In this episode of The Hole Story Podcast, Robby and Jonathan welcome their good friend and passionate golf traveler, Brandon Smith. We hear stories about sneaking onto courses with his grandfather, the magic of Old Barnwell's community-minded mission, and stories from his recent bucket list trip to Landmand. Plus we learned how Brandon fell in love with Carne, and why he's ticking off Ryder Cup venues around the globe. This is a journey of finding balance between family, career, and making every round count—while always keeping golf fun.

BestBall Links:

• https://BestBall.com
• https://linktr.ee/BestBall
• https://bestball.substack.com - Subscribe to Par 3 Thursdays!

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• B. Draddy - https://www.bdraddy.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
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• Fairway & Greene - https://www.fairwayandgreene.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Arccos Golf - https://bit.ly/4gXNDQi - Get 15% off your order
• The Stack System - https://www.thestacksystem.com/discount/BestBall - Get 10% off your order
• Western Birch - https://westernbirch.com - Enter "BESTBALL" in the shipping cart for a free gift with your order.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of The Hole Story Podcast? Email info@bestball.com.

In this episode of The Hole Story Podcast, we welcome Don Placek of Renaissance Golf Design—a true craftsman whose passion for golf runs as deep as the Nebraska sandhills.

Don joins Robby and Jonathan for an insightful conversation that tee’s off with his roots in municipal public golf and travels all the way through his world-renowned work alongside Tom Doak and the Renaissance team. We discuss the magic of shaping courses that blend seamlessly into their landscapes, the importance of playing partners (spoiler: golf is all about the people), and the artistry behind letting the land dictate the course, not just moving dirt for dirt’s sake.

https://www.renaissancegolf.com/

https://www.instagram.com/placekgolf/

BestBall Links:

• https://BestBall.com
• https://linktr.ee/BestBall
• https://bestball.substack.com - Subscribe to Par 3 Thursdays!

Friends of BestBall:

• B. Draddy - https://www.bdraddy.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Zero Restriction - https://www.zerorestriction.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Fairway & Greene - https://www.fairwayandgreene.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Arccos Golf - https://bit.ly/4gXNDQi - Get 15% off your order
• The Stack System - https://www.thestacksystem.com/discount/BestBall - Get 10% off your order
• Western Birch - https://westernbirch.com - Enter "BESTBALL" in the shipping cart for a free gift with your order.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of The Hole Story Podcast? Email info@bestball.com.

Lace up your spikes and join us for an electrifying episode as we welcome Mike Forsey, Co-founder and President of PAYNTR Golf, to The Hole Story Podcast.

Mike brings over three decades of footwear expertise and groundbreaking innovation to the table, sharing the inside scoop on everything from the evolution of golf shoe technology to what goes into creating the perfect blend of comfort, performance, and style on the course. We dive into PAYNTR’s game-changing “propulsion plate” technology, the relentless pursuit of a blister-free walking experience, and how PAYNTR is redefining golf footwear as essential equipment—not just an accessory.

Get the backstory on PAYNTR’s rapid rise in the golf world, the science behind energy return and ground reaction forces, and what it’s really like to collaborate with PGA Tour stars like Jason Day. Mike also opens up about his earliest days in the footwear business, what it takes to compete in the crowded golf shoe market, crazy product testing stories (including high-tops and trainers for the gym), and why your feet—sockless or not—have never been so important.

https://payntrgolf.com/

https://www.instagram.com/payntrgolf/

BestBall Links:

• https://BestBall.com
• https://linktr.ee/BestBall
• https://bestball.substack.com - Subscribe to Par 3 Thursdays!

Friends of BestBall:

• B. Draddy - https://www.bdraddy.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Zero Restriction - https://www.zerorestriction.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Fairway & Greene - https://www.fairwayandgreene.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Arccos Golf - https://bit.ly/4gXNDQi - Get 15% off your order
• The Stack System - https://www.thestacksystem.com/discount/BestBall - Get 10% off your order
• Western Birch - https://westernbirch.com - Enter "BESTBALL" in the shipping cart for a free gift with your order.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of The Hole Story Podcast? Email info@bestball.com.

We're taking a fresh stroke in the world of golf artistry this week as we welcome Mark Rivard, the creative mind behind Charcoal Golf, to The Hole Story Podcast.

