The Links Golf Club Podcast

Q&A with Robb Heineman of Hillcrest Country Club

In this exciting episode of the Links Golf Club Podcast, host Gregory is joined by Cooper, Chris, and special guest Robb Heineman, co-owner of Sporting KC and majority owner of Hillcrest Country Club.
Together, they explore how Robb first connected with Links, the ambitious renovation plans for Hillcrest Country Club, and the vision for creating a top-tier golf experience in Kansas City. Robb shares his personal history with Hillcrest, the innovative ideas he plans to implement, and how this project aligns perfectly with the mission of Links Golf Club. Learn about the extensive course renovation led by renowned architect Tripp Davis, and unique plans for an exclusive member experience.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:44 Introducing Robb Heineman01:05 Community Announcements01:37 Sporting KC and Robb's Background03:34 Robb's Golf Journey05:28 Robb's Personal History and Kansas City12:45 Hillcrest Country Club's History16:22 Vision for Hillcrest20:00 Introduction to Tripp and His Background20:18 Funny Anecdote About Tripp20:54 Tripp's Collaboration and Design Philosophy21:56 Major Renovations at Hillcrest23:24 Tree Removal and Course Softening25:12 Balancing Heritage and Modernization31:49 Vision for Hillcrest's Unique Vibe35:26 Day in the Life at Hillcrest40:33 Future Aspirations and Closing Remarks

LinksDAO Announces $LINKS Coin

Join Gregory, Cooper, and Chris on this episode of the Links Golf Club podcast as they welcome LinksDAO co-founder Mike Dudas. They discuss the latest developments in the club, including the exciting launch of $LINKS Coin. Discover the strategic reasons behind the coin's launch, its mechanics, and how it aims to foster inclusivity and community engagement.
The episode also covers the meticulous planning involved in the allocation, distribution, and claiming process of $LINKS Coin, as well as the future vision for the project.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:45 Special Guest: Mike Dudas01:50 Exciting Announcements: Hillcrest Country Club and $LINKS Coin02:08 Deep Dive into $LINKS Coin02:29 The Genesis of $LINKS Coin04:40 Navigating the Crypto Landscape05:30 The Future of $LINKS Coin and Community Involvement14:49 Technical Details and Mechanics of $LINKS Coin19:11 Claiming Your $LINKS Coin: Steps and Security35:19 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement
Learn more about $LINKS coin here: https://www.linksdao.io/coinIf you're a LinksDAO member, you can check your claim estimate here: https://clubhouse.links.golf/coinIf you're not a member, you can learn more about LinksDAO here: https://www.linksdao.io/Watch the Hillcrest Country Club deepdive here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe0UsmvGeQ8

LinksDAO gets a U.S. Golf Course

In this episode, we delve into the exciting announcement of Hillcrest Country Club, LinksDAO's 2nd course and first in the United States.
Join Chris, Cooper, Gregory and co-founders Jim and Adam as they discuss the origins and journey of LinksDAO, from its inception over three years ago to this significant milestone. Discover the strategic decisions behind acquiring Hillcrest, the historical significance of the course designed by Donald Ross, and the plans for a complete renovation to elevate it into a premier, nationally recognized golf destination.
The episode also covers the upcoming voting process for LinksDAO members, the benefits of this location in Kansas City, and insights into the future events, including a grand opening coinciding with the World Cup. Tune in for an in-depth look at how this new course will offer exceptional experiences to the LinksDAO community.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions02:55 Journey of LinksDAO: From Inception to Now04:07 Acquisition of Spey Bay Golf Course12:12 Introducing Hillcrest Country Club31:42 Future Plans and Community Involvement38:30 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Building a Vintage Set of Golf Clubs

