Driven Golf Podcast

48 - Chris Zambri on Building the Future of American Golf; Inside the U.S. National Development Program

In this episode, Jim sits down with U.S. National Development Program Head Coach Chris Zambri to discuss how the USGA is building a national system to develop America’s next wave of world-class golfers. Zambri shares his journey from USC and Pepperdine to leading the program, why the U.S. needed a true national development model, and how it’s inspired by Sweden’s holistic approach to building complete athletes—mentally, physically, and technically. They dive into how the program identifies top talent, fills key gaps in junior development like course management and performance analytics, and prepares players for elite competition. Zambri also breaks down the boys team’s groundbreaking appearance at the Sahalee NCAA event, where high schoolers competed against powerhouse college programs—gaining invaluable experience under professional-level conditions. The US National Development Program also has a Grant Program helping deserving families offset the financial burden of pursuing elite junior golf. The application for the 2026 grants is Friday October 31st. For more information, see https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/usndp-home-page/grant-information.html The Driven Golf Podcast is brought to you by FlagBag Golf Company and StrackaLine. Use code ‘DRIVEN’ for 20% off StrackaLine yardage books or mention ‘Driven Golf’ when ordering a FlagBag golf bag for a free custom headcover. @flagbaggolf | flagbaggolfco.com strackaline.com Join the Driven Golf Podcast Group on Facebook and subscribe to the Driven Golf Analytics YouTube Channel. Visit DRVN.Golf for more content. Hosts: Jim Colton (@drivengolfanalytics) & Andrew Lewis (@andrewlewisgolf) @usndp⁠)Producer: Joseph Kay (@joseph_kay)

47 - Stewart Hagestad on Walker Cup and the Life of a Career-Am; Angle of Attack 50/50 Balls

In this episode, Andrew chats with "The G.O.A.T." of amateur golf, Stewart Hagestad on his incredible journey in the game as career amateur -- 16 U.S. Amateur appearance, 3 Mid-Am titles, 5 U.S. Opens, 3 Masters appearances and, this weekend, his 5th Walker Cup appearance. Stew openly shares how his competitive drive and love of the process are the fuel for his ongoing success.In Angle of Attack, Andrew & Jim start a new series on "50/50 Balls", those key areas in the game that can go either way and can often times dictate the difference between a good round and a poor one. In this first segment, Andrew discusses strategies for improving make rates on 8-foot putts.The Driven Golf Podcast is brought to you by FlagBag Golf Company and StrackaLine yardage books. Use code ‘DRIVEN’ to receive 20% off your StrackaLine yardage book order or mention ‘Driven Golf’ when ordering a FlagBag golf bag to receive a free custom headcover with your order.⁠⁠@flagbaggolf⁠⁠ on InstagramFlagBag Golf: ⁠⁠https://flagbaggolfco.com/⁠⁠StrackaLine: ⁠⁠https://www.strackaline.com⁠⁠Resources:Join the ⁠⁠Driven Golf Podcast Group⁠⁠ on Facebook for more discussions. Subscribe to the Driven Golf Analytics YouTube channel: ⁠⁠Driven Golf Analytics YouTube Channel⁠⁠. And please check out the all-new ⁠DRVN.Golf⁠ website for all of our content.Check out ⁠⁠Andrew Lewis's YouTube channel⁠⁠ for more content.Host: Jim Colton (⁠@drivengolfanalytics⁠) & Andrew Lewis (⁠@andrewlewisgolf⁠)Producer: Joseph Kay (⁠@joseph_kay⁠)

46 - Cliff McKinney on Old Charlie; Angle of Attack on Match Play Gamesmanship

In this episode, Jim, Andrew and Joseph discuss the two big Amateur events coming up -- the U.S. Junior which started this week at Trinity Forest and the U.S. Amateur set for the Olympic Club in August. Joseph provides a caddie's perspective on what to expect on these two championship courses. And Andrew & Jim get into a discussion around the gamesmanship that is unique to the match play format. After the intro/AoA segment, Jim interviews Cliff McKinney, the founder of Old Charlie Golf Club, a new destination golf club planned near the emerald coast of Florida. Cliff and Old Charlie are turning the traditional country club model on its head with unique pricing and structure that is sure to make compelling golf more accessible to a wider range of golfers.The Driven Golf Podcast is brought to you by FlagBag Golf Company and StrackaLine yardage books. Use code ‘DRIVEN’ to receive 20% off your StrackaLine yardage book order or mention ‘Driven Golf’ when ordering a FlagBag golf bag to receive a free custom headcover with your order.⁠⁠@flagbaggolf⁠⁠ on InstagramFlagBag Golf: ⁠⁠https://flagbaggolfco.com/⁠⁠StrackaLine: ⁠⁠https://www.strackaline.com⁠⁠Resources:Join the ⁠⁠Driven Golf Podcast Group⁠⁠ on Facebook for more discussions. Subscribe to the Driven Golf Analytics YouTube channel: ⁠⁠Driven Golf Analytics YouTube Channel⁠⁠. And please check out the all-new ⁠DRVN.Golf⁠ website for all of our content.Check out ⁠⁠Andrew Lewis's YouTube channel⁠⁠ for more content.Guest: Cliff McKinney, Old Charlie Golf Club (⁠@oldcharliegc)Old Charlie Golf Club: https://www.oldcharliegolfclub.com/Host: Jim Colton (⁠@drivengolfanalytics⁠) & Andrew Lewis (⁠@andrewlewisgolf⁠)Producer: Joseph Kay (⁠@joseph_kay⁠)