Mark shares his unconventional journey from skateboarding and skiing in Colorado to becoming the face of Sharpie markers, bringing his bold style and passion for art into the fairways. We dig into his transition from illustrating skateboards to capturing iconic holes at legendary courses like Prairie Dunes and Landmand, and get the inside scoop on how his Postal Express Project sparked a movement—and a business—at the intersection of golf, creativity, and community.

Tune in for candid stories about Mark’s evolving relationship with the game, the connections between action sports and golf course design, and the power of mentorship and education. Plus, discover why some courses “paint better” than others, what it’s like to collaborate with renowned architects, and Mark’s dream of uniting golf and the arts in new, collaborative ways.

Mark also reveals his most memorable golf shot, bucket-list courses, and who he’d choose for his dream foursome (hint: Anthony Bourdain is in the mix). Whether you’re a golf architecture nerd, an art lover, or just appreciate a good hot dog at the turn, this episode’s got something for you.

Grab your pencils—or your clubs—and join Robby and Jonathan as we sketch out another engaging episode of The Hole Story Podcast!

https://www.charcoalgolf.com/

https://www.instagram.com/charcoalgolf/

https://doradthings.co/

BestBall Links:

• https://BestBall.com
• https://linktr.ee/BestBall
• https://bestball.substack.com - Subscribe to Par 3 Thursdays!

Friends of BestBall:

• B. Draddy - https://www.bdraddy.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Zero Restriction - https://www.zerorestriction.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Fairway & Greene - https://www.fairwayandgreene.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Arccos Golf - https://bit.ly/4gXNDQi - Get 15% off your order
• The Stack System - https://www.thestacksystem.com/discount/BestBall - Get 10% off your order
• Western Birch - https://westernbirch.com - Enter "BESTBALL" in the shipping cart for a free gift with your order.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of The Hole Story Podcast? Email info@bestball.com.

Join Jonathan, David, & Robby to hear reaction following the conclusion of the 2025 Ryder Cup.

BestBall Links:

• https://BestBall.com
• https://linktr.ee/BestBall
• https://bestball.substack.com - Subscribe to Par 3 Thursdays!

Friends of BestBall:

• B. Draddy - https://www.bdraddy.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Zero Restriction - https://www.zerorestriction.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Fairway & Greene - https://www.fairwayandgreene.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Arccos Golf - https://bit.ly/4gXNDQi - Get 15% off your order
• The Stack System - https://www.thestacksystem.com/discount/BestBall - Get 10% off your order
• Western Birch - https://westernbirch.com - Enter "BESTBALL" in the shipping cart for a free gift with your order.

***📸 Cover photo from PGA

Interested in becoming a sponsor of The Hole Story Podcast? Email info@bestball.com.

We're sitting down with a true storyteller and golf industry trailblazer—Danny Christiansen, founder of Oak Stump Strategy and co-founder of the Restoration Club.

Danny takes us behind the scenes of what it means to be a brand builder, content creator, and community leader in modern golf. We dig into the incredible journeys behind his documentary filmmaking, including the origins of Landmand Golf Club in "Anything But Little" and the emotional power of connection in the upcoming "Keep Showing Up." Danny shares what it’s really like to peel back the layers of golf’s most inspiring stories—from rural Nebraska villages to restoration projects at classic country clubs.

We also get the inside scoop on the vision behind Restoration Club, the blossoming faith-based golf community bringing guys together from across the country. Danny opens up about navigating the transition from big agency life to building his own creative firm, offers his branding wisdom, and reflects on the power of people-driven storytelling in golf.

Plus, tee it up for Danny’s favorite golf moments, nostalgic par-3 stories, dream foursome picks, and his philosophy for creating lasting impact both on and off the course.

Whether you love a great golf origin story, crave insight from one of the game’s top content minds, or just appreciate the people who make golf special—this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

https://www.instagram.com/dannyclt/

https://www.oakstumpstrategy.com/

https://www.instagram.com/restoration_club/

BestBall Links:

• https://BestBall.com
• https://linktr.ee/BestBall
• https://bestball.substack.com - Subscribe to Par 3 Thursdays!

