Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 513 - Our Incredible MASTERS MOMENT - 10 Years Later

The date was April 7, 2016. Two very kind and generous men made it possible for my son and I to experience something no other father and son on planet have experienced at Augusta National Golf Club. This is the story of our incredible day, the men who made it happen, and the memories we will hold forever.

Thank you, Mr Schlaff.

Thank you, Jon Bloom.

Thank you, Lord for the blessings of moments that we will hold onto forever.

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Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 512 - A Masters Preview Unlike Any Other

We're connecting with Brian Taylor from Real Golf Radio as he embarks on the show's annual trip to Augusta National. Brian helps us assess the field's top contenders, shares his favorite viewing vantage points around ANGC, and we spend a few minutes lamenting the recent developments in the life of Tiger Woods.

More info on Real Golf Radio

Enter the Michigan Golf Live Masters Fantasy League Contest

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Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 511 - Alan Shipnuck Talks All Things RORY

Special guest Alan Shipnuck discusses his latest book, "Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf's Most Human Superstar," which explores the career of Rory McIlroy.

The book delves into McIlroy's rise to fame, his struggles, and his recent Masters victory. Alan explained the challenges of writing the biography without McIlroy's direct cooperation and discussed McIlroy's evolving approach to media and sponsorship.

You'll hear all about McIlroy's involvement in TGL and his decision to reject the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series. The conversation covered various aspects of McIlroy's career, including his relationship with Tiger Woods, his performance at the Ryder Cup, and his emotional Masters win that reinforced the universal appeal of McIlroy's victory.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK!

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Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 510 - Inside the Ropes: 31 Years as a PGA Tour Rules Official with Joe Terry

What really happens when a PGA Tour rules official gets called in? In this episode of the Fore Golfers Network Podcast, we talk with longtime PGA Tour rules official Joe to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood roles in professional golf.

Joe shares how a simple rules misunderstanding after returning from Vietnam sparked a lifelong passion that turned into a 31-year career officiating at the highest level of the game. From his first major championship in the mid-1980s to Ryder Cup pressure cookers and iconic rulings involving legends like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Seve Ballesteros, Raymond Floyd, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods, Joe explains what it takes to apply the Rules of Golf fairly, calmly, and consistently—no matter who's holding the club.

This episode dives into how PGA Tour officials prepare for tournaments, why explaining options matters more than giving answers, and how officials navigate subjective rulings versus black-and-white rules. Joe also shares unforgettable anecdotes, including imaginary animal damage claims, color-blind penalty area confusion, and heated match-play confrontations where every word matters.

Bill and Joe also explore modern rules controversies, including pace of play enforcement, self-reporting ethics, reputation bias, and how today's players operate under intense scrutiny. From Patrick Reed debates to Rory McIlroy comparisons and Brian Davis' Masters integrity moment, the conversation highlights why transparency and caution define today's Tour professionals.

As Joe reflects on his upcoming retirement, this episode becomes both a masterclass in golf rules and a tribute to the officials who protect the game's integrity—often quietly, and always under pressure.

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Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 509 - The Future of the Rocket Classic with Mark Hollis

What does the future hold for Detroit's PGA Tour event—and why does it matter so much to Michigan golf fans?

In this episode of the Fore Golfers Network Podcast, host Bill Hobson sits down with Mark Hollis, Tournament Director of the Rocket Classic, to explore the past, present, and very uncertain future of the PGA Tour's lone stop in the state of Michigan.

Hollis pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to run a PGA Tour event, comparing the operation to "building a small city" from scratch each summer at Detroit Golf Club. With a newly renovated Donald Ross course, a brand-new late-July tournament date, and major upgrades to fan experience areas like Area 313, the Rocket Classic is positioning itself for a defining moment in 2026.

The conversation dives into corporate sponsorship realities, hospitality demand, and the delicate balance between revenue generation and preserving the walkability and energy that fans love. Hollis also addresses the broader PGA Tour landscape, including the impact of LIV Golf, signature events, escalating purse demands, and how those pressures trickle down to tournaments like Detroit's.

With the Rocket Classic contract expiring after 2026, Hollis explains what must fall into place for the event to continue—from PGA Tour alignment to sponsor ROI to community impact. He also shares optimism about player recruitment, the advantages of the new schedule window, and why Detroit remains a top-tier market capable of hosting elite golf.

If you care about the future of professional golf in Michigan, the Rocket Classic's place on the PGA Tour calendar, and how major sporting events shape cities, this is a must-listen conversation.

