Send us a text Finding your zone in golf requires mental clarity, physical precision, and an ability to get out of your own way when it matters most. • What being in the zone feels like - the ball feels "like nothing" at impact • Three Charleston National players share their unique mental strategies • Wright Blanchard's comeback story - from hole-in-one to victory • Brady Nash's technique of focusing on a single dimple on the ball • Willie Charles' data-driven approach from analyzing 1,750 r...
Send us a text Rich Easton dives into the controversial LIV Golf Tour, examining the hypocrisy in responses from the PGA Tour and certain players regarding the Saudi-backed competition. He explores the fundamental differences between tours, questioning why players can't compete across multiple platforms and suggesting how the PGA could innovate to retain talent rather than forcing ultimatums. • The recurring segment "What Annoys Me This Week" focuses on hypocrites who don't recognize their c...
Send us a text Tales from the First Tee returns with a heat-soaked episode full of Southern expressions, golf course characters, and the peculiar relationships we form with our equipment. Your host Rich Easton shares stories from the sweltering fairways of Charleston where even alligators have more sense than the golfers braving triple-digit temperatures. • Team play at Charleston National where all players must contribute for success • Mississippi native "Cloudy Graves" and his colorful Sou...
Send us a text Pressure doesn’t need a trophy to feel real. We start with Bethpage Black and the Ryder Cup’s unique voltage—captains orchestrating pairings, European chemistry in foursomes and four-ball, and a home crowd that couldn’t keep the line between passion and taunting. Golf asks for silence; fandom doesn’t always listen. You’ll hear how that tension plays out in shot routines, heart rates, and the razor-thin edge between competitive fire and corrosive noise. From there, we head to a...
Send us a text Dan Gaeta from Operation VetFit discusses PTSD in veterans and their revolutionary approach to preventing veteran suicide that has resulted in zero suicides among their members. • Clinical definition of PTSD including exposure to traumatic events, intrusion symptoms, avoidance behaviors, and negative alterations in cognition • The "masculine warrior paradigm" that creates challenges when veterans return to civilian life • Success story of Thomas Burke who went from a suicide a...
Send us a text Harry Farthing, author of two novels Summit and Ghost Moths, shares his extraordinary life journey from motorcycle enthusiast to high-altitude mountaineer to writer. His experiences—from boarding school at age eight to climbing Mount Everest and riding motorcycles across continents—have shaped his descriptive storytelling style that brings readers into vivid worlds informed by his adventures. • Sent to boarding school at age eight where he developed independence and discovered...
Send us a text Journey into the mind of a passionate golfer as Rich Easton delivers an energetic analysis of the upcoming Ryder Cup showdown at Bethpage, New York. With razor-sharp insight, Rich breaks down Team USA's three critical advantages—the raucous New York crowd, Keegan Bradley's all-star coaching staff, and a roster brimming with talent. But don't mistake his patriotism for blind confidence; Rich's detailed assessment of Europe's formidable lineup reveals why this contest will likely...
Send us a text Business golf differs significantly from recreational, competitive, country club, gamblers, and drinkers golf because it's entirely about relationship building rather than winning at any cost. Understanding this distinction can mean the difference between business success and failure. • Business golf is about developing relationships, not winning trophies or small bets • Recreational golf includes mulligans and improved lies while competitive golf focuses on lowest scores and ...
Send us a text Tommy Fleetwood's long-awaited breakthrough at Eastlake marks a pivotal moment in golf's mental game saga. After years of Sunday heartbreaks, watching Tommy walk up the 18th with a three-shot lead felt like witnessing the final chapter in a redemption story we weren't sure would ever be written. The revamped FedEx Cup format—where all 30 finalists started on equal footing—delivered exactly the drama and competitive balance golf needed, transforming what Scottie Scheffler had do...
Send us a text Ever found yourself in a heated political argument with a friend or family member and wondered why you're fighting so passionately for politicians who don't even know you exist? In this thought-provoking episode of Tales from the First Tee, I explore this peculiar human tendency and question whether we've become a society that needs coaching just to make it through holiday dinners without conflict. From the fairways of Charleston comes the hilarious true story of "Wi-Fi and Kr...
