The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts
The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts features conversations with influential figures in the golf business, including executives, entertainers, and athletes. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster Jimmy Roberts, the podcast offers insights into trends, deals, and investments shaping the sport. New episodes release every other Wednesday, moving to weekly in January 2026.
Episodes
S E52: 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
S E51: 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 Ji
S E50: 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 behi
S E48: 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
S E47: 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 recrea
S E46: 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 th
S E45: 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 br
S E44: 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 mar
S E43: She Took On Golf’s Old Boys’ Club—and Won
Kelley Brooke has gone head-to-head with some of golf’s largest management companies—and won—by taking on the financial risk herself and obsessing over every detail of the customer experience.At Montauk Downs, Jimmy Roberts sits down with the LPGA professional and golf-course operator behind facilities including Bethpage, Montauk Downs, Harbor Links and Pine Ridge. Brooke explains how she
S E42: Where Golf’s Smart Money Is Going Next
Golf’s estimated economic impact reaches roughly a quarter-trillion dollars—but where is the smart money going next?Matt Erley, co-founder of Old Tom Capital, joins Jimmy Roberts to explain why investors increasingly see golf as one of the most resilient growth categories in sports and recreation. He reveals which parts of the industry have his attention, from shorter “golf light” experie
S E41: John Smoltz on Building a NEW Pro Golf Tour
John Smoltz thought the idea was great—but that it would never work.Now, the Baseball Hall of Famer is helping build THE PRO, an invitation-only professional golf tour created exclusively for former athletes. With approximately 80 players, a $500,000 purse at every tournament and stars from across baseball, football, basketball, hockey and beyond, Smoltz is turning the competitive void at
S E40: How Delta Became a Power Player at the Masters and PGA TOUR
Why is one of the world’s largest airlines making such a significant investment in golf?Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian joins Jimmy Roberts to explain why the company’s relationships with the Masters, the PGA TOUR and some of the game’s biggest players are about much more than television exposure.For Bastian, golf sits at the intersection of relationships, travel and the growing experience
S E39: Steph Curry Is Building His Next Chapter in Golf
Steph Curry is already planning his next chapter—and golf is becoming a central part of the legacy he wants to build beyond basketball.In this special episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Curry shares how a childhood passion for golf evolved into a much larger mission. Through Underrated Golf, he is investing millions annually to remove the financial and structural barriers that c
S E38: The Training Method Behind Scottie Scheffler's Breakthrough
The biggest threat to your golf game may not be your swing. It may be what your body is doing during the rest of the day.In this YouTube-exclusive episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Dr. Jeremy James, founder of GolfForever, to discuss back pain, mobility, aging, injury prevention, and the physical limitations that quietly cost golfers distance, consiste
S E37: How Stanford Built a Women’s Golf Powerhouse
Stanford women’s golf has become one of the most dominant programs in college golf — but Anne Walker’s approach goes far beyond swing mechanics.In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Stanford women’s golf head coach Anne Walker to talk about leadership, player development, recruiting, practice, NIL, college athletics, and the culture behind one of the sp
S E36: Tiger Woods’ Former Agent Finally Tells the Story
Before Tiger Woods became a global business empire, Hughes Norton was helping build the foundation.In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Hughes Norton — the legendary former IMG agent who represented Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Curtis Strange, and other major figures in golf during one of the most transformative eras in the sport’s history.Norton takes Ji
S E35: Golf’s Money Problem Is Finally Out in the Open
Golf is booming — but the business behind the game has never been more complicated.In this special live episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, recorded ahead of the U.S. Open, Jimmy sits down for two separate conversations with two of the most influential voices in golf, media, and business: Mark Lazarus and Jimmy Dunne.Lazarus, CEO of Versant and one of the key figures behind Golf
S E34: McLaren's Bold Bet on Golf with Hoyt McGarity
Why would one of the most iconic brands in motorsports decide to enter one of the most competitive industries in sports?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Hoyt McGarity, President of 8AM Golf and advisor to McLaren Golf, to discuss one of the most ambitious equipment launches the golf industry has seen in years.McLaren is known worldwide for Formula One racing,
S E33: Arthur Blank Bet on Himself... and Won
How do you go from getting fired to building one of the most successful companies in American history?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Arthur Blank, the billionaire entrepreneur, philanthropist, co-founder of The Home Depot, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, and one of the most influential figures in modern golf today.Blank shares the remarkable story of being fi
S E32: Ed Burns on Golf Taking Him by Storm, Family & Finnegan's Foursome
How does an acclaimed filmmaker become obsessed with golf?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with writer, director, actor, and lifelong storyteller Edward Burns to discuss his newest film, Finnegan's Foursome, and the personal journey that inspired it.After losing his mother during the COVID pandemic, Burns picked up golf again to spend time with his father. What st
S E31: Adeel Yang on Living Alone at 14, his Golf Obsession & Building Dryvebox
What happens when a former medical student, startup founder, and self-described golf addict decides to reinvent how people experience golf?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Adeel Yang, the co-founder and CEO of Dryvebox — one of the most innovative companies in golf’s rapidly evolving off-course economy.What started as a pandemic passion project inside a trail
S E30: Paige Spiranac on Fame, Hate & Building a Golf Empire
Paige Spiranac became one of the most influential people in golf — but not without controversy, criticism, and constant public scrutiny.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Paige Spiranac for a candid conversation about social media, anxiety, branding, fame, and the business of building one of golf’s most recognizable personal brands.What started as a single vira
S E29: How AI is Changing Golf Forever
AI is changing golf faster than almost anyone realizes.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with members of the Big Swing Media team to break down the biggest trends shaping the future of the game — from artificial intelligence and rising participation to Tiger Woods, creator golf, and the booming business of golf media.Joining Jimmy are
S E28: Jack Nicklaus Walked Away From Millions
Jack Nicklaus turned down millions, and he’s completely at peace with it.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with golf legend Jack Nicklaus to explore the business side of one of the greatest careers in sports history.From early deals with IMG to turning down opportunities with companies like Wendy’s and NFL ownership stakes, Nicklaus opens up about the decisions tha
S E26: The LPGA Has a Massive Opportunity... But Can They Pull It Off?
The LPGA is having a moment — but can it turn momentum into something lasting?At the Chevron Championship, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Craig Kessler to discuss one of the most pivotal moments in the history of women’s golf.With rising viewership, increased investment, and growing global attention on women’s sports, the LPGA finds itself at a crossroads — and a massive opportunity.Kessler
S E25: Thomas Friedman on Saudi Arabia, LIV and the $2 Billion Gamble about to fall apart
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Friedman joins Jimmy Roberts on The Big Swing to break down the business, politics, and global strategy behind LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and the future of the game.From Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to the economics of sports investment, this conversation goes far beyond headlines — diving into why LIV Golf
S E24: How DraftKings Turned an Idea Into BILLIONS | Jason Robins
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins joins Jimmy Roberts to break down the business of sports betting, fantasy sports, and the future of golf wagering. From startup beginnings to a multi-billion dollar company, this is a deep dive into one of the fastest-growing industries in sports.With sports betting surpassing $167 billion in the U.S. alone, this conversation explores how companies like DraftKi
S E23: The Masters Stories & Secrets | Jimmy Roberts
Jimmy Roberts shares his experiences covering The Masters, one of the most iconic events in golf, in a rare sit-down interview with Executive Producer Adrienne Gallagher. From unforgettable moments at Augusta National to personal stories built over decades in sports broadcasting, this episode offers a unique look inside golf’s most prestigious tournament.The episode also features a behind
S E22: GOLFZON Is QUIETLY Taking Over Golf
GOLFZON is one of the largest indoor golf companies in the world, powering thousands of simulator locations and reshaping how people play the game. CEO of GOLFZON America, Sean Pyun, joins Jimmy Roberts to explain how golf technology is driving a global shift in participation, accessibility, and the future of the sport.From South Korea’s booming simulator culture to the rapid expansion of
S E21: Why YouTube Golf Is BEATING Traditional Golf | Grant Horvat
Grant Horvat has built one of the most-watched brands in golf without ever playing a PGA Tour event, and the numbers behind his growth are changing how the entire sport thinks about media, sponsorship, and what fans actually want.In this Best Of episode pulling from our full conversation with Grant, Jimmy Roberts breaks down the rise of YouTube golf through the lens of one of its biggest
S E20: How NBC Broadcasts THE PLAYERS Championship | Dan Hicks & Tommy Roy
Tommy Roy has produced 29 Emmy Award-winning golf broadcasts, including THE PLAYERS Championship, the Ryder Cup, and every major on NBC. Dan Hicks has called the action at TPC Sawgrass more times than anyone else in television. Both sat down with Jimmy Roberts on-site at THE PLAYERS Championship to talk about how NBC brings the game to millions of viewers worldwide.This episode goes insid
S E19: Is Golf the Next Asset Class? | PE Guy + The LPGA’s Global Rise
What happens when private equity culture meets the business of golf?In this YouTube-exclusive episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with the internet’s favorite finance bro caricature: PE Guy, the satirical character created by content creator Johnny Hilbrant Partridge.Known across Instagram and TikTok for his sharp parody of private equity culture — complete with H
S E18: "I Was Ready to Lose It All." | Tisha Alyn Gets REAL
Tisha Alyn didn’t reach the heights she once dreamed of as a touring professional golfer.Instead, she built something entirely different.In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Tisha shares how she pivoted from chasing a professional golf career to becoming one of the most recognizable personalities in golf’s social media era — with hundreds of thousands of followers, vi
S E17: Is The Golf Boom ENDING? Inside the Data with the NGF & Morgan Stanley
Where is golf right now — and where is it going next?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts speaks with two leaders who sit at the intersection of research, capital, and the future of the game.First, from the floor of the PGA Show, Greg Nathan, President & CEO of the National Golf Foundation, breaks down the latest State of the Industry data:Record rounds at golf courses38 mi
S E16: “Nobody Makes Golf Clubs Like We Do. Period.” | Bob Parsons of PXG
If you know golf, you know the voice:“Nobody makes golf clubs the way we do. Period.”But the story behind Bob Parsons is far more complex than bold marketing.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with the founder and CEO of PXG to explore a life shaped by failure, war, risk, and reinvention.Bob Parsons failed the fifth grade. He enlisted in the Marine Corps during Viet
S E15: No Laying Up Didn’t Play by Golf Media Rules — And It Worked
Golf media has changed, and few outlets have reshaped it more than No Laying Up.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Chris Solomon, co-founder of No Laying Up, to unpack how a podcast among friends grew into one of the most influential independent voices in golf.Soly walks through the early days of building NLU, the decision to stay independent, and the risks tha
S E14: The Business Behind Golf’s Wildest Tournament | Jim Fish on the WM Open
The WM Phoenix Open isn’t just a golf tournament — it’s one of the most unique live sporting events in the world.In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Jim Fish, President & CEO of WM, to unpack how the WM Phoenix Open became the “greatest show on grass” — drawing nearly 700,000 fans and redefining what golf can look like when entertainment, sustaina
S E12: Live from the PGA Show | Inside Golf’s Biggest Brands with 8AM Golf & TaylorMade
The PGA Show is where the global golf industry comes together — and The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts is on the floor in Orlando to find out where the game is headed next.In this special on-location episode, Jimmy Roberts and co-host Mollie Cahillane take viewers inside golf’s biggest trade show, often called the “Davos of Golf,” featuring conversations with two of the most influential exe
S E11: From Golf Nerd to $200M Exit | Sam Hahn and the Unlikely Rise of L.A.B. Golf
If you think fairy tales in golf only happen inside the ropes — think again.This week on The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Sam Hahn, Founder of L.A.B. Golf, for one of the most unconventional business stories the game has ever seen.What started as a strange, “ugly” putter with a cult following turned into one of the fastest-growing equipment companies in golf — explod
S E10: Greg Norman Breaks His Silence | LIV Golf, Legacy, and What Comes Next
Sixteen-time major contender. 331 weeks as World No. 1. Global businessman. Lightning rod.Jimmy Roberts sits down with Greg Norman for one of the most candid conversations of his career — covering golf, power, private equity, and the decisions that reshaped the sport.Norman opens up about his time leading LIV Golf, the criticism he faced, and why he still believes the disruption was neces
S E9: The Big Swing 2025 Recap: The Conversations Shaping Golf’s Future
Over the past few months, The Big Swing has sat down with some of the most influential voices shaping the business of golf — from CEOs and founders to creators redefining how the game is consumed.In this special 2025 recap episode, Jimmy Roberts is joined by sports journalist and friend of the show Mollie Cahillane to look back at the most impactful conversations, ideas, and themes from r
S E8: Peter Millar's Scott Mahoney on Building Golf's Most Trusted Lifestyle Brand
"How does a $4M sweater-focused business become a modern lifestyle powerhouse with a “customer-first” reputation across golf, office, and everyday life?In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Scott Mahoney, CEO of Peter Millar, to unpack the real story behind one of the most influential brands in golf apparel — and why “looking like a Peter Millar person”
S E7: Dick's Sporting Goods Exec Chairman Ed Stack: A Masterclass in Sports Business + Top Golf Gift Ideas
What do golf gift ideas, holiday shopping trends, and a $14 billion sporting goods empire have in common? This episode.Jimmy Roberts opens with sports business journalist Mollie Cahillane, breaking down the best golf gifts of the season — from wearable tech and simulators to custom balls and bucket-list travel experiences.Then the show shifts to a rare, in-depth conversation with Ed Stack
S E6: How Five Iron Golf Went from Tailor Shop to a $70M Global Golf Empire
Five Iron Golf didn’t invent simulator golf — but they reinvented what it could be.Co-founder and Chief Development Officer Nora Dunnan joins Jimmy Roberts to break down how a scrappy idea in the back of a tailor shop turned into a 40-location global brand backed by $70M+ in investment.Nora shares how four non-golfers built one of the most influential companies in modern golf: bold decisi
S E5: The REAL Story Behind Grant Horvat’s Good Good Exit
How did Grant Horvat go from teaching golf on TikTok to building one of the most-watched YouTube golf brands in the world? In this episode, Jimmy Roberts dives deep with the creator-turned-entrepreneur. They talk YouTube strategy, PGA Tour dynamics, business lessons, and what it’s really like to film with Tiger Woods. Plus: why Grant left Good Good, what he learned, and what’s next.In thi
S E4: Dude Perfect's Garrett Hilbert on Golf, Growth & the $400M Dream
Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Jimmy Roberts sits down with the most influential names in the business of golf — from CEOs and creators to athletes and insiders — for intimate, insightful conversations about how the game is evolving.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy talks with Garrett Hilbert of Dude Perfect about how five college friends turned trick shots into a $400M brand, what
S E3: What's Next for Golf Media with Chad Mumm & Jon Miller
From Happy Gilmore 2 to the collapse of Ryder Cup ratings, from LIV Golf’s stalled framework to the Netflix effect, this episode delivers insight, laughs, and serious business lessons — including some fun stories about some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment: Adam Sandler, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Arnold Palmer, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and more.See Privacy P
S E2: INSIDE the $200M+ Ryder Cup at Bethpage: How It All Happened
Jimmy Roberts goes behind the scenes with the power players shaping the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black: Guy Kinnings (CEO, Ryder Cup Europe), Jeff Price (Chief Commercial Officer, PGA of America), and Larry Schwartz (General Chairman of the 45th Ryder Cup).From skyrocketing ticket prices and $200M economic impact to official moonshine and first-tee hype shows, this episode unpacks how t
S E1: Eastside Golf’s WILD Ride: From Broke to Barack
Eastside Golf founders Earl Cooper and Olajuwon Ajanaku join Jimmy Roberts to share how they turned a side hustle into a multi-million dollar brand—collabing with Jordan Brand and landing retailers like Nordstrom and Dick’s Sporting Goods (to say nothing of having a U.S. President wear their gear).From literally shipping orders out of their apartments to reshaping golf culture, Eastside G
