The Hackers Paradise

Off Course is back this week with a fantastic show and this is episode 313. Hosted by Dan Edwards, each Friday we give you a deep look into the world of golf and equipment in a way unlike any other podcast has done before. Today, Zack Oakley joins the show to discuss his new role at Sun Mountain and a look into what is coming in the future.

It wouldn’t be Off Course without some tangents, but Dan and Zack dive into many topics including Zack’s role at Sun Mountain and breaking down the many bag options for golfers. This show has a lot going on and is one you will not want to miss as Zack from Sun Mountain goes Off Course.

Episode 312 is here and Dan and Zack Oakley discuss the following topics and a whole lot more.

Golf’s State of Mind
New Role at Sun Mountain for Zack Oakley
Breaking Down the Many Bag Options for Golfers
A Look into the Future Including a New Release
The ClubGlider
And so much more

You can listen to the show right here, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you do your listening and downloading from, including Spotify and more. Search for the Hackers Paradise and make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. After listening, come back over here and drop us a note below on what you agree and/or disagree with from the episode you just heard. If you get a chance, drop us a review wherever you listen from and let others know what you think of the show and/or channel.

Off course is now available in video form as well. Tune into the THPGolf YouTube Channel, jump into the latest episode’s video and watch the interaction between Dan and his guests each week rather than just listen.

Go to discussion...

The post Off Course – Zack Oakley Joins Sun Mountain appeared first on The Hackers Paradise.

Off Course is back this week with a fantastic show and this is episode 312. Hosted by Dan Edwards, each Friday we give you a deep look into the world of golf and equipment in a way unlike any other podcast has done before. Today, Rod Dunlap from CaddyDaddy joins the show to discuss isolating what matters in the CaddyDaddy lineup.

It wouldn’t be Off Course without some tangents, but Dan and Rod dive into many topics including how the airlines do some pretty impressive things to golf bags and chasing what means something rather than trends. This show has a lot going on and is one you will not want to miss as Rod from CaddyDaddy goes Off Course.

Episode 312 is here and Dan and Rod Dunlap discuss the following topics and a whole lot more.

Airlines do some pretty impressive things to golf bags
Isolating what matters in the CaddyDaddy bag lineup
Chasing what means something rather than trends
Meaningful features on the bag lineup and what could be coming
Pay attention, a bag sale is coming in October!
And so much more

You can listen to the show right here, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you do your listening and downloading from, including Spotify and more. Search for the Hackers Paradise and make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. After listening, come back over here and drop us a note below on what you agree and/or disagree with from the episode you just heard. If you get a chance, drop us a review wherever you listen from and let others know what you think of the show and/or channel.

Off course is now available in video form as well. Tune into the THPGolf YouTube Channel, jump into the latest episode’s video and watch the interaction between Dan and his guests each week rather than just listen.

Go to discussion...

The post Off Course – Airlines, Bags and More appeared first on The Hackers Paradise.

Should a golfer shooting 90’s really spend $60 on a dozen golf balls?

That question is at the center of our latest episode of Splitting Fairways, recorded from the THP Titleist Golf Ball Experience at Hidden Creek Golf Club in New Jersey.

There are plenty of shortcuts golfers use when picking a golf ball. Slower swing speed means play something soft. Higher handicaps shouldn’t waste money on premium balls. Faster players need something that spins less.

The problem is that golf ball fitting isn’t necessarily that simple.

Ryan and I have considerably different swing speeds, yet we both tend to benefit from a similar higher-flight, higher-full-swing-spin profile. We arrive there for different reasons, which raises a bigger question: Should golfers choose a ball based on handicap and swing speed, or what their game actually needs?

Maybe the better question isn’t whether a 15 handicap should play a $60 golf ball. It’s how many golf balls do you actually go through?

And maybe most importantly, why playing the same golf ball might matter more than playing the most expensive one.

What do you think? Should a 15 hdcp be playing a $60 golf ball? Let us know in the comments, we would love to hear your thoughts.

Go to discussion...

The post Does a 15 HDCP need a $60 golf ball? appeared first on The Hackers Paradise.

Off Course is back this week with a fantastic show and this is episode 311. Hosted by Dan Edwards, each Friday we give you a deep look into the world of golf and equipment in a way unlike any other podcast has done before. Today, John Freeman from Mizuno joins the show to discuss learning from one of the best and tour feedback for the Signature Series.

It wouldn’t be Off Course without some tangents, but Dan and John dive into many topics including John’s college golf and entry into Mizuno R&D and where the S-4 fits into the iron lineup. This show has a lot going on and is one you will not want to miss as John Freeman from Mizuno goes Off Course.