Send us a text Have you ever made a decision so spectacularly self-sabotaging that you couldn't help but laugh at yourself afterward? That's exactly where we begin this journey—with my confession about renaming a successful golf podcast and promptly losing half my audience. Much like my previous marketing disaster involving overpriced plastic plates during the anti-plastic revolution, it's a perfect example of how ego drives our decisions, often to our detriment. The golf course serves as th...
Send us a text CBS turned a weekend golf tournament into a living eulogy for commentator Ian Baker Finch while simultaneously covering Cameron Young's first PGA Tour victory, creating an awkward juxtaposition that diminished Young's accomplishment. • IBF received an extended farewell after 19 years at CBS with constant tributes throughout the broadcast • Cameron Young's victory and impressive golf was overshadowed by the IBF celebration • Young's victory lacked the typical family celebration...
Send us a text Rich Easton dives into the fascinating psychology behind Bubba Watson's dramatic collapse at the Travelers Championship, going from leading at 13-under par to a series of bogeys on the final five holes. Harris English eventually claimed victory after an epic eight-hole playoff against Kramer Hickok that finished just as darkness fell. • The number 13 proves unlucky for Bubba Watson when his wheels "fall off" after holding the lead • A confrontation at Patriots Point practice f...
Send us a text Josh and Rich dive into hilariously candid stories about Josh's experiences training Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Kate Winslet, revealing the human side of celebrities that fans rarely get to see. • Training Angelina Jolie for Tomb Raider, transforming her from struggling with seven push-ups to doing 20 chin-ups in 12 weeks • Angelina's revelation that "the best high she ever had was being fit" during her physical transformation • The awkward wrestling sessions with Ange...
Send us a text Rich Easton delves into the suspicious timing of Stephen Colbert's show cancellation alongside Paramount's merger announcement and how South Park creators get away with pointed criticism that others can't. We examine the media power dynamics at play when covering controversial figures and topics. • The cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show suspiciously timed with Paramount's $8 billion merger announcement • South Park's ability to criticize Trump-Epstein connections through s...
Send us a text Rich walks Sullivan's Island beach, highlighting the community cleanup efforts and introducing two humorous stories that capture life's awkward yet memorable moments. • The "Bison Jam" story follows a family vacation in Yellowstone where a 10-year-old boy innocently abbreviates "Bison Jam" to "BJ," creating an uncomfortable teaching moment • A father struggles to explain adult terminology to his son, resulting in the child's hilariously innocent response: "Why would anybody wa...
Send us a text Rich Easton explores why Scotty Scheffler's dominant performances leave him emotionless while other athletes' victories bring tears, questioning what truly creates emotional connections in sports. • Scotty Scheffler matched Tiger Woods' timeline of 1,197 days between first and fourth major • Professional golfers face constant pressure of "what's next" even immediately after victories • The Coldplay concert kiss cam caught Astronomer CEO Andy Byrom with his HR manager in a comp...
Send us a text Golf provides extraordinary moments of courage and unexpected triumph, as demonstrated in three exciting tournaments from this past weekend. • Grace Kim's incredible "never give up" mindset led to an eagle-birdie-eagle finish to win her first major championship at the Amundi Evian event • 25-year-old Chris Goderup surprises everyone by holding off Rory McIlroy to win the Scottish Open, securing spots in The Open and next year's Masters • The American Century Golf Tournament sh...
Send us a text We explore the fascinating and frustrating ways people just can't help being people, from politicians who succumb to corruption to everyday encounters with the oblivious and selfish. • The word "people" sometimes functions as a complete sentence, perfectly encapsulating our reaction to selfish or oblivious behavior • Politicians frequently demonstrate how access to power, influence, and money can lead to corrupt decision-making and criminal charges • A golf outing with a drunk...
Send us a text Rich shares his disastrous attempt to land a job working the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, complete with a terrifying security guard encounter and a hilariously botched interview. • Never been to the Masters despite applying for tickets through the lottery system for years • Received legitimate email opportunity to work as merchandise staff during the tournament • Nearly got shot trying to take a selfie at the Augusta National entrance • Spilled hot sauce on white go...