45 - Mac Thayer on Junior Golf Scoreboard; Trusting the Process; Parent/Player/Coach Communication

In this episode, Jim sits down with Mac Thayer, founder of Junior Golf Scoreboard, to trace the 25-year journey from a dial-up, closet startup to the gold standard for junior golf data and rankings. They explore how Mack’s experience as a golf parent and a nascent internet entrepreneur sparked a vision to centralize every multi-day junior golf tournament in one online database.JIm and Mac dive deep into JGS’s rankings systems, some of the key methodology choices including the course-condition adjustment. Mac also provides insights in how to interpret a player's rankings and practical advice for parents, based on his ongoing dialogue with college coaches.In Angle of Attack, Andrew & Jim finish up their three-part series on Process vs. Outcome, this time focused on the healthy communication between parent, player and instructor.The Driven Golf Podcast is brought to you by FlagBag Golf Company and StrackaLine yardage books. Use code ‘DRIVEN’ to receive 20% off your StrackaLine yardage book order or mention ‘Driven Golf’ when ordering a FlagBag golf bag to receive a free custom headcover with your order.⁠⁠@flagbaggolf⁠⁠ on InstagramFlagBag Golf: ⁠⁠https://flagbaggolfco.com/⁠⁠StrackaLine: ⁠⁠https://www.strackaline.com⁠⁠Resources:Join the ⁠⁠Driven Golf Podcast Group⁠⁠ on Facebook for more discussions. Subscribe to the Driven Golf Analytics YouTube channel: ⁠⁠Driven Golf Analytics YouTube Channel⁠⁠. And please check out the all-new ⁠DRVN.Golf⁠ website for all of our content.Check out ⁠⁠Andrew Lewis's YouTube channel⁠⁠ for more content.Guest: Mac Thayer (⁠@juniorgolfscoreboard⁠)Junior Golf Scoreboard: ⁠https://www.juniorgolfscoreboard.comHost: Jim Colton (⁠@drivengolfanalytics⁠) & Andrew Lewis (⁠@andrewlewisgolf⁠)Producer: Joseph Kay (⁠@joseph_kay⁠)Music: "Come at the King" by DG Beat Labs (⁠@dgbeatlab⁠)

44 - Brentley Romine on Way Too Early 2026 NCAA Golf Rankings; Charlie Woods wins AJGA; Process vs. Outcome Goals

Jim and Joseph sit down with Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine for a deep dive into the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa and a way-too-early look at the top contenders for the 2025–26 college season. Jim and Brentley reflect on their time in San Diego, praising La Costa’s potential as a permanent championship venue and drawing parallels to Omaha in college baseball.The second half of the episode previews teams most likely to return to match play next season. Brentley and Jim spotlight anticipated roster additions and subtractions at Oklahoma State, Texas, Virginia, Auburn, and Ole Miss, among others.The interiew wraps with a Walker Cup roster re-draft, where Brentley, Jim, and Joseph revisit their November picks and make adjustments based on recent performances and pro departures. Players like Preston Stout, Brian Lee, Miles Russell, and Josiah Gilbert emerge as names to watch this summer as the U.S. squad takes shape.In the Opening Tee Shot, Joseph & Jim discuss Charlie Woods's recent win in an AJGA Invitational and Jim shares such big news for the future of DRVN.Golf. In Angle of Attack with Andrew Lewis, Andrew & Jim discuss the difference between process and outcome goals and the role of each in golf development.The Driven Golf Podcast is brought to you by FlagBag Golf Company and StrackaLine yardage books. Use code ‘DRIVEN’ to receive 20% off your StrackaLine yardage book order or mention ‘Driven Golf’ when ordering a FlagBag golf bag to receive a free custom headcover with your order.⁠⁠@flagbaggolf⁠⁠ on InstagramFlagBag Golf: ⁠⁠https://flagbaggolfco.com/⁠⁠StrackaLine: ⁠⁠https://www.strackaline.com⁠⁠Resources:Join the ⁠⁠Driven Golf Podcast Group⁠⁠ on Facebook for more discussions. Subscribe to the Driven Golf Analytics YouTube channel: ⁠⁠Driven Golf Analytics YouTube Channel⁠⁠. And please check out the all-new ⁠DRVN.Golf⁠ website for all of our content.Check out ⁠⁠Andrew Lewis's YouTube channel⁠⁠ for more content.Guest: Brentley Romine (⁠@brentleyGC⁠on Twitter)Host: Jim Colton (⁠@drivengolfanalytics⁠) & Andrew Lewis (⁠@andrewlewisgolf⁠)Producer: Joseph Kay (⁠@joseph_kay⁠)Music: "The Road to La Costa" by DG Beat Labs (⁠@dgbeatlab⁠)