The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts

Big Swing Media
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Golf
  • Updated Biweekly

The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts: Conversations with People Making News in the Business of Golf. Sixteen-time Emmy Award Winner and sports broadcasting legend, Jimmy Roberts, invites you to intimate, one-on-one conversations with some the most significant, A-list executives, entertainers and athletes shaping the future of the golf business — as well as unprecedented, unparalleled access and insights around the trends, deals and investments that define the sport. Check out new episodes every other Wednesday. The show will move to weekly in January 2026. Follow The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don’t forget to join our community at bigswingmedia.news for news and updates.

  1. 6d ago

    Golf’s Equipment Rules Could Split in Two

    Could professional golf end up with different equipment rules from the game most golfers play? Jimmy Roberts welcomes Gionni Magliocco, the newest member of The Big Swing team, for a look at the proposed changes that could create separate standards for pros and recreational players—and what that could mean for golf’s equipment makers. The conversation also explores why major manufacturers are moving away from annual driver releases, the mini driver’s growing presence on Tour, and how direct-to-consumer brands are changing the equipment business. What you’ll hear in this episode: - Why some manufacturers are moving to a two-year driver release cycle - What mini drivers offer—and how often they appeared at the Alfred Dunhill Links - How proposed equipment rules could affect Tour players and manufacturers - Why OEMs still depend on retailers even as direct-to-consumer brands grow - Headlines on California tee-time resale rules, Pro Shop’s latest funding, and Jon Rahm’s reported decision 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  2. Oct 6

    Can Topgolf's New CEO Fix Golf's Biggest Front Door?

    Topgolf was the darling of the golf industry—until it wasn't. Callaway bought the company in a deal valued at roughly $2 billion in 2021, then sold a majority stake to private equity this year after the combined business lost nearly half its value. David McKillips was hired to turn it around. Six months into the job, the former Chuck E. Cheese, Six Flags and Warner Bros. executive joins Jimmy Roberts to explain what he found after visiting 100 venues in 100 days, why guests love Topgolf but don't come back, and how he plans to fix it: new virtual courses every quarter, Toptracer technology in all 103 U.S. locations, a move away from the RFID ball, a membership program, floor-by-floor booking and more entertainment—from arcades to racquet sports—for the 65% of customers who aren't avid golfers. Then Evan Roosevelt, co-founder of golf-only investment firm Old Tom Capital, gives his read on the Topgolf model, why same-site visits declined from the day each venue opened, and whether leaning into entertainment risks alienating the core golfer. He also makes the case that par-3 and short courses are the next big investable category in a supply-constrained game, explains why the definition of a "serious golfer" is widening and shares why his firm invests exclusively in golf. Also in this episode: the Golf Business Intelligence Brief covers NBC's Presidents Cup ratings surge, Five Iron Golf's new smaller-footprint franchise model and L.A.B. Golf's sold-out collaboration with Steph Curry. David McKillips also appears in Making Better Decisions, presented by Aon, Fox News' Bret Baier shares his Big Swing moment and Jimmy closes on the Protect College Sports bill and why college athletics is more broken than golf's governing bodies. What you'll hear in this episode: Why Topgolf's growth story stalled—and what McKillips says the company failed to reinvest inHow a 30-year career in theme parks and out-of-home entertainment applies to golfThe product changes coming to Topgolf: Toptracer, a new ball, new virtual courses and a membership programWhat Old Tom Capital's Evan Roosevelt thinks Topgolf has to get right to win back golfersWhy par-3 courses may be the next great golf investment🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  3. Sep 29

    He Sold Two Companies to Play America's 100 Best Public Courses

    What do you do after a seven-figure exit? Daniel Belk decided to play golf—all of America's top 100 public courses, in under a year. The entrepreneur behind a self-storage private equity firm and Cool Down, the run club turned apparel brand he grew to 15 cities before selling his stake, joins Jimmy Roberts from the road at the halfway point of his journey. Belk breaks down the numbers behind the quest: an $85,000 to $100,000 budget built on a $350 average green fee, why renting RVs and sleeping in course parking lots has put him well under that projection, and how a following of more than 100,000 on Instagram has brought coverage from Bloomberg and Golf.com—and a stream of brand offers he has so far turned down. He also shares the stories from the road, including hitchhiking from Wolf Creek to Black Desert, a birdie from the Ryder Cup tees at Bethpage Black, why Whistling Straits tops his list so far and how a $5.5 million self-storage deal that closed with four days to spare became his first big break. What you'll hear in this episode: How Belk budgeted a year of top 100 public golf—and why he's coming in under itWhy he's turned down brand partnerships to keep the series authenticHow a run club of 2,000 weekly runners became a seven-figure apparel exitWhat it's like to play Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits and the most remote course on the listWhy "winging it" beats a spreadsheet when your schedule gets wrecked every week The episode also features the Golf Business Intelligence Brief with headlines on the Presidents Cup's record $175 million economic impact and the return of bifurcation to the golf ball debate, LPGA teaching professional Kelly Brook's review of the $120 Golf at Home swing trainer, Making Better Decisions presented by Aon with USGA CEO Mike Whan, Soly from No Laying Up's Big Swing moment and Jimmy's tribute to retiring Mets radio voice Howie Rose. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  4. Sep 22

