The Scrambling Dads Podcast

Episode 56: Fields Ranch Round Up

A special five-person episode recorded live at Omni PGA Frisco, home of the 2027 PGA Championship. Alex and Jason are joined by Andrew (Omni Frisco staff and PGA professional) and Gary, the two dads who joined them for the Fields Ranch round, for a deep dive into what it takes to prepare a modern championship golf course for the biggest stage in golf.

Andrew breaks down the East Course's evolution since hosting the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, what's physically changing on property before May 2027, how agronomy and PGA officials collaborate on course setup, and why architect Gil Hanse intentionally designed uneven tee boxes to keep players uncomfortable on every shot. They also talk about pace-of-play management at a resort course pushing 180+ rounds a day, and the behind-the-scenes logistics of converting the clubhouse into player facilities for the championship.

The back half shifts into real talk: what it means to be a present father in different parenting styles, coaching your own kids, letting kids explore sports instead of specializing too early, and finding time for golf (or any personal outlet) as a busy dad. Plus a fun recap of their record-setting round — the first documented YouTube group to play from the true PGA Championship tees.

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Scrambling Dads Podcast is a production of Poppy Verde, LLC (https://linktr.ee/poppyverde)

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Integrity Golf Performance

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Music: www.djbavi.com

A rocky start this week — Alex overslept and missed the live recording, leaving Jason and Marcus to open solo (complete with a mid-intro coughing fit). Once things get rolling, Marcus opens up about real coaching anxiety heading into his first season helping coach his kids' soccer teams, working through the pressure of wanting to do right by the kids, and how coaching solo actually helped him settle in. The conversation turns into a broader discussion on coaching styles — hard-ass vs. approachable, coaching your own kid vs. other people's, and why accountability (both on the field and at home) is such a hot-button issue for these dads.

Then comes the main event: Jason finally has a golf gear crisis worth talking about. After digging through a garage full of old shafts and putters, he walks into a club-fitting shop expecting a couple hundred bucks in trade value — and walks out with $1,500 in store credit. What follows is a full breakdown of how to spend it: custom irons vs. a wedge fitting vs. a new putter vs. just buying nice cowboy boots instead. Alex and Marcus weigh in with strong opinions, plus a callback to the infamous broomstick putter debate.

They wrap with a teaser for the long-awaited Fields Ranch golf video, dropping this

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Scrambling Dads Podcast is a production of Poppy Verde, LLC (https://linktr.ee/poppyverde)

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Integrity Golf Performance

www.igp.com

Music: www.djbavi.com

Just Alex and Jason this week (Marcus is on taxi duty), and there's a lot to cover. They open with some personal news — Jason's daughter got engaged to a Navy SEAL hopeful, sparking a conversation about military relationships, long-distance timelines, and dating advice for young adults figuring life out.

Then it's a full golf news roundup: Team USA's third straight team-event loss in 13 months after a tight Solheim Cup defeat, why American players dominate individually but struggle in team formats, and new Ryder Cup qualification changes moving from a two-year to a one-year cycle. The big story, though, is LIV Golf filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy — what it means for players still owed money (including Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau), why the payments are unsecured, and the inside story of how the failed PGA Tour–LIV merger actually played out.

They also break down the new TGL and WTGL team rosters, Brooks Koepka's move to Motor City, confusing team-city logic, and the return (or non-return) of stars like Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda. Plus: Charlie Woods' reported $3.5 million deal with TaylorMade, a deep dive into equipment free agency, why drivers matter more than irons in club deals, and a teaser for an upcoming exclusive video at a course set to host a major.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/scramblingdads

Scrambling Dads Podcast is a production of Poppy Verde, LLC (https://linktr.ee/poppyverde)

Partnerships:

Integrity Golf Performance

www.igp.com

Music: www.djbavi.com

Recorded on Labor Day weekend, Alex, Jason, and Marcus start with real talk on HOA horror stories, parenting manipulation tactics, and the never-ending battle to keep a house clean with kids, sports, and zero free weekends. Alex breaks down the new "work before play" chore system he rolled out at home — complete with an actual slide deck — and the guys compare notes on who handles cleaning vs. laundry in their households.

