05/22/13 The Golf Insiders

NOTE: Users can add The Golf Insiders podcast to their iPhone as an app now. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. Holly G and Rich B are in the studio talking all the latest news on Tiger and Sergio, the anchoring ban and the International Network of Golf Spring Conference. While at the ING Conference at Reunion Golf Resort Holly was paired with the rep from Bridgestone golf who fitted her for the first time with the correct ball for her swing speed and smash factor. Holly said not only does your swing speed have a lot to do with the ball you should use, it also has a lot to do with where you hit the ball off the clubface each time. Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to talk to Holly and Rich about the latest news in golf. Holly asks him about Sergio Garcia's press conference at a European Tour event where he offered an apology to Tiger. The backstory is that Tiger Woods and Sergio have been going back and forth after an "incident" at The Players Championship.  With the two paired together and contending for the lead at The Players, Tiger pulled a club from his bag at the same time Sergio was about to hit his shot 50 yards away. Tiger thought Sergio had played his shot already. The selection caused the crowd around him to react and Sergio felt that the noise affected his shot. The two have been exchanging comments in the media ever since.  At a banquet in London, Sergio was jokingly asked about getting together with Tiger. Sergio said, “We will have him round every night. We will serve fried chicken.” The "racist" comment hearkened back to the comment Fuzzy Zoeller made about Woods at the 1997 Masters Tournament which haunts Fuzzy to this day. Sergio apologized at the press conference. Bob mentions that the two have only played 20 times in the past 13 years, which is not very often and does not know where the animosity comes from? There have been a few incidents over the years where Sergio has taken opportunities to poke at Tiger and the same with Tiger and Sergio. Harig also mentions that the other part of the situation is that Sergio has to worry about his sponsors staying with him and the fallout from his comments.  Especially when he is making most of his money off the golf course. Holly talks to Bob about his article on ESPN.com about the USGA's ban on anchoring when putting.  The ban takes affect in 2016. Bob feels that not a lot of players will be affected by the ban. Even the players that have had success with the anchoring of the putter say that it is an advantage, which is not fair to other players. There has been speculation that the Tour may do its own thing, but Bob doesn't feel that will happen. Holly talks to Kevin Baker, Director of Golf and head PGA Professional at Reunion Golf Resort & Spa about everything that Reunion has to offer golfers and their families. Holly was at Reunion for the ING Spring Conference.  Reunion offers 3 different courses, Palmer, Nicklaus and Watson. Each course is different than the other but none is a "signature" course. Reunion is a Stay and Play resort as well as host to 1oo events throughout the year. It is also home of the ANNIKA Academy and Frank Thomas' Putting Pad - a structured way to teach putting and the new home of the North Florida PGA Headquarters. Jeff Shain, PGA Tour.com, calls in to wrap up the hour of intelligent golf talk. Jeff and Holly talk about his latest story about the Web.com Tour. The discussion also covers the HP Byron Nelson Championship and Sang-Moon Bae's win. Also the upcoming Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Most of the European players are playing in the BMW PGA Championship in Europe, which is the Euro version of The Players Championship.