out collegiate on Golfweek at www.golfweek.com or follow Asher Wildman on Twitter @golfweekwildman. Every week there is a conference breakdown on Golfweek.

The Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis calls in to wrap up the show. The trio talk about a new and improved Tiger and comment on his press conference. Todd’s biggest point that he took away from Tiger’s interview was that Tiger is more at peace with a lot of things.  Life, his game, etc.

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio. PGA Show wrap up.  Holly shares her playing experience with Mary Bryan at Errol Golf and Country Club.

The Golf Insiders won an Outstanding Achievement at ING

Interview with Paula Creamer at PGA Show will air next week on the Golf Insiders.

Holly and Rich talk about the finish at the Farmers Insurance.  Brandt Snedeker wins in a playoff.

Todd Lewis, the Golf Channel, calls in to talk about the Farmers Insurance and his conversation with Kyle Stanley who lost after leading by 7 shots.  Todd thinks it was hard for Stanley to play with a large lead thinking what could happen if he lost the lead. All-American at Clemson and on the Walker Cup team. Todd feels that this loss much like McIlroy’s in the past will make him a stronger player eventually.

Todd Lewis shares his thoughts about Tiger’s performance and his attitude or control of his temper at the event. Tiger needs to work on his temper and controlled competitiveness.  The team also talks about Robert Rock’s performance and his apparel. Rock doesn’t wear a hat or visor but may be not wearing one because of his “great” hair. Might need to rethink his endorsement deal and wear a hat or visor for endorsement opportunity.

Todd looks ahead for some of the interesting story lines in 2012.  Tiger, Phil and Jason Day will all unfold each week on The Golf Channel.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, just back from the Abu Dhabi. Even though the climate can be tough, there are lush green golf courses there in the United Arab Emirates.  Tiger received an appearance fee to be there as did several other players. Bob speculates as to whether we as golf fans should ever expect Tiger to get back to the Tiger he was several years ago, especially due to his age.

Next up is the Waste Management Open on the PGA Tour and the Qatar Masters and then the Dubai tournament.  Bob Harig shares his thoughts on Phil’s play coming into a tournament in his own “backyard.”

Jeff Shain, Orlando Sentinel, calls in to wrap up the show.  Lexi Thompson makes her start on the LPGA Tour year.  She is playing at the Gold Coast Tournament upcoming and then the Women’s Australian Open.  Jeff shares the composure of Lexi and the great support team, i.e. her parents.  Think that it also helps that her two brothers are competitive golfers. One on the Nationwide and the other brother in college.

Jeff talks with Holly G and Rich about Meg Mallon being named the next Solheim Cup captain. He feels that Meg is at an advantage since she knows the area and the course well.

Holly G and Rich Bianco open the show talking about the PGA Merchandise Show.  Demo Day at Orange County National Golf Course was today.  The duo talks about the new upcoming equipment.

Tour talk with Brian Hewitt from Global Golf Post calls in to talk about the Tour.  Mark Wilson won the Humana Challenge. Brian talks about the fact that Brian got criticized for not being emotional after his win. Hard to switch from controlling your emotions to letting it out. Preview of the event at Abu Dhabi Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods playing together for the first three days.

Brian talks about Dustin Johnson and if he can straighten out his mental game, he can be a force to be reckoned with.  Luke Donald has 12 new clubs of 14 to start at Abu Dhabi. Why? With the metrics and the testing and machinery of computers to tell players what they are doing and what the club is doing and is not as big of a deal as it used to be in the past when players changed.

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PGA Show kicks off tomorrow. Scott Walker from the Golf Channel called in to share the Golf Channel’s 17the year. Scott talks about Ernest Sports has an app that hooks up to your iPhone and records how far you hit the ball. Oakley has some new shoes. Bright Red and the lightest. Barefoot B.E.R.B.S. debuted their minimalist shoes that let you feel like you are playing with no shoes.  Ping I20 line. Design means as much as anything with the new cliubs. The look and feel of the clubs. Performed well as well as looked good.

PSP The Little One

Sqrd up has the laser that shoots lasers out of all four ends to help you line up. About $300. Alignment is key.

Puma recently partnered with Cobra. Rickie Fowler changed to Cobra.  Lexi Thompson was putting on a demonstration at Demo Day.  New Shows with Grey Goose and new hosts this year on the Golf Channel. Trying to be all things to all golfers on the Golf Channel which is keeping them busy.

