To kick off the 15th season of the ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host, Colin Weston, attended The 2024 PGA Show, where he broadcasted live from the Media Stage.

Weston recorded six conversations with golf industry innovators on the show floor Media Stage. In this session, Part 2 of his PGA Show 'Live' conversations, he presents the 4th, 5th and 6th interviews with some very interesting guests.

In this 1st episode of their 13th season, ModGolf Podcast creator and host, Colin Weston, talks with John Simpson, the founder of On Course Foundation which supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel and veterans through golf.

The Foundation's mission is to build confidence and self-belief in their members through golf skills and employment events, and set them on the path to meaningful full-time employment opportunities in the golf industry.

In this edition of the ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host Colin Weston speaks with the founder and CEO of Golf+ Ryan Engle, regarding his, 'Perseverance, Pivoting And Ability To Continuously Adapt'

Ryan Engle's love for golf started at age 11 after watching the movie Happy Gilmore. Fast forward almost two decades later and we find Ryan combining his love for computer science, writing code and golf to become the Founder and CEO of GOLF+, who are leaders in VR golf with a mission to grow the game by making it more accessible.

In this episode of The ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host, Colin Weston, chats with Ty DeLavallade the founder and president of Deuce, an upscale golf and cigar accessory company that can design golf accessories for every golfer.

"I did some research to find out what other black-owned businesses are out there. To be fair, I didn't find any...

Season 14 of The ModGolf Podcast wrapped up with episode 12 and the Brad Schweigert from PXG interview. The ModGolf team is currently working on the next twelve episodes for Season 15, which launches in February.

Colin Weston and his team heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

In the opening segment of season 14 on the ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host Colin Weston speaks with Preston Phillips, Sport & Entertainment Entrepreneur, Investor & Advisor.

Colin met Phillips on a HYPE Sports Innovation "Ask Me Anything" webinar and was so impressed with his genuine desire to help entrepreneurs and their companies that he had to invite him on the show to share his experiences with you.

In the latest edition of the ModGolf Podcast, show host and creator Colin Weston speaks with Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of the AFRIYEA Golf Academy, regarding the rise of the game in Uganda and what Mwesige is doing to help facilitate that growth. 

"I was trying to use my real life experience and what I went through when I was younger. I used some strategies of being in the same position as all those kids who come from families who do not have access into the game of golf. I did some research and discovered that there was a need for a golf academy to create a pathway for these kids to learn and play the game."

- Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of The AFRIYEA Golf Academy

At the annual PGA Show in late January in Orlando, ModGolf creator and host, Colin Weston, always make a point of taking the 30-minute bus shuttle out to 'Demo Day' to kick the tires of the golf industry's latest equipment at the 360º range facility.

The product that really caught his attention this year had nothing to do with hitting balls across the 400-yard diameter driving range. Off to the side was a compact setup that exuded a fun vibe where people were hitting oversized plastic whiffle balls with an oversized plastic club.... at buckets with flags in them.

That was his introduction to BucketGolf. After playing a quick round he struck up a conversation with Founder and CEO Tyler Simmons to learn about how BucketGolf came to be.

In this episode of The ModGolf Podcast show creator and host, Colin Weston, talks with Nick Longley, co-founder at Inrange Golf.

Inrange is a company that,  "...uses technology, combined with the more informal environment of the range to open up the game of golf. To make practice fun again. To bring in a whole new generation of players. To redefine what 'playing golf' actually looks like."

In this episode of The ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host, Colin Weston, interviewed Amy Bockerstette who first came to prominence in the public eye during the moment that Colin describes below. 

"On Jan. 29, 2019 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open’s Dream Day on the famous 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, Amy Bockerstette, who has Down syndrome, demonstrated to the golfing world what a determined athlete with self-confidence and a positive attitude can achieve.

While playing with PGA TOUR players Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar during the Tuesday practice round, Amy hit the par 3 tee shot 117 yards into a greenside bunker, splashed her sand shot to within 8 feet of the pin, and made her par putt in front of a roaring crowd."

The I GOT THIS Foundation was born out of this moment, which was captured on video and has since gone viral, receiving more than 54 million views on social media platforms.

In this edition of the ModGolf Podcast, show host and creator, Colin Weston, has a fascinating conversation with LPGA Tour veteran pro, Christina Kim.

"Everybody has trauma, so being able to work through that has been huge for my golf game. Funnily enough, I need to remember that I'm a person before I'm a golfer."

- Christina Kim, LPGA Tour pro

On the LPGA Tour Christina Kim is known for her bubbly, fun, positive personality. After more than a decade of professional golf that veneer cracked, leaving Christina exhausted, depressed and contemplating suicide. On this compelling episode Christina and host Colin Weston share stories of trauma, rejuvenation and a newfound joy in both life and golf.

