Golf Podcast: next on the tee

It's a special Girls Night Out edition of Next on the Tee featuring my guests, Top 100 Instructor Kellie Stenzel, Co-Host of the new Three Courses show on Golf Nation.com Hannah Leiner, and 8 time Canadian Women's World Long Drive Champion Lisa "Longball" Vlooswyk.

Kellie Stenzel had a very successful junior golf and college career. She won the 1982 New York State Girl's Amateur Championship and the 1986 New York State Women's Amateur Championship. At Furman she helped the Lady Paladin's to a 2nd place finish in the NCAA National Championship during her senior season. She is now annually one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America. During the segment, Kellie shares tips for how to straighten out our slice, how to become a better chipper, and how to make center club face contact more consistently.

Hannah Leiner is a bright young star in our game. She played her college golf at Florida International University and is now the Co-Host of Golf Nation's Three Courses show along with Gabi Powel, who joined me a couple of weeks ago. Hannah talks about meeting fellow FIU alumni and World Golf Hall of Famer Pat Bradley, the match she and Gabi played against former Pirates 1st round pick Bobby Bradley and 2 time World Long Drive Champion Eddie Fernandes, and the organization she and Gabi started to help women get their start in the game of golf called Forward Tees.

Lisa "Longball" Vlooswyk is another one of the great women in golf who is doing so much to grow the game through her golf clinics and speaking engagements. Lisa shares how she is able to generate so much power in her golf swing. She gives us a tip for how to warm up properly prior to our round of golf. She also weighs in on how we can straighten out our slice. We wrap up by hearing about her emotional visit to the 9/11 Memorial and what it was like teeing it up for the first time at St. Andrews.

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In Part 1 of Episode 41, I’m joined by Dina Parise, the 2015 IHRA Pro Modified World Champion, and The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters.

Dina Parise, who grew up on Long Island, was a competitive gymnast in the summer and a passionate ice skater in the winter, idolizing Dorothy Hamill. She turned her love for ice skating into a four-year career performing with the Ice Capades, where she even had the chance to meet her idol. In our conversation, Dina shares stories from that time, including the first time she signed an autograph, meeting her husband Andrew, a champion driver in his own right, and how she got hooked on drag racing. She also reflects on the thrill of winning her first driver’s championship and reveals why, in a movie about her life, she’d want Marisa Tomei to play her.

In this month’s discussion with Dr. Bob Winters, we delve into his pioneering work in junior golf, focusing not just on the swing but on the mental game. Dr. Winters emphasizes the importance of cultivating a positive attitude, focus, and the right mental approach. Recognizing this need decades ago, he developed a program to help young players build the mindset necessary for success. We also explore the concept of “the drive to finish,” addressing why some top players have struggled to close out tournaments recently—a challenge we’ve all faced. Doc offers insights and strategies to help us overcome that hurdle.

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In Part 2 of this week's show, we continue The Masters conversation with a guy who played in the tournament 18 times and was currently over in Augusta, Mark Calcavecchia. Following Mark, I'm joined by Rob Strano. Rob grew up playing at the same country club as 1968 Masters Champion Bob Goalby.

Mark starts off sharing some personal stories of Augusta National like why he's nicknamed the bunker on 10 Brenda's Bunker, after his wife. We learn that the tradition of skipping shots across the pond on 16 during the practice rounds was started by Mark and his college teammate Ken Green. Mark and Ken used to bet about who could make all kinds of shots. When they got to 16 during a practice round in 1987, they threw a few balls down and tried to see who could get it closer. The next morning there was a letter waiting for Green in his locker from Augusta National Chairman Hord Harden saying "We don't do that at Augusta National." Of course, now it's a tradition during the practice rounds. If players don't skip one across the pond, the patrons boo them. Mark and I switch gears and talk about the Masters merchandise craze and one we don't understand around Masters nomes. We then get into some of his playing memories like the time he shot 29 on the back 9 in 1992. In 2001 he started the final round tied with Tiger and Phil. We hear about how he got ahead of himself and let that one get away. He and his wife Brenda are great people and great follows on social media. Be sure to follow them @MarkCalc and @BrendaCalc.

Rob Strano grew up in St. Louis playing at the same country club as 1968 Masters Champion Bob Goalby. Mr. Goalby won that Masters in part thanks to Roberto DiVincenzo signing an incorrect scorecard. In the final round, Goalby birdied 13 and 14 and then eagled 15. DiVincenzo birdied 17 to take a one-stroke lead but his playing partner Tommy Aaron marked down a 4 instead of a 3. When their round was over, Goalby and DiVincenzo thought they were headed for an 18-hole playoff on Monday. But since DiVincenzo signed the card with the higher score, USGA rules state the higher score stands, so he lost by a stroke. Rob shares how Mr. Goalby dealt with how all that unfolded. I also get his insights on the topography of the course, how undulated those greens are, and who he likes to win this week.

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In Part 2 of Episode 51, I’m joined by two of Golf Tips Magazine’s Top 25 Instructors, Jon Decker and Tom Stickney, for long-overdue conversations packed with invaluable insights.

Jon Decker, the 2015 Southern Ohio Teacher of the Year and Director of Instruction at the Medallion Club, shares stories from his time with legendary mentor Phil Rogers, a memorable encounter involving Rogers and Gary Player, and strategies for overcoming the mental challenges that can sabotage your game. He also gives us a sneak peek into his new book, Fairways to Heaven...One Shot at a Time.

Tom Stickney, a Top 100 Teacher by Golf Magazine and a Top 50 International Instructor, brings his expertise to the table as we explore the differences between old-school and new-school teaching methods, the debate between speed training and letting the club do the work, and tips for golfers over 50 looking to increase their driving distance. Tom also offers his take on how to fix the over-the-top swing and shares his perspective on the current state of the PGA Tour.

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In Part 1 of Episode 53 I'm joined by Super Agent Leigh Steinberg and Buffalo Dunes Director of Instruction Jason Hase.

I’m excited to be joined by one of the most prominent figures in the history of sports and a member of our Thursday Night Tailgate Guest Hall of Fame, Leigh Steinberg. Leigh has been a regular guest for over 11 years, with his first appearance dating back to August 1, 2013. We’ll be diving into the massive surge in money within the world of sports, from skyrocketing player contracts to the impact of NIL deals in college athletics. We’ll also discuss something that was once unimaginable: sports leagues and teams being sponsored by gambling sites, as well as Las Vegas becoming home to multiple major sports franchises. Leigh is a great friend, and I’m thrilled to have him on the show again.

Following Leigh, I’ll be joined by Jason Hase, Director of Instruction at Buffalo Dunes in Garden City, Kansas. Buffalo Dunes was recently recognized as the 8th best municipal course in the country by Golf Magazine, and Jason will share what makes the course so special, including the ongoing renovations and the amazing community volunteers helping with the project. We’ll also talk about the fantastic junior golf program he’s running. Jason will be joining me about 30 minutes into the show, and I can’t wait for you to hear from him.

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