S12, Ep 50 Part 1: Qualifying Isn’t Guaranteed: Shaun Micheel on the Fight for the Champions Tour + US Kids Lifetime Master Teacher James Hong, The Next Generation Starts Here.

Thank you for coming back and pressing play on this week's show. I’ve got a jam-packed episode featuring a major champion…and two of the most dedicated and respected teachers in our game.

Leading things off is my great friend Shaun Micheel, the 2003 PGA Champion, and one of the very first guests to ever join this show. This marks Shaun’s 39th appearance here, and as always, he brings thoughtful insight and honesty. We get into just how tough it is to qualify for the Champions Tour — and why winning a major doesn’t automatically open that door. We also dive into how LIV has forced the PGA Tour to evolve, whether Shaun would consider playing if LIV launched a senior circuit, and we check in on how his Indiana Hoosiers have been surprising folks this football season.

Then I’m joined by James Hong, a U.S. Kids Golf Lifetime Master Teacher, and one-third of the famed Two Hoosiers & a Hong trio. James gives us a fascinating look into coaching young players today — in a world where instant gratification, TrackMan numbers, and social comparison are everywhere. We talk expectations, patience, parents, and how to keep the fun and curiosity alive in junior golf.

Be sure to come back for Part 2, because another one of the Hoosiers joins me — Scott Munroe, longtime Teaching Professional at the extremely exclusive Nantucket Golf Club. Scott shares what it’s like teaching at one of the most private clubs in America, how he earned the nickname “99,” and why he teaches juniors backwards — starting at the hole and working back to the tee. He also gives us some great drills to keep our swings sharp through the winter months.

It’s an insightful and really fun episode — full of stories, wisdom, and a whole lot of passion for growing the game.

Thanks as always for taking the journey with me.