In this episode, hosts Gregory, Cooper, and Chris are joined by special guest Big Bucks to delve into the fascinating world of vintage golf clubs.
They discuss recent announcements, including a new partnership with Fubo streaming service for Links members. The conversation covers why playing with vintage clubs can enhance your golfing experience, where to find these clubs, and how to start building a set. Bucks shares his journey into vintage and hickory clubs, while Chris considers diving into the world of nostalgic golf gear. Don't miss out on tips, advice, and some great stories about the joys and challenges of playing with classic golf equipment.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:59 Exciting New Partnership Announcement01:58 League Pass and Streaming Services04:07 Vintage Golf Clubs: An Introduction05:12 The Appeal of Vintage Golf Clubs07:46 Collecting and Playing with Vintage Clubs12:03 Building a Vintage Golf Set20:00 Defining Vintage Golf Clubs28:55 Upgrading Golf Clubs: Tips and Tricks29:08 Getting Started with Club Customization30:01 Finding the Perfect Clubs Online31:24 Exploring Vintage Golf Clubs33:17 The Joy of Collecting and Playing with Vintage Clubs35:16 Choosing the Right Vintage Set44:30 Modern vs. Vintage: The Golf Ball Debate46:33 What's in Your Golf Bag?57:01 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

Course Rankings and Punchbowl

Welcome back everybody!
In this episode, host Gregory, Cooper, and Chris dive deep into the world of golf course ratings.
They discuss the ins and outs of established rating systems like Golf Digest's top 100 and the innovative new Punchbowl app. Learn about the criteria that different rating systems use, the challenges and biases inherent in golf course ratings, and how Punchbowl aims to offer a more dynamic, user-generated approach. Gregory also shares the origin story behind the Punchbowl app and how it leverages an ELO-based algorithm to rank courses based on head-to-head matchups. Stay tuned till the end as they reveal their top 5 favorite courses and how they compare globally! Don't miss out, whether you're planning a golf trip or just a fan of golf course architecture!
00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings01:37 Setting and Tracking Golf Goals02:19 Winter Golf Challenges and Solutions04:02 Promotions and Membership Benefits05:51 Podcast Availability and Engagement06:42 Debate on Golf Course Ratings07:58 Personal Experiences with Rating Systems17:55 Criticisms and Limitations of Current Ratings32:45 Introducing Punchbowl: A New Rating System34:50 Exploring the Tension Between Favorite and Best35:01 Golf Conversations and Observations36:33 Inspiration from The Social Network38:49 Building the Golf Rating Prototype39:14 Team Feedback and Hackathon39:59 Launching the Test Flight40:18 Understanding the Rating System42:12 User Experience and Feedback47:03 Personal Rating Criteria58:57 Top 5 Courses and Global Ratings01:05:29 Conclusion and Call to Action
 
Links discussed in the show:
linksdao.io
Larry David's New Years Rules
The Stacks System
Cooper breaking a ceiling with his Stacks System Device
Top100GolfCourses.com
Golf Digest's World Rankings
Tom Doak's The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses
Join the Punchbowl Test Flight
mrsenorhill's favorite courses in the world
 

Goals for 2025

Join the Links Golf Club Podcast team as they kick off 2025 with a lively discussion on their personal and golf-related goals for the new year. Hosts Gregory, Cooper, and Chris reflect on their achievements and challenges from 2024, sharing insights and plans for improvement. Don't forget to share your own goals and feedback in the comments or on the Links member Discord!
 
00:00 Welcome to the Links Golf Club Podcast02:47 Reflecting on 2024 Highlights07:54 Setting Personal Goals for 202510:39 Fitness and Health Goals18:30 Financial and Personal Development Goals28:09 Switching from Duolingo to Pimsler28:43 Discussing 2025 Golf Goals29:03 Cooper's First Golf Goal: Breaking 8030:50 Chris's First Golf Goal: Handicap Improvement35:33 Greg's First Golf Goal: Competitive Golf39:06 Cooper's Second Golf Goal: Better Data Tracking41:53 Chris's Second Golf Goal: Playing Top Courses43:26 Greg's Second Golf Goal: Balancing Fun and Performance48:21 Cooper's Third Golf Goal: Sharing Golf Experiences50:18 Chris's Third Golf Goal: Playing with New Links Members52:24 Greg's Third Golf Goal: Playing Wishlist Courses55:29 Wrapping Up and Encouraging Listener Participation

Spey Bay Adventures: 2024 Recap & 2025 Event Preview

In this episode of the Links Golf Club Podcast, we dive deep into the incredible experiences of traveling to the beloved Spey Bay course in Falkirk, Scotland.
 