Episode 311 is here and Dan and John Freeman discuss the following topics and a whole lot more.

John’s college golf and entry into Mizuno R&D
Learning from one of the best and early work
Generating critical tour feedback for the Signature series
Where the S-4 fits into the lineup, and Tour reactions
John’s top iron from the bunch, and what’s in the bag right now
And so much more

You can listen to the show right here, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you do your listening and downloading from, including Spotify and more. Search for the Hackers Paradise and make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. After listening, come back over here and drop us a note below on what you agree and/or disagree with from the episode you just heard. If you get a chance, drop us a review wherever you listen from and let others know what you think of the show and/or channel.

Off course is now available in video form as well. Tune into the THPGolf YouTube Channel, jump into the latest episode’s video and watch the interaction between Dan and his guests each week rather than just listen.

Go to discussion...

The post Off Course – John Freeman Mizuno R&D appeared first on The Hackers Paradise.

For more than four years, LIV Golf disrupted professional golf in a way few could have imagined. Billions of dollars were spent, some of the biggest names in the game left the PGA Tour, and the sport became increasingly divided between two competing sides.

Now, LIV Golf has entered Chapter 11 restructuring, and that brings us to a question that isn’t quite as simple as it sounds.

Did LIV Golf actually win?

In this episode of Splitting Fairways, Ryan and Jeremy look beyond the bankruptcy headlines to debate what LIV actually accomplished and what its impact could mean for professional golf long after the original version of the league is gone.

From a business standpoint, LIV’s original model clearly ran into problems. But judging its success strictly by whether the league became sustainable may miss part of the story.

The PGA Tour that exists today looks different from the one LIV challenged in 2022. Bigger purses, Signature Events and the Player Equity Program all became part of the landscape during the battle between the two sides.

Would those changes have happened without LIV?

That’s where the debate gets interesting. LIV may have failed as a league while succeeding as a disruptor.

Then there are the golfers who left.

For years, the easy criticism was that LIV players simply “took the money.” Chapter 11 complicates that argument, with LIV seeking the ability to reject existing player contracts and some contractual obligations still outstanding.

Jon Rahm may be the most fascinating example. He left the PGA Tour in his prime and proceeded to win three consecutive LIV season-long individual championships. Yet, how many golf fans could name those accomplishments?

That raises a much bigger question about legacy. What might Rahm’s career look like had those same three seasons played out on the PGA Tour?

Bryson DeChambeau presents almost the opposite case. A U.S. Open victory, strong major performances and his enormous growth as a golf personality arguably strengthened his overall legacy.

Should Rahm, DeChambeau and other LIV stars eventually be welcomed back to the PGA Tour? Should there be consequences for leaving? And when their careers are over, how much will LIV accomplishments matter?

Maybe LIV changed professional golf. Maybe the PGA Tour survived. Maybe some players won financially.

But after years of fractured fields and division throughout the sport, did golf fans actually win?

Go to discussion...

The post Did LIV Golf Actually Win? | Splitting Fairways Episode 11 appeared first on The Hackers Paradise.

Off Course is back this week with a fantastic show and this is episode 310. Hosted by Dan Edwards, each Friday we give you a deep look into the world of golf and equipment in a way unlike any other podcast has done before. Today, Randy Peitsch joins the show to discuss incorporating Lamkin technologies and the potential it brings to Super Stroke.

It wouldn’t be Off Course without some tangents, but Dan and Randy dive into many topics including the right amount of options for all golfers and having fun with limited releases. This show has a lot going on and is one you will not want to miss as Randy from Super Stroke go Off Course.

Episode 310 is here and Dan and Randy discuss the following topics and a whole lot more.

Randy’s background in retail
Managing the right amount of options for all golfers
The durability challenges of polyurethane
Incorporating Lamkin technologies into swing grips, and what could potentially come elsewhere
Having fun with limited releases
And so much more

You can listen to the show right here, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you do your listening and downloading from, including Spotify and more. Search for the Hackers Paradise and make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. After listening, come back over here and drop us a note below on what you agree and/or disagree with from the episode you just heard. If you get a chance, drop us a review wherever you listen from and let others know what you think of the show and/or channel.

Off course is now available in video form as well. Tune into the THPGolf YouTube Channel, jump into the latest episode’s video and watch the interaction between Dan and his guests each week rather than just listen.

Go to discussion...

The post Off Course – Super Stroke appeared first on The Hackers Paradise.

Off Course is back this week with a fantastic show and this is episode 309. Hosted by Dan Edwards, each Friday we give you a deep look into the world of golf and equipment in a way unlike any other podcast has done before. Today, Mike Yagley and Scott Walsh join the show to discuss an epic journey exploring 8 different states through golf.