Friends of BestBall:

• B. Draddy - https://www.bdraddy.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Zero Restriction - https://www.zerorestriction.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Fairway & Greene - https://www.fairwayandgreene.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Arccos Golf - https://bit.ly/4gXNDQi - Get 15% off your order
• The Stack System - https://www.thestacksystem.com/discount/BestBall - Get 10% off your order
• Western Birch - https://westernbirch.com - Enter "BESTBALL" in the shipping cart for a free gift with your order.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of The Hole Story Podcast? Email info@bestball.com.

Welcome to another episode of The Hole Story Podcast! In this episode, Robby sits down with Niall Flanagan, the head of golf and corporate at Wine & Earth, a UK-based company connecting fine wines with top golf clubs and helping chefs curate memorable dining experiences. Niall's journey in golf is truly one-of-a-kind—from working at legendary clubs like Wentworth, Celtic Manor, and St Andrews, plus a stint with the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, and now helping courses select the best wines. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from epic venues like Pine Valley, the Old Course at St Andrews, and more!

We’ll dive into Niall’s unique career blending his passions for golf, hospitality, and wine, and hear about his podcast Grapes and Greens, where he explores the lifestyle that brings golf and fine wine together. Whether you're interested in what goes into managing top clubs, curious about the role of wine in golf culture, or just love a great story from the fairways, this episode brings you expert insight and plenty of laughs. So pour yourself a glass and get ready for an entertaining ride!

Listen to Grapes & Greens - https://apple.co/4ghSpsh

Learn more about Wine & Earth - https://wineandearth.com/

BestBall Links:

• https://BestBall.com
• https://linktr.ee/BestBall
• https://bestball.substack.com - Subscribe to Par 3 Thursdays!

Friends of BestBall:

• B. Draddy - https://www.bdraddy.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Zero Restriction - https://www.zerorestriction.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Fairway & Greene - https://www.fairwayandgreene.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Arccos Golf - https://bit.ly/4gXNDQi - Get 15% off your order
• The Stack System - https://www.thestacksystem.com/discount/BestBall - Get 10% off your order
• Western Birch - https://westernbirch.com - Enter "BESTBALL" in the shipping cart for a free gift with your order.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of The Hole Story Podcast? Email info@bestball.com.

This week on The Hole Story Podcast, we’re teeing it up with Andrew Hoang, the driving force behind some of the most trusted golf shafts on Tour at Fujikura Golf.

Andrew joins Robby and Jonathan to pull back the curtain on the science and artistry behind custom golf fitting—revealing what goes into crafting a club that’s not just good on paper, but feels incredible in your hands whether you’re a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior. From his early days on a lit-up driving range as a kid to helping juniors, college stars, and major champions fine-tune their game, Andrew shares his passion for the gear that’s changing how the game is played.

Listen in as we explore Andrew’s wild “pinch me” moments inside the ropes at PGA Tour events, nerd out over how shaft technology has transformed, and hear what it’s like to see your innovations trusted by the biggest names in golf at the biggest moments. Plus, Andrew drops insights on what actually goes into a great custom fitting, hilarious stories from the road, and the one club in his bag he’ll always find an excuse to hit.

Whether you’re obsessed with golf equipment or just love a good story about chasing your passion, you’ll want to hear Andrew’s take on industry secrets, course bucket lists, and why it’s always about the community you build along the way.

So polish up those clubs, dream about your next custom fit, and join us for another engaging episode of The Hole Story Podcast.

Follow Andrew: https://www.instagram.com/andrewhhoang/

Learn more about Fujikura Golf: https://fujikuragolf.com/

BestBall Links:

• https://BestBall.com
• https://linktr.ee/BestBall
• https://bestball.substack.com - Subscribe to Par 3 Thursdays!

Friends of BestBall:

• B. Draddy - https://www.bdraddy.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Zero Restriction - https://www.zerorestriction.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Fairway & Greene - https://www.fairwayandgreene.com - Enter "BESTBALL20" for 20% off your order
• Arccos Golf - https://bit.ly/4gXNDQi - Get 15% off your order
• The Stack System - https://www.thestacksystem.com/discount/BestBall - Get 10% off your order
• Western Birch - https://westernbirch.com - Enter "BESTBALL" in the shipping cart for a free gift with your order.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of The Hole Story Podcast? Email info@bestball.com.