Next On The Tee With Chris Mascaro, Golf Podcast

On this very special bonus episode of Next on the Tee, I’m excited to welcome golf instruction and broadcasting legend Peter Kostis. A trusted voice in the game, Peter spent decades delivering expert swing analysis and commentary for USA Network and CBS Sports while coaching countless Tour players and amateurs. He shares how a casual round with his cousin sparked his love for golf and how his passion for learning the swing evolved into teaching players at every level. Peter reflects on his time with Golf Digest Golf Schools, his journey from a young instructor in Maine to one of golf’s most sought-after teachers, and how broadcasting allowed him to teach millions of amateur golfers in real time. He also shares memorable rounds with presidents, athletes, and celebrities, along with the joy of helping others improve their game. We also dive into the PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf saga, whether a true merger is possible, and the increasing divide between the "haves and have-nots" on Tour. Peter weighs in on whether for

This week on Next on the Tee, I’m joined by two fantastic guests who bring both incredible stories and valuable insights to the show. Leading things off is John Cook, a 21-time winner across the PGA and Champions Tours and a former National Champion from his days at Ohio State. This marks John’s 10th visit to the show, and every conversation with him ha been fantastic thanks to his upbeat attitude and passion for the game — you can literally hear the smile in his voice. We kick things off by talking about this year’s Mexico Open, a tournament that holds special meaning for John since his father, Jim Cook, helped resurrect it back in the 1980s, and John himself went on to win it in 1995. As we continue looking ahead to this year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont, John also shares his memories of competing in the 1994 U.S. Open there. We also reminisce about some of the fun team events he’s played in alongside Sergio Garcia, Mark O’Meara, and Rex Caldwell. Following John, I’m excited to welcome Jeff Harper to the show fo

In this special segment, I catch up with Cindy Miller, whose incredible career continues to be recognized with two more Hall of Fame inductions. Cindy reflects on what it means to be honored by the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame and how special it is to join an elite group of athletes, including Jim Kelly, Jimmy Johnson, Ed Reed, and Neal Heaton, in the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame—where her induction makes her the 13th golfer to be enshrined. We also talk about her exciting new book, Take Another Shot: At Business, Golf, or Life, and the powerful personal experiences that shaped it, including her family’s journey through her husband Allen’s struggles with depression and a suicide attempt, and how they all overcame those challenges together. Cindy shares her thoughts on the negative influence of social media, referencing Lexi Thompson’s comments about how much words can hurt, and how she overcame people telling her she wasn't good enough to play college and then she helped the Hurricanes win bac

Welcome to this week’s edition of Next on the Tee! I hope your week has been filled with reasons to smile. If not, I’m sending some positive vibes your way and hoping to bring you a little mental relief over the next couple of hours. This week's episode, to quote Billy Joel, is in a New York State of Mind. All of my guests hail from New York, and we take a way-too-early look ahead to the Ryder Cup, including a discussion about Keegan Bradley with his former college coach at St. John’s. Leading things off, our resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri, joins me to dive into Ryder Cup predictions and early concerns. With the event set to take place at Bethpage State Park, a course that Tom grew up near, he’ll give us insights on the layout and playing conditions. Plus, with six of the first seven winners on the PGA Tour this season being non-U.S. players, is it too soon to worry about Team USA’s chances? Maybe it’s time to start sending some positive energy out to them. Tom and I will break it all down in th

Season 12, Episode 7 Part 2: Jeff Smith, Golf's Rock Star & MacGyver Gets You Out of Tough Situations. In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 7, I get the privilege of spending more time with Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor and Golf Digest's Best in the State of Indiana, Jeff Smith. You probably also know Jeff as Co-Host of the popular golf podcast Those Weekend Golf Guys alongside John Ashton. Jeff is a superstar in our game. He's sought out by thousands everywhere he goes. We start out hearing about his home course The Vintage Club in Indian Wells, California. Jeff tells us about his recent Golf School there featuring lessons from Jason Day. We also hear about his incredible day caddying for the Pro-Am sponsor at the Waste Management Open. Jeff also delivers two valuable lessons to get you out of some very tough situations: how to hit a hybrid from a downhill lie and what to do when your ball winds up behind a tree with a low-hanging limb. Don’t miss this insightful and entertaining conversation. Jeff Smi

