Episode 17 – In this special episode of The Hill Unscripted, host Bob Kitchen sits down with one of the most respected names in golf — Bob Bettinardi, founder of Bettinardi Golf — for a wide-ranging and personal conversation that covers everything from CNC precision to celebrity putters, major wins, and the future of the flatstick.

Bettinardi opens up about:

- How he went from engineer to golf industry disruptor, pioneering the one-piece milled putter

- His early days working with Scotty Cameron, including building the putter Bernhard Langer used to win the 1993 Masters

- The moment he went all-in and launched Bettinardi Golf in 1999

The two Bobs also talk about:

- Tour success stories with Jesper Parnevik, Jim Furyk, and Vijay Singh

- The rise of Bettinardi’s son Sam, who now runs day-to-day operations

- How The Hive, Queen Bee, and Antidote lines became icons

- Why Bettinardi believes zero torque tech is here to stay, and what’s coming next

- Making custom putters for Mark Wahlberg, DJ Khaled, and Michael Jordan

- A hilarious story involving Butler National, no menu, and a surprise Thanksgiving dinner in July

You’ll also hear his thoughts on:

- Golf innovation vs tradition

- Building a golf brand that lasts

- Why Cypress Point edges out Pebble Beach (barely)

- Playing with President Trump and Gary Player (and getting nervously roasted on the tee)

This episode is a must-listen for any golf fan, gear nerd, or entrepreneur — filled with history, humor, and a rare look behind the scenes at one of the game’s most beloved brands.

Episode 16 – In this episode of The Hill Unscripted, host Bob Kitchen delivers a packed session of golf business insights, product tips, and holiday shopping help — just in time for Thanksgiving.

Bob kicks things off with a sincere apology about a brand mention in a previous episode, reinforcing his commitment to keeping the podcast honest, informative, and professional.

Then it's onto big stories in the golf world:

- Callaway sells Top Golf at a $1.5B loss – What it says about the business of golf entertainment

- Good Good finally adds female golfers – And why it matters

- FootJoy’s evolution – From old-school to agile brand, and how they’re staying competitive

Bob also answers listener questions about:

- Teeing up on par threes – Should you? (Yes!)

- Offset in golf clubs – What it is and why most golfers need it

He then shares his Holiday Golf Gift Guide, with personal recommendations at all price points — including gear from TaylorMade, Cobra, Bridgestone, Puma, Pins & Aces, and more. Expect honest takes on what’s worth the money, what’s moving fast, and which brands Maple Hill has gone deep on (think: 40,000+ shoes, 2,000 iron sets, and hundreds of bags).

Finally, Bob runs through Maple Hill’s Black Friday promotions, including:

- Bonus gift cards with every gift card purchase

- Simulator passes, fitting discounts, and exclusive extras

- Prepaid indoor golf packages for winter play

Plus, a sneak peek at next episode’s special guest — Bob Bettinardi of Bettinardi Golf — and a quick Thanksgiving sign-off.

0:00 Podcast Introduction and Apology

1:43 Callaway Golf Sells Top Golf

5:45 Good Good Adds Female Golfers

7:57 Meeting with FootJoy Executives

9:40 Should You Tee Up on Par Threes?

11:32 Upcoming Bob Bettinardi Interview

15:31 Holiday Gift Guide

19:12 Why Do Golf Manufacturers Make So Much Offset?

24:12 Maple Hill Black Friday Deals

29:28 Thanksgiving Sign-Off

🎯 Shop THE HILL Official Merch

Rep the brand and support the movement with official gear!

🛒 Grab yours now: https://bit.ly/46UAoOh

Follow us:

https://www.facebook.com/maplehillgolf/

https://www.instagram.com/maplehillgolf/

https://www.tiktok.com/@maplehillgolf.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm1PySMzGMnuiZbXVjWMlmA

Website: https://maplehillgolf.com/

Episode 15 - Internet Golf Booms, LIV Changes, and The Truth About Trade-Ins

In this episode of The Hill Unscripted, Bob Kitchen breaks down some of the biggest shifts in the golf world — from viral tournaments to how retailers handle your trade-ins.

Bob starts with the incredible success of the Internet Invitational, which has pulled in 5.1 million viewers, surpassing PGA Tour ratings. He shares his own vision for a new kind of event — one where players buy into the purse themselves for a winner-take-all format that brings real excitement back to golf.

Then, Bob dives into the latest LIV Golf changes, explaining why the move from 54 to 72 holes might be more about money than golf — and how YouTube creators are changing the way fans watch and interact with the game.

He also gives an inside look at how golf trade-ins really work, revealing the “smoke and mirrors” behind inflated trade-in offers and explaining how Maple Hill focuses on true value and transparency for golfers.

Plus, Bob covers:

• Proper yardage gapping between clubs and how to fix distance overlaps

• The truth about golf balls in cold weather (hint: your swing matters more than the temperature)

• How to handle the reality of aging in golf and still love the game

• Upcoming Maple Hill promotions, including free TrackMan fittings, holiday gift card bonuses, and the annual Turkey Tee Off Open on Black Friday

If you want straight talk about golf — the gear, the game, and the business — this episode delivers it all.

0:00 Introduction to The Hill Unscripted Podcast

0:28 The Internet Invitational and Golf Tournament Innovation

5:57 LIV Golf's Evolution and YouTube's Impact

9:13 How Trade-Ins Work in Golf Retail

15:01 Yardage Gapping and Club Selection

22:51 Golf Ball Selection and Temperature Effects

24:42 Mailbag Question About Aging and Golf

29:50 Maple Hill Promotions and Events

36:58 Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement

🎯 Shop THE HILL Official Merch

Rep the brand and support the movement with official gear!

🛒 Grab yours now: https://bit.ly/46UAoOh

Follow us:

https://www.facebook.com/maplehillgolf/

https://www.instagram.com/maplehillgolf/

https://www.tiktok.com/@maplehillgolf.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm1PySMzGMnuiZbXVjWMlmA

Website: https://maplehillgolf.com/