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Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 508 - Golf's 2026 Future: Golf's 2026 Future: Our Crystal Ball and Wish List

Before you close the books on 2025 and dive into the New Year, join Michigan Golf Live Host Bill Hobson for a peek into his crystal ball and personal wish list as we look ahead to the 2026 world of golf.

We start with the annual spectacle that is the PGA Merchandise Show — a place where "game-changing" innovations are unveiled every January. Which new tech will actually help golfers play better, and which will simply be shinier versions of what we already own? Hope springs eternal.

Attention then turns to the PGA Tour and the impact of its new Commissioner, especially as Michigan golf fans anxiously wait to see whether the Rocket Classic can secure a long-term future. After losing the Buick Open years ago, the stakes feel especially high. On the women's side, we applaud the LPGA for smart scheduling moves that give Michigan back-to-back weeks of elite tournament golf — a rare and welcome win for fans and players alike.

On a personal level, the conversation shifts toward smarter golf goals in 2026: better preparation, improved course management, and chasing birdies instead of simply avoiding disasters. We also explore the rise of electric push carts, the uncertain future of the Ally Challenge, and whether golf's post-pandemic boom can continue.

From AI-driven course maintenance and drone-delivered hot dogs to rising Topgolf prices and the growing influence of value-driven boutique brands, this episode blends insight, skepticism, and humor — all while asking the most important question of all: will this finally be the year a great round finishes the same way it starts?

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Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 507 - Sub70 Golf's Rise: Custom Clubs, DTC Innovation & What Golfers Really Need

Sub70 Golf has become one of the most talked-about direct-to-consumer brands in the golf equipment space—and this episode of Fore Golfers Network breaks down exactly why.

In this conversation with Host Bill Hobson, Sub70 Golf CEO Jason Hiland shares key insights behind the founding and growth of Sub70 Golf, which launched in 2015 after the successful sale of Diamond Tour Golf. Built on experience, not guesswork, Sub70 entered the market with a clear focus on custom-built golf clubs, authentic branding, and elite-level customer service, all produced in Sycamore, Illinois.

Key highlights from the episode include:

• Why the direct-to-consumer model works in golf when customization and trust are prioritized

• How Sub70 uses expert interpretation of club specs, not just raw data, to fit golfers properly

• The difference between what tour professionals demand (trajectory control and a consistent "window") versus what amateur golfers actually need (playability and confidence)

• How Sub70 initially gained traction through irons and wedges—and why the driver category is now rapidly growing

• The role of social media, customer feedback, and industry awards in building credibility without traditional OEM marketing

• How Sub70 has evolved its product lines, branding, and service model since launch

The discussion also looks ahead, with plans for future collaboration focused on testing, education, and transparent evaluation of Sub70 equipment—bridging the gap between technical performance and real-world playability.

This episode is a must-listen for golfers interested in custom club fitting, equipment innovation, and understanding how modern golf brands are built outside the traditional OEM system.

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Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 506 - Harbor Town Reborn: Davis Love III & The Lowcountry Legends of Hilton Head

In the finale to our fall special travel-series, host Bill Hobson takes listeners inside one of the most celebrated destinations in American golf — Hilton Head Island — for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the grand reopening of the iconic Harbor Town Golf Links.

Recently restored under the leadership of World Golf Hall of Famer Davis Love III, Harbor Town is more than a PGA TOUR stop; it is a masterpiece of Pete Dye's architectural brilliance, revered by players and fans for over five decades. In this episode, Bill sits down one-on-one with Davis Love III to unpack the philosophy behind the restoration — not a redesign, not a modernization, but a careful, reverent restoration of Pete Dye's original intent.

From there, the episode expands into the broader magic of Hilton Head and the Lowcountry. Bill talks with Sea Pines Resort leaders, architectural experts, and regional tourism voices who reveal why this stretch of South Carolina coastline remains one of the most beloved golf-travel destinations in the world. You'll learn what makes Lowcountry golf unique, how the region maintains its charm with strict environmental and architectural standards, and why players flock here year after year.

The story continues with a stop inside the famous Harbor Town Lighthouse Museum, hosted by longtime curator Nadia, whose 30+-year career inside the iconic structure has made her a living encyclopedia of local history. Her personal story — from Yugoslavia to Hilton Head — beautifully illustrates why this destination resonates so deeply with visitors from around the world.

Whether you're planning a warm-weather golf escape, dreaming of walking the same fairways that PGA TOUR players rave about, or simply craving a deeper appreciation for one of the game's greatest venues, this episode delivers inspiration from every angle.

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