Golf is full of opinions, traditions, and marketing claims. Off TRAQ is where we slow down and actually talk about them.
Hosted by Charles and Roy, the Off TRAQ Podcast explores the questions golfers genuinely debate — from equipment and swing myths to tour storylines, industry narratives, and the
Does playing in golf tournaments actually make you a better golfer, or does it just expose the weaknesses you already have? This week on Off TRAQ, Charles and Roy debate whether amateur golfers should compete in tournaments and what tournament pressure teaches you that a casual round with friends can't. Charles shares his experiences in individual competitions, team scrambles, and the Audi Quattro Cup—including why overpreparing has sometimes made him play worse. We get into course management, mental resilience, playing under pressure, and why tournament golf might be the best way to…
Brian Kim, founder of Liteyear Golf, joins Off TRAQ to talk about what it really takes to build golf equipment from scratch and why most junior clubs are designed the wrong way. Brian shares how he went from DocuSign to launching a golf equipment company, what goes into designing clubs specifically for kids, why Liteyear chose blade style irons, and how weight, shaft design, feel, sizing, and manufacturing all come together. We also get Brian’s perspective on Grant Horvat’s Little Legends launch, the $200 junior golf club controversy, and whether more competition is ultimately good for the…
Which golf stats actually help amateurs improve, and which ones are mostly noise? Charles and Roy go through driving distance, fairways hit, putts per round, greens in regulation, double bogeys, and handicap and decide what they would keep, kill, or replace. They also reveal the three stats they would track if they could only choose three. Then, they break down LIV Golf’s Chapter 11 restructuring , what it could mean for its biggest stars, and whether LIV ultimately changed professional golf for the better. Plus, TaylorMade is up for sale . Why now, what could the company be worth, and would…
Golf instruction has never been more accessible, but has it actually made golfers better? Charles and Roy break down golf’s biggest swing trends, including the one plane swing, Stack and Tilt, Sean Foley’s controversial years with Tiger Woods, George Gankas and the shallowing craze, and the modern “hold and turn” release. Which ideas can actually help amateurs, which require very specific physical matchups, and how does combining random YouTube tips create a Frankenstein swing that is worse than the one you started with? Plus, we react to the Good Good and Callaway ad controversy, debate…
What does it actually take to build a golf company from scratch? This week, Charles and Roy share the story behind TRAQ — from the early range session that sparked the idea, to failed prototypes, manufacturing problems, 3D printing, supply chain chaos, and figuring out how to turn a golf obsession into an actual business. We also break down how we personally use TRAQ, what happens when your passion becomes your job, and where we want to take the company next. Then we get into this week’s golf news: the rumors surrounding Jon Rahm potentially leaving LIV Golf, why the best players in the…
Charles just played his worst golf in years: shanks on the range, topped drives, push slices, a triple, and more doubles than he would care to remember. In this episode, Charles, Roy, and new co-producer Alex break down exactly what went wrong, why a medicine-ball drill may have quietly thrown Charles’ swing out of sync, and the one swing thought that helped him turn things around on the back nine. Along the way, they discuss how to reset when your swing disappears mid-round, whether you should ever “play your miss,” and the pride that keeps amateurs fighting a lost cause until hole 15. Then…
Mini drivers and 7 woods are two of the hottest clubs in golf right now, but do they actually belong in the average golfer’s bag? Charles and Roy break down why mini drivers have surged in popularity, what they are really designed to do, and why buying one may not solve your driver problems. Then they dig into the 7 wood boom, why more tour players are using one, how it compares with long irons and hybrids, and which golfers could benefit most from making the switch. Later, they react to the biggest controversies from The Open, including Bryson DeChambeau’s penalty, Scottie Scheffler’s free…