    Why the PGA Tour Won’t Sell the Presidents Cup

    The Presidents Cup has been dominated by the United States—but judging the event by the final score misses the much bigger business story. Ahead of the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Big Swing Media golf business reporter Michael LoRé to examine why the PGA Tour, global sponsors, broadcasters and host cities remain bullish on the event. They break down the Presidents Cup’s commercial value, the advantage the PGA Tour gains by owning the property outright and why comparing a 32-year-old competition to the century-old Ryder Cup doesn’t tell the whole story. They also explore the tournament’s international reach and its projected $175 million economic impact on the Chicago region. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why competitive imbalance hasn’t eliminated the Presidents Cup’s commercial appeal How full ownership makes the event especially valuable to the PGA Tour Why brands see an opportunity to reach audiences around the world What the Ryder Cup’s early history reveals about the Presidents Cup’s future How Medinah and Chicago could produce the event’s biggest edition yet 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  5. Sep 15

    The USGA’s Plan to Protect Golf’s Future

    USGA CEO Mike Whan joins Jimmy Roberts for a wide-ranging conversation about the decisions that could shape golf for generations. Whan explains why the continued increase in distance at the elite level has become one of the game’s biggest long-term challenges—and why the answer could involve changes to the golf ball, driver standards or different equipment rules for professional and recreational golfers. He also discusses the USGA’s evolving conversations with the PGA TOUR, the possibility of changes before 2030 and why protecting historic golf courses requires the industry to think decades ahead. The conversation also explores the rapid growth of the U.S. National Development Program, the USGA’s $50 million commitment to junior golf, the growing importance of water conservation and what women’s golf still needs to produce its breakthrough moment in America. What you'll hear in this episode: • Why golf’s continued increase in distance could threaten its most historic courses • Whether professionals and recreational golfers should play by different equipment rules • How the USGA is building a national development pipeline for young American golfers • Why water and land use could become major challenges for the golf industry • What women’s golf needs to create its own Caitlin Clark-style breakthrough in America The episode also features Powering the Women’s Game, presented by Chevron, and Peyton Manning sharing the handwritten letter that became his Big Swing moment. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  6. Sep 8

    Peyton Manning Is Bringing Football’s Media Playbook to Golf

    Peyton Manning knows how to turn sports into entertainment—and now he’s bringing that experience to golf. The five-time NFL MVP and founder of Omaha Productions joins Jimmy Roberts to explain why he believes golf is a smart business opportunity, how Omaha is developing new golf content with the PGA TOUR, and what the sport can learn from the NFL’s ability to command attention throughout the entire year. Manning also shares what he has learned from playing alongside Tiger Woods, the story behind his investment in Sweetens Cove, and why golf became an important team-building tool during his NFL career. Plus, he discusses the continued evolution of the ManningCast, Brian Rolapp’s vision for the PGA TOUR, the changing college football landscape, and the possibility of reuniting with the kids from his legendary Saturday Night Live sketch. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why Peyton and Omaha Productions expanded into golf How the NFL’s year-round media strategy could help grow the PGA TOUR What Tiger Woods taught Peyton about preparation and competition The story behind Sweetens Cove and its unusual business model How the ManningCast found an audience beyond traditional football fans 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  7. Sep 1

    How CEOs Decide If a Golf Sponsorship Is Worth It

    Golf sponsorship is big business—but some of its most important returns can’t be measured on a spreadsheet. Live from East Lake during the Tour Championship, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Coca-Cola President and CFO John Murphy and Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Chris Womack. They explain how major companies evaluate golf partnerships, balance hard metrics against long-term brand value, and ultimately make the “go or no-go” decision on major investments. The conversation also explores Tom Cousins’ extraordinary transformation of East Lake, what the PGA TOUR’s eventual departure could mean for the community, and why golf’s rapidly growing business must protect the larger ecosystem that helped fuel its success. What you'll hear in this episode: How Tom Cousins helped transform East Lake through golf, housing and educationWhat could happen to East Lake after the Tour Championship moves onHow Coca-Cola and Southern Company measure the value of golf sponsorshipsWhy the economics of a partnership don’t always tell the entire storyLeadership lessons for confronting crises and making difficult decisions quickly 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  8. Aug 25

    They Bought an ABANDONED Golf Course for $200K

    Tye Nichols and his family paid $200,000 for 44 acres and an abandoned nine-hole golf course in Chesterville, Maine—with no experience in agronomy, course design or restoration. A year later, Fairway Fields has a working, tech-enabled driving range, support from major golf brands and more than one million followers watching the transformation. Tye joins Jimmy Roberts to explain how his marketing experience at Origin USA and Jocko Fuel helped turn a risky family project into an audience-building case study. He shares the strategy behind opening the driving range first, the mistakes that cost them time and money, and why documenting every step changed the trajectory of the business. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why Tye and his parents bought a course that had been abandoned for more than a decadeHow eight covered Inrange bays became Fairway Fields’ first revenue engineHow John Deere, TaylorMade, Trimax and Takomo became involvedThe $3,000 mistake Tye now considers a “tuition payment”How Fairway Fields grew to more than one million followers across platforms in under a year Also in this episode, Seminole Golf Club head professional Matt Cahill takes Jimmy Inside the Shop to discuss what he learned from Bob Ford, the business behind one of golf’s most prestigious shops and the challenge of modernizing a historic club without changing its character. Plus, Powering the Women’s Game presented by Chevron examines the growing commercial opportunity surrounding the Solheim Cup, and The Office star Brian Baumgartner shares his Big Swing Moment. Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday Watch on YouTube | Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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5
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18 Ratings

About

The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts: Conversations with People Making News in the Business of Golf. Sixteen-time Emmy Award Winner and sports broadcasting legend, Jimmy Roberts, invites you to intimate, one-on-one conversations with some the most significant, A-list executives, entertainers and athletes shaping the future of the golf business — as well as unprecedented, unparalleled access and insights around the trends, deals and investments that define the sport. Check out new episodes every other Wednesday. The show will move to weekly in January 2026. Follow The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don’t forget to join our community at bigswingmedia.news for news and updates.

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