In Part 1 of Season 12, Episode 7, I'm joined by John Hughes and John Mahaffey. John Hughes, is one of only 448 among approximately 30,000 PGA members to reach Master Professional Status. He has been recognized by Golf Digest as a top instructor in Florida, and The Golf Range Association as a Top 100 Growth of the GAme Instructors. During our conversation, John offers his perspective on whether investing in the latest and greatest golf equipment can enhance your game or if those funds are better spent on lessons. He also provides strategies for setting effective golf goals, discussing whether to aim for reducing stroke counts or going after milestone scores such as breaking 100, 90, or 80. Following John, I welcome back 1970 NCAA National Champion and 1978 PGA Champion John Mahaffey. John was a great player, but he's an even better person which I hope you get a sense of as you listen to his insights. John shares the ironic story of winning the 1978 American Optical Classic by two strokes over Dr. Gil Morgan

In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 6, I welcome David Swan in for his debut appearance on the show. David is the inventor of the PUR Golf putting trainer, a game-changing aid designed to help golfers refine their stroke and sink more putts. Both Tom Patri and I were immediately drawn to this innovative training aid when we saw it at last year’s PGA Merchandise Show, and now, David breaks down how it works and why it’s making waves in the golf world. If you’ve ever wished you could drain more putts, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Plus, you can check out the PUR Golf trainer for yourself at PUR.golf while you listen in! Thanks for checking out Part 2 of the episode, it could change your putting game forever!

Golf season is just around the corner, and that means new equipment drops from all the major manufacturers! In this episode of Next on the Tee, we break down the latest gear and help you make smart decisions before dropping big money on new clubs. Joining me first is Scott Felix, one of the Top 100 Club Fitters, to guide us through the maze of new equipment. From TaylorMade’s Qi35 woods and irons, which just earned top honors on the Golf Digest Hot List, to other big-name releases, Scott takes us beyond the marketing hype. We’ll cover: When to buy new clubs, when to hold off, and when to invest in lessons insteadUnderstanding the shaft and clubhead marketWhy the latest driver won’t magically fix your slice Then, we shift gears to the mental side of the game with our monthly visit from Dr. Bob Winters, aka The Confidence Doctor. This month, Doc shares strategies on "finding a way to get it done" and how to remind yourself that you're smarter than your doubts and better than your fears. His insights will be

In this very special episode of Next on the Tee, 2011 U.S. Senior Open Champion Olin Browne and 1987 US Amateur Champion Billy Mayfair join the show. Olin shares his thoughts on the PGA Tour’s controversial changes—smaller field sizes, fewer Monday qualifiers, and the dominance of signature events. Is the tour catering too much to top players at the expense of the grinders? Olin shares his perspective on how these changes might impact the next generation of Tour players. We also discuss the financial side of the game, from $25 million purses to sponsors pulling out. With TV ratings down and fans feeling disconnected from today’s stars, what can the PGA Tour do to bring back its audience? Olin weighs in on whether accessibility and engagement changes could make a difference. Shifting gears, we reminisce about Olin’s experiences at Oakmont, site of the 2025 U.S. Open. He reflects on his rounds there in ‘94 and ‘07, the legendary greens, and even witnessing Arnold Palmer’s farewell. Billy Mayfair was also wi

In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 4, I’m joined by my gumba Rob Strano, who brings us his unique perspective from the PGA Merchandise Show. As the host of The Golf Kingdom Golf Show, Rob always has his finger on the pulse of the latest golf trends, and he’s here to share the most exciting innovations he spotted at the event. He also takes us inside the Coaches Academy he hosted at Bay Hill prior to the show. We’ll also talk about his incredible recreation of Bryson DeChambeau’s famous over-the-house hole-in-one that he recreated in his in-studio simulator and his view on data vs. old school ball flight. Then, I wrap things up with a return visit from Christopher Carter, who’s back to talk about his new book, The Zen Golfer: Cultivating Calm and Concentration on the Course. Chris will help us understand how to relax over shots, stay loose, and truly enjoy the game more. He’ll also explain why having a consistent pre-shot routine is key to better performance. If you want to improve your mental game, you’ll defin

This week on Next on the Tee, I have a fantastic lineup of guests and insights that I can't wait to share with you. Kicking things off is our resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri, who was my eyes and ears at the PGA Merchandise Show last week. Since I couldn’t be there this year, Tom fills us in on all the exciting new technology and innovations making waves in the industry. As the ultimate advocate for short game, short game, short game, Tom will also weigh in on an age-old debate—should you invest in a new driver or a new set of wedges? I have a feeling I know where he stands, but you’ll find out at the top of the show. Following Tom, our good friend and former Tour pro, David Peoples, joins me. Peeps has quickly become one of my favorite guests because he brings so much energy, fun, and great stories to every conversation. Recently, he reached out to Tom for a lesson, and TP was stunned when he saw what David had in his bag. We’ll talk all about that surprise, plus get David’s take on two of the ho

In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 3, we’re diving into Pittsburgh sports and golf history with two fantastic guests! First up, our good friend and Pittsburgh Sports Talk Radio Host, Paul Alexander, is back on the show! It’s always an honor and a blast catching up with Paul. He is a part of the KDKA team that just won the prestigious Marconi Award for being the best News Talk radio station in the country. Having Paul as part of the team, it's no shock that they won it. This time, we cover everything from the Steelers' offseason moves, Mike Tomlin’s lack of leadership, and the state of Penn State football. Plus, with the U.S. Open returning to Oakmont this summer, I get Paul’s take on what to expect from one of golf’s toughest courses. I could talk to Paul all night, and you'll understand why but we kept it to a great 40-minute conversation packed with insights and laughs. Then, we round things out with David Moore, the Curator of Collections at Oakmont Country Club along with several other iconic Western Penns

I’m so stoked about this week’s episode because I get to share some truly great friends with you! First up is Allen Miller, a former University of Georgia team captain, 2-time Walker Cup competitor, and Canadian Amateur Champion, where he dominated the field by 10 strokes. He also had an impressive career on the PGA Tour. He T15 at the 1975 Masters, which was one of the most memorable Masters Tournaments ever. Allen was a top competitor on Tour for well over a decade. Beyond his playing career, Allen’s story is one of resilience. He overcame personal struggles, particularly with a father who never thought anything he did was good enough—something that pushed him into a deep depression. His journey was so compelling that Sirius/XM’s PGA Tour Channel featured it in a special called The Allen Miller Story. I highly encourage you to check it out—it’s a story that could truly change lives. We dive into Allen's playing career, dealing with his father, and ultimately becoming one of the Top Instructors in the gam

In Season 12, Episode 2, Part 2, I am joined by perhaps the most decorated instructor in Canadian golf history—Paul Horton. Paul has been recognized as the PGA of Canada National Teacher of the Year and National Coach of the Year, alongside multiple PGA of Alberta Teacher and Coach of the Year awards. We take a journey back to his early days, where he spent time with two legendary figures in Canadian golf—George Knudson and Moe Norman. Paul shares incredible insights into his teaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of mastering the mind before mastering the swing. We also discuss the immense satisfaction he’s gained from coaching 60 students who earned college scholarships and 28 who have gone on to turn pro. With so many incredible stories from Paul, this episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and practical lessons for golfers at every level. Tune in and enjoy this fascinating conversation with one of the great minds in golf instruction!

This week on Next on the Tee, I’m kicking things off with Courtney Weber, one of the stars of last year’s PGA Merchandise Show in my opnion. Courtney, works alongside our good friend Rob Strano at the Strano Golf Academy down in Destin, Florida. She took center stage last year at the PGA Show to talk about training and fitness, and she’s back on the show to share even more insights. As a Level 3 TPI-certified expert with additional certification from Golf Digest, she’ll guide us on how to improve our flexibility, build strength, and prepare our bodies to play our best golf. Her positivity comes shining through the speakers. Then, we welcome back Champions Tour Pro Rob Labritz, one of the most positive and approachable guys in professional golf. Rob’s infectious energy and passion for the game make him a fan favorite, but last season came with challenges. After battling a back injury in the second half of the year, he narrowly missed keeping his Champions Tour card by just two spots and around $20,000. Despit

