Ep113: Karl Vilips Wins Big. Are GA Serious about the Aus Open? Jack Nicklaus Shows Who’s Boss
A huge Talk Birdie To Me pod today, we start with Karl Vilips’ fantastic win in Puerto Rico. Nick and Mark chat about his path to this point, from an Australian prodigy at 6-years old to PGA winner, how he did it and why he moved to the US so young. Nick chats about what impressed him about Karl’s performance, and Mark raises his swing and suggests it may be the new modern swing. Nick would prefer to see Karl waggling, but at the same time he’s doing pretty well without it!
We discuss Jason Day’s suble change in his putting. Nick raises some of the changes at Bay Hill and talks about playing that course.
Mark raises ‘fast greens’ and says that whilst many golfers like to say they play them well, they are not ideal generally. We talk about ideal green speeds.
The Australian Open dates, for all tournaments, are yet to be announced. Mark asks are Golf Australia serious about the Open or not? And he invites James Sutherland onto the pod to explain where it’s at.
Mark has heard that the discussions between the PIF and the PGA in Washington have broken down.
Nick’s Top 5 is on well known players who wore gloves to putt, in order of worst to best. It won’t surprise you to know that it is in fact a Top 6. Surely by now this is an ACCC issue. Nick also tells a great story about the Golden Bear at a conference – very funny.
Feedback today – including a call from David in Brisbane who is heading off next week to the Barossa for a boys drinking , ahem, golf trip and wants some advice on how to maintain energy and momentum under duress (ie: late nights, wines and beers). Also in feedback a couple of whacks for Mark. Always fun.
PING global results – we’re yet to resolve the trumpet situation. Watch this space. And Marks masterclass is on how ‘locking your shirt’ under your armpit can help your putting. Our intern Javier was in charge of audio, might explain why we fired him.
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Karl's dad's dedication to his son is 2nd to none and I admire it greatly. Single parent, really going it alone, and giving Karl every opportunity he could muster within his means.
Also worth noting, for many years (especially all his formative years) Karl's dad was his only swing coach and Karl's fundamentals are mostly unchanged. If you watch Karl's Youtube channel over the years, it is obvious his Dad knows golf, the golf swing, and really knows Karl's swing.