Episode 32: The Perfect Golf Club/Course - What Does That Look Like?

February 2nd, 2023  |  1 hr 29 mins

bauder media group, canada, eastern ontario, flagstick.com, golf, ottawa, ottawa valley, podcast, sports, western quebec

This episode is a doozy as we dig into a wide-ranging topic - what the perfect golf club/course would look like if you built it from scratch. Not only do we provide our own opinions on the course itself, amenities, services, staffing, and programming, but we share the insight from dozens of listeners and readers who weighed in on our social media channels. Yes, we did not get to every aspect, it's just too big of a topic, but we covered off a lot of areas and set up discussions for the future. We think you'll find it informative and may get you thinking differently about the golf facilities of the future and what they might look like.

Before we head to the main event, on the Front Nine we provide an update on the Flagstick Open Amateur Championship, give some thoughts on the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and it's watchability, ponder how controversies at the highest levels of golf might be taking away from the game, and talk about the growing level of golf content on platforms like YouTube.

Episode 31: Golf Road Trip Planning, the PGA Show and...Egg Rolls??

January 28th, 2023  |  1 hr 9 mins

bauder media group, canada, eastern ontario, flagstick.com, golf, ottawa, ottawa valley, podcast, sports, western quebec

Thoughts of a Spring or Summer golf trip have pushed plenty within our community to reach out about advice, so on this episode we dig into the topic. We cover off everything we can share from decades of taking them ourselves. From where to go, to how many people to go with, travel logistics, avoiding inter-group conflicts, playing formats, and many other considerations to make your trip a successful one.

Before we get to that, we have a discussion about the annual PGA Merchandise Show that just wrapped up in Orlando, Florida. We provide a snapshot of the attendance, who was exhibiting, and how the show has changed over the last three decades.

Just for kicks also wander into the results of our Flagstick Twitter poll this week about the foods people would like to see at golf course half way houses. We spend way more time talking about egg rolls than you would ever expect from a golf podcast. But hey, it's worth a laugh or two.

Episode 30: Golf Goal Setting, Brooke Henderson Gear Change, and Netflix Golf Drama

January 21st, 2023  |  59 mins 37 secs

bauder media group, canada, eastern ontario, flagstick.com, golf, ottawa, ottawa valley, podcast, sports, western quebec

It's a fun show this week as we dig into a number of top of mind subjects.

On the front nine we explore the move by Brooke Henderson to switch equipment to TaylorMade Golf, and try to decide if we care or not about the new Netflix Series coming out in February on the PGA TOUR.

On the back nine we take on a big topic, one that comes to mind for many at this time of year - setting goals for our golf games. We share some of the details from a free worksheet with have available on Flagstick.com, while considering why some of the elements matter. Of note, they are not all about just posting a better score in 2023, so you may want to hear our discussion.

Episode 29: Kicking Off 2023 / Guest - Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade Golf Director of Product Creation

January 12th, 2023  |  1 hr 8 mins

bauder media group, canada, eastern ontario, flagstick.com, golf, golf prince edward island, ottawa, ottawa valley, podcast, sports, stealth 2, taylormade golf, western quebec

Jeff and Scott are back for the second year of the Flagstick Podcast.

On this episode we welcome Tomo Bystedt, a key creator in the TaylorMade Golf team, who shares deep details about the creation and introduction of the new Stealth 2 line of drivers, fairways, and rescue clubs.

He addresses the design challenges and opportunities, the "unicorns" in the new product line, and gives us the scoop on initial reactions to the clubs by the top touring pros in the world.

We discuss the slew of new equipment flooding the market, why or why not you should be purchsing them, and dbanter about product cycles in golf in comparison to the auto industry.

We also share some news about the 2023 Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo, and welcome a new show sponsor.

Episode 28: Wrapping Up 2022 - Year In Review

December 25th, 2022  |  1 hr 10 mins

bauder media group, canada, eastern ontario, flagstick.com, golf, ottawa, ottawa valley, podcast, sports, western quebec

All things 2022 are on are mind as Jeff and Scott finish up the season with a look back.

We delve into some late-season Canadian golf stories before turning our focus on some key events that took place in 2022. the big stories, the stand-out moments, and the things that set a foundation for 2023.

Come join us, have a few laughs, and reminisce about the season that was.

Episode 27: Holiday Gift Guide, What Would We Gift The Top Pros, Jordan Kicks, and Footwork in The Golf Swing

December 8th, 2022  |  1 hr 10 mins

bauder media group, canada, eastern ontario, flagstick.com, golf, ottawa, ottawa valley, podcast, sports, western quebec

With the holiday season upon us we thought we'd talk about golf gifts this week, but not only in the traditional way. Yes, we'll bring you some suggestions on gifts for the people in your lives, but we also challenge ourselves and consider what we might want to give to some of the top pro golfers in the game today. It makes for a fun segment, escpecially when you have to consider a gift for Tiger Woods or Brooke Henderson!

As always, we have plenty of regional and Canadian golf news to discuss, Product Watch has us diving in for a look at some Jordan golf shoes, and on the Lesson Tee, Kevin and Jake Haime have a look at the movement of the knees in the full swing and what we can all learn to do better, or less of.

Episode 26: Mike Weir News, Brooke's Year, Augusta National, Knee Flex, and Milled Putters

December 2nd, 2022  |  1 hr 9 mins

bauder media group, canada, eastern ontario, flagstick.com, golf, ottawa, ottawa valley, podcast, sports, western quebec

The boys are back after several weeks of challenges but that just means there is plenty to talk about.

In this episode we discuss the surprise induction into the Ottawa Valley Golf Hall of Fame for Joe McLean, the announcement of Mike Weir as the International Team Presidents Cup Captain in 2024, as well as sharing some memories from 2007 when it was last held at Royal Montreal Golf Club.

We chat about the recent spectacular play by Eastern Ontario's Kurtis Barkley in Dubai and Australia on the G4D Tour, and take a look at the season that was for Smith Falls' Brooke Henderson. That includes a summary of her first 200 events as part of the Rolex World Rankings.

Lastly, we consider the lengthening of the 13th hole at the Augusta National Golf Club and how it may change The Masters going forward.

In the Lesson Tee with Kevin Haime, he and Jake Haime discuss the flex in the trail knee during the full swing, and in Product Watch we have a look at the latest milled putters from Cleveland Golf.

Episode 25: PGA TOUR Canada Returns To Canada's National Capital: Survey Says When Did You Start Playing Golf?

November 10th, 2022  |  1 hr 8 mins

bauder media group, canada, eastern ontario, flagstick.com, golf, ottawa, ottawa valley, podcast, sports, western quebec

Big news broke this week with word that the PGA TOUR Canada is returning to the Ottawa, Canada area in 2023 with the Commissionaires Ottawa Open Eagle Creek. We explore the three decade history of tour events at Eagle Creek (and in Ottawa) and talk about the opportunities and challenges ahead.

In Product Watch we review a new book on the Math, Science, and Data in golf today as summarized by broadcaster Will Haskett in his latest book, while Kevin and Jake Haime take us to the Lesson Tee to explore ways to promote better balance in your swing.

On the back 9 we dive into one of our latest Twitter polls on what age people took up the game of golf. We also share some of the stories they told us about how they came to play the sport.

Episode 24: Closing Time at The Courses, Award Season, and Looking Ahead to 2023

November 3rd, 2022  |  1 hr 1 min

bauder media group, canada, eastern ontario, flagstick.com, golf, ottawa, ottawa valley, podcast, sports, western quebec

We're back after an unanticipated break but that means we have all the more to talk about.

The outdoor golf season seems to hanging on in Eastern Ontario and we chat about why some golf courses are not staying open for more golf. We highlight some recent awards for regional golf people and wrap up some of the latest results for collegiate golfers from the area.

We take a look at the recently announced plans for the 2023 Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo as well as others across Canada, and ponder the staffing gaps among the professional staff at many golf clubs.

In Product Watch we discuss a new option in the Project X shaft family, while Kevin and Jake Haime show us more insight derived from looking at the golf swing in 3D.

Episode 23: Off-Season Golf Insight (Training, Sims & More) & PGA of Ottawa Awards

October 13th, 2022  |  1 hr 4 mins

bauder media group, canada, eastern ontario, flagstick.com, golf, ottawa, ottawa valley, podcast, sports, western quebec

With the golf season beginning to wind down in our part of Canada we take a big portion of this show to talk about what lies ahead for many of those who play the sport in the region, transitioning to indoor golf play, practice, and training. We talk about the evolution of indoor golf, how you might want to start if you plan to train this winter, and even some ideas on simple things you can do to keep your skills sharp.

On the Lesson Tee, Kevin and Jake Haime take a look at a simple way to improve your lower body movement in the full swing, and in Product Watch we spotlight a golf shoe that is ideal for late Fall golf.

We also bring you news on where some of the top Canadian pros are teeing it up this week, who won the 2022 PGA of Ottawa Awards, and discuss the passing of an LPGA winner who played out of Canada for a time, something many were unaware of.