On this episode of Off TRAQ , Charles and Roy ask a deceptively simple question: is modern golf actually better? With better equipment, launch monitors, rangefinders, YouTube instruction, and more data than ever, golfers should be getting dramatically better… so why has the average handicap barely moved? They break down how golf has changed from the early 90s and 2000s to today, where technology has genuinely helped, and where it may actually be making golfers more confused, dependent, and cluttered. Then they hit current events, including Scottie Scheffler’s playoff loss, Jordan Spieth…
What if the biggest thing hurting your golf game isn’t your swing… it’s the golf you’re watching? This week on Off TRAQ, Charles and Roy explore why the modern PGA Tour may actually be teaching amateur golfers all the wrong lessons. From flop shots and hero recoveries to going for par 5s in two, they discuss why what works for the best players in the world often leads to bigger scores for the rest of us. Then they dive into Wyndham Clark’s U.S. Open victory and why the tournament felt strangely flat, why so many fans seem to be rooting against him, and what his win says about personality in…
The PGA Tour has changed forever. In a surprise emergency episode of Off TRAQ, Charles and Roy break down the biggest structural change to professional golf in decades. Starting in 2028, the PGA Tour will split into a new Championship Series and Challenger Series featuring promotion, relegation, smaller fields, and dramatically different purses. We discuss: • What actually changed • Why the Tour is doing this now • Whether fans will care about relegation battles • Which recognizable names could be in danger • The return of match play • The winners and losers of the new system • Whether this…
Most golfers improve quickly at first… until they hit the same wall. The scores stop dropping. The handicap stays stuck. And no matter how much they practice, nothing seems to change. In this episode of Off TRAQ, we break down why golfers plateau at every stage of improvement — from beginners trying to break 100 all the way to low handicaps chasing scratch. We talk about the biggest mistakes golfers make at each level, what actually unlocks the next jump in scoring, and why so many players get trapped around the 10 handicap range. We also discuss: • Why improvement gets harder the better you…
This week on Off TRAQ, we ask a massive question: Could YouTube golf actually become the future of the sport? With YGT officially launching and creator golf exploding in popularity, we break down why this could be one of the biggest shifts golf has seen in years and why the PGA Tour may need to pay attention. We dive into: • Why YGT feels different from LIV Golf and TGL • Why YouTube golf connects better with modern sports fans • How pacing, editing, storytelling, and personalities are changing golf media • Whether creator golf could eventually become a path to the PGA Tour • Why traditional…
This week on Off Track, we discuss the end of LIV Golf funding and whether the league ultimately failed or changed golf forever. We break down why fans never fully connected with LIV, what the PIF may have originally wanted from golf, and what happens next for players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. We also discuss Bryson’s possible PGA Tour return, YouTube golf’s growing influence, and the PGA Tour’s changing media policies. Finally, we dive into the real reason most golfers make double bogeys and why course management, decision making, and putting matter more than most amateurs…
Roy gets fitted for a new putter… but does a putter fitting actually make you better? In this episode of Off TRAQ, we break down our real experiences with putter fittings — what actually matters, what most golfers get wrong, and why a “perfect fit” doesn’t always translate to better results on the course. From high-tech tools like TrackMan and SAM PuttLab to simple setup adjustments, we explore the balance between data and feel — and how much each should influence your decision. We also get into: • What happens during a real putter fitting • Why length, lie, and roll are critical (and often…
Rory McIlroy wins the Masters in dramatic fashion, but the bigger question remains: is something happening at Augusta? In this episode of Off TRAQ, we break down Rory’s performance and what this win means for his legacy, while also examining the subtle shifts surrounding The Masters. From changing broadcast dynamics to course setup and scoring conditions, this year’s tournament raised new questions about the future of Augusta National. We also discuss: Whether Augusta is influencing course conditions Why LIV golfers continue to struggle in majors Justin Rose’s latest near miss Collin…
Can you win the Masters… without ever hitting a tee shot? We created a 125-yard challenge at Augusta National Golf Club to test a simple idea: Would an amateur actually have a chance? In this episode, we go hole-by-hole through Augusta, breaking down strategy, scoring expectations, and where things fall apart fast. Because it turns out… distance isn’t the real defense of Augusta. By the end, we simulate a full 4-round Masters to see if either of us is actually walking away with a green jacket. We also get into the latest on Tiger Woods — from his TGL Finals appearance to his recent car…
Is the golf ball rollback actually necessary… or is it solving a problem no one asked for? In this episode, we break down the rollback rule (00:00), what the USGA and R&A are changing, and why the PGA Tour might not fully adopt it. We debate whether distance is really an issue in golf, who could be behind the decision, and what it means for both pros and everyday players. We also cover: • Colin Morikawa’s mid-round withdrawal and the reaction (40:34) • Why golf movies and shows rarely live up to expectations (42:49) • A blind ranking of the most intimidating shots in golf (47:00) If you’ve…
In this episode of Off TRAQ , Charles and Roy go through the bag and debate which brand performs best in each category. Starting with the first brand that comes to mind, they talk through their picks for: • Drivers (00:49) • Irons (09:25) • Wedges (16:09) • Putters (23:22) • Golf Balls (28:58) The episode also covers two other big topics in golf this week: - Rory McIlroy withdrawing from The Players Championship with a back injury and what that might mean for the season. (36:17) - And a debate around whether The Players Championship should officially be considered the 5th major in golf.…
In this episode of Off Traq, we unpack the business drama behind Bryson DeChambeau’s reported push for 51% ownership of LA Golf and what majority control really means in corporate structure. We also discuss: • Michelle Wie joining WTGL as both player and investor • LIV Golf receiving another $267M from PIF • The evolving power dynamics in professional golf • A legacy debate: Masters vs the other three majors
Should you master one reliable stock shot… or learn to shape it both ways? This week on Off TRAQ, we debate whether golfers are overcomplicating the game by chasing all 9 windows instead of building one predictable pattern. Then we shift gears: Tiger Woods hints at another Masters run — is a 50 year old Tiger good for the game even if he misses the cut? (26:15) Is the PGA Tour finally making structural changes to create more must watch events? (28:30) Is pro shop fashion becoming less traditional and more Instagram driven? (30:45) And in a separate segment, we break down the actual stats…
Does the PGA Tour have a marketing problem — or a personality problem? In this episode, we compare golf to leagues like the NFL and NBA and ask why professional golf feels so different. Is it the lack of rivalries? Not enough storytelling? Too much focus on stats and not enough on drama? We also cover: • Rory going back to blades • The Luke Kwon controversy • Anthony Kim’s comeback win • And whether classic golf sayings are actually good advice Chapters:00:00 Fixing the PGA Tour34:02 Rory Going Back to Blades25:13 The FULL Luke Kwon Saga41:10 Anthony Kim Wins LIV Adelaide44:51 Golf Sayings:…
In this episode of Off TRAQ , we talk through what it really takes to break 90, why you don’t need great golf to do it, and how most amateurs quietly sabotage their rounds without realizing it. We dig into the real numbers behind breaking 90, the mistakes that blow up scorecards, and how managing penalties, putting, and expectations matters more than chasing birdies. We also cover what’s happening this week in golf — from the fifth major debate to PGA Tour bans and the spectacle that is the Waste Management Open — before ending with a lighter “Pick One to Lose Forever” segment. If you’re…
What if Tiger’s entire career starts in 2010 instead of 1996? We break down the alternate timeline and debate whether Tiger still becomes “GOAT Tiger” in the modern era. How much of his dominance was skill, how much was timing, and how much was psychological pressure on the field? We also get into what GOAT even means, the majors math, and how the modern tour changes the ceiling. After the main debate, we hit the weekly golf news and close with a fun ranking of the worst feelings in golf. Chapters:00:00 2010 Tiger Debut: Is He Still GOAT?32:27 This Week's Golf Headlines42:22 Blind Ranking:…
