Weekday Golf

We catch up on our own golf games after a busy summer, starting with a hard-fought win in our latest Armageddon match. That leads to a bigger question: why does our best golf sometimes show up out of nowhere — and why can it be so hard to reproduce? We also weigh in on the summer debate over how to define a “good golfer,” and share some early impressions of renowned architect Jim Urbina after spending a couple of hours walking the Olympic Club property with him. Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

This week, we’re joined by Congressional Country Club member Ernest Baynard, whose friendship with Preston helped build lasting relationships between Congressional and the Olympic Club. Ernest takes us inside Congressional: the golf, the history, the traditions, the characters, and what a perfect day at the club looks like. We also learn about the genesis of the Ryder Cup-style match that he and Preston started, which team takes the competition more seriously, and which club has the better locker room. Plus, our Ready Golf lightning round with Ernest: Blue or Gold, the best spot at Congressional that isn’t a golf course, the best item on the menu, and his favorite non-Congressional course in the DMV. Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

We've always believed that the friendships in golf are a huge part of what makes the game special. This week, we're joined by our friends Malia Lyle and Jojo Wallace, who met through golf more than a decade ago—and have been close friends ever since. From "golf dating" and an 11-year handwritten ledger of their golf bets, to trips around the world and the crazy characters they've encountered along the way, we explore how golf can create a friendship—and become part of what sustains it over time. We also discuss: • What makes someone a great golf partner • Golf trips, unforgettable stories, and a hilarious Bandon Dunes story • Mindfulness, self-improvement, and the pursuit of better golf • Golf fashion, music on the course, and other golf debates • Giving back to the game through leadership and First Tee • What the soul of golf means to them Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

We originally wanted to make this a "Best Golf Books" draft, but realized we hadn't actually read everything on our bookshelf. So, instead we share the golf books and movies we enjoyed the most and have changed the way we see the game, from The Match and Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect to Caddyshack, The Greatest Game Ever Played, and more. If you're looking for your next golf read or a classic golf movie to revisit, this episode is full of recommendations—and the stories behind them. Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

To us, stories are a huge part of the soul of the game—and every golf club has stories that never make it past the locker room. This week, we're joined by the anonymous creator behind Country Club Confidential (we'll call him "Scott"), the newsletter dedicated to telling the unbelievable, hilarious, and unforgettable stories that golfers swap over drinks—but rarely share publicly. We talk about the characters every club seems to have, what inspired Scott to create Country Club Confidential, and some of Scott's favorite stories, including a controversial club championship and a clubhouse fire. We also share with Scott one of our own stories: the wildest golf gift Preston has ever received. If you enjoy the episode, we'd appreciate it if you'd subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another golfer. Country Club Confidential https://www.youtube.com/@CCCnewsletter https://www.instagram.com/ccconfidential.vip https://x.com/CCCnewsletter https://www.tiktok.com/@countryclubconfidential Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

What does it take to create one of the world's great golf experiences? Troy Flanagan, Director of Golf Maintenance at The Olympic Club, has spent decades preparing courses for U.S. Opens, PGA Championships, and the Ryder Cup. But as you'll hear, his work isn't really about grass—it's about giving every golfer four hours to forget about everything else. We talk with Troy about why championship conditions take years to build, what golfers misunderstand about great greens, working alongside architects Gil Hanse and Jim Urbina, mentoring the next generation of superintendents, and the philosophy that guides one of golf's most respected course managers. Whether you're fascinated by championship golf, course architecture, or simply what goes into creating an unforgettable round, this conversation offers a rare look behind the scenes of one of golf's most important—and least understood—professions. Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

Most golfers know the Rules of Golf exist. Not many know all of them. Even fewer agree with all of them. In this episode, we talk about the rules we love, hate, and question. From fairway divots and tree roots to the "house rules" that become part of every golf group, this is a conversation about how golfers actually experience the game. Whether you're a rules official or someone who still asks, "Can I get a ruling?", you'll probably recognize a few of your own opinions along the way. Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

Golf fans see the tournaments. They rarely see what everyday life on a Division I golf team is actually like. This week, we sit down with William Ma (Harvard) and Matthew Lin (Yale) to talk about the friendships, competition, and team culture that define college golf. We explore their path to college, their most effective practice routines, what they've learned from playing alongside some of the world's best amateurs, and why they think every college golf team has the same two favorite restaurants. Whether you're a junior golfer dreaming of college golf or simply curious about what it's really like behind the scenes, this conversation offers an honest look inside Division I golf. Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

Major championships and Ryder Cups don't just happen—they're built. Brandon Haney helps lead the team that transforms a golf course into one of the biggest sporting events in the world. We go behind the scenes of what it takes to host golf's biggest events, from building a temporary city around a golf course and designing a better spectator experience to managing unexpected crises (like when a fiber line was accidentally cut on the morning of the PGA Championship) and how he improves on his craft when he's going from one championship to the next, while juggling dozens of future events. Along the way, Brandon shares what makes the job rewarding, why he's really in the people business, and why creating unforgettable experiences has become his life's work. Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

In a previous episode, we learned about Golf Digest's course rating framework. We joked that we should become golf's official "Hang Raters," because we remember golf for much more than the actual course. Which brings us to this episode, where we build the Weekday Golf Experience Rating—our attempt to answer a different question: After you play a round of golf, what do you really think is important? From practice facilities and food to clubhouses, post-round hangs, and the intangible moments that stay with you years later, we debate what deserves to count—and how much. Consider this about 90% finalized. How would you weight a golf experience? Tell us what we missed—or where you think we got it completely wrong. Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

After our conversation with Joe Kwok, Oliver kept the mics rolling. Joe stayed to answer a series of questions about club fitting—from the biggest mistakes golfers make during a fitting, to premium shafts, loft and lie adjustments, grip size, Japanese craftsmanship, tour vans, and more. If you enjoyed our main conversation with Joe, this bonus episode offers an even deeper look into the craft of club fitting and the thinking behind one of the country's most respected independent club fitters. To learn more about Joe or inquire about a fitting, visit his website: https://www.joekwokgolf.com/ Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

Golfers love to obsess over their equipment. And for many, club fitting is about finding the perfect clubs. For Joe Kwok, it's about eliminating doubt. Joe is one of the country's most respected independent club fitters. With 30+ years of working with everyone from beginners to elite players, he's learned that great fitting is more about understanding the golfer than it is about specs and launch numbers. We discuss how Joe became a club fitter, why golfers are always searching for "the answer," why club fitting is a long-term relationship, and the psychology behind why we blame our clubs more often than ourselves. Whether you're an equipment junkie or someone who's never been fit for a club, this conversation offers an expert perspective on what club fitting can—and can't—do for your game. To learn more about Joe or inquire about a fitting, visit his website: https://www.joekwokgolf.com/ Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

In this listener mailbag episode, Oliver and Preston answer questions about slow play, the friend who backs off a shot to tell a story, where your bag actually belongs around the green, Oliver’s infamous crusty glove, what’s really in our golf bags, bad behavior in a foursome, the biggest on-course meltdowns we’ve witnessed, what makes a round “good,” how to help someone fall in love with golf, and what it means to respect the game. Plus: Preston’s mysterious piece of golf art, yodeling, and more. Follow Weekday Golf: Instagram / YouTube / Facebook: @weekdaygolfpodcast Email: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

We're excited to be joined by Joe Skovron (aka "Skov"), who has spent nearly two decades as one of the most respected caddies on the PGA Tour, including 13 years with Rickie Fowler and now in his third season with Ludvig Åberg. We've been fortunate to spend a few rounds with Skov over the years, and that familiarity made for a candid conversation. We didn't talk about specific shots at their latest event. Instead, Skov takes us inside the psychology of elite golf: how he builds trust and manages confidence, how rounds can drift off course, what tour-level preparation actually looks like, and what it takes to perform and recover when the pressure is highest. We also get a cameo from his pup (and learn why he's named Philip). We discuss: Confidence, pressure, and learning how to win Recovering from mistakes in real time Ryder Cups, major championships, and life on Tour Data vs instinct in decision making Why relationships are the soul of golf Contact us: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @weekdaygolfpodcast YouTube: @weekdaygolfpodcast Twitter/X: @weekdaygolfpod Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

A few weeks ago, we recorded Part 1 of the Los Cab Cup before the event actually began. At that point, all we had were expectations, optimism, and a lot of questions about what would happen when 90 golfers descended on a ranch in Arizona. Now we're back with the aftermath. Joined once again by our friend Scott Walker from the The Edge Podcast, we look back on what worked, what surprised us, and what we'll remember most. Along the way: escaped horses, travel bag disasters, a dramatic horse race finale, unexpected friendships, and the challenge of creating connection at a scale most golf trips never attempt. In the end, the golf was great. But as usual, that's not really what we'll remember. Contact us: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @weekdaygolfpodcast YouTube: @weekdaygolfpodcast Twitter/X: @weekdaygolfpod Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

A few episodes back, Jason Soucy told us that hosting a major championship means building a temporary city. After spending several days inside the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, Preston realized he wasn’t exaggerating. We go behind the scenes of a modern major championship — from 60,000-square-foot merch tents and massive hospitality compounds to volunteer operations, transportation logistics, production kitchens, TV compounds, and the invisible systems designed to make the experience feel seamless for tens of thousands of fans. This episode is about what it feels like when you build a temporary world around the pursuit of creating an unforgettable experience. We also discuss: ​Why Preston barely watched any golf ​The volunteer experience ​No bathroom lines, somehow ​Saucon Valley’s legendary shower pressure ​and a quick stop at Baltusrol Golf Club on the way home This episode isn't a tournament recap, but rather field notes and an early glimpse into the world surrounding the 2028 PGA Championship at The Olympic Club. Contact us: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @weekdaygolfpodcast YouTube: @weekdaygolfpodcast Twitter/X: @weekdaygolfpod Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

For years, golf course rankings have tried to answer a deceptively simple question: what makes a golf course great? We intuitively believe that our overall golf experience includes, but extends beyond pure course design. But we were curious to learn how the official ratings worked. This week, we sit down with Golf Digest course rating panelist David Rawlinson to explore that question from every angle — architecture, strategy, aesthetics, conditioning, atmosphere, history, and the emotional pull that keeps golfers coming back to certain places. Along the way, we talk about: Why some famous holes work so well Risk/reward and “choose your own adventure” golf Trees, walkability, routing, and the psychology of design Whether great golf architecture can ever really be objective As the conversation unfolds, we circle around the main question: is it possible to separate a course rating from your experience? Contact us: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @weekdaygolfpodcast YouTube: @weekdaygolfpodcast Twitter/X: @weekdaygolfpod Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

Dr. Rick Sessinghaus has spent decades coaching golfers at the highest level of the game, including working with Collin Morikawa since childhood. Instead of approaching this conversation like a traditional interview, we decided to use ourselves — and our own golf games — as the case study. We talk with Rick about focus, confidence, expectations, frustration, slow play, performance under pressure, and what actually separates golfers who can recover mentally from those who spiral. Along the way, Rick helps us unpack some of our own patterns and contradictions on the course — from Oliver’s emphasis on shot results to Preston’s relationship with expectations and rhythm. Topics include: Why “flow follows focus” Whether flow is actually trainable Confidence vs commitment How to refocus after distractions Slow play and emotional regulation Expectations, frustration, and the “should” trap Curiosity over criticism What the soul of golf means to Rick Dr. Rick Sessinghaus is a performance coach, sports psychologist, and co-founder of FlowCode Golf Academy. He has coached players at every level of the game and is best known for his longtime work with two-time major champion Collin Morikawa. Contact us: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @weekdaygolfpodcast YouTube: @weekdaygolfpodcast Twitter/X: @weekdaygolfpod Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

Two years ago, a golf trip to Wickenburg, Arizona brought together 44 guys for a long weekend of golf, games, and stories. This year, it became something much bigger. For Part 1, we teamed up with our friend Scott Walker, co-host of The Edge podcast, and recorded live from Rancho de Los Caballeros just before the 2026 Los Cab Cup began: 90 golfers, 22 teams, and three and a half days in the Arizona desert. At the time of this recording, nobody knew how it would go. Could the magic of a golf trip still hold at this scale? Could new friendships form? Would people care more about the golf, or the experience around it? This is the before. Part 2 — what actually happened — coming soon. Contact us: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @weekdaygolfpodcast YouTube: @weekdaygolfpodcast Twitter/X: @weekdaygolfpod Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro

This week we sit down with Jason Soucy, Championship Director for the 2028 PGA Championship at the Olympic Club, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to stage one of the biggest events in golf. Jason takes us inside the enormous scale of a major championship — from building a “startup” years in advance for what is ultimately one week of golf, to coordinating thousands of workers, city agencies, broadcasters, vendors, players, and fans. We talk about the evolution of the fan experience, what makes Olympic Club a special championship venue, how a course is prepared to crown a worthy champion, and what success looks like when the trophy is finally hoisted. It’s a conversation about stewardship, spectacle, and a side of golf most of us never get to see. Contact us: weekdaygolfpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @weekdaygolfpodcast YouTube: @weekdaygolfpodcast Twitter/X: @weekdaygolfpod Design by: Austin Wooldridge Music provided by: ⁠https://www.classicals.de/mozart-figaro