Host Gregory, along with regulars Cooper and Chris, and special guest member Bucks, share unforgettable moments from the 2024 events, including the Ryder Cup, Summer Solstice, and more.
 
They also unveil the exciting 2025 event lineup, discuss travel tips for golfing in Scotland, and reflect on the unique camaraderie and immersive environment that make these trips so special. Tune in for detailed insights into planning your international golf adventure and join the conversation with your feedback on the proposed event schedule!
00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:14 Today's Episode Overview01:16 Meet the Crew and Special Guest01:47 Favorite Golf Hats Discussion02:52 Recap of 2024 Events06:22 Event Highlights and Experiences26:04 Travel Tips and Getting to Scotland29:43 Travel Options and Driving Strategies31:43 Lodging and Accommodation Tips35:45 Dining and Food Experiences41:01 2025 Event Schedule Overview48:22 Feedback and Suggestions for 202555:53 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

2024 Year in Review

In this special episode of the Links Golf Club Podcast, host Gregory and the core crew—Cooper and Chris—take a nostalgic walk down memory lane to share the highlights of their 2024 golfing year. From breaking personal records and playing iconic courses like Royal Dornoch and Bethpage Red, to attending unforgettable club events at Cabot Citrus and Kingsley Club, they cover it all. The team also discusses their favorite golf purchases, community member memories, and the benefits of Links Golf Club memberships. Join us for a fun and reflective journey through a fantastic year of golf!
00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:13 Reflecting on 2024 Highlights00:53 Meet the Hosts01:32 Upcoming Events and Announcements02:43 Favorite Golf Moments of 202408:36 Personal Golf Highlights08:40 Favorite New Golf Courses Played20:39 Best Golf Purchases of the Year25:56 Nostalgic Golf Club Purchases27:49 Favorite Golf Clubs of the Year30:25 Standout Golf Moments of 202435:43 Memorable Golf Events and Trips42:46 Top Golf Perks and Partnerships49:22 Cherished Community Interactions56:36 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

The Stack System Midpoint Check-In

Welcome back to the Links Golf Club Podcast! This week, Gregory, Cooper, and Chris dive deep into their experience with the Stack System, a revolutionary golf speed training program. They discuss their progress, share tips, and even turn the journey into a friendly competition. Plus, get exclusive updates on the Links Pro Shop Black Friday sale and upcoming 5 Iron events across the country.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:31 Meet the Hosts00:59 Black Friday Pro Shop Deals02:36 Speed Training Partnership Announcement03:30 Mid-Program Check-In05:56 Training Experiences and Insights12:08 Progress and Competition16:20 Stack Speed Progress Overview16:57 Adjusting to the Stack System19:19 Distance Potential Insights23:04 Feedback and Swing Thoughts28:51 Expectations and Future Goals32:43 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Spey Bay 2024 Winter Plan

Welcome back to the Links Golf Club podcast! In this exciting fourth episode, we delve into the latest happenings at our club, including the significant acquisition of the Spey Bay Golf Course in Northern Scotland.
Join us as we discuss the extensive renovations led by the renowned architecture team, Clayton DeVries & Pont, and the transformative efforts of General Manager Bert McKay and Head Greenskeeper David. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing projects, improvements, and future plans for this beautiful links course.
Additionally, we cover the recent Ryder Cup event and community feedback on our winter work proposals. Stay tuned for fascinating insights and vibrant discussions from our special guests and club members!
00:00 Welcome to the Links Golf Club Podcast00:44 Exciting News: Spey Bay Golf Course Acquisition01:07 Meet the Team: Bert McKay and David01:51 A Day in the Life at Spey Bay03:46 Transformations and Highlights of the Past Year10:34 Winter Work Plan and Future Goals21:54 Introduction to the New Pathway22:13 Challenges with the Current Putting Green23:23 Proposed Solution for the Putting Green28:14 Resourceful Use of Onsite Materials31:21 Considerations for Seating and Benches36:32 Future Plans and Exciting Changes42:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts