Episode 121 - A Data Golf PGA Championship Preview

What a run it has been! Not just the end of a 50-event PGA Tour season, but nearly four years of this podcast. Let's wrap all of it up together. Will breaks down the stat winners from the PGA Tour season, discusses the PoY race along with Ryder Cup thoughts. He dives into biggest improvers to keep an eye on in 2021-22 and also those whose games are struggling. Finally, this is the end (for now?). Thank you to all of the loyal listeners, amazing guests and helpful knowledge. Until we pod again.

Of all of the modern advancements in the game of golf, especially at the professional level, the acceptance of and investment in physical training has been a major part of the revolution. Naysayers on the PGA Tour are being passed by stronger, fitter and healthier peers. Aging players are getting longer and staying stronger. Why? Because of the work of people like Dr. Troy Van Biezen, a PGA Tour trainer for nearly 20 years. What has he learned? How has his work evolved? And how does the understanding of biomechanics influence the game's best... and you??

The final golf major of 2021 is here and it's the hardest to handicap!? Or is it? Reid Fowler from DraftKings joins the pod to talk favorites, ownership percentages, game theory, value, longshots, betting strategy and a few other things. Don't set your lineup or place your bets without it.

Golf's major season is jammed packed, and the winners are living up to the hype. Fresh off the heels of not one, but two US Open championships, Golf/NBC analyst Paige Mackenzie joins the pod to break it all down. What wins by Jon Rahm and Yuka Saso mean to the sport. Is a traditional USGA setup the way to identify a champion? How does all of the data inform those opinions in the men's game, versus how we frame the same opinion in a women's game with less data? Plus, the exciting horizon on the LPGA. 

Golf has been changed by Phil Mickelson winning the PGA Championship at the age of 50. How? It has offered us a way to study his path, his process, and connect with his success to bring good golf to our games. Who better to discuss this trailblazing win than another trailblazer. Suzy Whaley is an accomplished player and coach, and - as the first woman to be named PGA of America President - had a front row seat for Phil's win. She discusses the lessons learned from Kiawah, how coaching has changed in golf and why data strategy can actually free your mind.

With the PGA Championship here, all eyes are on Kiawah. Who has the best chance at winning? How does one tournament in 2012 inform course fit and history? Who has the best value? How do you merge European Tour stars into the field? All of these are discussed with the Courchene brothers of Data Golf. They lend their expertise and also share some of the new tools on their site that fans can use to make their own predictions.

How golfers could learn from... axe throwing??? Golf is a repetitive sport. Trying to repeat the same motion, in the same manner. The same golf swing must battle doubt, nerves and failure. Understanding and overcoming those is a major key to success. The same can be said in the very new sport of axe throwing. Ryan Smit picked up an axe in early 2019 and was a world champion a little over a year later. How? Amazing dedication and research. He shares his secrets, which can transcend across many sports and disciplines. 

Golf on the PGA Tour is not the only place where you will find players and coaches unearthing every morsel of data and information to get better. The embracing of stats, technology and fitness is rapidly improving the women's game, including at the college level. Justin Silverstein leads the powerhouse program at USC, and pulls back the curtain on their improvement philosophy, data gathering, stat programs and more. Plus, we chat the growth of the women's game and its potential.

Is there a sport that breaks down the intricacies of the process more than golf? The swing is dissected to takeaway, positions, angles, heights, impact, balance, finish and any other number of factors. Added technology has increased those measurements. What is available? What are we learning? How are the best professionals looking at their swings? Is it actually allowing more variety again in swings? Luke Kerr-Dineen covers all things golf improvement for Golf.com and joins. That, plus our own journeys with our swings on video (or not).

The first time Ward Jarvis came on the podcast, he said Brendon Todd was close to winning. Todd then won back-to-back PGA Tour events. Jarvis joins the pod again to discuss the mental side of the game, infusion with stats, growth, perspective and more. We use it all to discuss Max Homa winning, Tony Finau not, Jordan Spieth's return, Koepka's Alpha male, length, pressure and more. Great chat with takeaways for all levels of golfer and fan.