Rich talks a bout the new iPhone app to keep up with the PGA Tour.

Mike Ferris, VP of Product Marketing at TaylorMade calls in to talk about their new Rocketballz. RBZ New line of clubs and balls.  Bomb with bite.  Testing a 3 wood with Dustin Johnson jumps off the face like a rocket. Full line of clubs in the Rocketballz insane distance and exceptional short game performance. React core and speed mantle technology. 3 piece ball core is soft but fast all about velocity. Engine of the golf ball. Cover is really soft, all the speed and distance and bite on the greens.

The new R11 S follows the R11 white driver.  Only thing that remained the same is the color. Bigger, faster and longer and more tunable. Best driver we have ever made. Tour players finding 7-12 yards more this year over the last year’s R11.

The Burner line affordable price points.  2.0 Driver will be able to afford this newer technology.

Rick Smith, executive director of PGA North Florida Region, calls in to wrap up the show talking about Golf 2.0 with Jack Nicklaus kicks off the PGA Show. Golf is fun, great fitness, fellowship and friendships. Ken Griffey Jr. junior golf initiative big primary focus for PGA of the US. Electronic surveys used at demo Day to help better tailor the game to fit what the people’s needs are in the golf world today. Rick talks about the Tee It Forward program that lets players from a point on the course that they can feel comfortable.

The Golf Insiders Show Rich Bianco is in the studio holding down the fort while Holly G is on the road live at Montego Bay, Jamaica at the 6th Invitational Pro Am "Annee's Revenge" presented by Nike Golf.

Due to technical difficulties, the Show picks up with Bob Harig, ESPN.com, talking about Tiger's win at the Chevron World Challenge.

Donnie Dawson, Deputy Director of Tourism for Jamaica Tourist Board, (visit Jamaica.com) talks with Holly and Rich about everything that Jamaica has to offer the traveling golfer. With non-stop flights from Orlando on Jet Blue and Air Tran, this beautiful destination is only a couple hours away.  Once you get to Montego Bay you are withing 50 minutes of 4 great golf courses that are all very close to one another.

White Witch Golf Course is about 1,000 feet above sea level with 16 ocean view holes. Situated on the historic 4,000 acre Rose Hall Plantation, and sited on 200 acres of lush greenery and rolling countryside, The White Witch Golf Course is carved from the rolling countryside of Jamaica’s historic Rose Hall Plantation and is an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril. This 6,758-yard, Par 71 treasure, staffed by the Ladies & Gentlemen of the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica is named for the plantation’s beautiful but wicked 19th century plantation mistress, Annee Palmer.

The Cinnamon Hill Golf Course at Rose Hill Course was designed by von Hagge and Baril with elevations that give the sense of both links and inland golf. You'll experience the best of Jamaica golf — the cool ocean spray on your cheeks as you putt on seaside greens, then the wind whistling through the pines as you tee-off on the 17th hole, 350 feet above sea level. This is a test you will enjoy, enchanting panoramas framing your every shot.

Half Moon Golf Course has great undulating greens, demanding holes, challenging drives and breathtaking vistas are all part of the award-winning, Par-72 championship course, designed by renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr., at Half Moon Jamaica. Well known across the Caribbean and around the world as one of the finest luxury golf resorts worldwide, Half Moon has gone the extra mile in designing and maintaining its course to create a golf experience unlike any other in Jamaica.

Tryall Golf Course is an unforgettable experience that blends the beauty of the Caribbean with the challenges of a world-class course. The course winds its way around the estate through the lush hills and palm groves down to a mile and half stretch of scenic coastline. Tryall is an 18-hole, 6221-yard, par 72 course, designed by Ralph Plummer, has been called “among the most beautiful golf courses in the world.” This tricky, wind-swept course offers stunning views, unique natural hazards and challenging greens. With nine holes bordering the Caribbean and nine that snake through verdant hillsides, Tryall offers stunningly divers topography.

Jeff Shain, Orlando Sentinel, calls in from the Shark Shootout in Naples, Fla. gives his thoughts on Tiger's win over the weekend. Jeff and Holly talk about Tiger's success at the President's Cup and the Chevron World Challenge. Jeff and Holly wrap up the Show talking about PGA Q School and the LPGA Q School and the ones who earned their Tour cards for 2012.