It wouldn’t be Off Course without some tangents, but Dan and Yags (along with Scott) dive into many topics including the challenge and excitement of following Route 66 and chasing ideas and recommendations from locals. This show has a lot going on and is one you will not want to miss as Mike Yagley and Scott Walsh go Off Course.

Episode 309 is here and Dan and Yags discuss the following topics and a whole lot more.

100 years of Route 66
The challenge and excitement of following a route like 66
Exploring 8 States worth of golf potential
Avoiding chain hotels and food
Chasing ideas and recommendations from locals
And so much more

You can listen to the show right here, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you do your listening and downloading from, including Spotify and more. Search for the Hackers Paradise and make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. After listening, come back over here and drop us a note below on what you agree and/or disagree with from the episode you just heard. If you get a chance, drop us a review wherever you listen from and let others know what you think of the show and/or channel.

Off course is now available in video form as well. Tune into the THPGolf YouTube Channel, jump into the latest episode’s video and watch the interaction between Dan and his guests each week rather than just listen.

Go to discussion...

The post Off Course – 100 Years of Route 66 appeared first on The Hackers Paradise.

Off Course is back this week with a fantastic show and this is episode 308. Hosted by Dan Edwards, each Friday we give you a deep look into the world of golf and equipment in a way unlike any other podcast has done before. Today, James Miles joins the show to discuss whether or not PGA Tour players are getting a bit too lax with the rules.

It wouldn’t be Off Course without some tangents, but Dan and James dive into many topics including PGA Tour players vs the rules and how to make practicing a bit more fun. This show has a lot going on and is one you will not want to miss as James Miles goes Off Course.

Episode 308 is here and Dan and James discuss the following topics and a whole lot more.

Are Tour pros getting too casual with the rules?
Making the PGA Tour Finale worth watching
Is practicing golf fun again?
Watching your swing on video can be so brutal
The benefits and education side of GolfTec instruction
And so much more

You can listen to the show right here, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you do your listening and downloading from, including Spotify and more. Search for the Hackers Paradise and make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. After listening, come back over here and drop us a note below on what you agree and/or disagree with from the episode you just heard. If you get a chance, drop us a review wherever you listen from and let others know what you think of the show and/or channel.

Off course is now available in video form as well. Tune into the THPGolf YouTube Channel, jump into the latest episode’s video and watch the interaction between Dan and his guests each week rather than just listen.

Go to discussion...

The post Off Course – PGA Tour Players and the Rules appeared first on The Hackers Paradise.

Golf courses have never looked better. Fairways are striped, greens are smooth, bunkers are freshly raked and golfers have come to expect consistent conditions almost everywhere they play.

But are golf courses too easy?

On Episode 10 of Splitting Fairways, Hawk and Jeremy debate whether modern golf courses do enough to punish bad shots and, more importantly, where that punishment should actually come from.

Few topics get golfers fired up quite like loft jacking. Iron lofts have become stronger over the years, leading to plenty of comments about a modern 7-iron really being a 6-iron. But is looking at the number on the bottom of the club really that simple?

In Episode 9 of Splitting Fairways, Hawk and Jeremy tackle the loft-jacking debate and why stronger lofts aren’t necessarily good or bad.

Modern iron construction has changed dramatically. Hollow-body designs, thinner faces, lower centers of gravity, and improved materials have allowed manufacturers to create irons that produce more ball speed while still launching the ball high enough to be playable.

For Hawk, that combination of added distance and forgiveness can be a major benefit. If a stronger-lofted 7-iron launches high, carries farther, and still has enough stopping power to hold a green, does it really matter what loft is stamped on the spec sheet?

Jeremy looks at things a little differently. As a golfer who already generates plenty of speed, chasing additional distance with an iron can create more problems than it solves. Spin, peak height, distance control, descent angle, and proper gapping throughout the set may be far more important than simply hitting a 7-iron farther.

Of course, stronger lofts can create other issues. The race to build the longest 7-iron can lead to larger gaps at the bottom of the bag and the need for additional wedges. At the same time, many of these distance-focused irons also provide forgiveness that can make the game easier for a wide range of golfers.

Maybe the loft-jacking debate doesn’t need a winner. Instead of worrying about whether your 7-iron has the loft of an old 6-iron, the better question might be whether it produces the launch, spin, height, forgiveness, consistency, and distance your game actually needs.

The loft-jacking debate is officially over. Well, at least until the comments open.

Go to discussion...

The post Splitting Fairways Episode 9: The Definitive Loft Jacking Debate appeared first on The Hackers Paradise.