Next on the Tee: Where Golf Legends Live & Your Game Gets Better

S12, Ep 15: Gary Player Masters Wins, Legendary Golf Stories & Championship Mindset + Agustin Piza Brilliant Golf Course Designer, Talks Course Layout, Playing Strategy, MacKenzie, Nicklaus, Fazio, & Player

·1 hr 28 min·5 clips

Gary Player recounts hitting a shot so perfect at the 1974 Masters that he told his caddie they wouldn't need the putter before it landed.

This episode of Next on the Tee features two interviews centered around Masters Week. Host Chris Mascaro first speaks with Gary Player, a nine-time major champion and Masters winner. Player reflects on his 1961 Masters victory, detailing how Arnold Palmer lost focus on the final hole. He describes his legendary shot at the 1974 Masters and his 1978 comeback win with Seve Ballesteros cheering him on. Player emphasizes the importance of putting and mental toughness over driving distance, arguing that Tiger Woods would have won more majors without swing changes. He criticizes the modern golf ball for forcing costly course lengthening and advocates for more public golf access. Player also discusses longevity as a measure of greatness and recommends his book 'Don't Choke.' In the second segment, Mascaro interviews golf course designer Augustin Piza. Piza shares his background, including studying at the University of Edinburgh and working with Jack Nicklaus's construction company and Tom Fazio. He explains his design philosophy of creating 'treasure maps' and 'carousels of emotion' to evoke feelings in golfers. Piza discusses influences like Alister MacKenzie and his work on TGL video courses, including a hole designed for Tiger Woods's stinger shot. He highlights projects like Tampico Country Club and the upcoming redesign of Jupiter Country Club. The episode concludes with host reflections and previews of future guests.

As heard by us

Gary Player connects modern golf distance to bigger questions of course spending, public access, and stewardship.

Gary Player brings a champion's eye to golf's changing landscape, especially the push for more distance, longer courses, and expensive redesigns.

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Why you'd press play

You get Gary Player looking hard at golf's future: huge drives, longer courses, public access, and what gets lost when the game keeps stretching.

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