Are the driver and iron swings actually the same, or are they two completely different swings? In this episode of Off TRAQ , we kick things off with a deep debate on one of golf’s most argued questions: driver vs iron swings . We break down setup, mechanics, feel vs reality, and why so many golfers stripe irons but lose their driver or vice versa. From there, we recap the most interesting tech from the PGA Show , including smart putting balls, grip sensors, budget launch monitors, and why so much modern golf tech provides data without real instruction. We close the episode with a mindset…
Buying a new driver shouldn’t feel this complicated — but for most golfers, it does. In this episode, we cover three core topics: • How we personally approach buying a new driver • The biggest current headlines in golf and what actually matters • Why finding a good club fitter is harder than it should be We cut through marketing noise, talk honestly about gear decisions, and dig into the structural problems that lead golfers to spend money without getting better. This is a candid, practical conversation for everyday golfers who want clarity — not hype. Chapters 00:30 – What Charles Actually…
2026 golf drivers are starting to surface, and we break down the driver releases and early teases we’ve heard so far — what’s actually new, what feels incremental, and what golfers should realistically care about heading into the season. We also dive into the six new PGA of America rule changes , explaining what changed, why it matters, and how these updates impact everyday golfers, not just tour players. To close things out, we get personal and talk through our 2026 golf goals — what we’re working on, where we’re being honest about our games, and how we’re approaching improvement this year.…
Golf etiquette. LIV Golf. And a little self-reflection to close it out. In this episode, Charles and Roy break down the golf pet peeves and etiquette rules golfers break all the time — including the ones they’re guilty of themselves. From pace-of-play issues to subtle on-course habits, nothing is off-limits. They also dive into the LIV Golf debate , discussing whether LIV players should be allowed back on the PGA Tour and what fairness really looks like in professional golf. To wrap it up, they reflect on their own golf year in review — what worked, what didn’t, and what they’re taking into…
New dad, no range time, stuck in traffic, shows up late… and somehow plays one of his best rounds of the year. In this episode, Charles breaks down how a single swing thought (footwork!) completely changed his game — and why training while holding a newborn actually works. We also review the $50 Amazon rangefinder vs a $550 Bushnell Pro XE, talk LAB putter feel and inserts, and debate the Golf Digest “Build Your Ultimate Round” challenge. Whether you’re a golf dad, gear nerd, or someone trying to get better without touching a range, this episode hits all the relatable pain points. ⛳…
Shopping for golfers is impossible — we’re picky, brand-loyal, and half the time we already bought the thing you were planning to gift us. In this episode, Charles and Roy break down the best golf gifts of 2025 , including: Stocking stuffers under $50 Solid picks under $200 Splurge gifts golfers actually love Accessories we use every round Gifts to avoid unless you really know the golfer We also give our honest take on the 2025 Skins Game , why it didn’t live up to the hype, and why the Internet Invitational pulled off a better creator event. Whether you’re a golfer shopping for yourself or…
This week on Off TRAQ, we break down one of golf’s most overlooked decisions: choosing the right tee box. Most golfers play from the wrong tees — and it affects scoring, pace, and the way the course is meant to be played. We walk through different ways to pick your tees, what yardages matter, and the ego traps every amateur falls into. We also have some fun with a big hypothetical: If you could steal one skill from any pro golfer — driver, irons, wedges, or putting — what are you taking to improve your game? And finally, we share our honest thoughts on TopGolf — just our experiences and how…
About Off TRAQ Podcast — Golf's Real Conversations
Golf is full of opinions, traditions, and marketing claims. Off TRAQ is where we slow down and actually talk about them.
Hosted by Charles and Roy, the Off TRAQ Podcast explores the questions golfers genuinely debate — from equipment and swing myths to tour storylines, industry narratives, and the
Off TRAQ Podcast — Golf's Real Conversations is a English sport podcast from TRAQ Golf. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
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