S12, Ep 52 Part 1: LIV’s Big Move, Young Talent at Risk & Life at Hole in the Wall with Tom Patri & Jon Buddenhagen

Welcome in, folks, to another edition of Next on the Tee, where golf legends live and your game gets better. 

We kick things off with our Resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri, who shares his reaction to the breaking news that LIV Golf will move to a 72-hole format starting in 2026. If that shift leads to World Golf Ranking points, what does it mean for the PGA Tour? With every LIV event next year offering bigger payouts than the Tour’s Signature events, could they target up-and-coming young talent the way they did with former Rory McIlroy protégé Tom McKibbin? Could rising players be swayed by a $5 million signing bonus, larger guaranteed purses, and the ability to still earn OWGR points to access the majors? TP breaks it all down and gives us his take on how this could reshape professional golf.

Then I’m joined by someone Tom knows well and has worked with over the years — Jon Buddenhagen, Head Golf Professional at the historic Hole in the Wall Golf Club in Naples, Florida. Jon shares the story behind this unique, golf-only club that dates back to the 1950s — no tennis, no pickleball, no dining, and no tee times. Members simply walk up and play, making it one of the purest old-school golf experiences you’ll find. Jon takes us inside a day in the life of a Head Golf Pro, how they maintain the course to meet member expectations, and he offers a couple of great tips to help you shave a few strokes off your game.

And be sure to come back for Part 2, when I’ll be joined by two great friends of the show — 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton and golf-tech genius Terry Hashimoto.

Thank you, as always, for tuning in and being part of this community.