Image Courtesy WAGR®

(20 November 2019, St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, N.J., USA): The R&A and the USGA today announced the World Amateur Golf Ranking ® (WAGR ®) will be determined by a new system called the Power Method beginning with the first update in January 2020.

The Power Method aims to better reflect the current performance of golfers by placing greater emphasis on current form and results by improving the algorithms used to determine the WAGR.

In the new structure, every event in the world will earn a Power based on the strength of its starting field which will then determine the total number of ranking points on offer to the field. This will extend to a maximum of 1000 for amateur events with players also able to gain ranking points from playing in professional tournaments.

Distance Has Become A Major Topic Of Discussion In Golf Over The Recent Years, Not Only As It Affects The Pros, But At All Levels Of The Sport - Image Credit Sue Sapp (Labelled For Reuse)

For Immediate Release

(15 May 2018, St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, NJ, USA): The R&A and the USGA have launched a comprehensive project to analyse distance in golf and gather perspectives from the worldwide golf community.

The Distance Insights project will examine distance through a multi-pronged approach that includes global stakeholder engagement, third-party data review and primary research. Focus groups and discussion forums will play an important role in the project, to secure a broad range of perspectives throughout golf.

Beginning today, anyone interested in the topic can provide feedback by visiting randa.org/distanceinsights or usga.org/distanceinsights or by emailing either organisation directly.

For Immediate Publication

22 February 2021, St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, N.J., USA: The R&A and the USGA have announced proposals for significant changes to the Rules of Amateur Status that govern the game worldwide.

These proposals result from a modernisation initiative that has identified a clear need to bring the Rules up to date to reflect today’s global amateur game and ensure that the Rules are easier to understand and apply.

The proposed Rules, along with explanations to key changes, have been posted on www.RandA.org and www.usga.org and the organisations are now inviting feedback from golfers and stakeholders. Comments will be accepted until Friday, 26 March 2021 with the new Rules scheduled to be adopted on 1 January 2022.

creative commons free photo

Via Golf Canada

The R&A and the USGA have unveiled a regular update to the Rules of Golf as they continue to make the Rules easier to understand and apply. The new Rules went into effect on January 1, 2023.

The 2023 edition continues the modernization process, with an emphasis on both inclusion and sustainability. For the first time, the modified Rules for players with disabilities have been fully incorporated into the playing rules without the need to adopt a local rule.

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The R&A

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(St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, NJ, USA) – The R&A and the USGA announced the first update to the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) as part of an ongoing review of the Rules of Handicapping™ and Course Rating System™ with a continued emphasis on accuracy, consistency and equity. The latest revisions will go into effect from the 1st of January 2024.

Many countries have seen significant increases in the number of scores being submitted for handicapping purposes since the WHS was introduced, reflecting golf’s broadening appeal. More than 100 million scores have been posted each year, unifying millions of golfers through a standard measure of playing ability. The 2024 update leverages the performance data gathered from around the world, in addition to feedback received from many of the 125 countries now using the system.

Significant updates to the WHS include:

Click HERE to see complete article.

The R&A

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. and ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – The R&A and the USGA have announced that a new Model Local Rule (MLR G-10) will be available beginning on 1 January 2022 to provide those running professional or elite amateur golf competitions with the option of limiting the maximum length of a golf club (excluding putters) to 46 inches.

The proposal was announced in February 2021, which opened a notice-and-comment period to allow the industry the opportunity to provide feedback as part of the equipment rulemaking procedures. The comments received from the golf industry, including players, professional tours and equipment manufacturers, were carefully considered before the decision to proceed with the new MLR was reached.

Image Courtesy Golf Canada

For Immediate Publication

(5 March 2018, St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, NJ, USA) - The R&A and the USGA have completed the annual review of driving distance in golf, producing a research report that documents and evaluates important findings from the 2017 season.

Introduced in 2015, the annual report examines driving distance data from seven of the major worldwide professional golf tours, based on nearly 300,000 drives per year. The data from studies of male and female amateur golfers is also included.

image courtesy pixabay

(19 April 2017), Far Hills, USA and St Andrews, Scotland: The USGA and The R&A are working with golf’s handicapping authorities to develop a single World Handicap System for the sport.

More than 15 million golfers in over 80 countries presently have a handicap, a numerical index long used as a reference to gauge a golfer’s potential skill level. Handicaps are currently delivered through six different systems around the world. The aim of the proposed handicap system is to adopt a universal set of principles and procedures that will apply all over the world.

via Golf Canada with files from the R&A

St. Andrews, Scotland – The R&A is conducting an industry forum in St. Andrews this week to examine the issues surrounding pace of play and the time it takes to play golf.

The Time for Golf conference, which is taking place today and tomorrow (Nov. 24-25) will bring together representatives of national affiliated bodies with figures from some of the key organizations involved in administering the sport to discuss factors such as the golf course, management and player behaviour.

Dale Jackson, chair of Golf Canada’s Rules Committee, is there representing Canada.