U.S. Kids Golf: Game Changers

Supporting the military community has always been a significant priority for the golf world. Dozens, if not hundreds, of organizations, exist that use golf as a primary platform to bring awareness, raise funds, and show appreciation for the men and women who stand up to serve and protect us all. So this Veterans Day, U.S. Kids Golf is joined by our friends at the Veteran Golfers Association so we can say "Thank You" and talk about a special new event for the military community. 

The most important part of playing golf - is to actually play. (For example, You wouldn't provide kids bats, balls, and gloves and not let them play baseball.) Thus, we have U.S. Kids Golf Local Tours. Thousands of families worldwide take part - with just as many wanting to know if it's right for them. So for this episode, we bring in Greg Hubbard, Senior Director of U.S. Kids Golf Tournaments, to explain what Local Tours are, how they are organized, and why they are right for your family. 

Steve Scott has had a storied golf career, but no matter what he accomplishes (including being the No. 1 ranked amateur in the world), he may never have a bigger impact when he made a small gesture that had huge implications. Steve simply made sure Tiger Woods didn't receive a penalty during their famous showdown at the U.S. Amateur. It was a remark that changed golf history. But he didn't do it to become famous or to help his chances to win - he did it because it was the right thing to do. 

Mike Nichols, the Chief Business Officer of LPGA Qualifying Tours, has seen hundreds of the most talented players in the world as they chased their dreams of playing professional golf. What has he learned from observing them and what can he share with young players who aspire to play on golf's biggest stages? 

Donnie Solesbee was looking for an activity close to the house to introduce his soon-to-be-daughter to other family members. They chose golf. What has happened since has changed the trajectory of their lives as well as hundreds of others who have been following their journey, and golf has continued to play a major part in their lives. How has it impacted them and what can we all learn from their story? 

Beth Ann Nichols has been one of the most respected voices in golf, especially women's golf, for nearly two decades. A recent feature she wrote on the benefits of allowing players at all levels more opportunities to score, while playing appropriate yardages for their distances, really struck a chord with players at all levels. She joined our podcast to discuss the feedback on the article, her career in golf, and her outlook for the game. 

In a year full of incredible challenges and unprecedented demand, golf is at a crossroads. The question is, are we smart and intentional about truly growing the game, or are we too focused on each day’s bottom line? Dan Van Horn, the president and founder of U.S. Kids Golf, joins “Game Changers” to talk about the year it's been, and how golf has to learn from it to prepare for the future.

Nicole Weller has, in her own way, changed the world of kids golf. But her ambitions for what can be done continue to grow. So this highly awarded kids golf coach has joined the world's leading kids golf organization to really make a significant impact on kids and families around the world. What is now possible and what will that mean for golf? Nicole shares her thoughts on this episode of "Game Changers."

Who better to hear from regarding getting your kid into golf than one of the best junior coaches in the world? Mike Fay, Director of Player Performance at Boyne Golf Academy, joins the "Game Changers" podcast to talk about what he's learned as a coach, his philosophy on getting kids into the game, and what he would tell other coaches about how to develop their programs. 

You could make a good argument that between tv, radio, the internet, and social media; Michael Breed has taught more players around the world than any other golf instructor. But what has he learned in his life in golf? And even more, what does he see for the future of golf and golf instruction? The famed coach/media personality joins us to about that as well as his start in golf, working at Augusta National, how Bernie Madoff made The Golf Fix possible, dealing with online trolls, his best golf moments, and the current and future state of the game - all in this episode of Game Changers.