Michael Riley

Behind the scenes work for the @HackItOutGolf podcast. Lots of posts about my favorite junior golfers.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

At 12, he's not the biggest kid. But I don't think he has much speed left that he's not tapping into.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

@FixUrBallMark @drakesmith__ Appreciate that from you both. I'm always amazed when I post his swing at the number of "reverse pivot" comments I get, from people who seem not to be able to see where his pressures are in the swing.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

Morning golf.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

In the men's room of our course. Punk fox. He wears the vintage sweater ironically, I assume.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

At first glance, I like a lot of this.

⚫️The fact that Track 1 events are full field with cut is good.
⚫️Not convinced that limited movement between Track 1 and 2 during the season is good, but I need to think about that more. The key will be getting relegation/promotion right, which is tricky.
⚫️Track 2 is essentially Korn Ferry+, with more money for those players.

[Josh Carpenter @JoshACarpenter]

New report from @RexHoggardGC today on the track system.

Among other things: "The current plan is to not have sponsor exemptions or mid-season promotions from Track 2 into Track 1 events. Despite some push back from players, the Tour also looks to limit access for Track 1 players into Track 2 events." https://t.co/t8fWYgz8Vh

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

Looks like there might be some rain on Friday/Saturday, but still hoping to get down to the @ChampionsTour event in Madison to see @GregChalmersPGA.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

@agent_minivann If I take my plates, which admittedly are likely to be far from accurate, and add a small amount more weight, I'm still lifting a small amount more weight. I care about that more than I care about the absolute number.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

Got some teeny tiny weight plates. Now that I'm not making weekly 10 or 5lb jumps in my lifts, I'll be able to do as little as a .5lb increment. Gradual, anti-ego, progressive overload.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

When the LIV era ends and there's a unified Tour again, I really, really want Talor Gooch and Asterisk Talley to be a team at the Grant Thornton.

[Rick Golfs @Top100Rick]

And no asterisk either. He faced off with Talor Gooch and beat him. In that one way, this is bigger than a major. Rory’s Masters wins will forever have the Talor asterisk.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

@DonnieSolesbee I understand how they get there (history of links golf, etc), but it is odd that often the same people want 1) wide open, treeless courses, and 2) a rollback, because modern equipment lets people swing with abandon without consequences.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

Caroline is finding some power: 102 yards of carry at 88mph ball speed.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

@Xlem_K I did think of that. I'm sure that even people who collect Precious Moments figurines have their moments. But it was the physical pain of lifting that made me ask (again): "Why am I choosing to do this?" :)

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

As I was lifting weights this morning and thinking about golf, it occurred to me that there are people who choose hobbies that don't cause them pain and frustration.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

@REDEMPTION_GOLF I can be both multiple times on the same hole.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

@CorrectInUS It's how civilizations crumble.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

@greatapegrips Just got mine yesterday; it's going to sit here in my office for regular use.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

Absolutely love this—and it might be more relevant for junior golf, only because (relative to team sports) so few people can actually make a living playing golf professionally.

My son aspires to play professionally, and that would be amazing. But one of the great joys of golf is that it is a game for life.

[Jacob Turner @TheJacobTurner]

A PARENT’S JOURNEY THROUGH YOUTH SPORTS:

Age 5: “He’s got a cannon.”
Age 6: “He’s the fastest kid out there. Coach said so.”
Age 7: “Rec ball isn’t challenging him anymore.”
Age 8: “We tried out for select. Obviously made it.”
Age 9: “$2,800 for the season. Plus uniforms. Plus tournaments. Plus hotels.”
Age 10: “Cooperstown is basically a family vacation, right?”
Age 11: “He needs a hitting guy. And a pitching guy. And probably a mental performance coach.”
Age 12: “I’m not a crazy sports parent. The OTHER parents are crazy.”
Age 13: “We changed schools. For academics. (And also baseball.)”
Age 14: “Showcases are a requirement at this age.”
Age 15: “Ya his ranking just ticked up. We’re cooking.”
Age 16: “He just needs to get seen by the right school.”
Age 17: “The D1 schools want him to walk on. He’ll earn a spot by sophomore year.”
Age 18: “Okay, D2 is actually really competitive.”
Age 19: “He’s redshirting. Strategic.”
Age 20: “He’s focusing on school now.”
Age 21: “You know what? He’s so much happier.”

Roughly 7% of high schoolers play in college.

About 1.5% of those get drafted.

Less than half of draftees ever play one day in the big leagues.

The odds of our kids going pro are somewhere between “struck by lightning” and “find a $100 in old shorts.”

I love youth sports (all my kids play a bunch of them) just keep a good perspective my friends. ✌️

[Hack It Out Golf @HackItOutGolf]

Yeah, but that's just your data.

Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/QtI7ljnr7b

Spotify: https://t.co/cUpFQSYVCd

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

This is really cool to play around with. @Nickolgolf, I know you like getting top-down cameras when possible, so you'll want to check this out.

[PGA of America @PGA]

Have fun with the 4D swings of Kyle Berkshire, Wyndham Clark, Mac Homa and Min Woo Lee here ➡️ https://t.co/LbxUFBT1rC

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

@LouStagner Because of the inevitable objections: you will definitely need to do a post with ten hole designs: five AI generated, five from well-regarded designers—to see who can sort them properly.

[Michael Riley @MRileyGolf]

In my experience: heavy weight makes me stronger and elastic bands are great quieting for nagging connective tissues.