A Good Walk Spoiled: Adventures in Golf Scott Poniewaz (@Pony_Golf)

Montana State Golf Association's 2024 schedule will make its way through some of the state's top golf courses. Tim Bakker, the MSGA Tournament Director, walks us through all of the exciting news for the upcoming season, including its new partnership with the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA).
Highlights include:
Montana State Match Play Championship
Bill Roberts Municipal Golf Course
Helena, MT
Jun 07, 2024 - Jun 09, 2024
Montana Men's State Amateur Championship
Laurel Golf Club
Laurel, MT
Jul 18, 2024 - Jul 20, 2024
Montana State Women's Amateur Championship
Butte Country Club
Butte, MT
Jul 28, 2024 - Jul 30, 2024
Montana Men's Mid-Amateur Championship
The Ranch Club
Missoula, MT
Aug 15, 2024 - Aug 17, 2024
Montana State Four-Ball Tournament
Meadow Lark Country Club
Great Falls, MT
Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 21, 2024


This episode also discusses some additional favorite courses across Montana, including Old Works in Anaconda, a Jack Nicklaus Signature course. Tim Bakker also discusses his background as a PGA teaching professional, his experience with Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), and shares background on the various ways MSGA also helps the golf industry with grants and student scholarships.

Follow the MSGA: https://www.instagram.com/406golf/
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Check out the rest of the Golfer Gang Network Podcasts: https://www.golfergang.com/
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Now, for those stepping onto the fairways for the first time, you might be wondering, "What exactly is a handicap, and why does it matter?" Well, think of it as golf's great equalizer, a way to level the playing field and allow golfers of different abilities to compete on an even footing.
At its core, your handicap represents your potential skill level, indicating how many strokes you might need to complete a round of golf relative to a scratch golfer - someone who plays at the top of their game. The higher your handicap, the more strokes you're allotted to reach par, making the game more enjoyable and competitive for all.
But how is this magical number calculated? Ah, that's where the World Handicap System (WHS) comes into play. It takes into account your scores from recent rounds, adjusts for the difficulty of the course you played, and voila - your handicap index is born.
At its core, a handicap is a numerical representation of a golfer's potential skill level, allowing players of different abilities to compete on an equal playing field. The process involves several steps that we walk you through in this episode.
In this episode, we also discuss what these 2024 USGA GHIN handicap revisions are all about. Well, the USGA (United States Golf Association) and its counterparts around the world have been diligently working to enhance the WHS, aiming to make it even more inclusive, accessible, and accurate. Several changes help golfers post scores that are on different styles of courses, including short courses, and also those that can't fit a full 18 holes in.
In our Chips, Bites, and Flights segment, we visit Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Pennsylvania, which is proud to be home to one of the country’s first golf courses. Dating back to 1895, our restored, historic course offers an experience of the highest caliber to rival the most private of clubs. Overlooking breathtaking views of the Allegheny Mountains and Cumberland Valley, this remarkable course spans the work of three golf architectural masters—Spencer Oldham, A.W. Tillinghast, and Donald Ross. It is a sleeper course any golf course architecture aficionado will not want to miss.
Settle in and join us for another episode of A Good Walk Spoiled: Adventures in Golf.

Here are some links to @Pony_Golf: https://linktr.ee/ponygolf
Find A Good Walk Spoiled merch on Millions: https://millions.co/scott-poniewaz-golf
Check out the rest of the Golfer Gang Network Podcasts: https://www.golfergang.com/
Shop Holderness & Bourne: https://alnk.to/74upT4S
Shop Galway Bay Golf Rain Gear: https://galwaybay.myshopify.com/?rfsn=7887308.cbaa9ce
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After a recent podcast I did on the guest side of things, with fellow Golfer Gang Network podcaster, Jeff Hartmann on his podcast “Fairways & Dreams” I realized there was a lot of questions about how I went from a 15 handicap to nearly scratch at a 2 handicap in just a few years. Listen to that whole story on Jeff’s podcast – which I’ll link to in the description and my LinkTree or find it on golfergang.com along with your favorite podcast networks, again that’s golfergang.com (also where you can find this fantastic podcast and several other great golf pod’s).
This episode walks through the tools and technologies that helped me go from a 15 handicap in my golf game down to a 2 handicap as I work my way to being a scratch golfer and adult amateur tournament player on tours like the Amateur Players Tour and Golfweek Amateur Players Tour. While The Golfers Journal's Index Experiment is helping many broadly chase their golf improvement goals, this podcast will give you the background on how and why I used the tools I used to make big gains in my golf game and these tools and guides can help you, too.
During our Chips, Bites, and Flights segment, we dig into St. George, Utah, which is home to epic and scenic golf courses like Sand Hollow Resort, Copper Rock Golf Club, Sky Mountain, and the newest addition, Black Desert Resort.

Here are some links to @Pony_Golf: https://linktr.ee/ponygolf
Find A Good Walk Spoiled merch on Millions: https://millions.co/scott-poniewaz-golf
Check out the rest of the Golfer Gang Network Podcasts: https://www.golfergang.com/
Shop Holderness & Bourne: https://alnk.to/74upT4S
Shop Galway Bay Golf Rain Gear: https://galwaybay.myshopify.com/?rfsn=7887308.cbaa9ce

The Airbnb Tiny Home I reference in the episode: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/43819665
The Golf Sidekick: https://www.youtube.com/@GolfSidekick
Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect: https://amzn.to/44GboXJ
Every Shot Must Have A Purpose: https://amzn.to/44Syz1n

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This episode discovers the historic link between Pony Golf and miniature golf, also known to many as putt-putt. This surprising tidbit of history gets discussed about how Lansdale, Pennsylvania and a 4th of July weekend brought the world of miniature golf to this northern Pennsylvania area on a "plot of ground selected by Paul G. Hartman and Dr. Charles F Rossell, sponsors of the novelty game."
We also dive into the story of A Good Walk Spoiled's host, Scott Poniewaz. Scott discusses his background in golf, how soccer overtook his golf career, but also how some of his first international adventures in golf began thanks to a nondescript golf shop on the border of the Laos and Thailand border, and the ricefields of northeastern Thailand.
Scott also digs into his adult amateur career and how he's spent his time criss-crossing the country in search of various adult golf tour wins.

Here are some links to @Pony_Golf: https://linktr.ee/ponygolf
Find A Good Walk Spoiled merch on Millions: https://millions.co/scott-poniewaz-golf
Check out the rest of the Golfer Gang Network Podcasts: https://www.golfergang.com/
Shop Holderness & Bourne: https://alnk.to/74upT4S
Shop Galway Bay Golf Rain Gear: https://galwaybay.myshopify.com/?rfsn=7887308.cbaa9ce
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of A Good Walk Spoiled merges golf and Phish. We welcome guest, Jonathan Bogush, to the show and he shares stories across his 354 phish shows, and countless rounds of golf. As a former college golfer and avid Phish fan, it was only natural that he eventually brought his two passions together and started tossing his golf clubs in the trunk when he set out on countless Phish tours over the years. In the episode, we talk about his first show in New Brunswick, NJ which opened with an epic Buried Alive back in 1993, we touch on his experiences seeing the Grateful Dead, then talk about how he came up with the idea to host a major golf outing for nearly 200 Phishheads during a three-night run at Atlantic City at the legendary Donald Ross designed Seaview Golf Club Bay course. Jonathan also shares how Phish shows at Hollywood Bowl led him to the opportunity to play the exclusive Bel-Air Country Club, considered one of the nation's top golf courses.
We wrap up the episode with our "Chips, Bites, and Flights" segment traveling to Seaview Golf Club and Atlantic City, which is a natural way to wrap up this epic episode. Tune in, drop out, and join us for a great conversation and guide to this LPGA tour stop in Galloway, New Jersey on the outskirts of Atlantic City.

Here are some links to @Pony_Golf: https://linktr.ee/ponygolf
Find A Good Walk Spoiled merch on Millions: https://millions.co/scott-poniewaz-golf
Check out the rest of the Golfer Gang Network Podcasts: https://www.golfergang.com/
Shop Galway Bay Golf Rain Gear: https://galwaybay.myshopify.com/?rfsn=7887308.cbaa9ce
Seaview Golf Club: https://www.seaviewgolf.com/
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In this episode of A Good Walk Spoiled, we embarked on a journey through the rich history and enduring legacy of golf course architect Donald Ross and the iconic Pinehurst Resort.
We delved into the life and career of Donald Ross, highlighting his remarkable achievements as a designer of over 400 golf courses across the United States. From his early days in Scotland to his influential work in America, Ross's innovative vision and design philosophy have left an indelible mark on the game of golf.
We also explored the signature design styles of Donald Ross, including his strategic bunkering, undulating terrain, and small, sloping greens. These elements, coupled with Ross's commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the land, have made his courses beloved by golfers around the world.
Turning our attention to Pinehurst Resort, we discovered a golfing paradise steeped in history and tradition. With its nine championship courses, luxurious accommodations, and exquisite dining options, Pinehurst offers an unparalleled experience for golfers of all skill levels.
During our Chips, Bites & Flights segment, we highlighted Pinehurst No. 2, the crown jewel of the resort and a masterpiece designed by Donald Ross himself. With its challenging greens and strategic layout, No. 2 has hosted numerous prestigious events, including the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women's Open, cementing its place in golfing history.
Finally, we explored the dining options at Pinehurst, from the elegant Carolina Dining Room to the cozy Ryder Cup Lounge, where guests can indulge in gourmet cuisine and refreshing cocktails after a day on the links.
Join us on A Good Walk Spoiled as we continue to uncover the stories and legacies of the golfing world's most influential figures and destinations. Until next time, may your drives be long and your putts be true.
Here are some links to @Pony_Golf: https://linktr.ee/ponygolf
Find A Good Walk Spoiled merch on Millions: https://millions.co/scott-poniewaz-golf
Check out the rest of the Golfer Gang Network Podcasts: https://www.golfergang.com/
Shop Galway Bay Golf Rain Gear: https://galwaybay.myshopify.com/?rfsn=7887308.cbaa9ce
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices