S E47: The USGA’s Plan to Protect Golf’s Future

S E47: The USGA’s Plan to Protect Golf’s Future

Author: Big Swing Media September 16, 2026 Duration: 48:40
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 AmericaThe 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.

Hosted by sixteen-time Emmy winner and broadcasting legend Jimmy Roberts, The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts goes far beyond the fairway. This isn't just another sports interview series; it's a deep exploration of the powerful forces and fascinating personalities driving the modern golf industry. Each episode features an intimate, one-on-one conversation with the executives, celebrities, and elite athletes who are actively shaping the game's future, from groundbreaking deals and major investments to the cultural trends redefining the sport. You'll hear candid stories and gain unparalleled access to the boardrooms and backstories behind the headlines. Presented by Big Swing Media, this podcast delivers a unique blend of sports, business, and insider perspective, offering listeners a sophisticated look at where the game is headed next. Tune in for thoughtful dialogues that reveal the strategy and passion fueling golf's biggest swings, both on and off the course.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 46

The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts
Podcast Episodes
S E48: Why the PGA Tour Won’t Sell the Presidents Cup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:23
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…
S E46: Peyton Manning Is Bringing Football’s Media Playbook to Golf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:20
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 sma…
S E45: How CEOs Decide If a Golf Sponsorship Is Worth It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:38
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 M…
S E44: They Bought an ABANDONED Golf Course for $200K [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:03
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…
S E43: She Took On Golf’s Old Boys’ Club—and Won [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:45
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 Robe…
S E42: Where Golf’s Smart Money Is Going Next [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:49
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…
S E41: John Smoltz on Building a NEW Pro Golf Tour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:37
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 approx…
S E40: How Delta Became a Power Player at the Masters and PGA TOUR [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:39
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 som…
S E39: Steph Curry Is Building His Next Chapter in Golf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:23
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 child…
S E38: The Training Method Behind Scottie Scheffler's Breakthrough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:25
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. Jer…