Then it's all golf: a recap of the dramatic Walker Cup loss to Europe, a deep dive into rising amateur stars like Miles Russell and Ethan Fang, and a full breakdown of the upcoming Presidents Cup roster, captain's picks, and why Team USA's chemistry may be the deciding factor. They also dig into the course selection controversy — Medina, redesigned by the very golfer captaining the International team — and debate JT Poston's wild Presidents Cup vs. Ryder Cup splits.

The back half tackles the biggest golf storyline of the summer: Tiger Woods' suspended driver's license and what it might mean for a return to competitive golf (Champions Tour included). Alex and Jason also make the case for why Scottie Scheffler might be the closest thing to the next Tiger Woods, comparing career stats side by side. Plus a golf ball performance report and a surprisingly deep tangent into prison survival audiobooks.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/scramblingdads

Scrambling Dads Podcast is a production of Poppy Verde, LLC (https://linktr.ee/poppyverde)

Partnerships:

Integrity Golf Performance

www.igp.com

Music: www.djbavi.com

Recorded bright and early (6 AM, four hours of sleep, and a house about to be overrun by five-year-olds), Alex, Jason, and Marcus start with a coffee deep dive — Jason breaks down the world of pour-over coffee, from grind size and water temperature to blooming technique and why it beats a Keurig when done right. Alex is intrigued but not fully committed to the process.

From there, the guys dig into the newly announced PGA Tour 2028 playoff structure, breaking down the season-long points race, the shift toward match play in the postseason, and how a bracket-style knockout format (round of 16 down to a final) could finally solve golf's late-season drama problem. They also talk through where LIV Golf stands amid funding uncertainty, star players reportedly negotiating a path back to the PGA and DP World Tour, and what it means for the sport's competitive landscape heading into 2028.

The back half tackles the Good Good / Callaway ad controversy — the backlash over their pulled commercial, the fallout with the PGA Tour and Callaway ending their partnership, and a candid discussion about corporate accountability: should Callaway have stood by their partner instead of cutting ties? Plus family life updates, horse-riding progress, and the ever-expanding world of kid carpools.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/scramblingdads

Scrambling Dads Podcast is a production of Poppy Verde, LLC (https://linktr.ee/poppyverde)

Partnerships:

Integrity Golf Performance

www.igp.com

Music: www.djbavi.com

Back from a busy back-to-school week, Alex, Jason, and Marcus open with a golf story worth the price of admission: Alex convinced a group of baseball dads he had zero prep time before a round — while secretly spending two hours warming up like a pro at IGP. The result? A course-management masterclass, some savage trash talk, a questionable rules debate over a 60-foot putt, and a comfortable win. They break down playing smart instead of playing aggressive, choosing clubs for position over ego, and why caring-but-not-caring might be the best mental state in golf.

From there, the conversation shifts into real talk about growth, traffic, and the tradeoffs of raising kids in a booming suburb versus moving out to land. Alex works through the pros and cons out loud — community, schools, commute times, multigenerational living — while Marcus shares his own recent move and the culture shock of playdates he never had growing up.

They close things out with a lighter segment: Jason's deep dive into cowboy boots, exotic leathers, toe shapes, heel styles, and how to actually spend your money wisely on a first "real" pair.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/scramblingdads

Scrambling Dads Podcast is a production of Poppy Verde, LLC (https://linktr.ee/poppyverde)

Partnerships:

Integrity Golf Performance

www.igp.com

Music: www.djbavi.com

Episode 50: The Golf Trauma Bond

Episode 50! Alex, Jason, and Marcus keep it simple this week and dig deep into one topic: the mental and social side of golf — why a game that constantly humbles you somehow keeps pulling you back. They break down the "trauma bond" of playing with random partners, how friendships evolve through unspoken trust on the course, and why the best playing partners are the ones who know exactly when to stay quiet.

The conversation moves through the psychology of round-day rituals — post-round beers, "courtesy notifications" to spouses, and why golf functions as a genuine mental health reset. They also dream big about a future guys' golf trip to Scotland for their collective 40th birthdays, mapping out a real itinerary (St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch) and debating the ideal group size, plus whether golf belongs on a family vacation at all.

