Tales from the first tee
Stories about my life experiences and others as I work at one of the premier golf clubs in Charleston, SC. Interviews with golfers around the world that have one thing in common...the pursuit of excellence on a golf course and everything else that happens along the way.
Episodes
Rich walks Sullivan's Island beach, highlighting the community cleanup efforts and introducing two humorous stories that capture life's awkward yet memorable moments.
• The "Bison Jam" story follows a family vacation in Yellowstone where a 10-year-old boy innocently abbreviates "Bison Jam" to "BJ," creating an uncomfortable teaching moment
• A father struggles to ex...
Rich Easton explores why Scotty Scheffler's dominant performances leave him emotionless while other athletes' victories bring tears, questioning what truly creates emotional connections in sports.
• Scotty Scheffler matched Tiger Woods' timeline of 1,197 days between first and fourth major
• Professional golfers face constant pressure of "what's next" even immediately after v...
Golf provides extraordinary moments of courage and unexpected triumph, as demonstrated in three exciting tournaments from this past weekend.
• Grace Kim's incredible "never give up" mindset led to an eagle-birdie-eagle finish to win her first major championship at the Amundi Evian event
• 25-year-old Chris Goderup surprises everyone by holding off Rory McIlroy to win the Scottish Open, secu...
We explore the fascinating and frustrating ways people just can't help being people, from politicians who succumb to corruption to everyday encounters with the oblivious and selfish.
• The word "people" sometimes functions as a complete sentence, perfectly encapsulating our reaction to selfish or oblivious behavior
• Politicians frequently demonstrate how access to power, influence, and mon...
Rich shares his disastrous attempt to land a job working the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, complete with a terrifying security guard encounter and a hilariously botched interview.
• Never been to the Masters despite applying for tickets through the lottery system for years
• Received legitimate email opportunity to work as merchandise staff during the tournament
• Nearly got shot trying to t...
Golf betting isn't about the money—it's about winning, pride, and having someone else open their wallet at the clubhouse after your round. Rich Easton shares hilarious and memorable stories from his experiences with various betting games on the golf course.
• The Nassau bet provides multiple ways to "get off the schneid" with bets for front nine, back nine, and total match
• A group of...
Rich Easton returns to podcasting with reflections on why changes matter less than their effects on others, and how finding your happy place leads to fulfillment throughout life's transitions. His candid observations about social dynamics, competitive pressure, and personal boundaries offer wisdom that extends well beyond the golf course.
• The 10-minute rule: limiting health complaint conversations to p...
The holiday season brings both hope and high expectations, but retailers are pushing holiday merchandise earlier every year, with Christmas decorations appearing as early as August.
• The timing of holiday merchandising has shifted dramatically over the years, with retailers extending the selling window to boost sales
• Unsolicited advice rarely helps, especially on the golf course when someone is struggl...
Rich Easton explores how we navigate challenging conversations during holiday gatherings and why we fight with people we know over politicians who don't know we exist. He shares the hilarious saga of "Wi-Fi" and "Kris Kringle," two golf buddies whose friendly football bet led to an unexpected satchel curse, and examines our society's tendency toward being easily offended.
• Holid...
Former Ambassador John Gunderson shares his unique perspective on American foreign policy and the upcoming 2024 presidential election based on his service across eleven presidential administrations. Drawing from his experiences in Vietnam, as a federal air marshal, and as Ambassador to Ukraine, he offers a candid assessment of leadership, patriotism, and America's role in the world.
• Gunderson's ba...
The arrest of Scottie Scheffler before the PGA Championship created a butterfly effect that may have handed Xander Schauffele his first major win. The podcast explores controversial headlines, status hierarchies, and social observations that highlight our interconnected world.
• Scottie Scheffler's arrest outside Valhalla Golf Club results from a misunderstanding with law enforcement
• How Scheffler&...
A candid exploration of golf, aging, and the search for that elusive perfect swing feeling. Rich Easton returns after a three-month hiatus to share personal stories and observations from both on and off the course.
• Reflections on Rich's birthday celebration weekend in Charlottesville, including dining at The Melting Pot and attending a Three Dog Night concert
• Thoughts on how society often margina...
Rich shares his epiphany about finding and losing a golf swing in the same round, explores how many subscriptions he's paying for, and recounts his mother's 95th birthday celebration.
• Spending more than half of practice time on the putting green leads to lower scores
• Wyndham Clark's record-breaking 60 at Pebble Beach included 190 feet of holed putts
• The Odyssey Versa Jailbird putt...
We're back to our original name - Tales from the First Tee - and reflecting on what truly matters as we enter a new year, from holiday decorations to golf course ethics.
• New Year's celebrations force us to compartmentalize our lives into 365-day periods and compare ourselves to others
• Inflatable Christmas decorations look like "holiday carnage" when deflated during daylight hours
Beach writing inspires stories about life's quirky moments, from sandwich cravings to pretzel capers and cultural observations.
• Writing at Charleston's beaches with a packed lunch that inevitably speaks to me before lunchtime
• The peculiar phenomenon of everyone snacking at the beach, including wildlife
• Encountering a brazen grape thief at Walmart who offered to share her stolen goods
Summer offers unique opportunities for enjoyment with golf stories and adventures with my dog Sammy, reminding us to treat each day as if it might be our last. The customization of golf equipment, performance techniques, and mental game strategies can dramatically improve results for any golfer willing to invest in personalized approaches.
• Golf equipment comes in customizable parts that can be fitted specif...
The unexpected merger between PGA, DP, and LIV Tours exposes the hypocrisy behind the golf world's civil war and raises questions about loyalty versus opportunity. We explore the shifting perceptions of age and how "old" is defined by perspective, while also diving into why wedges are the second most important clubs in your bag.
• PGA Tour leadership created a divisive narrative against LIV Tou...
Rich Easton shares how learning to deal with discomfort can transform your life, illustrated through his unexpected journey into salsa dancing and observations about our cultural priorities.
• Congressional hearings on UFOs and non-human beings are severely underreported compared to celebrity gossip
• Modern social behavior includes disruptive trends like filming in movie theaters and throwing objects at ...
The monthly hybrid of fictional and non-fictional stories returns after an extended spring break to explore golf psychology, equipment science, and the struggle against our inner demons.
• Celebrating milestones including over 10,000 listeners across 1,200 cities in 62 countries on five continents
• Boston Dave's golf journey shows progress in managing emotions, limiting outbursts to "one cunt a...
Rich Easton explores volatile human behavior in recreational settings through stories of golf course meltdowns and dog park confrontations. He examines how quickly pleasant personalities can transform when faced with frustration, disappointment, or conflict in these seemingly benign environments.
• Sports experts consistently fail at NCAA tournament predictions despite their supposed expertise
• NCAA tran...
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