Flagstick Podcast

Flagstick

The Flagstick Podcast is brought to you by one of the longest-standing media outlets in Canadian Golf, Flagstick. Each episode brings you fun and informative content, connecting you to the relevant people, places, and topics of the day. Long-time friends and hosts Jeff Bauder and Scott MacLeod share their thoughts on all manners of golf topic and welcome a myriad of guests.

  1. Jul 15

    Episode 179: Royal Birkdale, A Beast?

    On this episode, we dive into the invaluable lessons learned from tournament golf and gear up for one of the absolute biggest weeks on the sports calendar: the 154th Open Championship. We tee off the Front Nine with a comprehensive look at a number of tournaments. We break down the historic Ontario Women’s Amateur at eQuinelle, which marked the first time in its 111-year history that the prestigious event has traveled this far east. We celebrate Brooke Henderson’s spectacular playoff finish at the Amundi Evian Championship, which has vaulted her back to thirteenth in the world rankings. Finally, we reflect on our experiences at the Flagstick Shootout, using the tournament to explore the deeper pillars of competitive golf, the socialization, the competition, and the overall experience, while giving listeners a sneak peek at our print upcoming issue. After the turn, in the Back, we shift our focus across the pond to Southport, England, for the return of the Open Championship to the iconic, towering sand dunes of Royal Birkdale for the first time since Jordan Spieth’s wild, chaotic victory in 2017. With over three hundred thousand spectators expected to set attendance records, we discuss how the course is playing incredibly firm and fast. We unpack the massive and controversial architectural renovations completed by Mackenzie & Ebert, and detail how Birkdale defends itself through flat fairways, brutal dunes, and unpredictable winds rather than complex putting greens, highlighting the critical closing tretch. To close out the show, we analyze how the world's best, including a few English golfers, will match up against this legendary links test as they chase the final major of the season. This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #: 2227748

    Episode 179: Royal Birkdale, A Beast?
  2. Jul 2

    Episode 177: The Mid-Season Mail Bag - Community Questions Answered

    Grab your headphones and pull up a chair; it’s time for a wide-open mailbag episode of the Flagstick Podcast Jeff and Scott kick things off with a rapid-fire breakdown of the latest local golf news. They recap the recent weather issues throwing a wrench into regional course maintenance, share firsthand updates from their own recent rounds, and dive into the electric atmosphere at Trillium Wood for the record-setting 5th anniversary of the Endless Summer Long Drive Championship. Then, the boys swing into the main event: The Flagstick Mailbag. Jeff and Scott tackle a massive stack of listener-submitted questions covering the entire spectrum of the game. Inside the Mailbag: Gear Talk: Hybrids vs long irons; new club heads vs new shafts - just a few of the topics. The Travel Itinerary: Planning the ultimate golf buddy trip without losing your mind, or breaking your body. From the Pro Tours: Are too many majors in a short period of time and does that make them lose their appeal? The Mental & Physical Grind: Practical advice on how to navigate those brutal stretches where your swing completely deserts you. The Frequent Flyer Dilemma: “Is wearing golf shoes on a plane a problem?"(Yes, we actually try to solve this). Whether you're looking for gear advice, trip inspiration, swing therapy, or just a laugh for your drive to the course, this episode has you covered. This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #: 2227748

    Episode 177: The Mid-Season Mail Bag - Community Questions Answered
  3. Jun 4

    Episode 173: Ghost Courses, U.S. Women’s Open, and a Noodle to the Noodle

    In Episode #173 of the Flagstick Podcast, hosts Jeff and Scott welcome listeners with updates on local golf news and a review of the COBRA PUMA Spring Open at Casselview. After recounting a scary, game-aborting incident during Scott's Sunday round dubbed "a noodle to the noodle," the hosts dive into a nostalgic feature on regional "Ghost Courses." Sparked by a recent magazine delivery, they reflect on the loss of numerous Eastern Ontario and Outaouais courses that have closed since 1996, including tracks like Glen Lawrence, Nationview, and Kanata, and discuss how these closures impact the local community. Switching to the Back Nine, the show previews the 81st U.S. Women’s Open, running from June 4–7, 2026, at the historic Riviera Country Club. Playing at 6,699 yards as a par 71, this marks Riviera's first time hosting the women's major before it takes the stage for the 2028 Olympics. The hosts highlight key storylines for the 156-player field, including Sweden's Maja Stark attempting a rare title defense and a strong four-player Canadian contingent led by Brooke Henderson and 17-year-old phenom Anna Huang. They conclude by discussing how fan familiarity with Riviera's iconic layout will enhance the television viewing experience as players compete for massive major exemptions and the historic trophy. This episode is presented by COBRA Golf, with additional support from Metcalfe Golf and Falcon Ridge Golf Club. Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License certificate #: 2227748

    Episode 173: Ghost Courses, U.S. Women’s Open, and a Noodle to the Noodle

About

The Flagstick Podcast is brought to you by one of the longest-standing media outlets in Canadian Golf, Flagstick. Each episode brings you fun and informative content, connecting you to the relevant people, places, and topics of the day. Long-time friends and hosts Jeff Bauder and Scott MacLeod share their thoughts on all manners of golf topic and welcome a myriad of guests.

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