In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 1, we get to spend some with two incredible golf instructors who are making waves in the game. First up is Brandon Stooksbury, a 2-time Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year who is now excelling at Metairie Country Club in Louisiana. Brandon is a renowned short game expert and author of two must-read books, The Wedge Book: An Owner’s Manual for Your Short Game and The Putter Book: An Owner’s Manual for Your Green Game. He shares great tips and drills to help you chip, pitch, have better speed control with your putts, and improve your green reading. We’ll round out the episode with Jason Carbone, the Head Golf Professional at Canterbury Golf Club in Ohio. Jason brings a wealth of experience from his time at legendary courses like Muirfield Village, Baltusrol, and Woodland Country Club. As a student of the great Jim McLean, Jason shares stories from his career, including working with Jack Nicklaus, competing at Firestone Country Club, and winning majors in the Northern Ohio PGA Secti

We're kicking off 2025 and Season 12 with a fantastic lineup on Next on the Tee! This week in Part 1, we start the new year in the best way possible—with our resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri and The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters. Come back for Part 2 featuring 2 time Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year Brandon Stooksbury and the Head Golf Professional at Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood, Ohio Jason Carbone. In Part 1, TP shares his insights on the first PGA Tour event of the year in Hawaii, where Hideki Matsuyama put on a record-breaking performance, finishing at an astonishing 35 under par. With an incredible 88% greens-in-regulation and 1.56 putts per GIR, Matsuyama won in record-setting fashion shooting a PGA Tour 35 under par. Tom shares his thoughts on that plus we dive into the latest golf equipment hitting the market and discuss the one Tour player he’d love to have a crack at fixing. Then, I welcome back The Confidence Doctor himself, Dr. Bob Winters, for our monthly deep dive into the

In Part 2 of Episode 60, I close out 2024 and Season 11 with two of my favorite people, John Inman and Matthew Laurance. John is always a blast to talk to, and his stories from his playing days on Tour to his time as the Head Men’s Golf Coach at the University of North Carolina are nothing short of fantastic. We dive into the impact of the changes coming to NIL deals plus roster changes in college sports. Then we get into, all the PGA Tour’s newly approved adjustments to field sizes and the number of available Tour cards starting in 2026. I also get John's thoughts on his brother Joe becoming an Advisor to the PGA Tour Policy Board. Several of Joe’s peers have told me he’d make a great Tour Commissioner, and while he once dismissed the idea as more hassle than it’s worth, perhaps he’s had a change of heart—I sure hope so. You can follow John on X/Twitter @audubonjohn62 To wrap up this season, I’ll be joined by my good friend Matthew Laurance for another of our always lively conversations. We touch on the sa

In this special season-ending episode of Next on the Tee, I'm joined by legendary sports documentary and movie Producer Ross Greenburg. With over 33 years at HBO Sports and countless award-winning documentaries to his name, Ross reflects on his incredible career, his passion for storytelling, and some of the most memorable sports moments in history. We discuss: The state of professional boxing, from its golden days to the spectacle of modern matches like Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul.Behind-the-scenes insights from Miracle, the iconic film about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, and Herb Brooks' genius for building a true team.The raw authenticity of Ross's projects like When It Was A Game and Nine Innings from Ground Zero, which capture the heart of baseball and a nation. Ross also shares his thoughts on the transformation of professional sports, the importance of preserving stories for future generations, and what drives him to keep uncovering the narratives behind the games we love. You'll also get a hint a

In Part 2 of episode 59, I’m joined by two of the nicest people on the planet Jim Gallagher Jr. and Scott Hamilton. Jim Gallagher Jr., shares his thoughts on all the recent chaos in the professional golf world. Jim, a member of three state Hall of Fames – Indiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi – reflects on his incredible career and reveals the secret to finding joy in the game. Later, I round out the episode with a return visit from the legendary 1984 Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton. Scott hinted in our last conversation that he has some amazing golf stories, including playing alongside big-name celebrities – and he absolutely delivered! Known for his positivity and warmth, Scott shares these captivating stories and reminds us why he might just be the nicest person on the planet. You won’t want to miss this engaging and uplifting episode!