Twenty years ago, Nick Kokonas had one of the best meals of his life. Instead of giving compliments to the chef, he offered to open a restaurant with him—something Kokonas had no experience in. That restaurant became Alinea, a paradigm-shifting dining experience that would win three Michelin stars and best restaurant in America in its first year. Since then, Kokonas has opened another Michelin-star restaurant, created an app that revolutionized dining reservations, self-published several books, sold his stake in Alinea and played a ton of golf with interesting people. On this episode of Mind Game, Kokonas discusses his remarkable entrepreneurial journey, his decision-making matrix, his recipe for taking risk, and what he would do to reenergize the PGA Tour.

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It’s not often you hear a 44-year-old major champion say that this will be their best year ever, but Adam Scott has always done things his own way. In a candid and insightful conversation with host Tom Coyne, the man with the perfect golf swing reveals that he gave up chasing perfection a long time ago. He also tells some classic stories, like how he used to be “intimidated” by Butch Harmon, the LPGA player he tries to emulate when his swing gets out of sync, and what Steve Williams told him just before he holed the winning putt at the 2013 Masters.

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Whether it’s Kobe, Michael or Tiger, it always comes back to the fundamentals. That is according to J.A. Adande, the Director of Sports Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. In this episode of Mind Game, Adande is joined by his former student Casey Bannon to discuss Adande's remarkable 30-year media career and what he’s learned from covering the greats along the way. What drove Kobe? How was Kobe different than MJ? Will we ever know the real Tiger? Find answers to those questions, plus Adande’s memories of a paradigm-shifting conversation with Bill Russell in a golf cart and Justin Leonard’s 1999 Ryder Cup putt below.

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For the past six years, members of The Golfer’s Journal—known as the Broken Tee Society—have traveled the world to play world-class golf together. More than just a series of events, the Tour has become a cornerstone of our community, fostering lasting friendships and unforgettable experiences on some of the most iconic courses in the world.

Yesterday, TGJ Editor Tom Coyne and Brand Manager Casey Bannon unveiled the 2025 schedule in front of a live audience of over 500 members in our private Discord community. From legendary privates to hidden gems to exotic stay & plays, the 2025 calendar promises adventure, camaraderie, and a celebration of the game we all love. Here’s a look at where the Tour is headed in 2025 and how you can take part.

All events are exclusive to Broken Tee Society members. Become a member here to start registering for these events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT⁠

TGJ Podcast is presented by Titleist 

Special thanks to our 2025 BTS Tour sponsors: Golden Road Brewery, Titleist, Club Glove, AG1, BMW and Footjoy

Recently, TGJ Editor Tom Coyne was joined by longtime friend (and Sullivan County GC co-owner) Bill Murray for an epic Southeast road trip. The pair started in Charleston, SC, made their way to Old Barnwell in Aiken, then cruised down for two days at Ohoopee Match Club in Georgia. Of course, when one of the finest deadpan comic actors of all time is in the passenger seat, you tend to make a few pit stops. All the world’s a stage, and local gas stations and a Piggly Wiggly become settings for Bill’s brand of curious, good-natured fun. It’s a leisurely drive, with discussions ranging from the 1960s film phenomenon that saved the Coyne family’s cinema business to Bill’s recent Scotland-to-West Palm-to-San Diego golf bender and much more. 

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The body is not a machine, nor a temple. It is an infinitely complex and unique system, and according to Dr. Ralph Esposito, Chief Science & Nutrition Officer at AG1, it’s one we know less about than we think. Dr. Ralph is a naturopathic physician and gut health expert, and he joins host Casey Bannon to discuss the science behind whole-body wellness. Rather than broad-spectrum advice, Dr. Ralph offers approachable insights into how your body works. This information-rich chat touches on the significance of sleep, the dangers in some diet trends, the proper way to fuel your brain and body and much more. Plus, you’ll learn the science-backed reason that your favorite Tour pros are munching on the same food at the same point in every round.

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It’s a feat that needs no introduction. As we approach the 25th anniversary of Tiger Woods’ four-major run from the 2000 US Open through the 2001 Masters, a new book from former Sports Illustrated and Golf Magazine editor Kevin Cook unearths never-before-seen nuggets from this historic stretch. Cook joins host Tom Coyne to discuss The Tiger Slam, Cook’s moment-by-moment chronicle that features interviews with Stevie Williams, Mark O’Meara, Butch Harmon and many others. They relive the indelible images of the Slam, including Tiger’s landslide victory at Pebble and his nailbiting duel with Bob May at Valhalla, but the true treasures lie in details that have remained hidden until now. You’ll learn what Tiger said to Phil walking off 13 tee at Augusta, why his team nearly scuttled his “Sportsman of the Year” dinner at the last minute, and which major Tiger played using only one tee. (Hint: It was the same one in which a nude exotic dancer paraded across the 18th green. Try finding that on a YouTube rewatch.)

Kevin Cook is a former senior editor of Sports Illustrated and former editor in chief of Golf Magazine. In addition to a long career in the sports periodicals industry, Kevin has also published a number of books, the most well-known of which is Tommy’s Honor, chronicling the fascinating life of Young Tom Morris during golf’s early years in and around St Andrews. Cook’s newest book, The Tiger Slam: The Inside Story of the Greatest Golf Ever Played details Tiger’s unforgettable four-major stretch from the 2000 US Open to the 2001 Masters.

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On Christmas Day in 2018, American endurance athlete Colin O’Brady woke up in a tent, by himself, in the middle of Antarctica. He hadn’t seen another human being in 50 days. He hitched up his sled, fell into a flow state bordering on hallucination, and walked 77 miles without stopping to become the first person to cross Antarctica on foot and unassisted. Since achieving this feat, O’Brady has set 11 world records, completed the Explorers Grand Slam, written several books and unlocked the secrets to pushing past limits. The author of The 12-Hour Walk sits down with Mind Game host Casey Bannon to debrief on a life spent overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, starting with the freak 2007 burn accident in Thailand that threatened to take away his ability to walk at the age of 22. A tale-filled discussion highlights the immense value of self-belief, how incremental gains undergird massive achievements and the quiet secret behind some of the endurance community’s biggest winners.

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It’s a sibling rivalry—with a Top 100 twist. As we head into the season of family gatherings, allow us to introduce Scottish brothers Callum, Fergus, and Liam Younger, who, at 24, 21, and 20 years of age, have already risen to assistant superintendent positions at Pine Valley, Fishers Island and Tara Iti. The three brothers join host Tom Coyne live from Hay Harbor Club on Fishers Island to share their serendipitous story and pull back the curtain on a few of the world’s greatest golf courses. How did they get where they are today? Which club grows the best watermelon on Earth? And which local pest can be found ripping “divot-sized chunks” from fairways in search of the juicy insects beneath? All this and more is revealed in a wide-ranging conversation highlighting the values of getting your hands dirty and taking pride in your work. If you’ve ever cut a cup, laid an irrigation line or looked back fondly over a laser-straight mow line, this pod’s for you.

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If you know ball, have a teenage daughter or have seen a commercial in the last six months, then Jason Kelce needs no introduction. He’s currently one of the most famous people on Earth, and arguably one the most likable. But there’s a lot more than meets the eye with the 13-year NFL veteran and media personality. Behind the shirtless dancing, beer-chugging and howling laughter is a serious, thoughtful and creative version of Jason Kelce who plays multiple instruments, feels like an underdog, and really wants to break 80. We get to know all these sides on the Season 2 premiere of Mind Game. 

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