Alex recaps a wild personal round — four-under on the back nine before a costly final-hole decision — and the guys talk through shot commitment, working shape on demand, and why low-practice golf can still click when the mental game is dialed in. Plus: a first look at Meta smart glasses and their surprisingly useful translation and hands-free features.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/scramblingdads

Scrambling Dads Podcast is a production of Poppy Verde, LLC (https://linktr.ee/poppyverde)

Partnerships:

Integrity Golf Performance

www.igp.com

Music: www.djbavi.com

Alex and Jason dig into a brutal heat wave that turned recent golf rounds into survival tests — feels-like temps over 115–120°F, "sauna air," and the hydration and nutrition mistakes that sapped their energy mid-round. They break down how heat changes swing fatigue, why food prep matters as much as water, and how playing a familiar home course versus an unfamiliar one changes commitment and confidence over the ball.

From there, the conversation shifts into the mental side of golf — commitment over the ball, the "Think Box / Play Box" framework in practice, putting-style differences between players, and why scramble formats mess with mental routines. They also talk gear: unreleased pro prototypes, blade vs. cavity-back putters, shaft weight and swing weight, and finding the right equipment for mid-handicap players.

The second half pivots to parenting: navigating the jump from elementary to middle school, screen time and social media boundaries, when to expose kids to mature content versus shelter them, club sports commitment and burnout, and preparing a son on the autism spectrum for a tougher social environment. A grounded, honest conversation about giving kids room to grow while still protecting them.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/scramblingdads

Scrambling Dads Podcast is a production of Poppy Verde, LLC (https://linktr.ee/poppyverde)

Partnerships:

Integrity Golf Performance

www.igp.com

Music: www.djbavi.com

We break down a jam-packed sports weekend: The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and the World Cup Final. First up, the controversial rulings that had golf Twitter buzzing — Scottie Scheffler's lost-ball/TIO ruling near a hospitality tent and Bryson DeChambeau's trampled-rough controversy in the rough. They talk through Ryan Fox's win with unreleased Srixon prototypes, why pros get access to gear amateurs can't buy, and whether golf should regulate equipment more like Formula 1 instead of doing a ball rollback.

Then it's on to soccer: Spain completes the treble — reigning Women's World Cup, Euro, and Men's World Cup champions — after a dominant tournament where their goalkeeper posted a record seven shutouts. The guys debate Messi's role in Argentina's loss, whether third-place-game goals should count toward the Golden Boot, and break down the eye-popping financial numbers behind hosting a World Cup in the U.S. — including estimated $11 billion in tournament revenue.

Plus: an AC repair saga with home warranty companies, a surprisingly effective mouth-tape snoring hack, and life updates as summer winds down.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/scramblingdads

Scrambling Dads Podcast is a production of Poppy Verde, LLC (https://linktr.ee/poppyverde)

Partnerships:

Integrity Golf Performance

www.igp.com

Music: www.djbavi.com

Alex and Jason reflect on one full year of the Scrambling Dads podcast — what they've learned, how the show has evolved, the friendships it's built, and why they're doubling down on staying relatable instead of chasing YouTube-golf-influencer status. They talk through community growth (yes, even Vietnam and Hong Kong are listening), plans for a 2v2 shamble from the championship tees, and getting guests on the show.

Then it's on to golf: a preview of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, why it's playing firm, fast, and unusually brown this year, the last decade of Open winners, and this week's favorites. The back half of the episode dives deep into the mental side of golf — Scottie Scheffler's missed cut snapping a 78-start streak, the "Think Box / Play Box / Memory Box" framework for pre-shot routine, how confidence bleeds across every part of your game, and why flow state matters as much as swing mechanics.

If you're a golf-loving dad trying to balance family, work, and the game, this one's for you.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/scramblingdads

Scrambling Dads Podcast is a production of Poppy Verde, LLC (https://linktr.ee/poppyverde)

Partnerships:

Integrity Golf Performance

www.igp.com

Music: www.djbavi.com