The Golfer's Journal Podcast

Smylie Kaufman was once one of golf’s most exciting and popular young players—winning shortly after turning pro in 2015 and playing in the final group of the 2016 Masters. Then, golf happened. A few years of injuries, swing changes and “heartache” later, Kaufman decided to switch career paths, and has since become a standout voice on golf broadcasts and the podcasting landscape. Kaufman joins host Tom Coyne for a wide-ranging discussion on his playing career, what he learned from watching tour pros in 2023, and his next chapter in a game that he deeply cares about. The Golfer's Journal is made possible by reader support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: ⁠https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT⁠ The Golfer's Journal Podcast is presented by Titleist

The golf world took sides earlier this month when the USGA and R&A announced their plans to reign in distance with a rollback of the golf ball for both professionals and amateurs starting in 2028. The data presented by the governing bodies includes statistics claiming that high club-head speed players will lose up to 10 yards with the new ball restrictions, while shorter hitters will only see a 3-5 yard difference. So why the rule change? Why now? What happened to bifurcation? What about course setups, sustainability and green speeds? How is all of this good for the game? Tom Coyne brings all of these questions to USGA headquarters where he sits down with its CEO Mike Whan. In a candid conversation including questions submitted by TGJ members, Coyne and Whan attempt to find common ground on one of the game’s most heated subjects.  Read Titleist’s response to the rollback here: https://www.titleist.com/titleist-response-distance-insights The Golfer's Journal is made possible by reader support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT

A 30-plus year career at the highest level of surfing, 11 world titles, and an incalculable impact on his sport and beyond: A case can be made that nobody has ever been more dominant at their sport than Kelly Slater. Another could be made that he is one of the best pro athletes-turned-golfers on the planet. Slater joins Mind Game to discuss his path to greatness, communicating with the ocean, structure vs. creativity, performing under pressure, what’s driving him to still compete, his love for Moe Norman and the time he played 18 holes between heats. Mind Game and The Golfer's Journal are made possible by reader support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT

The Golfer's Journal and this podcast are made possible by reader support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT Michael Wolf wrote the book on Seth Raynor—literally. Wolf, also known by his X handle @BamaBearcat, joins host Tom Coyne fresh off the publication of his new book The Golf Courses of Seth Raynor, which profiles one of the titans of early American golf architecture. They dig deep into how Raynor transitioned from a golf-agnostic engineer to a household name, the golfing public’s misguided views on template holes, Raynor’s proposals for second courses at Fishers Island and Mid Ocean Club (among others), and much more. If the mere mention of a Biarritz green complex fires your golfing brain, this episode is for you. The Golfer's Journal Podcast is presented by Titleist

Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman emperor, once wrote: “You shouldn’t give circumstances the power to rouse anger, for they don’t care at all.” It’s doubtful Aurelius ever landed a perfect pitch on the downslope of the collar only to watch it rocket 40 feet past the pin, but his philosophy for life does apply to golf. Few today are more qualified to speak on Stoicism than Massimo Pigliucci. He is a professor of philosophy at the City College of New York and the best-selling author of several books, including How to Be a Stoic. He joins us on Mind Game to give a crash course in how stoicism could help you play the best golf of your life. Mind Game and The Golfer's Journal are made possible by reader support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT

Padraig Harrington shares insights on golf techniques and experiences, emphasizing the importance of belief and confidence in professional golf. The discussion delves into mastering golf swing mechanics, setting goals for skill improvement, and planning a golf trip in Ireland with budget-friendly and luxurious options.

The Golfer's Journal and this podcast are made possible by member support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT A case of the throwing yips ended Jason Kuhn’s promising baseball career. He pivoted and became a decorated Navy SEAL operator and sniper. In his post-Special Forces career, he’s turned his training into a bulletproof mental system that has led Lucas Glover back into the winner’s circle, Atlanta Braves pitcher Tyler Matsek to a World Series save and other teams of all kinds to winning the SEAL way. And now he’s sharing his system with Mind Game.

The Golfer's Journal and this podcast are made possible by reader support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT With thoughtful questions and a knack for reading the room, Amanda Renner’s (formerly Amanda Balionis) post-round interviews have become something of a CBS broadcast weekend tradition. Now it’s her turn in the chair as Tom Coyne gets the inside story with Renner on asking tough questions (like interviewing Tiger Woods following Kobe Bryant’s passing), her dream of becoming a sideline NFL reporter (which came true), the thing that saved her life (yoga), and her foundation that pairs puppies with veterans (let dogs on the course!). The Golfer's Journal Podcast is presented by Titleist

The Golfer's Journal and this podcast is reader-supported. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT “Everyone wants to be great, until it’s time to do what greatness requires.” Joshua Medcalf has made a career by turning the path to greatness into best-selling stories. The sports psychologist, author and scratch golfer joins Mind Game to discuss what greatness actually requires, the benefits of being uncomfortable, how he went from a 15 handicap to a +3 in a few short years, and what it means to chop wood and carry water. 

Easygoing charisma, effortless steeze and bombed fade drivers have made Keith Mitchell a fan favorite on Tour. But he wants to be more than that. On the latest TGJ Podcast, Tom Coyne pays Mitchell a visit at his home in Sea Island where the two discuss Mitchell's ambition, offseason tinkering, swing thoughts, perfect medium-rare steaks, what’s in his golf closet, and the wild backstory story behind TGJ No. 25’s cover. The Golfer's Journal and this podcast are made possible by reader support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT The Golfer's Journal Podcast is presented by Titleist